We just got back from a great trip to WDW. We are DVC members so we do not use the dining plan, however, we did eat at 4 character meals. First up was Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary Resort on 9/19. We had a great time at this meal. We had a 5:10 adr and got in right away. The characters we saw were Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald. They all took pictures with both of my kids and signed my dds autograph book. The food was just ok but I wouldnt go back for the food. It was nice to get all 5 main characters at one meal.
For our next meal we went to the Tusker House for a 10:25 adr for breakfast on 9/20. As soon as we checked in they told us they were running at least 25 minutes behind. They gave us our pager and we walked around and entertained ourselves for a while. There were a lot of unhappy diners waiting to be seated. Several people went to the podium to see what was taking so long. We were finally sat at 11:10. On our way in, we were greated by a cast member who apologized for our wait and gave us a slip for a free fast pass at any ride that accepts fast passes. I thought it was a nice gesture although I knew we were not going to be able to use it. I just thought it was nice they recognized the inconvenience they caused and tried to make up for it. The food here was really good. Great selection, everything was hot. Our server did tell us they would only have the breakfast food out until 11:30 so we should make big plates and get what we wanted before they switched to lunch. The good thing was that we would have the option to try both menus. We all ate so much breakfast that we had no room to sample the lunch menu. The characters at this meal were very rushed and Mickey left before we got to see him. We talked to one of the CM's and they apologized but said he needed to get to the character greeting spots so he had to leave. I was a little disappointed in this. I just think when you pay to see 4 characters you should get to see them all. The good thing was my kids were ok with it as they knew we would see him later in the day. We did get to see Daisy, Donald and Goofy.
Our next meal was for the Storybook Diner at Akershus on 9/20 at 5:00pm. We had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. My DD took a picture with Belle and we went to sit down. The cold buffet was good and my kids were pretty pleased with it. DH ordered the mahi mahi and I had the beef tips. My kids had the cheese ravioli and the grilled chicken. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The characters came pretty quickly and posed for pictures and signed autographs. My only complaint with the characters at this meal is all but one ignored my 2 year old son. Maybe they assumed he was a boy and didnt care? They were great with DD, especially Ariel who is her favorite. We got to see Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, and Aurora in addition to Belle in the beginning.
Next up was Ohana with Lilo and Stitch on 9/23. We had a 10:55 reservation and didnt sit until almost noon time. Once again, there were a lot of unhappy people waiting around and questioning what was taking so long. We were given some pineapple bread, juice, coffee and fruit immediately. The food, however took a while. The server commented that the kitchen had been slammed and were running behind. She also mentioned they didnt have a dishwasher? Not sure if the machine was down or they didnt have anyone to wash the dishes, but we were eating on disposable plates. When the food arrived it was hot and pretty good. The characters again were pretty rushed here but they did pose for pictures and sign autographs so my kids were happy with it. Stitch was the best and actually came back to our table again just to give my kids a high five.
So overall, I think chacter meals seem to work out best when you have an earlier ADR. They seem to fall behind throughout the morning and by the end are running about an hour late. I dont know if its like this all the time, or if Free Dining has them falling behind. Next year we've decided to do only one character meal and only at a resort. Of the 4 we did, the only one I would repeat again was Tusker House. I would like to try breakfast at CM because the characters are great, but the food for dinner wasnt so great. Maybe breakfast is better?
For our next meal we went to the Tusker House for a 10:25 adr for breakfast on 9/20. As soon as we checked in they told us they were running at least 25 minutes behind. They gave us our pager and we walked around and entertained ourselves for a while. There were a lot of unhappy diners waiting to be seated. Several people went to the podium to see what was taking so long. We were finally sat at 11:10. On our way in, we were greated by a cast member who apologized for our wait and gave us a slip for a free fast pass at any ride that accepts fast passes. I thought it was a nice gesture although I knew we were not going to be able to use it. I just thought it was nice they recognized the inconvenience they caused and tried to make up for it. The food here was really good. Great selection, everything was hot. Our server did tell us they would only have the breakfast food out until 11:30 so we should make big plates and get what we wanted before they switched to lunch. The good thing was that we would have the option to try both menus. We all ate so much breakfast that we had no room to sample the lunch menu. The characters at this meal were very rushed and Mickey left before we got to see him. We talked to one of the CM's and they apologized but said he needed to get to the character greeting spots so he had to leave. I was a little disappointed in this. I just think when you pay to see 4 characters you should get to see them all. The good thing was my kids were ok with it as they knew we would see him later in the day. We did get to see Daisy, Donald and Goofy.
Our next meal was for the Storybook Diner at Akershus on 9/20 at 5:00pm. We had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. My DD took a picture with Belle and we went to sit down. The cold buffet was good and my kids were pretty pleased with it. DH ordered the mahi mahi and I had the beef tips. My kids had the cheese ravioli and the grilled chicken. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The characters came pretty quickly and posed for pictures and signed autographs. My only complaint with the characters at this meal is all but one ignored my 2 year old son. Maybe they assumed he was a boy and didnt care? They were great with DD, especially Ariel who is her favorite. We got to see Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, and Aurora in addition to Belle in the beginning.
Next up was Ohana with Lilo and Stitch on 9/23. We had a 10:55 reservation and didnt sit until almost noon time. Once again, there were a lot of unhappy people waiting around and questioning what was taking so long. We were given some pineapple bread, juice, coffee and fruit immediately. The food, however took a while. The server commented that the kitchen had been slammed and were running behind. She also mentioned they didnt have a dishwasher? Not sure if the machine was down or they didnt have anyone to wash the dishes, but we were eating on disposable plates. When the food arrived it was hot and pretty good. The characters again were pretty rushed here but they did pose for pictures and sign autographs so my kids were happy with it. Stitch was the best and actually came back to our table again just to give my kids a high five.
So overall, I think chacter meals seem to work out best when you have an earlier ADR. They seem to fall behind throughout the morning and by the end are running about an hour late. I dont know if its like this all the time, or if Free Dining has them falling behind. Next year we've decided to do only one character meal and only at a resort. Of the 4 we did, the only one I would repeat again was Tusker House. I would like to try breakfast at CM because the characters are great, but the food for dinner wasnt so great. Maybe breakfast is better?
that is so wrong !!!
