Help with character dining

[Dazzledrop20]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone could help explain the character dining? We are visiting in November and have a reservation for Crystal Palace (reviews welcome!). I am just wondering how it works, do you get to meet all of the characters and how do they make sure they get around everyone if people are arriving and leaving at all different times?

Probably an obvious answer but appreciate any info!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Just show up about 15 minutes early. Don't worry as the characters get around to see each table and interact with the diners. Have your phone ready if you want to take a quick pic or two. Enjoy!

 

[Genie+]

The characters keep making rounds so you should get a chance to interact with them all.

Only once did we need to speak with our server because we got ‘passed up’. On the first round we were up getting food so they skipped us. By accident we were skipped the second time. By that point we were finished and didn’t want to wait another 30-40 minutes for them to come back around (it was a busy breakfast at CP). We mentioned while paying the check and they had the characters come over shortly after. They try to keep track and make sure every party gets at least one interaction.

Our last visit to Hollywood & Vine they stopped by 3 times within about 45 minutes They were great too! Very entertaining.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Crystal Palace is a buffet so you'll be walking up to get your food and then heading back to your table.
The characters walk around table by table.
If they are close to your table you may want to wait for them instead of going up to get food and potentially missing them and having to wait longer.
If you happen to miss a character you can just let a CM know and they will ensure the character gets back to you before you leave.
They generally come out for a bit and then head back in to cool off for a bit.
Personally I don't like buffet character meals because I feel like its not very relaxing to catch the characters between getting food and trying to enjoy the food.
So I go with sit down character meals like Garden Grill at EPCOT.

 

[kevtlas]

Personally I don't like buffet character meals because I feel like its not very relaxing to catch the characters between getting food and trying to enjoy the food.
So I go with sit down character meals like Garden Grill at EPCOT.

we tend to stick with sit down as well for the same reason, but the characters at each location will also play a role in which character meal we go to.

 

[Tonberry]

If you miss a character, or in our case at Tusker House when Goofy took a break right before our table and came back 10 minutes later and started off in a different room, let either the CM or your server know and they'll make sure that they come back around to you.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Yes, every time we've eaten at Garden Grill we have been asked if we had seen everyone.