Convince me that ADRs/Character Dinings are worth it...

[Elacklen]

We are going to WDW with our kids for the first time this month. 7 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 18 mo girl. This trip was last minute. We were able to snag FP but not many ADRs. I was able to book breakfast at Ohana on day of departure and H&V breakfast for 2-so my husband can run the other two to Star Wars to sign up for Jedi training. We also have Fantasmic lunch reserved at H&V, unfortunately, the same day.
Here's my question. I can't understand the appeal of dining in the sit down restaurants. I can't fathom spending $200 so my kids can meet Goofy. I would much prefer to bring in sandwiches for lunch and cook at the condo for dinner. There's no characters that both my kids want to see, (boy/girl problem). My 4 year old is painfully shy and I doubt would approach a princess EVER. Is seeing them on the parades/walking around not enough?
I'm not trying to offend. Clearly, these are popular options. But, why should we do it? My kids don't even know meeting characters exists. In other words, I need convincing. Pro/cons. Thanks!

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I often bring sandwiches and snacks for one of my meals in the parks. There's nothing wrong with this.

However, a big part of the Disney magic for me and many others are the restaurants. Many TS are an experience unto themselves, either because of the theming, the food, or the unforgettable character interactions. I personally love character meals, and my experience with my niece and nephew is that they have a great time even if they aren't familiar with the characters.

A sit down meal can also serve as a much needed break from the sun and the crowds. For young kids especially Disney can be very overwhelming.

It can also be tough sometimes to find a nice place where you can sit and eat your picnic lunch in relative peace.

With all that said, if you are going to sit through each meal trying to justify the cost you won't enjoy it, and if you aren't having fun there's a good chance your kids won't either.

 

[Newsies]

I agree with Sargeant Tibbs (and I love their name!) wholeheartedly.

If you're having an icky, hot, stressful day at the parks, you might very well appreciate sitting down at a table and eating a meal. Even ordering from a QS can actually be pretty stressful, with the process of standing in line and finding a table, etc. Bringing lunch is fine, but prepared to face the possibility of continuing to brave the elements if the weather is bad.

Even if your children don't want to do character meals, there are a lot of other great restaurants that don't include characters and need ADRs. Epcot has a myriad of great sit-down restaurants in every country. DHS is famous for The Sci-Fi Dine In and 50's Prime Time Cafe. There's restaurants for everyone at WDW

Hope whatever you choose to do brings you a wonderful trip!!!

 

[OZMom]

We accidentally stumbled on a walk in to the Play and Dine at Hollywood and Vine. I had spent weeks trying to get it with no luck and just happened to walk up first day we were there and get it. I was so excited, my kids could have cared less. They were like ok this is nice. They took the pictures with the characters and had them sign the books, but they weren't as enchanted as I expected. My 5YO even said "Mommy it's just someone in a costume". It might be different because your LO is so much younger and they might enjoy it more, but my kids were kinda unimpressed. Would I do more character meals? Probably. Would I stress myself out to get the reservation again, NOPE. We did do the Fantasmic lunch at Mama Melrose though and it was fantastic. That I will probably schedule every trip I should probably point out that we had free dining plan when we went, otherwise I am right there with you with packing sandwiches. $200 is a lot of souvenirs, or an extra day at the parks

 

[butterfly71076]

OP, it seems as though you already know what you want to do. You don't want to go to TS meals, so don't. Personally, packing food and carrying it around all day sounds like a huge pain in the you-know-what. Money well spent to our family as to not have to bring food with to the parks or worry about cooking dinner every night. Hope you and your family have an amazing first trip!

 

[Lovetherodent]

If you don't see any point and you're kids aren't begging to meet a character, don't shell out the bucks for the meal. Personally, I have no desire to haul around a bag of sandwiches, but I also remember the days of dining with small children, and that can be no picnic either. Table service can be slow and who wants to keep a toddler corralled in a high chair for 90 minutes when she'd rather be anywhere else? When they get a little older (and you'll have a heavier bag of food!), you may see the appeal. Until then, skip the ADRs and dine the way that makes you comfortable.

 

[Elacklen]

Thank you for the advice! I understand more now about having a break indoors. I'll strive for a healthy balance.

 

[tinkerbellnsnowwhite]

Sometimes sticking to ADR's with little ones is difficult. You schedule for 5 and they are hungry at 4. It is much easier to just take your chances and walk up and see what's available and if nothing is do quick service or pick a different table service. Our last trip I had ADR's laid out for all the meals. A few times the kids were like "we don't want to stop doing stuff to go eat" so we ended up missing our ADR, and of course I panicked. We ended up getting in to nice table service each time. Including we missed our ADR for 50's Prime Time and walked up and were seated with a 20 minute wait. If your kids aren't that into the character meal or don't know they exist, they will see plenty of characters in the parks. I think its more important to relax then go at a commando pace when you have little ones.

 

[mco65]

ADRs have been a great experience for us. The first couple of times we went to WDW with my oldest son, we didn't do any ADRs but once we got a free dining offer and jumped on it, we were hooked. So, its likely your Ohana breakfast will give you a good idea if there is value for you and your family. We have never had ADRs without the dining package and have purchased that package the last 2 times we went (I Think). I think if we didn't purchase the package in advance, i would probably have second thoughts after we got our check...

 

[Supercalafragilistic]

H&V breakfast for 2-so my husband can run the other two to Star Wars to sign up for Jedi training

If this is a pre-rope drop ADR, only the 2 people on the ADR wil be allowed in before the park opens If your ADR is after the park opens, so you can wait for the rest of the family, there are less expensive alternatives. There is also a play area at DHS that your daughter may enjoy.

 

[Elacklen]

That is good to know about H&V. I haven't been able to add more to the Res. I'm trying to decide between H&V character breakfast or Fantasmic lunch package. No characters at the lunch, correct?

 

[Diaz]

I have done a few TS, Character Meals and ADR. I prefer QS. I did not like planning my day around meals. I did not have one TS meal that lived up to my expectation. I resented the time TS meals took away from the park. It seems as if it would be a real headache to schedule ADR's, FP+ and EMH.