Prepaid Character Dining?

[NewbieMouse]

Does anyone know when the prices usually increase for "high season" at the restaurant meals? I'm looking at adding character dining to my Disney package, and they offer them at flat rates. I've read that in high season, this can actually be a good deal as Disney jacks up the prices at the restaurants. (I'm referring to the character meals only, not the $$ "dining vouchers", as I know these are not a good deal). The package rates for 'premium dining' are $38 adult, $20 kids (Ariel's, Goofy's) and $31 adults, $16 kids for 'resort dining' (Minnie's, PCH, Storytellers & BTR BBQ). These include all taxes and gratuities.

It seems liek a no-brainer with Ariel's because the most recent price I've seen quoted is $35.99 for adults and $19.99 for kids, so that would definitely be worthwhile. Goofy's I'm not as sure, as breakfast/brunch is $29.99 adults, $15.99 kids, and dinner is $35.99 adults and $15.99. for kids. If these prices were to suddenly increase, the prepaid vouchers could be a really good deal, but maybe not at current prices. Similar scenario for the 'resort dining'.

We're going in June and I'm wondering if the prices will be increased by that point. Any thoughts or experience with this?

 

[specialks]

Mousesavers says this:

"Avoid Seasonal Restaurant Price Increases

Disneyland now raises the prices of its Character meals during busy times of year. During these periods, a Character meal will cost you up to 23% more than normal! All of the Character meals participate in this upcharge and it is based purely on dates, not on any "enhanced" menus.

March 12 - April 18, 2010 (Easter / spring break time) is subject to these increases. Other dates have not yet been announced, but peak summer season and possibly Thanksgiving and the Christmas-to-New Year's period may see similar upcharges.

One way to get around this increase is by pre-purchasing meal vouchers. During the surcharge period, meal vouchers will definitely save you money on every character meal.

Meal Vouchers (valid 1/2/10-1/3/11) come in two types:

* Disneyland Premium Character Dining - This voucher allows you to attend either Ariel's Disney Princess Celebration Character Lunch/Dinner at Ariel’s Grotto in Disney’s California Adventure or the Character Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Buffet at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. Vouchers cost $38 for adults (ages 10+) and $20 for kids (ages 3-9), plus a $1.25 per ticket convenience fee. Premium Character Dining vouchers include tax and gratuity.
oRegular cost for dinner at Ariel's (with tax and 15% gratuity added) is $40.83 for adults (ages 10+) and $23.50 for kids (ages 3-9). You save almost $3 per adult and over $3 per child off regular prices! Savings will be even higher if you are traveling during one of the seasonal meal price increase periods.
oRegular cost for dinner buffet at Goofy's Kitchen (with tax and 15% gratuity added) is $39.58 for adults (ages 10+) and $17.31 for kids (ages 3-9), so there are really no savings with the vouchers, unless you are traveling during one of the seasonal meal price increase periods.

* Character or Family Table Service Dining - This voucher allows you to choose from a wide variety of restaurants, including Plaza Inn; Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch; Disney's PCH Grill; Storytellers Café; Café Orleans; Carnation Café; Wine Country Trattoria and Steakhouse 55 (breakfast only). Vouchers cost $31 for adults (ages 10+) and $16 for kids (ages 3-9), plus a $1.25 per ticket convenience fee. Character or Family Table Service Dining vouchers include tax and gratuity.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Mousesavers says this:

"Avoid Seasonal Restaurant Price Increases

Disneyland now raises the prices of its Character meals during busy times of year. During these periods, a Character meal will cost you up to 23% more than normal! All of the Character meals participate in this upcharge and it is based purely on dates, not on any "enhanced" menus.

March 12 - April 18, 2010 (Easter / spring break time) is subject to these increases. Other dates have not yet been announced, but peak summer season and possibly Thanksgiving and the Christmas-to-New Year's period may see similar upcharges.

One way to get around this increase is by pre-purchasing meal vouchers. During the surcharge period, meal vouchers will definitely save you money on every character meal.

Meal Vouchers (valid 1/2/10-1/3/11) come in two types:

* Disneyland Premium Character Dining - This voucher allows you to attend either Ariel's Disney Princess Celebration Character Lunch/Dinner at Ariel’s Grotto in Disney’s California Adventure or the Character Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Buffet at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. Vouchers cost $38 for adults (ages 10+) and $20 for kids (ages 3-9), plus a $1.25 per ticket convenience fee. Premium Character Dining vouchers include tax and gratuity.
oRegular cost for dinner at Ariel's (with tax and 15% gratuity added) is $40.83 for adults (ages 10+) and $23.50 for kids (ages 3-9). You save almost $3 per adult and over $3 per child off regular prices! Savings will be even higher if you are traveling during one of the seasonal meal price increase periods.
oRegular cost for dinner buffet at Goofy's Kitchen (with tax and 15% gratuity added) is $39.58 for adults (ages 10+) and $17.31 for kids (ages 3-9), so there are really no savings with the vouchers, unless you are traveling during one of the seasonal meal price increase periods.

* Character or Family Table Service Dining - This voucher allows you to choose from a wide variety of restaurants, including Plaza Inn; Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch; Disney's PCH Grill; Storytellers Café; Café Orleans; Carnation Café; Wine Country Trattoria and Steakhouse 55 (breakfast only). Vouchers cost $31 for adults (ages 10+) and $16 for kids (ages 3-9), plus a $1.25 per ticket convenience fee. Character or Family Table Service Dining vouchers include tax and gratuity.

Thanks - this confirms what I had heard! Anyone know when in June "summer peak season" would start?

 

[mystic_path]

Call some of your local travel agents. Most will sell Disney Dining vouchers and will ask you when your trip date is. They punch the date you want to dine in, and will tell you the price. I am going to be there in June and for Goofys kitchen I am paying $34 per adult. It also depends if you want to go for dinner or breakfast as prices vary there as well.

 

[Eeee-va]

So these prepaid vouchers mean that you will not pay a seasonal "upcharge"? I thought I had read somewhere here that you still might have to pay extra but maybe I misunderstood?

 

[mysticcruiser]

Mousesavers says this:

"Avoid Seasonal Restaurant Price Increases

Disneyland now raises the prices of its Character meals during busy times of year. During these periods, a Character meal will cost you up to 23% more than normal! All of the Character meals participate in this upcharge and it is based purely on dates, not on any "enhanced" menus.

March 12 - April 18, 2010 (Easter / spring break time) is subject to these increases. Other dates have not yet been announced, but peak summer season and possibly Thanksgiving and the Christmas-to-New Year's period may see similar upcharges.

One way to get around this increase is by pre-purchasing meal vouchers. During the surcharge period, meal vouchers will definitely save you money on every character meal.

Meal Vouchers (valid 1/2/10-1/3/11) come in two types:

* Disneyland Premium Character Dining - This voucher allows you to attend either Ariel's Disney Princess Celebration Character Lunch/Dinner at Ariel’s Grotto in Disney’s California Adventure or the Character Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Buffet at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. Vouchers cost $38 for adults (ages 10+) and $20 for kids (ages 3-9), plus a $1.25 per ticket convenience fee. Premium Character Dining vouchers include tax and gratuity.
oRegular cost for dinner at Ariel's (with tax and 15% gratuity added) is $40.83 for adults (ages 10+) and $23.50 for kids (ages 3-9). You save almost $3 per adult and over $3 per child off regular prices! Savings will be even higher if you are traveling during one of the seasonal meal price increase periods.
oRegular cost for dinner buffet at Goofy's Kitchen (with tax and 15% gratuity added) is $39.58 for adults (ages 10+) and $17.31 for kids (ages 3-9), so there are really no savings with the vouchers, unless you are traveling during one of the seasonal meal price increase periods.

* Character or Family Table Service Dining - This voucher allows you to choose from a wide variety of restaurants, including Plaza Inn; Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch; Disney's PCH Grill; Storytellers Café; Café Orleans; Carnation Café; Wine Country Trattoria and Steakhouse 55 (breakfast only). Vouchers cost $31 for adults (ages 10+) and $16 for kids (ages 3-9), plus a $1.25 per ticket convenience fee. Character or Family Table Service Dining vouchers include tax and gratuity.

Can someone explain the Family Table Service Dining voucher to me? I don't think I've heard of this one before..?

 

[jacobsmommy]

We are planning on using our Costco vouchers for dinner at Goofy's kitchen. We'll be there from June 22-June 26th. We would also like to do Minnie's for breakfast. Should I try to call Costco and see if we could buy vouchers for Minnie's?

 

[specialks]

Can someone explain the Family Table Service Dining voucher to me? I don't think I've heard of this one before..?

It is available at ARES travel and maybe other places as well. It is pre-buying your character or table meal at those locations listed (Plaza Inn; Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch; Disney's PCH Grill; Storytellers Café; Café Orleans; Carnation Café; Wine Country Trattoria and Steakhouse 55 (breakfast only)). The other voucher is for what Disneyland calls Premium dining which is Goofy's and Ariels.

 

[mysticcruiser]

It is available at ARES travel and maybe other places as well. It is pre-buying your character or table meal at those locations listed (Plaza Inn; Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch; Disney's PCH Grill; Storytellers Café; Café Orleans; Carnation Café; Wine Country Trattoria and Steakhouse 55 (breakfast only)). The other voucher is for what Disneyland calls Premium dining which is Goofy's and Ariels.

So if I bought a voucher ($31) for say Cafe Orleans. Is it good up to $31? Since it is not a buffet restaurant, is there any value to this voucher? I planned on eating there anyway, so I was wondering if this was something I should consider...?

 

[specialks]

So if I bought a voucher ($31) for say Cafe Orleans. Is it good up to $31? Since it is not a buffet restaurant, is there any value to this voucher? I planned on eating there anyway, so I was wondering if this was something I should consider...?

I think you would skip it because it doesn't "save" you money. Pre-buying vouchers is mainly a way for people to get around the seasonal price increases at the character meals. I don't think they raise the prices for all the restaurants, just the character meals. You could call Disney Dining at (714) 781-DINE (3463) to ask.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Ok, now I'm confused.

We want to do Minnie and Friends. The price listed on Allears.net is 23.99 per adult. But on Ares the 2 choices are 38 and 31 per adult and Minnie's isn't even listed. I would like to pre-purchase my tickets to avoid the jump in cost. Can I even do that?

 

[8timesblessed]

I think alot of those prices quoted that are cheaper don't include tax and tip. You need to read the fine print and see if the price you've been given includes everything.

Check out lastminutetravel.com for their Anaheim entertainment rates on the meals, I found them to be the best price.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Ok, now I'm confused.

We want to do Minnie and Friends. The price listed on Allears.net is 23.99 per adult. But on Ares the 2 choices are 38 and 31 per adult and Minnie's isn't even listed. I would like to pre-purchase my tickets to avoid the jump in cost. Can I even do that?

Minnie's isn't a "premium dining experience" that may be the difference... Only Ariel's and Goofy's are premium character dining. I do think there are vouchers you can pre-buy for regular character dining, but maybe not at Ares.

 

[jacobsmommy]

I just paid for Minnie's vouchers (called resort dining vouchers?) with Costco. We get a premium character meal for free with our package, so I also wanted to get the other one paid for beforehand. It was $78 for two adults and one child (our other one is 2 so she's free). Now I just have to book the reservations when it's 60 days out...

 

[specialks]

I "think" Minnie's is at the Plaza Inn and it is listed under the Table Dining list. I would definitely ask Disney Dining to make sure...