Last minute character dining - Christmas weekend??

[GrtWtNorth]

My wife's coworker and her family thought they could zip down to Disneyland for Christmas weekend and have dinner with a princess, without any dining reservations. Before their dreams are completely shattered by the reality of Christmas crowds, do you have any tips for last minute character dining (any character, any meal) in either park or resort hotel? They will be a party of five (4 adults plus a 5-year-old).

Also, they are staying in a non-Disney resort. Do they need to be worried about the park closing because of capacity?

 

[bumbershoot]

Just have them call Disney Dining, see about Ariel's Priority Seating arrangements (for princesses) at DCA. No need to wonder, just have them call!

There's also woodsy characters for breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe in GCH, a Mickey breakfast at PPH's PCH Grill, mishmash of characters at Minnie and Friends breakfast at Plaza Inn in DL, many characters at Goofy's for breakfast and dinner inside DLH...

Just tell them to call, make some arrangements...doesn't hurt anything, there's no pre-paying...

And I don't *know*, but if I were going this weekend I surely would worry about the parks getting to capacity.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Total threadjack, but I just wanted to say Hi Bumbershoot! I don't know if you remember me, but I remember you from when I was around these parts in 2008!