DISappointed in Character Breakfast!

[CraftyMouse]

Thanks for posting those videos. That really does not look like something we'd enjoy...too loud. My daughter would never eat a meal with all that going on!

If you think she would enjoy the character interaction why not go anyway? There is no cost involved (unlike at WDW) so you're not losing anything by going. We find that the character meal on the ship is more about having fun with the characters than actually eating a filling meal...although with the new format we probably won't go as our kids are older. Perhaps you could give your daughter sometime to eat before or after you go to help supplement what she does eat at the CB.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

If you think she would enjoy the character interaction why not go anyway? There is no cost involved (unlike at WDW) so you're not losing anything by going. We find that the character meal on the ship is more about having fun with the characters than actually eating a filling meal...although with the new format we probably won't go as our kids are older. Perhaps you could give your daughter sometime to eat before or after you go to help supplement what she does eat at the CB.

Good point(s)!

 

[Gr00vyChc]

Well I guess we are in the minority because we liked the Island Jam Breakfast. I read this thread before our cruise (9/29 Hi Maria!) and I had negative feelings about the event... but...my DD3 LOVED it!
The characters urged the kids to come over (they were dancing in front of our tables by the aisle) the characters came to get the kids from the table and some even lingered for some photo op at the table (be ready with your camera!!!)
My DD wished they did this every breakfast My DD enjoying herself was all that mattered

P.S. My DD DIDN'T eat that much with all the excitement.. but i figured she can eat all day anywhere on the ship.

Gr00vyChc

 

[ibela]

Well I guess we are in the minority because we liked the Island Jam Breakfast. I read this thread before our cruise (9/29 Hi Maria!) and I had negative feelings about the event... but...my DD3 LOVED it!
The characters urged the kids to come over (they were dancing in front of our tables by the aisle) the characters came to get the kids from the table and some even lingered for some photo op at the table (be ready with your camera!!!)
My DD wished they did this every breakfast My DD enjoying herself was all that mattered

P.S. My DD DIDN'T eat that much with all the excitement.. but i figured she can eat all day anywhere on the ship.

Gr00vyChc

I agree with all your points. DD loved this breakfast and kept looking for the characters to come out anytime we were at Parrot Cay. Some characters danced in the middle but I think Minnie was on an outside aisle so maybe kids that are a bit shy would feel more comfortable over there? They did all pass by the tables and briefly stopped.

I can see where older kids may not want to participate, but for us it was a nice offset to missing the later character meets (9pm+) when she was sleeping.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Well I guess we are in the minority because we liked the Island Jam Breakfast. I read this thread before our cruise (9/29 Hi Maria!) and I had negative feelings about the event... but...my DD3 LOVED it!

Hi Pauline and Irene. I fully expected your kids to enjoy it because it is geared towards their age group.
I did think it was cute, but disorganized....kids just standing there.....tons of parents getting up and weaving their way through the tables to get to the center for photos. I think the servers got a little frustrated having to dodge people constantly getting up. Especially if you had a table like ours (#4) which was quite a distance from the center of activity. I'm with you, if my kids were younger, they probably would have enjoyed it more. Though they have always been shy/timid and I probably would have had to really coax them up there. If anyone remembers in WDW the old Mickey's Tropical Luau at the Poly ? They used to bring the kids up to the front to teach them hula dances. Only my son and youngest dd went up. My middle dd has always been so shy.
So, while I think this show is cute for families with little kids (and I've mentioned this all along)......those with older kids, no kids, senior citizens etc, are getting left out of the activity with this new style of breakfast. That was my only point really. With the old style, everyone was assured time with the characters. We just got lucky that Goofy and Pluto came up to our tables. Because we were definitely in the minority here. It was not a set part of the show for them to stop. In fact, you can sort of see the CM guiding Goofy away from our table. So I guess I'm speaking from the perspective of a mom with older kids who still like character interaction but felt left out at this breakfast if you can see my point a little ? Glad u enjoyed the video clips

 

[MiaSRN62]

but for us it was a nice offset to missing the later character meets (9pm+) when she was sleeping.

And I can totally understand this Irene. But had you ever experienced the old character breakfast on the Magic ? Where each and everyone stopped by your table to sign autographs, pose for pics and video ? And they still played music during that one too. We honestly just got lucky that Goofy and Pluto stopped by. Minnie kept cruising by....as did Lilo. In fact, that table next to ours in the first photo I posted never had any character stop by. So I guess it's hit or miss whether one is lucky enough to have them linger at the table for a few seconds.

So I'm just sort of doing a comparison of the two different breakfasts we experienced. Not saying the Island Jam is bad.....just that we much preferred the old style character interaction for everyone.

 

[vpalmer]

I was also on the 9/29 Eastern and my four year old was in heaven. We also attended the old version of the breakfast and honestly I have to say it is an improvement. The old style breakfast was so rushed nobody interacted with the characters. There was just no time for that. They would quickly sign books, take a picture and leave. There are plenty of opportunities on the ship for autographs and this breakfast provides something that is different is not found elsewhere on the ship.

 

[MiaSRN62]

The old style breakfast was so rushed nobody interacted with the characters. There was just no time for that. They would quickly sign books, take a picture and leave.

Well there is most certainly and understandably varying viewpoints. I am very glad those of you with little ones enjoyed the new style.
For us, my kids enjoyed the old style. We had MUCH more interaction and photo ops. With this new style---no photo ops at all for older kids or adults. I had a table on the other side of us that had about 5 adults. They could barely see the characters from where they were sitting and none stopped by their table. They seemed less than interested.

So for those with little ones....this new breakfast is a winner I guess. But for the rest of us, it's a disappointing change. It used to be nice that the character breakfast was the one time you didn't have to stand in line for autographs or photos. They came right to your table. My kids voted we skip the Island Jam next cruise. Just wondering if those of you with little ones now, will feel the same when you come back with 11, 13, 15 yo's (who still enjoy time with the characters but feel very funny dancing around with 3 yo's). I think depending on your child's age, affects how you felt about this breakfast. We never felt rushed with the old style breakfast. But maybe that's just us ?


Here were my kids at the old style breakfast in 2004:

I have like 6-7 more photos with Mickey, Goofy etc. It was terrific. This new style breakfast, thankfully I had the video because there was no stopping whatsoever for photos or autographs. At least with the video, I could capture a moving target. Had to wait in lines for regular photo ops with the characters.

There are plenty of opportunities on the ship for autographs

True...if you wanted to stand in long lines most of the time. The old breakfast was nice because no lines. Also, I feel there were many other situations/occasions on the ship for dancing around. All the deck parties, sail away party, parties in the kids' club. So I think that can go both ways---but just my respectful opinion.
We never once got a photo with Mickey this cruise because the lines were never less than 50 people deep whenever we tried. A couple times we got in line, and then a CM would tell us or the people in front of us that the line stopped up ahead and we'd "have to come back when Mickey was there again".

But oh well.......at least the families with little ones can enjoy the Island Jam. I just wish they didn't just focus in on the little kids. They have the Tea with Wendy and many more ops at the kids' clubs than the older kids/teens and adults.

Maybe next cruise, DCL will come up with something even newer that includes all ages.

 

[scrapperjill]

I didn't read the whole thread...but I had heard about this change before our cruise 9/22...but was very supprised at the lack of interaction between the kids and characters. IMO it wasn't any good and actually a waste of time. Maybe it was my kids ages..who knows... They had so many dances and activites that the kids didn't really get to eat. And forget the photos....they moved around so much and the crowds of other parents around the kids made it impossable to squeeze in to take any. Not to mention...sometimes the kids didn't even get to get through the groups of parents to the activie to even participate. I know this is JMO....and it may not be the same as others... But I agree with the above poster in that most other times on the ship the lines for the characteres are soooo huge that it's not worth waiting in. I think the ONLY character shots I got this year were at the sail-a-way party and a chance meeting of Pluto on CC.

I was also dissapointed in the Pirate confused3 ...but that's a totally diffrent thread.

 

[pppiglet]

When did they stop with the characters coming to the tables? We cruised in early May on the Magic and they did then. We've rebooked for Thanksgiving of next year. Our 2nd DD will be 3 then and I think she would like the table interaction more.

If enough people complain, do you think they would change it back between now and then or do you all think that this is the way it'll be from now on?

The May 5th Western Cruise was the first one they changed it on. We were very dissapointed with it, that's why I started the thread. But we don't have any small kids. We just wanted the Characters to come to the table and take pictures with us since we didn't want to stand in line at the other events and take a spot that kids should have. We hardly have any pictures with characters this last trip.

 

[dreamcometrue]

my DS is definitely not the type to get up and dance with the characters. He'll be 12 and we'll get lucky if he smiles in a character picture. My DD is 8, and with her, it's probably a hit and miss...

I wish they would change it back before our April cruise, to where the characters come to the table!

 

[Gr00vyChc]

If anyone remembers in WDW the old Mickey's Tropical Luau at the Poly ? They used to bring the kids up to the front to teach them hula dances. Only my son and youngest dd went up. My middle dd has always been so shy.

Hi Maria! I totally remembered that character breakfast that Poly a looong time ago in 1997!! I can't believe it's been that long since my FIRST visit to Disney World! It was so much fun and the characters afterwards or was it beforehand would go at each table to have a photo op.. this was cool. They also do this at our favorite restaurant in the Disneyland Hotel (Goofy's kitchen). You're right.. that would be a much better (and organized) way to do the breakfast with characters... Sarah enjoyed the Island Jam too
I wonder why they did away with it? Maybe they want to minimize the time that the characters spend interacting with the guests?

Gr00vyChc

 

[rxlowry]

We were very disappointed in the Island Jam breakfast. The character interaction is very minimal. My four year old was not very enthused by the "games" they played.
My husband and I were also disappointed with the food....same eggs and hashbrowns as the buffet!
Being first seating, waking up early and dragging my daughter out of bed was definately NOT worth it

 

[MiaSRN62]

Maybe they want to minimize the time that the characters spend interacting with the guests?

This must be it Pauline because I cannot think of any other reason why they discontinuted the old style. I just figure we're all paying a small fortune to cruise with the disney line. I don't think having the characters stop by tables for some personal one-on-one time (no matter how brief) is something that should be taken away from guests ? Sure they have the characters on the ship but then there are those lines.

I heard people complained about the old style breakfast (i.e. character visits were too brief etc). Well that's the way most character meals are.....even in WDW. I don't see how the Island Jam is an improvement over what the other complaints were ? Now there is a whole different group of us that are complaining I think if one were to read through this whole thread, it's pretty much split with the likes and dislikes of this new breakfast style.

I am really glad Sarah enjoyed it. No doubt it's a cute interaction for little ones. It's all the other people that are left out that bothers me a little. But even with the younger children, I witnessed a good amount of little kids not getting up from their seats. Not sure if they were shy or scared or what.

Maybe they could do the Island Jam for families with young kids and go back to the old style for the rest of us ? DCL.....are you listening ?

 

[ibela]

And I can totally understand this Irene. But had you ever experienced the old character breakfast on the Magic ? Where each and everyone stopped by your table to sign autographs, pose for pics and video ? And they still played music during that one too. We honestly just got lucky that Goofy and Pluto stopped by. Minnie kept cruising by....as did Lilo. In fact, that table next to ours in the first photo I posted never had any character stop by. So I guess it's hit or miss whether one is lucky enough to have them linger at the table for a few seconds.

So I'm just sort of doing a comparison of the two different breakfasts we experienced. Not saying the Island Jam is bad.....just that we much preferred the old style character interaction for everyone.

Yes, I see your point, but I can't see your video (blocked at work). Just out of curiosity - is the old character breakfast like what they do at WDW? I haven't been to either but I'd like to give it a try.

 

[MiaSRN62]

ibela asks : Just out of curiosity - is the old character breakfast like what they do at WDW? I haven't been to either but I'd like to give it a try.

Hi....yes it was like the traditional character breakfasts in WDW. Each character would stop by your table for photo ops and autographs.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I can't remember if I responded when I got back from the Med. Cruise but it was the new Island Jam Breakfast. We were so disappointed with it. I know, originally we weren't going to go but our lovely waiter told the kids about it that they were excited to go. They just didn't know that it had changed from the typical character meals they are use to. We had early seating so getting up on a sea day was very difficult. And, it was on our last sea day. We were totally wiped out! Anyways, we were one or two tables from the middle and we had a hard time taking pictures. The adults at the table next to us stood up to take pictures. I have lots of pictures with their butts & arms in them. Our friends who had table 1 which is over by the entrance saw nothing. They might as well been at a different breakfast. My girls thought it was very lame. They were 6 & 9 years old.

I think, my girls were disappointed because we just didn't have time to stand in line for character pictures. We did a lot of pictures with the characters when we boarded the ship but we did not carry our autograph books. Oh, well next time.

You know if they want to satisfy the masses why don't they do the breakfast similar to the character meal at Crystal Palace in MK. They don't seem to have a problem doing the table by table interaction as well as a parade with the little ones.

Anyways... in the future we won't be getting up early for this adventure...

Tina