First post - Akershus - Character Dining Question

[flinstoner]

Hi everyone,

Hope this is the right forum to post in - first time "poster" on this forum. We're going to WDW for the first time this year with our twin 6 year old daughters. We'd like to take in a character dining experience and from what I can see on the Disney site, the least expensive princess experience is Akershus - at Epcot.

Having said all this - when you pay for these character dining experiences, do you get to take a picture with each of the characters? Or do they just roam around the room?

 

[KatMark]

Hi everyone,

Hope this is the right forum to post in - first time "poster" on this forum. We're going to WDW for the first time this year with our twin 6 year old daughters. We'd like to take in a character dining experience and from what I can see on the Disney site, the least expensive princess experience is Akershus - at Epcot.

Having said all this - when you pay for these character dining experiences, do you get to take a picture with each of the characters? Or do they just roam around the room?

First, welcome.

Second, someone who knows more than me will give you more definitive answers, I am sure.

We went a year ago and had lunch at Akershus with the princesses. We did this because DH wanted to try the food, so we did lunch; we weren't particulary interested in the princesses as we are two adults. Lunch was fair (I think with young ones, I'd try lunch as it is more typical American food). When we went in, I was brought to Belle where a Disney photographer took a picture of me with Belle. We were then taken to our table and the princesses that were in attendance stopped at each table for pictures, autographs, etc. When we were there it was Ariel, Alice in Wonderland, Jasmine (and Aladdin was there as well) and one other princess--can't remember now who it was. It was my birthday and they all stopped to wish a happy birthday and asked if we wanted a picture taken with them. During the course of th emeal, they brought a package over to see if I wanted to purchase the pictures with Belle (I did not).

 

[flinstoner]

First, welcome.

Second, someone who knows more than me will give you more definitive answers, I am sure.

We went a year ago and had lunch at Akershus with the princesses. We did this because DH wanted to try the food, so we did lunch; we weren't particulary interested in the princesses as we are two adults. Lunch was fair (I think with young ones, I'd try lunch as it is more typical American food). When we went in, I was brought to Belle where a Disney photographer took a picture of me with Belle. We were then taken to our table and the princesses that were in attendance stopped at each table for pictures, autographs, etc. When we were there it was Ariel, Alice in Wonderland, Jasmine (and Aladdin was there as well) and one other princess--can't remember now who it was. It was my birthday and they all stopped to wish a happy birthday and asked if we wanted a picture taken with them. During the course of th emeal, they brought a package over to see if I wanted to purchase the pictures with Belle (I did not).

Thanks so much for the fast reply! Just to make sure I understand correctly - although Disney was selling their "professional" picture, you could have taken a picture with each of the characters as they came to your table?

 

[java]

When we went a year and a half ago- we went for Breakfast. And it was really nice. The princesses come around and you get to take a picture with each one that is wandering the room. There was an upfront princess package that they tried to sell us with I thought it was Sleeping Beauty? But maybe it was Belle?
Now this was before it became wildly popular so I don't know if it has changed but we enjoyed it very much when we went.

It was a neat restaurant and since it was just my dd and I - I chose breakfast - the safest meals choice for my then 9 year old.

 

[ShannonMB]

to these fun boards!!!!

Unless something's changed, they have Belle at the beginning as the guests are coming in. That's where the professional photographer gets pics with Belle that they try to sell you later. At this time, you are also free to take pics with Belle with your own camera.

Then you are seated, and the princesses all come around to all the tables and will sign your autograph book and let you take pics with them. It's IMO, a really great way to meet characters without standing in crazy lines!

Most of the character meals at WDW are set up this way, with personal interaction w/ characters at each table. One exception I can think of is Cinderella's Royal Table. They only do this at breakfast and lunch, not dinner. Not sure about 1900 Park Fare, with Cinderella and her entourage.

 

[flinstoner]

Thanks Java! We're going at the end of this month - Jan 25-30 (last minute trip - offered free flights just after Christmas to go visit my FIL who is spending 4 mo. in FL) so hope we can still get a reservation. I know it's their value season, so I'm hoping that it should still be available.

 

[flinstoner]

to these fun boards!!!!

Unless something's changed, they have Belle at the beginning as the guests are coming in. That's where the professional photographer gets pics with Belle that they try to sell you later. At this time, you are also free to take pics with Belle with your own camera.

Then you are seated, and the princesses all come around to all the tables and will sign your autograph book and let you take pics with them. It's IMO, a really great way to meet characters without standing in crazy lines!

Most of the character meals at WDW are set up this way, with personal interaction w/ characters at each table. One exception I can think of is Cinderella's Royal Table. They only do this at breakfast and lunch, not dinner. Not sure about 1900 Park Fare, with Cinderella and her entourage.

Thanks Shannon! This is exactly what I thought it was going to be, but wanted to be sure before we made reservations.

 

[KatMark]

Thanks so much for the fast reply! Just to make sure I understand correctly - although Disney was selling their "professional" picture, you could have taken a picture with each of the characters as they came to your table?

Absolutely--DH took pictures of me with the princesses and Aladdin, and I took a picture of him with Jasmine.

 

[NiftyJ88]

Oooo, Sounds fun! I was thinking about doing Park Fare and CRT, but I might have to do Akershus too!

 

[GatorLady]

The photo package is INCLUDED at Akershus, has been since the spring of 2008. You received one large and 4 smaller prints. You can also get these put on your Photopass account.
Photo in my signature is from the package and was enhanced in my Photopass account.

While Belle is usually the greeter, there have been times when another princess is there.

Hope that helps and welcome!

 

[ECVMommy]

Oh this option will be perfect for my little girls!!! Hopefully you have fun and I will be putting this on our list fo ADRs.

 

[ShannonMB]

twin 6 year old daughters

Might I add, OP, that my DD was 6 years old on her first trip, and it was PURE MAGIC! I think this was the absolute best age I could have picked for her.

Oh, are you guys gonna have a BLAST!!!!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We love Akershus! We've done breakfast twice here and would go back again. The PP is right - you will get your picture taken with the "hostess" princess (this is often Belle) and those pictures are included in your meal. They will bring them to your table. (If you are getting the photopass CD, you can add these pics to your CD).

4 other princesses will circulate from table to table - stopping to pose for pictures with your camera and chat and sign autographs. The characters can change - we had Aurora, Snow White, Jasmine and Mary Poppins last time. (Our first visit we had Aurora, Snow White, Ariel and Mulan).

The breakfast food is very good - you can ask for more of whatever you like. And the atmosphere for the meal is very nice and relaxed.

 

[dato63]

We just went there in November for breakfast. It was my DH's favorite breakfast. He said the hashbrown casserole was wonderful & wound up getting another hot platter.

Like some posters shared - you do get a picture taken by their photographer, for us it was Belle. And they no longer try to sell you these pictures - the cost is included in your meal, so they give them to you. They are very nice photos.

When we were there Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Jasmine, and Mulan came around to each table. They stopped, talked briefly, signed the autograph books & posed for pictures. My DDs loved it.

It was a great meal & time. We are planning to go again in 2009 - and this breakfast was on the top of my DDs & DHs "have to do again" list.

Have a great time!

 

[Joanna71985]

At Norway, there is one princess in the Lobby and the others rotate around the restaurant. There is a photo package included, with a picture of the lobby princess.

When I ate at Norway in 2007, the characters were Snow White (lobby), Mary Poppins, Mulan, Pocahontas, and Jasmine. I don't think I would eat there again (I prefer CRT).

 

[flinstoner]

Sorry - been away for a few days. Thanks so much for all the replies - obviously a great board that you can get that many answers so quickly. We've booked Akersus and also decided to book Playhouse Play & Dine @ Disney Hollywood. Really starting to look forward to the trip - only 16 more days before we're there!!!