Disservice Not Go To A CD

[CharlieGrl]

It's so late in the game (leaving in 16 more days) that I don't know if there is any character dining ANYWHERE available. Do you think it's a disservice, as it's my son and husbands first time going, to not to character dining? Because I am thinking of calling the dining reservation line to see if maybe, just maybe, there is some availability. I just don't know how my son would react because he is 3 and has never been in the presence of characters.

 

[DDJen]

I definitely wouldn't give up hope of finding a reservaton for character dining!

On the other hand there are a ton of places to meet characters face to face. They're readily available - especially Mickey, Goofy, etc. at the theme parks. Just make sure to have your camera on hand.

 

[honeydiane1953]

If u can get a character dining I might try. However, I have seen kids SCREAM at the top of their lungs when a character comes by. It's a hard call. Sometimes the characters come up behind the child and it freaks them out. You all will have PLENTY of character sightings around the park in the sunshine. mho diane

 

[Tiffany]

It's so late in the game (leaving in 16 more days) that I don't know if there is any character dining ANYWHERE available. Do you think it's a disservice, as it's my son and husbands first time going, to not to character dining? Because I am thinking of calling the dining reservation line to see if maybe, just maybe, there is some availability. I just don't know how my son would react because he is 3 and has never been in the presence of characters.

Has he ever had his picture taken with Santa or the Easter Bunny. I have found that kids tend to react the same. If they are afriad of the Easter Bunny then the character upset them as well. When they are okay with the Easter Bunny then they became okay with the characters as well. This is based on my friends children as I do not have any of my own.

 

[WDWTigger72]

It's so late in the game (leaving in 16 more days) that I don't know if there is any character dining ANYWHERE available. Do you think it's a disservice, as it's my son and husbands first time going, to not to character dining? Because I am thinking of calling the dining reservation line to see if maybe, just maybe, there is some availability. I just don't know how my son would react because he is 3 and has never been in the presence of characters.

Your going down to WDW during a very light crowd time of the season, so I would venture to think you could probably still book a character dining somewhere. Not sure if your looking for breakfast or dinner but there are plenty of places to go...I would just recommend being a little flexible with your time, for example breakfast is usually served like 8:00AM-11:30AM (Character Breakfasts) so as long as your flexible you may find a time somewhere...Times maybe a little off but pretty sure that is close for breakfast...

 

[mwmuntz]

Keep trying. I know this is an exception, but I was able to book a 10:15AM breakfast at CRT 2 days in advance last week!

 

[kathyell]

I have a three year old as well. I would recommend telling your son a few times before you go that the characters he might meet on your vacation are "tall like ____" (someone he knows who is tall). I told this to my daughter every once in a while (usually when we were already talking about things we might do on our trip) and she didn't seem surprised at the size of the characters when we got there.

Also, there are so many character dining choices that you should be able to squeeze into one of them over your trip if you keep trying. It'll be even easier if you can accept an "off" time for an ADR, like an early or a late time for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Late dinners are easy for us because we stay on mountain time when we go, but depending on where you're coming from and what your schedule is usually like, that may or may not work out for you, especially if you think your son would be too groggy for an early breakfast or too overtired for a later dinner time.

I hope you have a great time!

 

[CharlieGrl]

dup

 

[CharlieGrl]

Thanks everyone for their input. I might actually try and see if I can find something, and try to get him acquainted with the characters he might come across. I know the hotel we are staying at, the Swan/Dolphin, they have some availability. The thing is I heard not so good reviews on the place and that there are only two characters there. I am going to try the dining reservation # and see if I can have any lucl.

 

[Hannathy]

It's so late in the game (leaving in 16 more days) that I don't know if there is any character dining ANYWHERE available. Do you think it's a disservice, as it's my son and husbands first time going, to not to character dining? Because I am thinking of calling the dining reservation line to see if maybe, just maybe, there is some availability. I just don't know how my son would react because he is 3 and has never been in the presence of characters.

A DISSERVICE! I'm sorry but that a bit of a stretch don't you think? You are taking your son on a wonderful vacation to a place that many, many children never even get to go to and you are worrying that at the ripe old age of 3 for heavens sake he hasn't been to a character dinner. He is 3 ! He will love whatever he sees and not know the difference or that character dining even exists. I would just go as you have it planned now and let him enjoy- or not- the characters he sees in the parks and then if you go back when he is older and has actually expressed an interest in the characters ,then have something special for that trip.

I guess my kids are deprived but we have been many times and have never done a character meal and my DD is 17.

Don't stress over not seeing and doing every single thing on the first trip! just enjoy watching them see Disney for the first time.

 

[CharlieGrl]

A DISSERVICE! I'm sorry but that a bit of a stretch don't you think? You are taking your son on a wonderful vacation to a place that many, many children never even get to go to and you are worrying that at the ripe old age of 3 for heavens sake he hasn't been to a character dinner. He is 3 ! He will love whatever he sees and not know the difference or that character dining even exists. I would just go as you have it planned now and let him enjoy- or not- the characters he sees in the parks and then if you go back when he is older and has actually expressed an interest in the characters ,then have something special for that trip.

I guess my kids are deprived but we have been many times and have never done a character meal and my DD is 17.

Don't stress over not seeing and doing every single thing on the first trip! just enjoy watching them see Disney for the first time.

Yeah, maybe was a strong choice of words

 

[Elmo888]

Thanks everyone for their input. I might actually try and see if I can find something, and try to get him acquainted with the characters he might come across. I know the hotel we are staying at, the Swan/Dolphin, they have some availability. The thing is I heard not so good reviews on the place and that there are only two characters there. I saw (407) 939-5665 phone number on the Disney website. Is that a number I can call to see about availability?

The phone number is 407-WDW-DINE. I didn't check if you had the right number.

You can also book online. Since you are at the S/D, a good place to check might be Cape May Cafe character breakfast at Beach Club. It would be easy to get to, and because it is at a resort and less popular, it might be easy to get a reservation.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/beach-club-resort/dining/cape-may-cafe/reservations/

I don't think that you are doing a disservice. In my opinion, it isn't that the character meals are so great. However, they save so much time! You aren't standing in line, and you can always tell your kids "don't worry - we aren't standing in line to see Mickey because we will see him at breakfast tomorrow!"

If you can, I would book one. If you can't, don't worry about it!

 

[CharlieGrl]

You can also book online. Since you are at the S/D, a good place to check might be Cape May Cafe character breakfast at Beach Club. It would be easy to get to, and because it is at a resort and less popular, it might be easy to get a reservation.

You're awesome, there is availability at 8:15pm there Sunday.

 

[Hannathy]

Yeah, maybe was a strong choice of words

I just hate to see Moms beating themselves up over such minor things. while this board is great I also think it adds pressure to people by planting seeds of OMG Mom A did this for her kids and Mom B did this and I didn't do either when in truth you are giving your child a wonderful experience at an age when most children get a trip to the local zoo or amusement park!

Use what you learn here but don't get into a keeping up with the Jones mentality, he'll be fine if he gets to kindergarten without doing every single special money making thing Disney had dreamt up. And if you do all the special things this trip or by the time he is 5 what will he have to look forward to and dream about for the next trip? Anticipation can be as sweet and exciting as actually doing it, sometimes more.

 

[wolf2961]

You're awesome, there is availability at 8:15pm there Sunday.

8:15 pm would be dinner, not a character meal. If you call the ADR # they will search character meals and find something for you, it will probably be easier than the online system.

My youngest used to be scared of Characters when he was younger. On our trip he bought a matchbox toy that he loved. I encouraged him to show it to the characters, and he quickly got over his fear.

 

[CharlieGrl]

8:15 pm would be dinner, not a character meal. If you call the ADR # they will search character meals and find something for you, it will probably be easier than the online system.

Kill joy lol j/k I will try the number tomorrow definitely then. Yeah there online system could be a bit more thorough when it comes to search. An time range not just a date range would be nice.

 

[Elmo888]

You're awesome, there is availability at 8:15pm there Sunday.

Thank you for the compliment!

8:15 pm would be dinner, not a character meal. If you call the ADR # they will search character meals and find something for you, it will probably be easier than the online system.

Kill joy lol j/k I will try the number tomorrow definitely then. Yeah there online system could be a bit more thorough when it comes to search. An time range not just a date range would be nice.

I laughed at that one. I wasn't sure if Cape May had just a character breakfast or both a character breakfast and dinner. I went a double checked and put "character breakfast" in my post so you wouldn't be misled! I'm sorry about that!

Hopefully, you can find something by calling, but I'd keep checking Cape May online in the mean time. It just seems so convenient for you. Good luck!

 

[wolf2961]

Charliegrl,
Really think that by calling you'll be able to find a good place. Not sure what Characters you are looking for, but I believe that the Swan has Character Meals that are usually fairly uncrowded. Remember, while there, you can try daily as people to indeed cancel. I've called the dining # via my cell while in the Parks and been able to get seated in the past. Don't fret, you'll get seats.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Do you think it's a disservice, as it's my son and husbands first time going, to not to character dining?

1) Disservice is a tough word.
2) But, everyone should experience a character meal at least once.
3) If the biggies are filled, as a alternate, try the character meals at
. . . Cape May buffet at Beach Club
. . . Garden Grove at Swan
. . . Covington Mill at Hilton (DTD)

 

[katiebelle21]

I would definitely try the Cape May Cafe for breakfast! We ate there on our trip in July, and liked it so much that I called and made another ADR for later in our trip. We had no problem getting in for breakfast. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are there.