Crystal Palace - really disappointed

[dolphingirl47]

Just for a bit of background: I have been to Crystal Palace 5 or 6 times before, sometimes with my DH and sometimes just on my own. I always had a great time and I really loved the character interaction.
Fast forward to last Tuesday. It was not my intention to even go to MK that day so I did not have an ADR. I went to the podium on the off chance that they can fit me in and they could. I waited less than 5 minutes for a table. The restaurant was not particularly busy. Shortly after I arrived, Piglet came by my table, gave me a hug and we had a fun interaction. I was glad to be back. Shortly afterwards Eeyore came by, padded my head and moved on. Pooh just bypassed my table altogether. Tigger just gave me a casual wave and passed right by as well initially, but either Tigger or his escort must have seen how disappointed I was and he came back and I had a great interaction with him.
I know that character dining experiences are particularly aimed at families with children, but why on earth did they think I chose to dine there if it was not to get some character interaction. It was definitely not for the food. The food is pleasant enough, but definitely not what makes me go there. If I just wanted good food, there are better places around the world.

dolphingirl47

 

[Sawyer]

Errrr... You know that those are just people in suits and that it's not the real Pooh or Tigger, right?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Next you tell me Santa Claus is not real

Of course I know they are not real, but they represent a little bit of childhood for me that I am not willing to give up. The characters are also what makes Disney so magical for me. I had a wonderful time interacting and having photos taken with various characters on DCL and they treated me the same way as they did the kids.

dolphingirl47

 

[pumba]

we just returned from Disney, and all the characters came to hubby and my table to smooch or pat us on the head too......they even stopped for photos if we wanted them to....This was at Crystal Palace

 

[KatMark]

We were at CP on September 4 for breakfast at 10:15 and it was four adults celebrating various things (anniversary, birthday, 1st visit). All four characters stopped at our table for pictures and Tigger came back while CM's sang to us.

 

[Freyja]

Just for a bit of background: I have been to Crystal Palace 5 or 6 times before, sometimes with my DH and sometimes just on my own. I always had a great time and I really loved the character interaction.
Fast forward to last Tuesday. It was not my intention to even go to MK that day so I did not have an ADR. I went to the podium on the off chance that they can fit me in and they could. I waited less than 5 minutes for a table. The restaurant was not particularly busy. Shortly after I arrived, Piglet came by my table, gave me a hug and we had a fun interaction. I was glad to be back. Shortly afterwards Eeyore came by, padded my head and moved on. Pooh just bypassed my table altogether. Tigger just gave me a casual wave and passed right by as well initially, but either Tigger or his escort must have seen how disappointed I was and he came back and I had a great interaction with him.
I know that character dining experiences are particularly aimed at families with children, but why on earth did they think I chose to dine there if it was not to get some character interaction. It was definitely not for the food. The food is pleasant enough, but definitely not what makes me go there. If I just wanted good food, there are better places around the world.

dolphingirl47

I´m sorry you had a less than magical experience. CP is my favorite character meal and I would definately still go there if I was on my own, and like you I would be expecting the same character interaction as if I was there with my family.

 

[Mickey Canada]

"Errrr... You know that those are just people in suits and that it's not the real Pooh or Tigger, right?

 

[LisaInNc]

Errrr... You know that those are just people in suits and that it's not the real Pooh or Tigger, right?

awwww what a buzz kill!

 

[mmmbop]

We went to CP for my grandmother's 66 birthday (little backstory, it was the first restaurant we went to, on our first trip, for our first "disney meal" - 19 years ago so CP holds a special place in our hearts)

Anywho, grandmother is disabled so I go up and get the food for her. Pooh comes by, hugs her and kisses her, and wanders off to the next table. I came back and Piglet comes by, gives grandma a kiss and walks on. Tigger bounces up to Gram, gives her a high five and walks on. Eeyore goes and gives her a kiss and just waves to me. OK, at this point, I was so sad. I vented to Eeyore about how his friends are giving my grandmother hugs and kisses and I get squat. Eeyore came over and gave me a hug. Poor Eeyore, the burden was on him I knew he was my favorite for a reason

 

[dolphingirl47]

Thanks for all the feedback. Maybe I just caught them at a bad time or for some reason I gave off the wrong signals. I will give it another go when we go next year before our cruise. I like nothing better than goofing around with the characters and had great fun particularly with Stitch on the Magic and Donald and Daisy on the Wonder. Maybe I was just spoiled by my two cruises and the fantastic character interaction there.

dolphingirl47

 

[tynkendallsmom]

When we went last with our kids, CP was the best (granted, also the only one we did). Kids were in that Pooh/Eyore/Piglet/Tigger stage so it was perfect. In fact, my son still talks about Tigger putting on his hat and walking around with it on for a while. And boy oh boy - food was delish!

So sorry your experience wasn't what you had hoped for!!!

 

[Lintasare]

Sorry to hear you had a bad time. I hope gets better, we are eating there next Tuesday for breakfast with my parents. It's their first time doing the CP breakfast and I want them to enjoy it.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

CP was our first character meal ever. I love it there. Sorry you had a bad time!

 

[RichmondTiggerFan]

I have eaten at Crystal Palace many times before & I have had to 'chase' down Pooh or Tigger several times. When this happens, I go to the character handler & tell them that the character missed my table & they take care of it. Don't be shy if a character misses your table. Tell your server and/or the character handlers & they'll take care of it.

Errrr... You know that those are just people in suits and that it's not the real Pooh or Tigger, right?

Maybe the characters at other amusement parks are people in suits, in Disney, they're REAL And there are NO age requirements to meet/greet the characters. Anyone can meet them!

 

[Sawyer]

I get like the shy kids when the characters come around me. I feel embarrassed and try to leave the table when they start getting closer. At least I don't cry....

 

[sherpasmom]

Hi dolphingirl ~

I'm sorry you were disappointed at CP ~ I love interacting with characters because there's basically a kid inside of all of us---that's what Disney is ALL about? I'm glad to hear you're gonna give them another try?

Recently me, my daughter (5) and my mom (73) had bfast at CP and probably one of the best character interactions ever....Piglet was awesome all around but Tigger stole the show.....he took such a liking to our nana that he took her away! He put her arm in his and proceeded to parade her out of the restaurant She was so surprised she didn't know what to do, which made it funnier. My daughter still talks about tigger "stealing" her nana

Have a magical day!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I definitely will try again. As I said before, in previous years I had great meals there. I think I will also try the breakfast at Ohana if I can. I was none too keen when the person I made ADRs with for this trip suggested it, but up to this vacation I did not really like Stitch, but I fell in love with the guy on our cruises.

dolphingirl47

 

[All American]

I get like the shy kids when the characters come around me. I feel embarrassed and try to leave the table when they start getting closer. At least I don't cry....

That is exactly how I feel!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am definitely like a kid around characters, but not a shy one. I love goofing around with the characters.

dolphingirl47

 

[honeymo78]

Please just let the handlers know if a character skipped your table or even went by too fast. Particularly with adults, it can be hard to judge whether someone wants more than just a quick wave/pat on the head. Having your camera and/or autograph book out can help.