First timer to Minnie's character breakfast - advice please

[Disney Excitement]

Hi
We are heading to Disneyland week of 15th October. Just trying to work out the best morning for Minnie's character lunch. We have 7 and 11 year old boys. We are staying on site so will have EMH each day. Parks look to open at 8am and EMH at 7am every day that week. We have a 5 day hopper pass. I've been before but the children haven't - so excited!

We want to use EMH each morning to make the most of the parks before they get busy so I thought we'd book Minnie's for 9.40am as we could do lots of rides first thing then stop for a break. Does this sound the best plan?
Also, would it be best for us to book for Tuesday that has EHM at DP, or Wednesday that has EMH at DCA? Tuesday will be our first day at DP and this is the park that we want to spend most of our time at (I think!).

I'd love to hear your thoughts - thanks in advance!

 

[figment_jii]

Just in case...Minnie's Character meal at the Plaza Inn is a breakfast. The Plaza Inn switches to a CS for lunch and dinner (no characters).

Personally, I would probably opt to go with the meal towards the end of your trip. That way you can spend as much of the morning (EMH until lunch) doing as many rides as possible in whichever park you're in. Then by the end of the trip, in case you're tired and not able to make a 7:00 am opening, it won't be a big deal if you "sleep in" and don't get there much before your breakfast.

 

[Karyanne30]

I like the later breakfast, so your time is good, I often go 10 am or 10:15. And I think the first day is perfect for it.

 

[Disney Excitement]

Thanks guys! I was hoping to go a day earlier in the trip so that we can tick off seeing some characters so we don't need to stand in lots of lines for characters. I had thought about 10am but ended up booking for 9.40 as DH didn't think the kids would hold out all morning if they are up and at the parks at 7am (I think he ment himself!) Would the Tuesday or Wednesday be best - just thinking Wednesday would mean jumping parks from DCA (there is a seperate entry so pretty sure this won't be too tricky). Tuesday we would be in DL but I don't want to cut into our ride time. Thinking more along the Wednesday path but I'm so new to this.

 

[Disney Excitement]

Thanks guys! I was hoping to go a day earlier in the trip so that we can tick off seeing some characters so we don't need to stand in lots of lines for characters. I had thought about 10am but ended up booking for 9.40 as DH didn't think the kids would hold out all morning if they are up and at the parks at 7am (I think he ment himself!) Would the Tuesday or Wednesday be best - just thinking Wednesday would mean jumping parks from DCA (there is a seperate entry so pretty sure this won't be too tricky). Tuesday we would be in DL but I don't want to cut into our ride time. Thinking more along the Wednesday path but I'm so knew to this.

Oh and we've also booked BB Fantasmic for the 15th and WOC dessert for the last day 20th so trying to spread everything else.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I would book your first day since I wouldn't want to hop from DCA for breakfast.

 

[Geemo]

Hi
We are heading to Disneyland week of 15th October. Just trying to work out the best morning for Minnie's character lunch. We have 7 and 11 year old boys. We are staying on site so will have EMH each day. Parks look to open at 8am and EMH at 7am every day that week. We have a 5 day hopper pass. I've been before but the children haven't - so excited!

We want to use EMH each morning to make the most of the parks before they get busy so I thought we'd book Minnie's for 9.40am as we could do lots of rides first thing then stop for a break. Does this sound the best plan?
Also, would it be best for us to book for Tuesday that has EHM at DP, or Wednesday that has EMH at DCA? Tuesday will be our first day at DP and this is the park that we want to spend most of our time at (I think!).

I'd love to hear your thoughts - thanks in advance!

We try to do a Plaza Inn CB around 9:30am the first morning we have EE in DL.
We'll grab a snack to eat while we're waiting for the gates to open at 7am.
Go in, ride a few rides while the lines are short.
By 9:30 we're ready for our CB reservation.

Going to a CB on the first DL day, gets many of the characters checked off the meet and greet list.
So much easier than standing in lines for the characters out in the park.

G

 

[Disney Excitement]

I would book your first day since I wouldn't want to hop from DCA for breakfast.

Awesome! Do you think 9.40am is too early, or about right?

 

[Disney Excitement]

We try to do a Plaza Inn CB around 9:30am the first morning we have EE in DL.
We'll grab a snack to eat while we're waiting for the gates to open at 7am.
Go in, ride a few rides while the lines are short.
By 9:30 we're ready for our CB reservation.

Going to a CB on the first DL day, gets many of the characters checked off the meet and greet list.
So much easier than standing in the lines for the characters out in the park.

G

Sounds like I'm on the right track then - soooo confusing so thanks heaps!

 

[Geemo]

Sounds like I'm on the right track then - soooo confusing so thanks heaps!

Plan to be there about 1.5 hours to get the full rotation of characters.

I just noticed you joined today!!

 

[PirateRedhead]

I would absolutely book for the same day that you plan to be at DL. That way you can enjoy attractions right up to your reservation time and wander over to the Plaza in a more relaxed manner without having to run across from DCA. And 9:40 sounds great to me, especially if your kids need the break at that time! Personally, I booked for the latest time (10:40) because I will give my kiddos a light on-the-go breakfast earlier. My son is super into rides, so I want to maximize those early hours up to the last possible second. Last time we went, the crowds were dramatically larger by 11am.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Awesome! Do you think 9.40am is too early, or about right?

9:40

 

[hootey]

9:40 is about right, book it the first morning in DL. Make sure you get a table inside Minnie's. We had tables outside a couple times a n d you do not get as much character interaction outside as you do inside. We have always attempted to end our DL vacations with a character breakfast the last day as well. Storytellers, Goofy's, or Mickey's breakfasts are always great on the LAST DAY.

 

[Disney Excitement]

9:40 is about right, book it the first morning in DL. Make sure you get a table inside Minnie's. We had tables outside a couple times a n d you do not get as much character interaction outside as you do inside. We have always attempted to end our DL vacations with a character breakfast the last day as well. Storytellers, Goofy's, or Mickey's breakfasts are always great on the LAST DAY.

We are heading to the WOC dessert package on the last night and BB dinner for Fantasmic so I think our budget has been well and truely blown he he!

 

[KBinCO]

I always like starting our trip with this breakfast.

Unfortunately it's not open on our first day of our trip this time around so we booked it for our last morning and our daughter's bday, but it's a fun way to start the trip.

 

[wdwfan22]

I would go on Tuesday. Much easier than walking from DCA. I would also go for later, maybe 10 or 10:15. The morning in the park is just so much less crowded than the rest of the day. But I personally don't like the very end of the breakfast time because I don't want to feel rushed at all. Bring some granola bars or some type of snacks for the kids (and husband) is they get hungry earlier.

 

[Disney Excitement]

I would go on Tuesday. Much easier than walking from DCA. I would also go for later, maybe 10 or 10:15. The morning in the park is just so much less crowded than the rest of the day. But I personally don't like the very end of the breakfast time because I don't want to feel rushed at all. Bring some granola bars or some type of snacks for the kids (and husband) is they get hungry earlier.

Another member suggested it was best to allow 1 1/2 hours so we aren't rushed and the breakfast finishes at 11am so I didn't want to go any later than 9.30am otherwise we will be rushed and characters will leave. Looks like we will go Tuesday and stick to the 9.40am booking. Thanks heaps for all your help!

 

[KBinCO]

Another member suggested it was best to allow 1 1/2 hours so we aren't rushed and the breakfast finishes at 11am so I didn't want to go any later than 9.30am otherwise we will be rushed and characters will leave. Looks like we will go Tuesday and stick to the 9.40am booking. Thanks heaps for all your help!

well crap, now I'm worried about our 10:30 reservation. Someone said it's a good time to go but I dont want it to seem rushed.

 

[PirateRedhead]

well crap, now I'm worried about our 10:30 reservation. Someone said it's a good time to go but I dont want it to seem rushed.

When I called Disney Dining to ask about the latest possible reservation, they said that the last seating for breakfast is 10:40 and characters are there until 11:30. My reservation is for 10/3. I don't know if it's the same every morning, but that's the information I was given!

Also, someone mentioned that it's best to sit inside for character interaction. When we went, we sat outside and it was great. Every character except the Fairy Godmother visited our table, some of them more than once. But we've only been there once, so for all I know our experience was unusual and there's more dependable character interaction inside.

 

[Disney Excitement]

When I called Disney Dining to ask about the latest possible reservation, they said that the last seating for breakfast is 10:40 and characters are there until 11:30. My reservation is for 10/3. I don't know if it's the same every morning, but that's the information I was given!

Also, someone mentioned that it's best to sit inside for character interaction. When we went, we sat outside and it was great. Every character except the Fairy Godmother visited our table, some of them more than once. But we've only been there once, so for all I know our experience was unusual and there's more dependable character interaction inside.

So confusing as it says till 11am on their site where you book and when I called. Sounds like different customer service are saying different things!