Mickey's BBQ with 2 toddlers?

[Moushe]

We have a reservation for our August trip (8/19 to be exact) My kids will be 3.5 & 1.5 at the time.

I know this particular character meal is mostly recommended for people with small kids but the more I think about I the more I start to worry that it may not be a good idea for us.

I am worried that it will be too hot, it will be harder for dh and I to wrangle the kids since we will be sitting at picnic tables instead of a regular 4-top with high chairs, and since our kids tend to do better earlier in the day versus the late afternoon we usually do breakfast and lunch a restaurants - never dinner.

We are only doing one character meal this trip and I chose this one because we've already been to Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill and Crystal Palace and we have Tables in Wonderland which helps with the higher cost.

Am I over-thinking it?

If you've been with small kids can you tell me what your experience was like?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Barbydoll8]

It will be brutal hot. August is really bad here (local typing this). We did it 2 years ago in Aug and it was tough. I loved MBB but I did not have any little ones. I had my 12 year old nephew and he was a bit old for it. With two little ones, I don't think I'd do it again. It was a lot of $$$ and it really is geared towards the 5/9 year olds. The characters DO NOT come to you. You must go to them. This logistical issue could be enough to deter me if I had toddlers.

The characters dance in the center with the guests and at each end of the pavilion. Again, you must get up and go to them.
I would recommend maybe doing a Cape May breakfast for characters or Minnie's Hollywood & Vine. It will be noisy and crowded. You sit at long tables with other guests so no assigned or exclusive seating.

 

[Moushe]

It will be brutal hot. August is really bad here (local typing this). We did it 2 years ago in Aug and it was tough. I loved MBB but I did not have any little ones. I had my 12 year old nephew and he was a bit old for it. With two little ones, I don't think I'd do it again. It was a lot of $$$ and it really is geared towards the 5/9 year olds. The characters DO NOT come to you. You must go to them. This logistical issue could be enough to deter me if I had toddlers.

The characters dance in the center with the guests and at each end of the pavilion. Again, you must get up and go to them.
I would recommend maybe doing a Cape May breakfast for characters or Minnie's Hollywood & Vine. It will be noisy and crowded. You sit at long tables with other guests so no assigned or exclusive seating.

We're from Miami so we know how bad it willl get, that's why the heat is my main concern. It sounded like a good idea at first, but you're right that the logistics of it will probably turn into a nightmare. I wasn't aware the characters don't come to the tables, that may pose a problem with only 2 adults having to take turns going up to the buffet and taking kids to the characters (all while braving 95degree heat and 100% humidity YIKES!)

Cape May is starting to sound better and better

Thanks for your help!

 

[ebradley23]

We took my son last year when he was 3.5, and he loved it. It was totally worth it. We were there in Sept, and it wasn't too hot. Of course we had rain the day we went too. If you're used to the heat of Miami, this shouldn't be too bad. Its a very shaded area where they have the BBQ, and the pavilion is covered. It's not going to be any less hot in the parks.

Right now you don't pay for your 1.5 year old to attend either, so it about the cheapest time of your kids life you can do this. I vote to keep the plans.

 

[MinMou]

We're from Miami so we know how bad it willl get, that's why the heat is my main concern. It sounded like a good idea at first, but you're right that the logistics of it will probably turn into a nightmare. I wasn't aware the characters don't come to the tables, that may pose a problem with only 2 adults having to take turns going up to the buffet and taking kids to the characters (all while braving 95degree heat and 100% humidity YIKES!)

Cape May is starting to sound better and better

Thanks for your help!

Another alternative to try would be the Tusker House in AK. I have heard a lot of good reports about the character interaction there.
If your little ones watch Disney Jr, they might like to see Handy Manny, Jake, Doc McStuffins and Sofia at Hollywood and Vine in HS for bkfst or lunch. The same restaurant has Minnie and Friends at dinner.
And if you want to see all the options, Kenny the Pirate has a very good list here: http://www.kennythepirate.com/dining/disney-world-character-meal-list/