How many character meals are too many?

[leighmerz]

I will be eating 7 table service meals. First trip for all of us with a 5 and 1 year old (girls). I have Chef's Mickey Dinner, Donald Tusker House Lunch, Akurshus Lunch or Breakfast???and Park Fare Dinner. Is that okay? I was also thinking of Ohana's Dinner and 50s Prime Time Lunch. Thinking of one other @ Epcot. Still considering San Angel Inn, Garden Grill, Rose and Crown. I can't get Rose and Crown during Illuminations times. Would really like a family style meal. Garden Grill is reviewed to have great character interaction but my little one has her heart set on the others.

 

[juliebug1997]

I am one of the few who didn't like Ankershus as much as Cinderella's Royal Table (which I know you don't have on your list). I didn't find the character interaction as that great and the food was just okay (we did breakfast because I am not as adventurous as Norwegian food). On the other hand, DH and I both love Garden Grill!!!!!! I don't find the menu very appetizing either of the Mexican restaurants but I am from Texas so I don't have to eat there. Good luck on your choice!!

 

[ReneeA]

It depends on the family. I allow each person to pick out their #1 choice and then fill in with places close to our location for that day. It usually means 1 character meal for an 8 night trip, since that's DD's choice. I know people love them, but in my experience, they are chaotic, the food is worse than CS quality…and my kids leave hungry due to being overstimulated and distracted. I always have to grab them snacks shortly after those meals. There are too many nice sitdowns with decent food for me to enjoy.

Take it with a grain of salt though...I know I'm in the minority on this one.

 

[Colleen27]

We really aren't big fans of character meals. I still plan one or two because my 3yo loves characters and my 13yo loves all-you-can-eat, but for the most part we find the character interaction in the parks less rushed and more photo-friendly than the character meals and prefer the relaxation (and off-our-feet time) of regular table service dining rather than buffets.

 

[leighmerz]

Thanks for this advice. That is exactly what I was concerned about! I have seven meals 4 character/ 3 regular meals. I just can't decide what character meal to cut out! We are doing 1900 Park Fare Dinner, Tusker house Lunch, Garden Grill Dinner, and Akurshus Dinner. My daughter LOVES Mickey and friends and Pluto! To my knowledge Pluto is at Garden Grill, Daisy at Tusker and of course the princess's are a must too!

 

[mastermind307]

We have the following character meals planned for our Nov. trip. We will be on the DDP. We like simple food and most character meals have food we like.

Akershus Breakfast - ate here last year and really enjoyed it
CRT Dinner (paying oop) - daughter is really into princesses
Crystal Palace Breakfast - DH favorite meal from last trip
Garden Grill Dinner - first time trying this one
Chef Mickey's Dinner (DD will be going with grandparents, while hubby and I eat at 'Ohana) - grandma chose this one. We ate here last year and it was ok.

and our non character meals include
Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner - another favorite of DH
Captain's Grille Dinner (although I thought about changing this one to Wolfgang Puck Cafe) - first time
'Ohana - first time

 

[PoohsFan1]

My family loves the character meals. My kids (8 and 10) would much rather run for the headline attractions than to wait in line for a character, unless that character is someone they have never met before or won't see at a character meal. My family actually likes the items on the buffet and it is especially good for my kids because they are picky eaters, therefore it allows them to find something that they both like. We too do many of the regular TS meals just so we can get away from the craziness of the parks...we try to balance out the regular TS and the character meals. Our favorite character meals are Akershus Breakfast (a must do for us), Cape May Cafe Breakfast (another must do), Crystal Palace Breakfast, 1900 Park Fare Breakfast, O'hana Breakfast, and CRT dinner.

 

[dsnymomof4]

We also always do character meals. It is a great way to see the characters. However, just be aware that sometimes you do have to wait for characters to come around. And sometimes you'll be up at the buffet and a character will be stopping at your table. So, it does require a bit of planning and waiting. But, the personal attention you get when they come to your table is definitely worth it. We've done all the meals you have planned except Akershus and we've enjoyed them very much!

 

[wdw4rfam]

I am one of the few who didn't like Ankershus as much as Cinderella's Royal Table (which I know you don't have on your list). I didn't find the character interaction as that great and the food was just okay (we did breakfast because I am not as adventurous as Norwegian food). On the other hand, DH and I both love Garden Grill!!!!!! I don't find the menu very appetizing either of the Mexican restaurants but I am from Texas so I don't have to eat there. Good luck on your choice!!

We hated Ankershus. Food was horrible. Characters were good though.

But to answer original question... No such thing as too many in my opinion!!! We do one almost every day of our 8 day trips. We usually only do 1 or 2 that aren't. It is a way to eat and get all your pics with characters without waiting in those lines in the parks. Sit and eat and let them come to you.

 

[heatherenae71]

This is the first time for us to go to Disney as a family (DS8 and DD4) as well, as do the dining plan.

We're doing 1900 PF - breakfast, Hollywood & Vine - breakfast, Crystal Palace - breakfast, Cinderella's Royal Table - dinner, and Chef Mickey's - breakfast. Can you tell we like us some breakfast?!?!

We'll see how this all shakes out with being too much or just right (I know my family, and think this is just right ...we get a good mix of characters and will get lots of signatures in the autograph book I made - LOL!)

 

[sukhakuli]

We love the character breakfasts. Everyone always gets plenty to eat (I have picky eaters), and it's fun for the kids, too. My kids really don't want to sit in a stuffy restaurant while on vacation; they want to have fun. So, it's a win-win.

For our upcoming trip we have booked:
Akershus
Crystal Palace
Ohana breakfast
Cape May Buffet

And I'm still trying for cinderella's Royal Table.

We also have 2 dinner shows booked, so look in to that.

For Epcot, I like the San Angel, think about Coral Reef as well.

 

[momtoejanda]

We love character meals (kids 8,5,5) we do all of them each trip. Everyone is different, do what you feel is good for your kids!

 

[leighmerz]

We have the following character meals planned for our Nov. trip. We will be on the DDP. We like simple food and most character meals have food we like.

Akershus Breakfast - ate here last year and really enjoyed it
CRT Dinner (paying oop) - daughter is really into princesses
Crystal Palace Breakfast - DH favorite meal from last trip
Garden Grill Dinner - first time trying this one
Chef Mickey's Dinner (DD will be going with grandparents, while hubby and I eat at 'Ohana) - grandma chose this one. We ate here last year and it was ok.

and our non character meals include
Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner - another favorite of DH
Captain's Grille Dinner (although I thought about changing this one to Wolfgang Puck Cafe) - first time
'Ohana - first time

Awesome! So you are doing lots of character meals! Great input, thanks! I was also advised to check out Liberty Tree/ going to do that now!

 

[leighmerz]

My family loves the character meals. My kids (8 and 10) would much rather run for the headline attractions than to wait in line for a character, unless that character is someone they have never met before or won't see at a character meal. My family actually likes the items on the buffet and it is especially good for my kids because they are picky eaters, therefore it allows them to find something that they both like. We too do many of the regular TS meals just so we can get away from the craziness of the parks...we try to balance out the regular TS and the character meals. Our favorite character meals are Akershus Breakfast (a must do for us), Cape May Cafe Breakfast (another must do), Crystal Palace Breakfast, 1900 Park Fare Breakfast, O'hana Breakfast, and CRT dinner.

I here the breakfast are really good but we are going during a crowded time and wanted to spend the mornings in the park! What time do you do them?

 

[leighmerz]

We love the character breakfasts. Everyone always gets plenty to eat (I have picky eaters), and it's fun for the kids, too. My kids really don't want to sit in a stuffy restaurant while on vacation; they want to have fun. So, it's a win-win.

For our upcoming trip we have booked:
Akershus
Crystal Palace
Ohana breakfast
Cape May Buffet

And I'm still trying for cinderella's Royal Table.

We also have 2 dinner shows booked, so look in to that.

For Epcot, I like the San Angel, think about Coral Reef as well.

I have really been thinking about San Angel! So many mixed reviews I was thinking Garden Grill. What is your experience there bc I LOVE the volcano and the atmosphere! We could always keep our Chef's Mickey Res (Dinner @ 5) and do San Angel instead of Garden Grill! Hard to decide! Also, are you doing Akurshus breakfast or lunch?

 

[leighmerz]

We hated Ankershus. Food was horrible. Characters were good though.

But to answer original question... No such thing as too many in my opinion!!! We do one almost every day of our 8 day trips. We usually only do 1 or 2 that aren't. It is a way to eat and get all your pics with characters without waiting in those lines in the parks. Sit and eat and let them come to you.

Ugh, I am scared! My little one would love all the princess's though!

 

[Keegansmommy]

We're doing 6 out of 7 meals as character meals. Our kids will be 2 and 4. What I love is 1. There is no waiting for food 2. There's a variety of food choices for my kids 3. There is a variety of healthy options 4. We don't have to pay extra for a meal for our 2 year old

This trip we'll be doing:
Ohana's - breakfast (first time)
1900 Park Fare (breakfast - first time) and dinner
Crystal Palace (lunch - first time)
Chef Mickey's - breakfast
Hollywood and Vine (lunch - first time)

Our non character lunch is Whispering Canyon - tried it for the first time on our last trip and loved it!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We went in December and 6 out of our 10 meals were character meals. We went back in August and did 7 character meals out of our 10 meals. While the food is usually better at non-character ts spots, we all have such a blast with the characters. I think "too many" depends on you. Experiences of course vary...we had an awful breakfast at Tusker in December and after a wonderful breakfast at 1900PF in Dec we returned in August to have a less than stellar experience. Same thing with CRT- great in December but pretty bad in August. Still, for the most part, worth doing. Speaking of Akershus- I know some people hated it, but we've done lunch and dinner there and our kids LOVED the food- especially the buffet portion. I think my 5 yr old would have been happy to eat smoked salmon and shrimp salad all night while my 2 yr old was content with all of the cheese, rolls and cold cuts.

 

[lolakat]

I think it depends on how much you like charecters and what your budget is. My daughter LOVES the charecters and I LOVE to watch her with them. We usually do 1 charecter meal per day on our 7 day trips. Usually we will do a charecter breakfast and a regular sit down meal for dinner. I find the breakfast food is much better than the dinner options and we usually leave full. I agree it is hectic compared to a non-charecter breakfast but I still find it to be fun. Usually we are not hungry for lunch and just snack around at the park.

For our November trip I have:
O'hana's breakfast
Crystal palace breakfast
Tusker house breakfast
1900 Park Fare Dinner
CRT breakfast
Akaushaus breakfast
Couldn't get Chef Mickey's this time but I'm still trying.

 

[vwlizard]

We just came back and were very disappointed with 1900 Park Faire dinner. Food was horrible and although the characters were fun, interactions were VERY quick.

Ohana breakfast was WONDERFUL. It was Stitch, Lilo, Mickey and Pluto. Lots of interaction and the food was good too. The most my daughter ate at any meal of the trip.