How Long is a Typical Character Meal?

[TiggerandBelleFanMom]

I know the answer probably varies from restaurant to restaurant and from family to family, but could anyone give me a rough idea of how long a typical character breakfast is? (Or, to put it bit differently, how long are you allowed to stay, meet, and take pictures with characters?)

I am particularly interested in the Crystal Palace breakfast (8:05 our first morning!) and the Cinderella's Royal Table Breakfast. (10 AM our second morning!)

My 3-year-old DD is more interested in meeting Belle than she is in any ride (indeed, I'm not sure she quite understands that there ARE rides at Disney, LOL), so I'm really excited by the CRT meal! I am trying to think about plans for the rest of that day, and one option is to park hop to MGM and take in the "Beauty and the Beast" show. I'm trying to figure out how the timing for that might work, and whether I should reserve a late lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby or something...so any insights people have into the typical length of the breakfasts would help.

Thanks in advance!

Becky

 

[ducklite]

Generally 30-60 minutes for breakfast, 45-75 for dinner. They time it so the characters usually only make it to your table once, and the kids are not allowed to walk around the restaurant to meet them. So if they get to your table at the beginning of your meal, you could be done in half an hour or so.

Anne

 

[ChrisAlli]

We did three character meals last month, breakfast CP and Donalds and Chef Mickey for dinner. All took about 75 minutes. We had CP ADR for 8:25 and were seated at 8:20, we were done by 9:30. Don't miss the parade!! This is a really good breakfast and the characters were great. Sorry didn't do CRT.

If she really likes Belle, DO NOT miss Story Time with Belle. It's really cute and you get to meet and pictures after.

 

[crisi]

And the characters don't spend a lot of time at each table. Enough time for autographs, photos, hugs, and maybe a few sentences of mimed (or for face characters, real) conversation. Think "recieving line at a wedding" not "heart to heart with the characters." A lot of people are quite disappointed when they realize the level of interaction that happens (there are exceptions, wonderful stories of really magical moments - but they are the exceptions).

Also, don't count on getting seated on time. In my experience, character meals can be the worst for "ADR at 8:50, seated at 9:15"

 

[TiggerandBelleFanMom]

The thing about not being seated on time is VERY useful to know.

And yeah, I know dd won't get to have a heart-to-heart with Belle. In fact, I think it is possible that she will be so in awe that she won't say anything! But I *know* that even 45 seconds with Belle will probably be the highlight of the trip for her.

And yes, Storytime with Belle is on my definite to do list!!! It sounds SOOOO great! I've heard that a large number of kids get to put on Lumiere, Cogsworth, or Chip costumes and dance around. If dd gets to do that, I will consider that ALONE worth the cost of the trip!

Becky

 

[crisi]

My daughter who is six was the same. She was thrilled to get autographs, have her picture taken, and tell each princess her name and that she was in kindergarten. But I wanted to set your expectation. The princess meal was where I finally figured out why some people are so disappointed. We got what we expected and my daughter was delighted, so I was happy. But I could tell watching some of the other tables that they had expected more.

By the way, not seated on time doesn't mean you shouldn't show up on time - particularly for the princess meals. The few stories I've ever heard about having your ADR given away for being a little late have come from Princess meals. And I watched one happen three weeks ago.

 

[garris3404]

You might also try Storytime with Belle next to Cindy's castle.