How long to allow for character meals?

[kristenm514]

I am now able to make dining reservations, and I'm itching to do so! We're doing Ariel's on day 2 of our trip, but I thought it might be fun to do a character breakfast on the morning of our departure, to say farewell to Disney and fill up before sitting on a plane for 5 hours. We are using DLE to get to the airport, and our flight leaves at 10:55a from SNA. If we stay at PPH (currently working on the hubby to allow this lol), a 9:00 pickup would get us there in time, yeah? Maybe 8:30 to be safe?

So, if we did Surf's Up at 7am, would 90 minutes - 2 hours be enough time to comfortably eat, do the character interaction, and get our butts on the bus? Also curious about how long to budget for our Ariel's lunch as well.
How long do you hang around at the character meals?

 

[blackjackdelta]

I am now able to make dining reservations, and I'm itching to do so! We're doing Ariel's on day 2 of our trip, but I thought it might be fun to do a character breakfast on the morning of our departure, to say farewell to Disney and fill up before sitting on a plane for 5 hours. We are using DLE to get to the airport, and our flight leaves at 10:55a from SNA. If we stay at PPH (currently working on the hubby to allow this lol), a 9:00 pickup would get us there in time, yeah? Maybe 8:30 to be safe?

So, if we did Surf's Up at 7am, would 90 minutes - 2 hours be enough time to comfortably eat, do the character interaction, and get our butts on the bus? Also curious about how long to budget for our Ariel's lunch as well.
How long do you hang around at the character meals?

We always allow 90 minutes for the character meals, more than enough time.

Jack

 

[Malcon10t]

and our flight leaves at 10:55a from SNA. If we stay at PPH (currently working on the hubby to allow this lol), a 9:00 pickup would get us there in time, yeah? Maybe 8:30 to be safe?

Orange County airport states you need a minimum of 90 mins for processing, so you need to be at the airport by 925am.

 

[joelnkelly]

we typically allow 90 minutes like jack suggested.

We did Surf's UP breakfast two weeks ago and it was very forgetable in regards to the food. During our week vacation we did every character meal at DL and this was by far the worst in regards to the food. The character interaction was great but the food was blahh!

Ariel's grotto shouldnt take any longer than 90 minutes, they move the princesses through fairly quickly, its a rapid fire princess concession through the tables. We did lunch and the food was pretty good. Everyone was happy.

Good luck on you're decision and have a great vacation!

 

[kristenm514]

We always allow 90 minutes for the character meals, more than enough time.

Jack

Fantastic! Thanks!

Departure day breakfast it is, then. Everyone will be so thrilled that they get to rise and shine early after three days of MMs! Lol -- the magic waits for no man

 

[kristenm514]

Orange County airport states you need a minimum of 90 mins for processing, so you need to be at the airport by 925am.

Just saw this...man Even leaving at 8:30 would probably be cutting it close, as I hear that DLE can take forever getting to the airport.

Has anyone ever used DLE from the onsite hotels? I'm guessing it took longer than an hour to get to SNA, right?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I was at minnies for two hours but that was because i waited for the white rabbit lol I was not leaving till got his pic and autograph lol.

most take about 90mins

 

[pixiewings71]

Disney allows 90 minutes for all character meals, we rarely take longer, altho we could at AG. lol The food there is so good! I would allow 90 minutes for your meal and another 90 to get to the airport.