Help with dining options..time of day

[metta4]

I am getting ready to call and set up our character dining for our July trip. Given we are staying at Hojo's I don't think we get early entry/magic morning do we? In light of that am I better to schedule the meals for dinner? What is the best time of day to do these given the crowds will be big? Also we will be there on a wed, thurs, fri...is one a day too many? Thinking of Goofy's Kitchen, Surf's Up with Mickey and Chip-n-Dale's Critter Breakfast. There is al Minnie & Friends but not sure what one I should swap out for this. UGH..the decissions.

Thanks for any advice you have.

 

[Mama Who]

I am getting ready to call and set up our character dining for our July trip. Given we are staying at Hojo's I don't think we get early entry/magic morning do we? In light of that am I better to schedule the meals for dinner? What is the best time of day to do these given the crowds will be big? Also we will be there on a wed, thurs, fri...is one a day too many? Thinking of Goofy's Kitchen, Surf's Up with Mickey and Chip-n-Dale's Critter Breakfast. There is al Minnie & Friends but not sure what one I should swap out for this. UGH..the decissions.

Thanks for any advice you have.

I believe you get 1 MM for any ticket with 3 or more days. We just did 5 day park hoppers through Costco, stayed off site and got a Magic Morning. You might well get one.

Do you really want character meals all three days? It can be both pricey and a little overwhelming. I might go with a counter service (we love Taste Pilot's Grill) for one dinner.

We tend to do dinner around seven and stuck to that except for Blue Bayou which was only available at 4:40.

 

[skiingfast]

I believe you get 1 MM for any ticket with 3 or more days.

This is correct, with a 3 day or longer ticket you get one MM. Because of your days this will be offered on the Thursday of you trip. So I would skip a Character breakfast on that day.

OP:
If you want to do all three, have Goofy's Kitchen for dinner(it's the only dinner character meal in DLR).

As far as when to eat. Don't waste the early park hours, when lines are shortest eating breakfast. Use that as your go time to get in the best/favorite attractions and grab FPs for later. If you have to use a morning for breakfast so be it otherwise I would reserve the lastest time possible or eat so early you can be in line 30 minutes before DL opens. Remember it will take you about 15 minutes to get to and from the Surfs Up breakfast too.

 

[helenb]

Another possibility (if your kids like Princesses) is to do the Ariel's Grotto lunch. I enjoy having our 'big meal' at lunchtime during the busiest time of day in the parks (i.e. longest line times). This makes Ariel's the perfect place when we're at DCA, plus it has the added advantage that lunch is cheaper than dinner.

One meal a day is not too much, but your kids had better LOVE the characters if your'e making them all character meals. You could sub in a sit down restaurant (Carnation Cafe is an easy, kid-friendly choice, or one of the places in Downtown Disney) instead of a character meal.

If you have a MM with your 3 day park hoppers, I wouldn't waste that time on a character meal. You want to maximize the short wait times in Fantasyland that day! But... that being said, if you *really* want to have a character breakfast, you could always have one at PP or GCH, outside of the park. You don't have to stay at the Disney hotels to have a meal there.

 

[taaren]

OP:
If you want to do all three, have Goofy's Kitchen for dinner(it's the only dinner character meal in DLR).

Hmmm the early morning nature of the character breakfasts so far has deterred me from going (that and the price!), but contemplating one for our next trip. Didn't realize that Goofy's does dinner. Tried to check on allears.net to see if they had a different menu/price for dinner than breakfast since dinner could be what sells us on the (non-princess) character meal idea, but couldn't find a price or menu. Any idea if the price is the same for dinner skiingfast? Or where else I might find the menu? Thanks a bunch!

 

[mama2dutchies]

all ears:
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_goofd.htm

Menu Date: April 2010

Adult (12 & up) $35.99
Child (3-9) $15.99
Gratuity and tax will be added to each admission price and is charged prior to entering the restaurant.

Five fabulous food stations featuring:

Carving Station
Fresh Catch of the Day
Seasonal Vegetables
Tossed Salads
Fresh Fruit
Pluto's Hot Dogs
Assorted Pizzas
Goofyroni & Cheese
Dessert Station
Soft-Serve Yogurt with Toppings
And much, much more!

Breakie at GK:
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_goof.htm

Menu Date: March 2011

Brunch: 7am-12pm Mon-Fri/ 7am-2pm Sat & Sun
Adult $29.99
Child (3-9) $15.99
Prices do not include gratuity or sales tax

Five fabulous food islands featuring:

Create-Your-Own Omelet Station
"Mickey Mouse" Waffles & Pancakes
French Toast
Sausage & Bacon
Eggs Benedict
Muffins, Pastries, & Desserts
Fresh Fruit
Breakfast Enchiladas
Chicken Breast Nuggets
Goofy's Famous Peanut Butter Pizza
Soft-Serve Yogurt with Toppings
And much, much more!

 

[taaren]

all ears:
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_goofd.htm

Awesome thanks! Not sure how I missed that. I think I was in the table part of AllEars "Restaurant at a Glance" which didn't have the link. Now I just have to call at my 60 days in 2 months to find out about whether they're open continuously through the day or if they open and close for the various meals ... I think our ideal time would be around 3p right after our nap when we want to avoid the heat and just relax. Or maybe instead of a nap. Asssuming lunch and dinner going to be roughly the same price/menu ...

 

[metta4]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I am so excited to do the character meals. They were a highlight of our WDW trip 6 yrs ago!

 

[oumagic]

It really depends on your family. We were there 5 days last year and my DS7 wants to RIDE, RIDE, RIDE and my DD5 wanted to meet fairies, princesses and look at fountains. We did 3 character breakfasts and sit down dinners because that is what she wanted to do. I think she was just overwhelmed and this next trip when she is 6 and taller she might be more of a rider. It doesn't hurt to make reservations for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then cancel depending on the party's mood We had one day where our dining plans went completely out the window because of Nemo.