Norway character meal solo?

[Simba's Mom]

Has anyone done the character meal at Norway (Akerhaus?) solo? Do they require you to have the professional photo taken or is it an option? And I read that although it's a buffet, they bring certain foods to your table. How does that work? And how's the service? I ate there before it was a character meal, and had the worst service-it seemed the server was very uncomfortable with a solo and avoided me.

Update! I just booked it for 1/13 lunch, so I guess I'll find out first-hand.

 

[newholidayx2]

Id also like to know how Norway is solo - thanks for this thread
Thinking of starting my 50th bday here

 

[bavaria]

I used to eat here solo pre-Princess, as well as with with friends and kids. Probably ate here 30+ times if not more.

Service was usually fine; occassionally I had the experience Simba's Mom had and suspect that it was due to solo dining.

Can't comment on the situation now - I'm still waiting (and not holding my breath) for at least one meal to return to non-Princess......if it's like in the past, think of it as an appetizer buffet, with the entree ordered from the menu. Auberge de Cendrillion in Disneyland Paris has a similar setup. I usually just went for the appetizer buffet and didn't order an entree

 

[Care]

I can certainly comment on this after my trip. I'm booked solo for the Storybook Princess dinner on the second night of my trip (which is in 2 weeks), so I'll post an update once I'm back.

In the meantime, I'm hoping that solo diners aren't ignored or given the worst seats in the restaurant. I've been looking forward to my trip since I booked it, and hope that everything goes off without any glitches.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can certainly comment on this after my trip. I'm booked solo for the Storybook Princess dinner on the second night of my trip (which is in 2 weeks), so I'll post an update once I'm back.

In the meantime, I'm hoping that solo diners aren't ignored or given the worst seats in the restaurant. I've been looking forward to my trip since I booked it, and hope that everything goes off without any glitches.

Hey, I'm going solo the week before you. And although I haven't yet tried to book the Storybook Princess dinner or lunch, I decided that I hope to. If I can do it, I'll post here how it was.

 

[jodistar]

I'm going this week solo to Akerhaus for breakfast....I will try and make note to comment on this when I get back, I'm a little bit nervous about the character breakfast/lunches since this is my first solo trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm going this week solo to Akerhaus for breakfast....I will try and make note to comment on this when I get back, I'm a little bit nervous about the character breakfast/lunches since this is my first solo trip.

No need to be nervous, although I never thought I'd like a character meal solo. My first solo character meal was last year, and I loved it! Time goes by fast-you're so busy having fun watching the characters interact with the kids. And no one looks at you(if you think you'll feel self conscious)-they're too busy watching the characters. It took me 8 solo trips to get up my courage to do a solo character meal-now that I realize how great they are, I'm planning to do at least a couple on my solo trip next week.

 

[Care]

I was a bit nervous about booking a solo trip to WDW, but I've travelled all over the world on my own so why not head to WDW solo as well... With that in mind, I booked quite a number of character meals for the duration of my stay: CRT, Akershus, Liberty Tree Tavern, 1900 Park Fare, 'Ohana, CP and Chef Mickey's. Might as well make the most of my DDP since I would probably be pickier with my selections if I had to pay separately for each one.

...now if I can only hunt up the courage to try the roller coasters and simulation rides while I'm there... (I have the tiniest chicken heart in the world when it comes to thrill rides.)

 

[pezpam]

I went to Akershus for lunch with an adult friend this past September. I wasn't solo there, but did have other meals solo, so I'll answer as best I can.

We were not required to take the photo with Ariel. We simply explained it to the person who was seating people and skipped the photo line.

The appetizer is a buffet - salads, breads, fish, cheese, etc. You order an entree like at any other TS. The dessert is a sampler platter - everyone gets the same, though I guess they'd adjust amounts according to party size.

Service, like anywhere else, is completely dependent on your particular server. The 3 times I've eaten at Akershus, we had notably good servers. And honestly, on the adult-only trip, our server was extremely attentive. My foodie-snob friend even commented on it. lol

I did have one hostess who clucked a bit, saying 'how sad' it was that I was eating alone. I chalked it up to her being an ignorant and annoying person, which worked since my server was just fine. I like having a book to read or journal to write in in case I do start feeling awkward, but most of the time, solo dining is just fine. Sometimes the servers or even other guests will strike up a conversation you wouldn't have had if you'd been with a group.

Enjoy!

 

[jodistar]

Hi Everyone,

Just got back from Disney earlier this week -- I did eat at Akershus last Thursday and I can definitely say it is solo friendly. If anything it almost seems like the staff is even more attentive when you are a solo traveler.

My waiter was fantastic, I forget is first name but the last name is Alexander. He stopped by frequetly to check on me. He as well as others helped take photos of me with all of the Princesses.

Has anyone done the character meal at Norway (Akerhaus?) solo? Do they require you to have the professional photo taken or is it an option?

It's an option. I actually was able to just have them take a photo with me and Belle with my own camera (On the day that I went she was up front greeting everyone).

I'm very happy that I went with this character breakfast -- more so than the one at the Castle. It's nice being in the Castle but I didn't like the food as much and the service/atmosphere was much better here.

 

[Frank Bullitt]

Dad and I went for dinner in September and had a blast. Both of us like Norwegian cuisine, and we both got a bit nervous but after you get seated it was all fine. A quick word of warning, don't try hiding from the characters like we did. We made a beeline towards the koldbord when Aurora and Jasmine were nearby and missed them...so we thought. As soon as we were seated they came right back to us and said "Aha! Thought you'd get away from us, eh?" All in all it was a fun experience...don't let the solo bit scare ya/

 

[Care]

Hi everyone,

I returned from a 7-night solo Disney trip yesterday, and dined at Akershus on Jan 18. I can vouch for its solo dining friendliness, as my server (Ingvild) was great and super helpful with making sure that I had everything I needed, including help with taking photos with the princesses as they visited the tables. She returns to Norway in 3 months, at the end of her 12-month working visa at Disney.

During dinner, Belle, Ariel (in her ballgown), Cinderella and Alice made the rounds. Aurora was out front greeting guests upon their arrival.

Ingvild's recommendation for the poached cod with seafood and shrimp medley, julienne vegetables and horseradish mashed potatoes was terrific. I really enjoyed the food, and would have appreciated it more if the timing of the courses was better. My main entree arrived about 10 minutes before I finished my appetizer, and as I looked around the dining room, it looked as though others encountered the same timing issue with the kitchen.

As for dessert, a very healthy helping of everything arrived on a serving dish. I enjoyed the lingonberry cheesecake the most, and the rice cream was quite delicious as well.

I've just come home and I already want to be back at Disney World...

P.S. I did manage to ride 3 of the roller coasters while I was there, including Expedition Everest (which I loved after getting off the ride).

 

[Lady V]

Has anyone done the character meal at Norway (Akerhaus?) solo? Do they require you to have the professional photo taken or is it an option? And I read that although it's a buffet, they bring certain foods to your table. How does that work? And how's the service? I ate there before it was a character meal, and had the worst service-it seemed the server was very uncomfortable with a solo and avoided me.

Update! I just booked it for 1/13 lunch, so I guess I'll find out first-hand.

hey-the only bufffet part is the app. ,you order your own meal, and then they bring you dessert. Our server was the worst we have ever had at Disney. Rude and very proud of it. Until we got the manager that is. He was wonderful.

 

[Quicklabs]

Akershus was our favorite restaurant before it went "Princesses." We never went back after that, and have really missed it on each of our trips. You are all making me think that maybe we should try it, although I don't know how in this world I would ever be able to persuade DH to do so!