Not-too-dear princess meal for 2yo. Ideas?

[DebIreland]

What's the best (read: CHEAPEST ) way for my daughter to meet a princess - in a restaurant I mean, not a park? She'll be 2.5 when we go to WDW so honestly, the prices they're charging for CRT just don't seem worth it for her age. She'll be free but we'll all be together - DH, DS12, DS10, me and baby - so it will add up. I was originally thinking that I'd just book it for DD and me but I'd love too for DH to see her face when she meets the princess(es). Having said that, right now she wouldn't know a princess from a potted plant. Still, I'd feel kinda funny *having* a daughter and not bringing her to a princess meal, you know? It's that guilt they hand you in the labor ward.....

So what's the cheapest way for a family to dine with a princess? [Bearing in mind the cost in 10 years for therapy for my two boys...... "well Doctor, it all started when my Mom brought me to a place with lots of frilly dresses, pink, giggly girls, more pink and........"]

 

[robinb]

I would recommend the BREAKFAST at Norway in Epcot. Breakfast is the cheapest meal and your older boys might think it's cool to be in the World Showcase before it opens. Since your DD is so young, the Princess selection does not matter. My DD now needs to see Ariel. Unfortunately, last year's lunch picture (with Ariel, of course!) was so darn cute we had to buy it. *sigh*

 

[ADisneyQueen]

You could just stand in line in toontown in the Judges' tent and they will bring you in a room with a small group and you each have a turn to talk to the characters and get photos(your own or buy them). There are 2 or 3 lines and each has a different trio of characters. My DDs got more interaction with the princesses there than at the castle where they went quickly from table to table.

 

[sleepydog25]

The judges' tent in Toontown is a good idea, but since you asked about a meal, I'll echo robinb's suggestion and mention the PSB at Akershus in Norway. The food isn't tremendous, but every time we've gone it has been warm and tasty, and the service has been very good. The princesses stop by each table, and we've yet to run across one who seems to be just earning a paycheck. Our daughter loves it, and I suspect your boys (including DS) won't mind too much, especially if Jasmine makes an appearance.

 

[Fionasmommy]

I'd say PSB in Norway. There are very mixed reviews about the lunch and dinner menu, though, so I'd suggest going for breakfast.

 

[mommyluvsmickey]

I booked the princess meal in Epcot for lunch...Is it bad????

 

[Eeyore2003]

The food and atmosphere at 1900 Park Fair Cinderella dinner is MUCH nicer than the Princess meals at Norway. At least the food would be good for your sons and DH. We had eaten there with my sister and friend (in their 30's!!!) since they wanted to see Cinderella.

THEN, since we ONLY have boys, now grown, DH thought the buffet was SO good, that it's what started the idea of taking my niece!!! He kept saying he wanted to "borrow" a girl to go there for the buffet!!! So we DID end up taking her, for more reasons that that of course. Had a blast at Disney World!!!

Characters for the dinner include Cinderella, Prince Charming, Perla and Suzy the mice and the Fairy Godmother who's always wonderful with the kids.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I booked the princess meal in Epcot for lunch...Is it bad????

No it's not "bad", but I would ONLY go there for the characters, the atmosphere is busy and crowded, the food very so so, "kind of", maybe, and the day we went of the 5 princesses we only saw two and one of those was not even a princess it was Alice In Wonderland. That was just our experience. We did ask to see the other princesses and they took us around to them which was kind of weird too.

 

[patsal]

I personally suggest the dinner at 1900 Park Fair. It really is good food, nice interacation, some one on one with Cinderella and the mice will tease and flirt withthe boys--this worked out really well with my then 12yo boy. For the other princesses, I really think heading to toontown when it opens, entering the princess line and getting all that one on one time with them will be worth more than any dining experience can offer. I did both with my DD, and with my neices on a short trip we just spent time in toontown and so very worth it!

 

[mommystieg]

DD#2 is really into the Princesses (especially Sleeping Beauty) so we do the PSB every trip. We have always had a good experience there.
As other posters have said, the absolute cheapest way to meet some Princesses is the Judges' Tent in Toontown at MK. The downside would be waiting in line -- last June I think we waited about 20 minutes. We did get to see Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella there.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We took DD last year to CRT breakfast and she was turning 2 the next day. She loved it! She definetly knew the Princesses and just stared at them at first then hugged and even danced with Cinderella. Beware though, now she is TOTALLY princess crazy!

That being said, it was very expensive, and rushed, we aren't doing it again this trip. The toontown tent had the best Princess interaction, IMOP. They really paid extra attention to DD and DS(7) too.

 

[DebIreland]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions. There's a lot more options that I originally thought. Thanks again