Jake and the Neverland Pirates Character Meal - Hollywood & Vine???

[mom2princesses2]

With the introduction of the Disney Junior channel...which is the only channel our TVs seem to get anymore...I think Disney is saturating the preschool and Kindergarten-set even more than ever before. With more opportunity of airtime, my 4 yr old now knows more Disney characters than her 9 yr old sister did, including new ones and the older ones her sister new like JoJo and Roly Poly Olllie because the DJC are now running those shows too.

So why wouldn't Disney take the easy way to make DHS more appealing to the younger kiddos by increasing the characters?

Seems to me it would help to take some of the criticism away from TSM's long wait times due to it being one of the only attractions at DHS that the younger ones can do.

 

[kjbean]

Last week we changed our trip dates from September to the end of October. We had the Mama Melrose Fantasmic! dining experience package and managed to rebook on our new date planned for DHS but it was for a very early dinner for us. Since seeing this post and my kids love Jake I went ahead and cancelled our MM dinner for lunch at H&V. I know we no longer have the F! dinner pkge but I feel happier about these plans and hopefully by then more characrers from Jake are there to make it better!

 

[beansmom]

you changed your ADR's based on speculation???

wow...that's brave.

 

[WDSearcher]

you changed your ADR's based on speculation???

wow...that's brave.

Jake is there regardless -- the only speculation is if other members of the pirate crew will be joining. Either way, the Jake-loving kids get Jake.

 

[kjbean]

The change wasn't soley because of this rumor. With changing our dates our new reservation times didn't seem to work so well and I didn't have my heart set on MM for dinner from the beginning anyway. I had heard negative reviews about H&V food so I originally chose to try MM to get the Fantasmic! package. Since seeing this post I decided to revisit other meal options,especially H&V and knowing Jake is currently at the character lunch I thought about how much my kids love Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I figured whether the change happens or not they will still enjoy this character lunch better than MM. If the characrers DO change it will be just bonus and having the ADRs set I'm in good shape. It really was a question to do the F! package or not and I feel now that the character lunch would be a better choice for our family.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

! ! ! oh please oh please oh please oh please ! ! ! !

YES, we already have Dec ADR's for H&V, but man this would be great if they bring on Captain Hook and Smee !

They really really need some boy dinings. It just baffles me as to why they don't have a Toy Story one. That would be sold out in mins everyday

 

[tputorti]

http://kennythepirate.com/2012/07/23/jake-and-the-neverland-pirates-character-meal/

Kenny the Pirate has reported that.. "There’s a new rumor going around that Jake, Izzy (pink bandana and shirt), Captain Hook and Mr Smee will be taking over the breakfast and lunch “Play and Dine” character meals at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios. The current meal isn’t nearly as popular as Walt Disney World Entertainment would like to see. It’s seen as an underperforming offering and they hope by adding Izzy as a new character and bringing Hook and Smee out more will inspire new bookings."

"The move would send Agent Oso and June into the rare/retired character status and Handy Manny will continue to meet in his usual location. I think it would be even more fun to put Peter Pan into the meal (he has appeared on this show) and have him interact with Capt. Hook. We used to have some great interactions with those to characters a few years ago in the Magic Kingdom. If they had to drop Smee to add Pan, I think it would bring a broader appeal."

=========

Has anyone else heard anything like this? I can't find anything anywhere else about this possible change. Kenny said there is a new rumor "going around" so I figured if it was going around one of the insiders here would have heard about it.

If anyone has heard anything about this, can they provide a possible timeline? I know that the last two Octobers they have made changes to Hollywood & Vine (Oct 2010 - added Oso, Oct 2011 - added Jake). Seems like it would be a time for a change.

Have not heard this rumor at all in the backstage areas of WDW.

And, for the record, there are also no current plans to bring Doc McStuffins to life in character form. Sorry to all who are hoping!

So far this thread has garnered a lot of people saying they would love this, plus more Disney Junior characters to meet, and a Toy Story character meal. That is all great if TDO is watching the situation and I have enjoyed the discussion and hope it continues. However, the thread has only had one response to my questions of trying to put any true to the rumor. IN fact that response, (*quoted above) actually states that he has not heard anything back stage about this.

So getting back to my question, Pirate Kenny said there is a new rumor "going around" so I figured if it was going around one of the insiders here would have heard about it.

I'm not putting much stock in this rumor then. Who is this rumor "going aroung" between, if no one has heard of it?

Also if a bunch have not heard of it then October might be a long shot, if it actually happens at all, because I know in the past two October's to add in one character there was a lot of planning and prep to add in different songs for interactive parts for the cast members. An overhaul that is suggested by this rumor would seem to take more prep than just adding in one character.

Also, I know they have Jake, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee costumes on hand, but do they even have an Izzy custome made up or in the works? What about Cubby?

Lots of questions...

 

[Funfire240]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping it could change by September... We're booked here for the lone reason of eating with Jake. DD keeps asking if she'll meet Izzy and I'm already hoping to hit characterpalooza in hopes to meet Mr Smee and Hook for DS. They both LOVE this show - we have the CD in the car and DS has to listen to it over and over (he's 2!) He goes around singing the pirate rock song and the actions. They are dressing as Jake and Izzy for MNSSHP so this would be totally awesome for us!

 

[ejrj]

Doc McStuffins seems an obviously one (to me)to introduce in character form into HS. Sad to hear that nothing is in the works. It was launched as Disney Junior Channel main show. It's a little girl star. It's been super popular since its launch. Etc Etc Etc. It's certainly not my favorite children's program but don't tell that to my daughter. I'm quite surprised nothing is in the works for her. Not for a meal or anything but certainly to be on the park in some fashion.

 

[WDSearcher]

So far this thread has garnered a lot of people saying they would love this, plus more Disney Junior characters to meet, and a Toy Story character meal. That is all great if TDO is watching the situation and I have enjoyed the discussion and hope it continues. However, the thread has only had one response to my questions of trying to put any true to the rumor. IN fact that response, (*quoted above) actually states that he has not heard anything back stage about this.

So getting back to my question, Pirate Kenny said there is a new rumor "going around" so I figured if it was going around one of the insiders here would have heard about it.

I'm not putting much stock in this rumor then. Who is this rumor "going aroung" between, if no one has heard of it?

Also if a bunch have not heard of it then October might be a long shot, if it actually happens at all, because I know in the past two October's to add in one character there was a lot of planning and prep to add in different songs for interactive parts for the cast members. An overhaul that is suggested by this rumor would seem to take more prep than just adding in one character.

Also, I know they have Jake, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee costumes on hand, but do they even have an Izzy custome made up or in the works? What about Cubby?

Lots of questions...

There is currently not an Izzy costume in the Disney Character inventory. So, even if Izzy was to be added, the likelihood that a costume and character could pass through the design, approval, budgeting, fabrication and training phases before October is extremely slim. That would be a remarkably tight timeline, and I just can't see Disney doing that unless it was for an A-List character that Synergy was pushing so hard that people were re-doing budgets for it. And if that were the case, it would be far more than a rumor at this stage.

I've also not heard any rumors at all floating around backstage regarding Doc McStuffins appearing in character form. Lots of "gee, wouldn't it be great" or "well, MY kids would love it!", but nothing that would indicate that Doc McS is any nearer being onstage now than she ever was.

 

[tputorti]

bump

 

[kennythepirate]

Please note that I'm careful to deliniate between Rumors and News on my blog. Rumors are put out because I heard something that may or may not be true, but open to discussion. News is put out to notify everyone of more definite changes. I didn't say this will happen, only that I heard it. I believe WDsearcher is a great resource for information concerning current inventory and such. Handy Manny's rumors started 2 years before he actually appeared in HS for meets. He even appeared in the Christmas Parade months before meeting guests. The timeline of the rumor is probably inaccurate, but I do believe Izzy will make it to the parks at some point because it adds the valuable female demographic to the pirates line.

Please don't reschedule your meals based on speculation!

 

[ammag]

I might add an adr for october just in case....

 

[BlovesC]

I think H&V might be the ONE character meal DH and I would feel a little funny about going to with just the two of us. I'm indifferent about Jake and his pals, BUT if Captain Hook, Sharky, and Bones were all at the meal, I'd definitely make an ADR there!

 

[pequele]

Doc McStuffins seems an obviously one (to me)to introduce in character form into HS. Sad to hear that nothing is in the works. It was launched as Disney Junior Channel main show. It's a little girl star. It's been super popular since its launch. Etc Etc Etc. It's certainly not my favorite children's program but don't tell that to my daughter. I'm quite surprised nothing is in the works for her. Not for a meal or anything but certainly to be on the park in some fashion.

There are already plenty of girl characters at the parks (including TWO major princess meals!) and Doc is probably too new to even be on a "character in the parks" list in the near future. Maybe long term? How about some more options for boys especially at meal times?? After all, for the girls we have like I said the 2 princess meals, Alice, Mary poppins, tea party just off the top of my head. What special meals geared towards boys do we have. All Mickey and friends and/or a meal with pooh characters? Let's bring in something for the other half of Disney Junior fans, THE BOYS!

 

[WDSearcher]

There are already plenty of girl characters at the parks (including TWO major princess meals!) and Doc is probably too new to even be on a "character in the parks" list in the near future. Maybe long term? How about some more options for boys especially at meal times?? After all, for the girls we have like I said the 2 princess meals, Alice, Mary poppins, tea party just off the top of my head. What special meals geared towards boys do we have. All Mickey and friends and/or a meal with pooh characters? Let's bring in something for the other half of Disney Junior fans, THE BOYS!

They did ... that's why Jake and Special Agent Oso have the Hollywood & Vine breakfast and why Handy Manny remains a very prevalent character at the Disney Jr venue. That's not expected to change any time soon, due in part to the boy-centric nature of those characters.

The princesses are, and probably always will be, such a cash cow, that those meals are packed every single day. The stuff that appeals to a wider base of both boys and girls sells out too, but not nearly as quickly. BBB is a quicker sell than Pirates League. My Disney Princess Tea Parties sell out faster than Pirate Cruises. When little boys start becoming the retail force that little girls are, then the number of offerings geared to them will increase. But right now, little princesses simply buy more than little pirates.

 

[pequele]

They did ... that's why Jake and Special Agent Oso have the Hollywood & Vine breakfast and why Handy Manny remains a very prevalent character at the Disney Jr venue. That's not expected to change any time soon, due in part to the boy-centric nature of those characters.

The princesses are, and probably always will be, such a cash cow, that those meals are packed every single day. The stuff that appeals to a wider base of both boys and girls sells out too, but not nearly as quickly. BBB is a quicker sell than Pirates League. My Disney Princess Tea Parties sell out faster than Pirate Cruises. When little boys start becoming the retail force that little girls are, then the number of offerings geared to them will increase. But right now, little princesses simply buy more than little pirates.

But I think they CAN'T be a buying force when there isn't much to buy! The boys turn to other things when it isn't available. I completely agree that even "unisex" stuff is better than none but there is only so much of that before it starts repeating itself (ie Mickey at all meals etc) and gets to be the same thing over and over then people lose interest...we already HAD 12 meals with Mickey sort of thing.

Don't get me wrong, my son does BBB's knight package, pirate league, just found out about pirates n pals so we signed up in Dec (opened now for Dec ADRs people!) and we are doing both princess meals and 1900PF meals regardless. He's too young for the pirate themed tours so far. I don't mind the princess stuff for my son and neither does he mind (at this point) I'd just love to see MORE options for the boys even if it was unisexed options. Without more options the crowd base loses interest and moves on to things like US or Nick!

 

[kjbean]

Please don't reschedule your meals based on speculation!

Although I was one that did reschedule, it was merely because this rumor sparked a second look at H&V as a meal option when I didn't feel like MM was the best restaurant for us all along. (which we originally booked as it was the best choice to get the Fantasmic! dining package). Since Jake is already currently there, that is enough for my boys and I was just saying (and agreeing with most replies) how wonderful it would be if this were to turn from rumor to fact.

I love these boards for the information offered in helping me make our choices for our trip. Although most topics discussed people have a variety of opinions for whatever reasons but it is up to us to take what we need with the information (facts and opinions) to make the best judgement for our own plans.

 

[WDSearcher]

But I think they CAN'T be a buying force when there isn't much to buy! The boys turn to other things when it isn't available. I completely agree that even "unisex" stuff is better than none but there is only so much of that before it starts repeating itself (ie Mickey at all meals etc) and gets to be the same thing over and over then people lose interest...we already HAD 12 meals with Mickey sort of thing.

Don't get me wrong, my son does BBB's knight package, pirate league, just found out about pirates n pals so we signed up in Dec (opened now for Dec ADRs people!) and we are doing both princess meals and 1900PF meals regardless. He's too young for the pirate themed tours so far. I don't mind the princess stuff for my son and neither does he mind (at this point) I'd just love to see MORE options for the boys even if it was unisexed options. Without more options the crowd base loses interest and moves on to things like US or Nick!

I get your point, but if you look at what's out there -- from a "we're aiming this at boys" standpoint -- no ... there's not a dedicated "boy" meal. But there are lots of "boy things" in each park. Buzz Lightyear, Phineas & Ferb, Jedi Training, Indiana Jones, LMA, Tomorrowland Speedway, pirates, trains, Handy Manny, Jake, Perry's World Showcase Adventure, Lightning McQueen & Mater, etc. And they all have merchandise options out the wazoo! (Have you seen the amount of Cars and P&F merchandise out there?) There may be a new Cars Land out in California, but it still doesn't show the merchandise numbers that princesses do. Merida all by herself can probably outsell most of the "boy" merch offerings like Cars or Jake.

Of course, it's also true that most "boy stuff" also appeals to girls, while the "girl stuff" doesn't necessarily draw in boys. Girls want to be pirates; boys aren't really big on becoming princesses. It's simply a harder market to focus on.

 

[AimeeMichele]

I made an ADR there just in case this comes to fruition. My niece's favorite show is Jake and the Neverland Pirates and my youngest nephew's favorite villain is Captain Hook. What an awesome character breakfast this would be! Fingers crossed