Last Minute Travel no Storyteller ticket?

[angel22]

I just went to Last Minute Travel to purchase my character dining voucher for Storyteller Cafe but that is not listed as one of the choices when you click on the details. Why would they sell a voucher to all the other character dining options but not this one?

Also, anyone know the cost of ST breakfast buffet if we just pay when we get there on June 10??

 

[Sherry E]

The fact that there are no vouchers offered is probably because you can order off the menu or get the buffet at Storyteller's, whereas all the other meals are buffet, or one set price for all adults, one set price for kids.

When I was at Storytellers in October, the buffet was $22.99 before tax and tip. The price is supposed to go up to $24.99 pre-tax and tip sometime in June, but can't remember the exact date.

 

[angel22]

Thanks Sherry, I get it now!!

I just checked out the menu listing at All Ears which was updated May 2010 and it says the breakfast is $24.99 so I guess it already went up!

 

[NewbieMouse]

When I called Disney about character meals recently they told me summer prices went into effect on June 11th. Like Sherry E said, the price is going up to $24.99 for adults, and the kids price will be $12.99. Looks like you'll make it in just under the wire .

If they are the same vouchers you get through Disney, then Storyteller's should be included (I also noticed on LMT they refer to "8 locations" at the top, but I only see four in the list lower down). It may be worthwhile to shoot them an email or call to confirm; you may be able to get them.

 

[Sherry E]

When I called Disney about character meals recently they told me summer prices went into effect on June 11th. Like Sherry E said, the price is going up to $24.99 for adults, and the kids price will be $12.99. Looks like you'll make it in just under the wire .

If they are the same vouchers you get through Disney, then Storyteller's should be included (I also noticed on LMT they refer to "8 locations" at the top, but I only see four in the list lower down). It may be worthwhile to shoot them an email or call to confirm; you may be able to get them.

Thank you, NewbieMouse! It was specfically your post that I was remembering about the current or soon-to-be summer prices when I replied above, and I remembered you said that they go into effect in June, but I totally blanked out on the actual date of the 11th! I must make a mental note of that.

 

[angel22]

So to confirm you are saying that on June 10 I will still get the price of $22.99? So with tax and tip that is about $28.50.

The price at LMT is $27.87 so really not worth the savings then. It is interesting that there is a picture of ST Cafe where they sell that ticket so I think it MUST be included!

 

[Sherry E]

I just double checked my receipt from Storytellers in October (I couldn't believe I still had it or found it anywhere!).

So on the actual menu, the price listed for the buffet said $22.99 when we were there. When they brought us our bill at the end of the meal, the 8.75% tax had already been added on ($2.01 on the $22.99 buffet), bringing the total to an even $25.00. Then I just added in my tip and that was it.

So I am guessing, if you get there before the price changes to $24.99, you will also see the $22.99 listed on the menu, and then you'll see $25.00 when your bill arrives, so all you will have to do is tip after that.

If you end up getting the $24.99 buffet price (which will also be shown on the menu if you don't make it in time for the lower price), then they will bring you a bill total of, I am guessing, $27.18, including the tax. And then the tip is up to you (unlike the other character meals where they add on 15% tip automatically).

So the $27.87 LMT price wouldn't be worth it at that point (the $24.99 price), but it would save a couple of bucks off of the $22.99 price + tax.

 

[NewbieMouse]

So to confirm you are saying that on June 10 I will still get the price of $22.99? So with tax and tip that is about $28.50.

The price at LMT is $27.87 so really not worth the savings then. It is interesting that there is a picture of ST Cafe where they sell that ticket so I think it MUST be included!

They told me June 11th, so I hope that's the truth - I'd hate to mislead you! If you're planing on making a reservation, you could always confirm the prices for your dates as well - that's when I asked. But that was the info I was given (we're going on June 12 )

They said that there is tax of 8.75% and gratuity added of 15%, but I think that may vary depending on how many you have - they quoted me that for four people in my party. I guess the $27.47 is cheaper, but not by a lot. We decided not to do the vouchers for Storyteller's because it was so close (even with the price increase). And who knows, we may decide to just order off the menu if we're not that hungry that day and it would be a waste. The really big savings for vouchers is Ariel's Grotto for lunch.

 

[NewbieMouse]

And then the tip is up to you (unlike the other character meals where they add on 15% tip automatically).

I didn't know that - that's good info! Is that the only one? I would probably tip at least 15% - I'm a softie for that kind of thing - especially if there will be fuzzy creatures around

 

[angel22]

Yes, I can certainly see how warm fuzzy creatures will make you tip on the generous side

Well we have two adults who will eating the buffet, two adults and one child will order off the menu. So, I don't think it's worth buying the voucher ahead of time it will really not save much and this way we have flexibility if someone changes their mind.

I am SO excited to get the banana stuffed french toast, it just looks so good to me. Well, I really can't wait to get there period! One month to go.

 

[Sherry E]

I didn't know that - that's good info! Is that the only one? I would probably tip at least 15% - I'm a softie for that kind of thing - especially if there will be fuzzy creatures around

I left a $7.00 tip on my $25.00 bill in October, but it always depends on what my money situation is like on any given trip. Sometimes it might be a $5.00 tip!

They definitely did not apply the gratuity to our bills in October. Then again, we were just walk-ins (no pre-paid situation), so that may have something to do with it. It was only the buffet total plus the 8.75% tax on the bill when it arrived at the table (total = $25). But at all the other character meals, because the prices are already set for everyone and there are no menu orders, they automatically add on the gratuity to the bill, but you will see it clearly itemized on the bill. This is only for character meals, though. The regular places let you choose your own tip amount, unless you come with a really large group of people, I guess?

Now, for all I know, maybe Storytellers has changed and they are now adding on gratuity, but they didn't do it in October, when it was $22.99/$25.00).

Yes, I can certainly see how warm fuzzy creatures will make you tip on the generous side

Well we have two adults who will eating the buffet, two adults and one child will order off the menu. So, I don't think it's worth buying the voucher ahead of time it will really not save much and this way we have flexibility if someone changes their mind.

I am SO excited to get the banana stuffed french toast, it just looks so good to me. Well, I really can't wait to get there period! One month to go.

Oh, so you're getting the banana stuffed French toast off of the menu and 2 of the other adults will be getting the buffet? My friend had that French toast (not this past October, but on another trip). She said it was pretty good but she couldn't eat it all.

 

[angel22]

Good to know! Maybe I will share the stuffed french toast with my mom. My Dad and hubby are getting the buffet, they can definitely get their money's worth. And we will order off the menu for my 4 year old as well, he cannot eat all that much either. This will be much cheaper than all of us going to Goofy's as we would all then have to buy the buffet.

Great info about the tip, we'll see if they add it on automatically or not. I am off to go make my reservation for the 10th and will confirm the price.

 

[angel22]

Okay just made my reservation and that was right...it's $22.99 on June 10 but going up to $24.99 on the 11th! We just made it.

I also asked about WOC dining packages, she strongly hinted I call back May 11 as they might have info then!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Oh, so you're getting the banana stuffed French toast off of the menu and 2 of the other adults will be getting the buffet? My friend had that French toast (not this past October, but on another trip). She said it was pretty good but she couldn't eat it all.

DD & I like to split the French Toast ~ we'll probably do that when we dine there this July!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay just made my reservation and that was right...it's $22.99 on June 10 but going up to $24.99 on the 11th! We just made it.

I also asked about WOC dining packages, she strongly hinted I call back May 11 as they might have info then!

Cool! Okay, so unless you do an LMT thing, then when the bll arrives at your table, the buffet will be $25 per person after the tax has been added in. We always seem to get the bill at Storytellers at the end of our meal, whether we have done the menu orders or the buffet. But at all the other character meals (where the 15% gratuity is automatically added onto your bill when you pay), you have to pay before even being seated. The way they handle the whole arrangement at Storytellers is more casual - almost sort of like, "We're a regular restaurant, but some of our furry friends just happen to be hanging out here too," whereas at the other character meals they handle it very clearly as, "We are a character meal," if that makes any sense!

DD & I like to split the French Toast ~ we'll probably do that when we dine there this July!

DisneyMomma81 - I want to try that banana stuffed French toast - in fact, there is a little restaurant on Catalina Island that I love that makes really yummy banana-stuffed pancakes, so I like that kind of thing - but I have to eat a lot of protein in the morning and only a tiny portion of carbs like that, or the blood sugar goes haywire. Last time at the Critter Breakfast, we all got the buffet. But if I am ever there again and someone at my table orders the banana-stuffed French toast, I will ask for a small taste! It looks and sounds delicious!!

 

[NewbieMouse]

Is the french toast banana flavored, or are there big chunks of banana inside? Strange question, I know. I hear a lot of great things about the french toast, and I don't mind banana taste, but not huge chunks. Not sure if I should go for it or not.

 

[Sherry E]

Is the french toast banana flavored, or are there big chunks of banana inside? Strange question, I know. I hear a lot of great things about the french toast, and I don't mind banana taste, but not huge chunks. Not sure if I should go for it or not.

I was waiting to see if anyone else would answer who has actually had the French toast.

From what I recall when my friend had it a few years back, I think there were chunks of banana in the toast. Maybe not huge chunks, but mushed up banana bits here and there. I think.

 

[Sugarglider]

Does anyone have an insight into the character Meal vouchers??

I booked my reservations and asked the price and e.g. was told $29.99 for Goofy's Kitchen. On the Disney site you can buy a voucher for $31. The CM was unable to explain why the difference.

does anyone here know why you would seemingly pay for a voucher?

Is it a tax thing?

 

[NewbieMouse]

The vouchers include tax and tip, which can provide some savings depending on the meal and season. I talked about a little bit here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2455994

But the vouchers for Goofy's are actually the "premium" ones, so they are $38 for the adults instead of $31. My spreadsheet (obsessive planner here ) indicated that the dinner would provide some savings, but the brunch savings would be minimal (in our case). The biggest saver for vouchers is Ariel's lunch.

You can also get vouchers from last minute travel that are cheaper. There is a recent thread on using LMT as well:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2437403)

 

[Sugarglider]

The vouchers include tax and tip, which can provide some savings depending on the meal and season. I talked about a little bit here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2455994

But the vouchers for Goofy's are actually the "premium" ones, so they are $38 for the adults instead of $31. My spreadsheet (obsessive planner here ) indicated that the dinner would provide some savings, but the brunch savings would be minimal (in our case). The biggest saver for vouchers is Ariel's lunch.

You can also get vouchers from last minute travel that are cheaper. There is a recent thread on using LMT as well:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2437403)

Thanks for such a speedy response!
I'll go and have a 2nd look at everything.