I'm so confused...

[gladstoneganderfan]

Hi,

I had unexpected money fall into my lap, so I'm taking the DH & DD to WDW on 2/7-2/11(just found out today we can go). I have been many times, but not for at least 15 years, they have never been (DD is 4 1/2). I just started planning 3 days ago, Yikes!

I found this wonderful board, but the more I read, the more confused I'm getting. I know that my DD wants to meet characters (expecially Princess'), but I had no idea about PS & character breakfasts, teas, etc. Since I am too late for PS, are we still going to be able to meet Princess' & characters, or are we going to have to get lucky? I don't want to make any promises to my DD I can't keep!LOL

If we don't have PS for the character meals or the popular shows, are we able to get in? Do I have to have PS to eat in any of the sit down resturants in WDW? I apologize, but after reading many posts about PS, I am a little worried. Thanks in advance for any & all advice, GGF

 

[mbcary]

You may not be too late for PS. The time that you are going is a slower time of year. You may still be able to get a PS for the places you want. I would make a list and start calling immediately. You might be pleasantly surprised. Oh, and congratulations on getting to go at the last minute!

 

[gladstoneganderfan]

Thanks you for the encouragment! I am going to try in the morning (hope my karma is good). I am so excited about going I am about to explode! Thanks to this board, my trip is going to be great. GGF

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Hi, love your user name, as it refers to a rare character!

Even if you don't get a PS, seeing princesses should not be a problem! There is a place in ToonTown at Magic Kingdom where at least one (usually more!) princesses can be found. There is a gift store between Mickey and Minnie's House (called the ToonTown Hall of Fame), and if you enter and look to the right, there are three roped-off lines. (This store is on the park map, so you'll find it!) If you get in those lines, you are taken to a room with characters in it. One of the lines leads to Cinderella, and if you're lucky, Snow White and Aurora, too! There are signs above the lines telling who it leads to. The other two lines leads to other characters, usually Minnie or Donald, or Pooh characters. This is a great place to meet princesses and more!

Princess Ariel is around, too! I am not sure if she is in her grotto in Fantasyland, or at the ToonTown Hall of Fame.

Jasmine is out and about, usually in Adventureland on and off during the day.

Characters are out today much more so than 15 years ago, so I think your DD will be quite happy!

 

[eeyore45]

I think you have a great chance for a PS for Princess Aurora (Storybook in Norway!) oh, all right, its just my opinion! The CRT at the castle, if I was you, every day go up to the pedestal of the reservation and be pleasant, and beg... you never know!! (OK, so try every day calling... I;ll post the 800#!)

My dd 8 had never been, we had money left from taxes, and I was determined, I think it was a 6 week plan time, and we got a PS for Aurora, and it was wonderful.. we saw Snow White, Mulan, Belle, Jasmine, and Princess Aurora... the food for me was all you can eat, I love eggs, and potatoes and sausage!! DD loved the caramel rolls, and the fruit juices!) OH, see if the Princess Package is still available as an add on to your ressies, that gives you the price of the breakfast + PS for the shows, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Pocohantas... its wonderful (+25 Disney Dollars!)

The other think I found interesting that I would do would be to ask at guest relations about where and who to meet and greet! I would've been upset had I not run into my Mary Poppins in Epcot!! (but then again, too much planning can backfire too....)


1-800-828-0228 and press 3 once the message starts, you'll then be sent to the WDW-DINE queue and have to answer even more questions.

Hope this helps!!

 

[gladstoneganderfan]

Thank you all! I am copying & pasting this thread right now!

eeyore45- Funny you say that about begging. I told my Dh I would go up & beg & plead if I had too! Must be a Mommy thing!LOL Thank for the #

HugsForEeyore-Thanks for the Toontown tips. Thank for the compliment about my id. I grew up reading the comic books & I always wanted to be Gladstone Gander, but I usually ended up feeling like Donald!LOL GGF

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

see if the Princess Package is still available as an add on to your ressies

the princess and prince plan add-ons disappeared with the other Dream Maker packages and add-ons when Magic Your Way became effective on January 2, 2005....

 

[disneygoof]

...If we don't have PS for the character meals or the popular shows, are we able to get in? Do I have to have PS to eat in any of the sit down resturants in WDW? I apologize...GGF

First, no need to apologize. A LOT has changed in 15 months, never mind 15 years!

You do not "need" a ps to eat in any restaurant. You do "want" a ps for the restaurants that you know you wish to eat at. A PS is like a reservation, except that you are not guaranteed a table for your time, rather the next available table when you check in. All PS holders are seated before walk-ups, so during busy times a walk-up could result in an extremely long wait, or in your being turned away.

As for character meals and popular shows: I think you could potentially walk up to any character meal, maybe excepting Cindy's breakfast in MK, but you'd be wasting time waiting for a table. I would highly recommend calling for priority seatings now to get a general idea about what's available in the restaurants you're thinking about. While you have them on the phone check the policy on the shows (all the same number). Hoop Dee Doo requires advance planning in terms of travel (allow an hour from most WDW resorts) and there are non-cancellation penalties.

You can make ps's at most character meals and restaurants and won't have to pay anything if you don't show, so why not spend 15 minutes on the phone with wdw-dine?

Also, I've read some posts about people who, in the morning decide they want to eat somewhere that night. They call same day and make a ps. Then when they arrive at the restaurant they hear walk-ups being told they have an hour or longer wait. Don't fear the ps. Control the ps. BE the PS. They really are the way to go.

Have a magical trip!

 

[noladave]

If you must do a princess, and you can't get into other ones, then you can always do the dinner at 1900 Park Fare (sp?) in the Grand Floridian. We waited until the last minute (the day before), and got in. For whatever reaons (I assume price), they aren't as crowed, and you get to see a prince, a princess, and the fairy godmother(?? not sure of her name, but an elderly lady all dressed up), along with some others - I think Chip and Dale, but don't quote me on those 2. We had a nice time, and since it wasn't so crowded (even in August), the characters spent plenty of time with the kids.

So, if you don't get into one of the breaksfast character meals, try this one.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Try the Cinderella Gala Feast at 1900 Park Fare or the Princess Story Book Breakfast (they maybe doing lunch and dinner too - check your time frame as they are just changing). See the Cinderella celebration show at the castle (not personal interaction but you will see Cinderella) don't forget ToonTown meet and greet. Shop by Fairytale Gardens and watch Belle and Beauty and the beast. It's small so you get to see Belle really close up plus it's fun.

Some other things that aren't "princess" that you might find fun - WOnderland Tea Party at Grand Floridian ($30.00) Chef Mickey's, O'Hanas (character breakfast - fun at dinner) 1900 Park Fare for Breakfast (Alice, Mad Hatter and Mary Poppins), Crystal Palace (breakfast lunch and dinner with Pooh and Friends) Sci-Fi Dinner Theatre at MGM (east in cool cars with a drive in setting).

If you need anymore tips you've come to the right place. Dissers not only know so many things about Disney they are so willing to share it. Look up the search for "Waking up Tinkerbelle". Have fun.

 

[eeyore0062]

When you enter the park, visit Guest Relations. They will be glad to call and find out where and when the princesses are scheduled to appear that day.

If you go to Epcot, we have seen Snow White in Germany, Jasmine in Morocco, Belle in France, Mulan in China.

As for the Princess meals, one thing you can do is call 48 hours before the day you would like to go, and see if there have been any cancellations. Sometimes you can get in that way. Otherwise try Cinderella's Royal Gala at the Grand Floridian. It has become more popular with the breakfasts filling up more readily. I don't think that this has happened yet, but ask when the princesses will begin appearing at Akersus (Norway pavillion restaurant) for lunch and dinner. I know that is is supposed to begin, but don't remember the date.

At Magic Kingdom, if your DD likes Belle, she tells stories in the Fairytale Garden to the right of the castle as you are looking at it from Main St. After she signs autographs and poses for pics with the kids.

Don't worry, your DD will see PLENTY of princesses!

 

[bairdbeth]

Check out the Toontown Hall Of Fame (MK)also. They have princesses there for meet and greet. Also, Belle tells stories at Fairytale garden and does a meet and greet afterwards.We've also seen Belle and Beast in France at Epcot, Jasmin and Aladin in Morroco, Mulan in China and Snow White in Germany. Ask at guest services at each park. They have a schedule for the day of all the characters appearing. Good luck!