Dining Times

[T16GEM]

I was just wondering, if you make an ADR at a Character dining restaurant with a buffet service, how long are you allowed to spend eating, do they turf you out after a certain time or how does it work? I'm just wondering as DS is a pretty slow eater and we are planning a character meal for his 3rd birthday.

Thanks guys

 

[Pegasus928]

In all honesty we haven't done that many ADRs in the past - maybe only half a dozen - but I can never remember being rushed or encouraged to leave.
Most of the time when we have had enough, especially with a buffet, and any characters have been around we are keen to get off to a park, or to do whatever the day has to offer. If it's an evening meal the kids are normally pestering us to go outside and have a look round the resort.

 

[scottish mum]

last year we did several buffets and TS meals and with 3 kids we're never very quick. Not once did we feel rushed by our servers and we all enjoyed our meals. Sometimes I was the one trying to rush the kids though as I was ready to get on some rides

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

We did mostly buffets and never once felt rushed to leave, I'm the slowest eater in our family and felt more rushed by the family wanting to get out! We were that long in Chef Mickeys the characters must have come around 3 times at least, the same in Crystal Palace.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Same here Gem,no being rushed at all in O'Hana+Chef Mickeys.Apart from CRT-as they have to clear the tables to get more seated-i deffinatley felt rushed in here.x.

 

[team harris]

We have done a few character meals and have never been rushed out of any of them. We had the last sitting for a CP meal in 2007 and the characters did not leave until everyone was happy, so we had loads of "private" time and photos, may be worth doing for a birthday meal. Also consider buying a gift for the birthday child and asking character to give to child - went done a treat with our then 7yr old DS in 2003

 

[T16GEM]

Also consider buying a gift for the birthday child and asking character to give to child - went done a treat with our then 7yr old DS in 2003

What a great idea! I have just written it in my planning journal!

We haven't decided where we are going yet, I liked the look of CP but I wish it was Mickey and Minnie rather than Pooh Bear and pals, we will probably end up at Chef Mickeys or similar, I have a while before I can make a reservation anyway.

Thanks your all of your feedback guys, I was a bit worried that they had set sittings or something. It's a relief to hear that Harley can sit there are munch as long as he likes, he is always the last child still sitting at the table at any kids birthday party! My child loves his food!

 

[team harris]

What a great idea! I have just written it in my planning journal!

We haven't decided where we are going yet, I liked the look of CP but I wish it was Mickey and Minnie rather than Pooh Bear and pals, we will probably end up at Chef Mickeys or similar, I have a while before I can make a reservation anyway.

Thanks your all of your feedback guys, I was a bit worried that they had set sittings or something. It's a relief to hear that Harley can sit there are munch as long as he likes, he is always the last child still sitting at the table at any kids birthday party! My child loves his food!

DS's birthday breakfast was at Chef Mickey's. We bought and wrapped a MM watch for him and although Mickey wasn't allowed to touch it (??!!), the waitress covered DS's eyes and it magically appeared on the table in front of him whilst Mickey was at the table!

To this day, he still thinks the gift was from Mickey and not us!

We then went on for a late luch at CRT and by pure luck Cinderella escorted us up in the lift and sat us at our table. He had such a magical day ending with Wishes Fireworks in front of the Castle. Big advice is don't be shy, make sure everyone knows it is his birthday. So many magical things happened to him including a birthday phone call from Goofy in one of the shops.
I even have a lump in my throat as I'm typing this now and DS is 12 now!

 

[T16GEM]

I even have a lump in my throat as I'm typing this now and DS is 12 now!

So do I! What are we like!

I am awful when it comes to the kids and stuff like that, I have to wear my sunglasses all the time so I don't look like a sap!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

We aways linger until we have seen all the characters, which in some places takes over an hour, so don't worry - we have never felt pressured to leave.