Late start - can we still get character meals?

[3yL]

First trip to WDW with the kids, neither DH nor I have been since we were little kids - planning on being there the end of April. DD is 5 (she'll turn 6 while we're there), and DS#1 is 7, DS#2 is 4, and DS#3 is 1 (he'll turn 2 while we're there.) This is a trip we really can't afford, but we're doing it anyway, because it will be several years before we'll get the opportunity again. That said, I'd give just about anything for DD to have a character meal with Cinderalla. I've read a lot of the threads here and it looks like that just isn't going to happen, given how close it is to our trip. Is there really no point in even trying for this particular meal? (I mean, if my chances are better that I win the lotto, I'd rather not frustrate myself. ) Are there other options? I did read that there is another meal (princesses meal or something like that?) - too late for that one probably? Do we have any chance of any of the character meals at this point? (Given that it's the week after Easter, I'd expect attendance to be higher, so that obviously is working against us as well.) In a perfect world, I'd like to be able to get a character meal for DD with Cinderalla or the princesses one, and another one for the boys (they aren't hard to please, though I don't know if a princess is going to do it for them. ) Is there any hope?

 

[crisi]

Call Disney dining and ask. Character meals at the Poly and Beach Club are often slow to fill and should be available at this date. Donald's Breakfastasaurus at the AK may be available.

As for Cindy's, it doesn't hurt to call and ask. You don't need to do the early morning dial dance, since you are past the date, but decide how much effort you want to put into it. You can try calling every day between now and your trip. People do cancel. There is the Storybook Breakfast at Epcot with the princesses - you can ask about that one as well.

Even if you don't get anything, don't stop trying. Call from your hotel room once you are there. Sometimes a restaurant that was booked solid when you called two weeks before you left has a lot of seatings if you call the day before you want to eat.

 

[jpmom97]

When I was in Disney in April 01' my husband and I weren't go to do character meals because we were there with no children. But then I wanted to. I tried for the Cindy's but had no luck. I did get 1900 Park Fare and we loved it. I could have gotten any character meal I wanted except for Cindy, the CM went down the list of all the meals available for when we wanted to go. Good luck trying though, I know it is possible to get Cindy after the 60 days.

 

[mcr5298]

It is absolutely possible to still get some good PS's. You just have to be flexible. You can always ask to see if there are any openings for Cinderella's Royal Table Breakfast, or the Princess Storybook Breakfast at EPCOT. There is also Cinderella's character dinner over at the Grand Floridian. And as a last resort, you can always call as you get closer to your trip, or even while you are there to see if there are any cancellations. Good luck, and have a great time!

 

[Synonymous]

It's not hopeless to just walk up and ask if they have room, either. There's always people who don't show.

 

[Tetonman]

There are several still open during weekend of 4/11-14. So I imagine you may be able to be successful.

By the way, there is an opening at Chef Mickey's on 4/12 at 7:30 for 5 available as I just cancelled mine... Going to see Minnie instead at Cape May Cafe at 10:00 instead.

Good luck!

 

[3yL]

Thank you all Ok, I have hope I'll look over everything tonight and call on Monday (and maybe every day afterwards ). Guess I should put the number on speeddial for now. Thanks for giving me hope

 

[jenjie]

If all else fails, try calling from the park the morning you're there. We actually ended up with 2 extra character meals we hadn't planned on by just walking up and asking if we could get in. BTW those were at Liberty Tree Tavern (Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip & Dale) at MK and Garden Grill (Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale) at Epcot.

 

[MidwestPiglet]

Keep trying!

I had given up hope for May Cinderella's reservations.

Called today and got in! A perfect date and time.

You never know what will happen with cancellations, etc. Even if you don't get at one place, another will probably be just as magical.

Good luck!