How is the character interaction at Tusker?

[newfiegirl]

We are eating there for breakfast and my son is a huge Donald fan...also how much are the photos that they take at the beginning, or are they included in the price??

 

[revdon64]

We'll be having breakfast at Tusker house in a couple of weeks. As I understand and from what I've read, the photo and meet/greet with Donald is outside the restaurant and not included in the price. Sometimes Donald interacts inside and sometimes not. Other characters seem to be Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, and one or two others (maybe Daisey/Chip/Dale) That's as much as I know about it right now.

 

[jbuey22]

In years past, it was our favorite breakfast, BUT, every time we have gone it was the Breakfast Restaurantosarus before the Tusker House. Pretty much the same setup only at a different location. We would go every trip because we loved the food. That was our #1 reason. The characters just work the room. each character gives you a photo opp and signs autographs then moves on. They want to give each character a chance to greet every table so there is no funny business. It is all controlled by the handlers and they make sure that the characters stop at each table and that they are not slowed down.. Yes they show you the photo from the family pic and try to sell you a package. If nnot I think I remember that 1 photo is free, but dont hold me to that. or it may have been like that years ago. havent been since '08 the last year it was at the other venue. enjoy!!

 

[squirrel]

I think the photos are around $30. Not included. I wish they offered some kind of deal for people who are already ordering the Photopass CD. $5 to get the code to add to the photopass would be nice.

Donald is outside for photos and he doesn't sign. This changed last year sometime. Daisy, Mickey and Goofy are the other characters. I'm sure Minnie also was there, I still have to go through my photos from 2008 and 2009. Disappointed about Donald outside and no Minnie, but still one of my favorite character meals.

 

[Brandilovesdisney]

We were at Tusker house in September - the characters were Mickey, Goofy and Daisy all dressed in safari attire. I found they spent ample time with each table and they even had a congo line with instruments for the kids.
Donald is only available for the photo op (cost $30) when you initially walk-in - we just told the hostess we wanted to by-pass the photo with Donald and they sat us immediately, but if your son loves Donald I would take advantage of the photo-op. It's so much better than lining up in the parks. Donald typically does not interect inside the restaurant. On a side note - I found the interaction at Chef Mickey's to be one of the best and Donald is there - my daughter still talks about dancing with Donald at CM!
The breakfast at Tusker House is one of the best in Disneyworld and in opinion, has the best coffee in DW - even better than Kona. And I know coffee

 

[newfiegirl]

Can I take a photo when my son is with Donald, or just the professional photographer?

 

[SnowWhite33]

The photopass photographer will take your picture with your camera. This is how we did it and they were happy to do it.

 

[EastonCat]

The interaction we had was very good and personal. Each character made at least two visits. The outside picture with Donald is not included, but you can take pictures and the photographer will take them with your camera.

 

[momtoejanda]

Can I take a photo when my son is with Donald, or just the professional photographer?

I took my own pictures as well as the photopass pictures

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

It was a big disappointment for us because Donald is only outside for pics. DS was so upset by only a rushed encounter with Donald that breakfast was miserable.

 

[Tiger926]

We have found that with increasing popularity, the characters are now rushed. And, Donald being outside is just not acceptable to us either. Just adds to the chaos - some people don't know he's outside, long lines, selling photos, etc.

The food is good though, as there is lots of variety, as is always the case with Tusker House.

We have stopped going to character meals, as they are just too expenseve - have done them all many times, including the old Donald's breakfast and Tusker House, so if you plan accordingly, you should be fine. Have autograph books ready, and know that Donald is outside (conflicting reports that sometimes he comes inside on super slow days or rainy days), enjoy the safari parade that goes through restaurant (like Crystal Palace), and enjoy the food!

Happy eating, Tiger

 

[Tyme4wdw]

Tusker House is the best breakfast anywhere around on property! I can't remember how much the photo costs, but it's a great souvenir of a wonderful breakfast. The characters make rounds to each table to sign autograph books, give hugs and take pictures. They also have kids grab instruments and march around the restaurant with the characters. The kids really enjoyed this. The food is out of this world good! I've never seen so much food with so many different offerings to choose from.

 

[3SmilingFaces]

Well...
I was a little disappointed that Donald was only outside for pictures, especially since it's a Donald Safari Breakfast! However, we had the photopass guy take the pics and they were some of the cutest pictures of our trip.
Yes, there is an additional fee, but we had a coupon ($5 off, I think) from a previous character meal we did during our trip that we were able to use.
The characters inside were rushed and spent little time with our kids. However, the food selection is excellent and one of the better breakfast buffets in my opinion.

 

[gortman65]

Can anyone confirm the current cost for the Safari breakfast? Allears is showing 2011 price as $24.99 for adults, but wdwinfo lists $35.99 per adult.

 

[magicalcouple]

DH, DS1, and myself were there in December and it was the $20 something dollar price.
We found that some of the character interaction was outstanding while others quickly went by. But our DS loved every minute of it and we really love the buffet. We also love to eat before the park opens so we can hit the Safari as soon as they let us!

 

[Tiger926]

Here is my thread with buffet prices listed. I spent 1 hour on phone with Disney, and got prices for several times throughout the year, so that way, all seasons were covered. Sometimes Disney does change prices unexpectedly, but these prices should be correct for the rest of the year:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2627843

Prices listed are peak season including 6.5% tax. If you want non-peak, then deduct $4.00 plus tax/adult and $2.00 plus tax/child.

Tusker House

Peak season $28.75 adult - $15.97 child

Non Peak season $24.48 adult - $13.83 child

Hope this helps, Tiger

 

[gortman65]

Thanks!

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks!

You are most welcome! Tiger