Do they always do seasonal pricing for character meals?

[bronko78]

On our last visit, we were going to eat at Ariel's Grotto, but found out that they had raised the price by about $10. We ended up skipping it and Goofy's had raised their prices as well. We didn't start eating at character restaurants until recently, so I'm wondering if this is typical or what.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Yes the seasonal price increase has been around for a long time. But it is totally ridiculous. Because around the holidays that is the first thing people want to do- spend more money- right? I really wish Disney would get their act together and change that.

 

[DaddyDeuce]

On our last visit, we were going to eat at Ariel's Grotto, but found out that they had raised the price by about $10. We ended up skipping it and Goofy's had raised their prices as well. We didn't start eating at character restaurants until recently, so I'm wondering if this is typical or what.

Yes; I've read that DLR raises the prices for character meals during certain "peak season" dates. You can avoid these increases by purchasing a meal voucher from a travel agent before you get to the park. The meal vouchers are sold online at a slight discount from the non-peak prices, but are good during peak times.

 

[Sherry E]

Also, if you have AAA or an AP, you get discounts. The Goofy's prices always fluctuate with the peak and off-peak seasons. When we were there last October, that was considered off-peak season, so it was about $32 and some change per adult (and that included tax and tip). But I also applied my Premium AP 15% discount to that and brought it down even further. Peak seasons would be like summer or the holiday season. Off-peak starts in late August and lasts to late October or early November, and then the prices go up for the whole holiday season, and then back down again in February or so for off-peak. And breakfast/brunch is always cheaper than dinner, no matter what season it is.

So the cheapest meal you could ever eat at Goofy's would be the off-peak breakfast. And the peak season dinner would be the most expensive meal there! But if you have AAA or an AP, you can get discounts on any of the peak or off-peak meals.

 

[goofyfordisney]

Also, if you have AAA or an AP, you get discounts. The Goofy's prices always fluctuate with the peak and off-peak seasons. When we were there last October, that was considered off-peak season, so it was about $32 and some change per adult (and that included tax and tip). But I also applied my Premium AP 15% discount to that and brought it down even further. Peak seasons would be like summer or the holiday season. Off-peak starts in late August and lasts to late October or early November, and then the prices go up for the whole holiday season, and then back down again in February or so for off-peak. And breakfast/brunch is always cheaper than dinner, no matter what season it is.

So the cheapest meal you could ever eat at Goofy's would be the off-peak breakfast. And the peak season dinner would be the most expensive meal there! But if you have AAA or an AP, you can get discounts on any of the peak or off-peak meals.

So, you were able to "double-dip" using your AAA discount and your AP discount?

We are going from Aug. 19th thru Aug. 23rd--will the price be 'off-peak' then? How do we find out in advance--anyone know?

TIA!

 

[Sherry E]

So, you were able to "double-dip" using your AAA discount and your AP discount?

We are going from Aug. 19th thru Aug. 23rd--will the price be 'off-peak' then? How do we find out in advance--anyone know?

TIA!

No, unfortunately. I don't have AAA. I think my friend has it, but you can only use one discount at a time. The Premium AP gets you 15% off at most restaurants throughout DLR, so that was my discount of choice! The Deluxe AP gets you 10% off. AAA is also 10% off.

I know that sometime in August is when they go back to off-peak (I had previously thought they didn't revert to the off-peak rates until September, but another DIS-er had indicated that August was when the rates drop back down), but I am not sure if it is during your time frame or just after it. I am sure you could call the Dining number and find out for sure. It seems like the last time I called Dining number about Goofy's, they seemed to vaguely imply that they may occasionally 'shift' the start and end dates of their peak and off-peak seasons. So maybe that is why I remember September. Perhaps one year the off-peak rates started in September, and maybe this year they will drop the rates in August? I am not sure about the dinner prices, but the Goofy's breakfast/brunch prices seem to fluctuate by about $5 - $6 or so during the seasons.

I was just thnking the other day - Goofy's is my favorite restaurant in DLR. We have been eating there for so many years that it is a habit now. It is part of our whole DLR experience. It's a 17-year ritual! So I wondered if there was a cut-off point - assuming they keep doing overall, general price hikes every couple of years - at which we will stop eating there. For the time being, we are still hanging in there with it because we love the variety and quality of the buffet, as well as the characters, of course. But I wonder if their prices got to be, let's say, $50 per person, would that be too much for even the diehard Goofy's fans like we are? I know a major price increase would alienate a lot of other people who could take or leave Goofy's, but I wonder if we would still go there at even a $15 increase in price. Hopefully, I will never have to find out!!

 

[goofyfordisney]

No, unfortunately. I don't have AAA. I think my friend has it, but you can only use one discount at a time. The Premium AP gets you 15% off at most restaurants throughout DLR, so that was my discount of choice! The Deluxe AP gets you 10% off. AAA is also 10% off.

I know that sometime in August is when they go back to off-peak (I had previously thought they didn't revert to the off-peak rates until September, but another DIS-er had indicated that August was when the rates drop back down), but I am not sure if it is during your time frame or just after it. I am sure you could call the Dining number and find out for sure. It seems like the last time I called Dining number about Goofy's, they seemed to vaguely imply that they may occasionally 'shift' the start and end dates of their peak and off-peak seasons. So maybe that is why I remember September. Perhaps one year the off-peak rates started in September, and maybe this year they will drop the rates in August? I am not sure about the dinner prices, but the Goofy's breakfast/brunch prices seem to fluctuate by about $5 - $6 or so during the seasons.

I was just thnking the other day - Goofy's is my favorite restaurant in DLR. We have been eating there for so many years that it is a habit now. It is part of our whole DLR experience. It's a 17-year ritual! So I wondered if there was a cut-off point - assuming they keep doing overall, general price hikes every couple of years - at which we will stop eating there. For the time being, we are still hanging in there with it because we love the variety and quality of the buffet, as well as the characters, of course. But I wonder if their prices got to be, let's say, $50 per person, would that be too much for even the diehard Goofy's fans like we are? I know a major price increase would alienate a lot of other people who could take or leave Goofy's, but I wonder if we would still go there at even a $15 increase in price. Hopefully, I will never have to find out!!

Sherry,

It really isn't a complete trip to DL for me unless I go to Goofy's Kitchen--even if it is pricey!

This trip, we are traveling with my mom, sister and her son...I'm not sure if they want to go--but, my son and I are going for sure!

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry,

It really isn't a complete trip to DL for me unless I go to Goofy's Kitchen--even if it is pricey!

This trip, we are traveling with my mom, sister and her son...I'm not sure if they want to go--but, my son and I are going for sure!

I have found that when I brought rather cynical friends to Goofy's in the past, who thought it was going to be ridiculous with really terrible food, they were all won over, and in a matter of minutes they were piling their plates and laughing with the characters and posing for pictures! There are still a couple of friends I have not brought (dragged!) there yet, because I am not sure they could overcome their 'interacting with characters is only for kids' mentality enough to have a good time and let loose, but I am still trying to gauge it and see if I think I could get away with taking them there. I think they would enjoy the buffet food quality and variety a lot, but not the prices!

I hope your mom, sister and nephew are all open to it!