How do character meals work?

[malcontent]

I hope this is not too broad a question, but I'm curious as to what exactly happens. Do they last a certain amount of time, or do you stay as long as you like? Do they have activities or routines scheduled? Could you stay for say, 45 minutes, eat and leave if you need to make rope drop? Do the characters come out in shifts?

 

[dogodisney]

I've never been to a character meal so I think your questions are great.

 

[Figment's Friend]

The characters come around to each table one at a time. They stay long enough to take pictures and sign autographs, a few minutes each I guess.
Sometimes during the meal they'll go back and you don't see them for a few minutes, but they come back out and sometimes even make second rounds if you're there long enough!

I know at 'Ohana they do some activites with the kids, coconut races I think it is, but I'm not sure if that's with the characters or not.

You can definitely stay for 45 minutes, no problem! Each character that's at the meal should come around to you at least once. They're so much fun!!

 

[scjo68]

At chef Mickey's they have a napkin dance where the characters dance and wave napkins to a song, and you wave your napkin too, but you don't get up.

At Crystal Palace, the characters lead a parade of kids around the room. Same at Ohanna breakfast.

We've never had a problem missing one of these events, and at Chef Mickey's, sometimes they've done it twice while we are there.

Most meals usually last around an hour, maybe less.

Often, a handler will stop by your table to ask if each character has stopped by. If someone hasn't, tell them and they will make sure they do. Usually at CP, the server will fill us in as we are seated, about the path the characters usually take, so we have an idea when they will be by.

At buffets, we are usually warned to watch the character's path and if they are headed our way, don't get up and get in the buffet line, because you may miss the character and it's 40 minutes before they come around to your table again.

 

[frdeb1999]

There is no certain amount of time. Although we have always stayed about a 1 hr...even at breakfast time. They have their routines they do, along with going to each table to do autographs and pix. And depending on what time your scheduled for you will see it more then once.

 

[Aimeedyan]

They have them down to an art, where each table gets about the same amt of time and no one is overlooked. For that reason, MOST parents know to keep their kids at the table and wait for the character instead of it being a free for all to see them.

Once seated, you'll be able to see how the characters are coming around so you can hit the buffet in between people. If for some reason you miss a character (bathroom break, line at the food, etc), just tell your server and they can ask the character to swing by back.

We are usually there an hour or so.

 

[cjemscott]

Everyone has had great advice and info so far! We love character meals - they are a lot of fun, my kids love the interaction with the characters and it is easier to get autographs/pics than standing in line at the parks (like at Judge's Tent for Mickey) We try and do as many as possible with different characters on our trips!

Have a great time!

 

[Figment's Friend]

At chef Mickey's they have a napkin dance where the characters dance and wave napkins to a song, and you wave your napkin too, but you don't get up.

At Crystal Palace, the characters lead a parade of kids around the room. Same at Ohanna breakfast.

We've never had a problem missing one of these events, and at Chef Mickey's, sometimes they've done it twice while we are there.

Most meals usually last around an hour, maybe less.

Often, a handler will stop by your table to ask if each character has stopped by. If someone hasn't, tell them and they will make sure they do. Usually at CP, the server will fill us in as we are seated, about the path the characters usually take, so we have an idea when they will be by.

At buffets, we are usually warned to watch the character's path and if they are headed our way, don't get up and get in the buffet line, because you may miss the character and it's 40 minutes before they come around to your table again.

Very true about the buffets!! I always make sure I don't take a big bite of food if they're almost near me, otherwise you're chomping away when you're trying to get pictures!!