Ridiculous question about character meals vs. regular dining

[mommyof2boys1girl]

So I assume that the restaraunts that have character meals also have different areas where one can just reserve for a normal meal? For example, we've booked a GK breakfast, but we'd also like to try an Ariel's Grotto for a non-character lunch or dinner (my two boys not much into princesses, and not really interested in paying character meal prices so my 1 year old dd can see princesses!). So am I going to have to explain to my kids that the characters won't be coming to our table because we didn't book a character meal, or are the "character meal" areas hermetically sealed inside a vault and completely isolated from the plain ol' folks just there for dinner?

Thanks for answering what has to be one of the most ridiculous questions on the board!

Carm

 

[got2travel]

You can't book a non-character meal. The entire restaurant is used for character dining. So if you want to eat at Ariel's, it will be with the princesses. The characters are pretty good about noticing when people don't want to interact though.


Don't worry about your question. I've seen a lot worse.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

Not a ridiculous question at all. Goofy's Kitchen and Ariel's Grotto are exclusively character meals. They do not serve any meals that do not include character interaction. Plaza Inn (Minnie & friends) is only during breakfast, so you can have lunch or dinner there without characters. Storyteller's (Chip n dale) and PCH Grill (Lilo & Stitch's) are only character meals during breakfast, so you can have lunch and dinner there with out characters. You can order off the menu rather than having the buffet at both chip n dale & lilo & stitch's. Hope that makes sense.

 

[bumbershoot]

Hi Carm,

You could look into the options that have menus along with the buffets, so you're controlling your costs a little bit. Both PCH Grill and Storyteller's have a normal menu to order from during the breakfast with characters. You're not spending THAT much less, but any bit counts, especially with 3 kids. And the characters will still visit you, you're just not paying for the buffet.

As for helping your girl to see princesses, if it's that important to you, check out the Princess Fantasy Faire, rather than paying for a meal it seems you won't really like at Ariel's. On the other hand, my 3 year old WANTED to see the princesses, so we waited over an hour in that line for him! He also liked seeing the princes in the parade, and after two days of being Jack Sparrow, insisted that we buy him the foam sword and shield so he could be Sleeping Beauty's prince (Philip?). That was in September, and none of us knew that in December he would be chosen to dance with Sleeping Beauty during the princess story time at PFF. Cool symmetry, if only he had been carrying his sword and shield that day!

Anyway, you might be surprised at your boys' reactions to the pretty princesses.


Adding on to my reply...the PCH Grill has a fun pizza option at dinner for kids. they bring out raw dough in a disc, with sauce and cheese in cups (and pepperoni if you want that), along with a paper chef's toque (with crayons to decorate). Kiddo makes the pizza, parents take pizza to the grill chefs, server brings out the pizzas. We didn't enjoy our "adult" meal there, but DS's pizza was VERY good! And no characters at all.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Also, just so you know, your 1 year old will eat for free at the buffet character meals. You can get her what she wants for no charge off the buffet. At non buffet character meals, she can also eat for free if she shares off your plate.

Your kids will more than likely love the character meals, the characters are very good at making it fun. Or just sort of leaving you alone. You can always tell your server to let the characters know you don't want interaction and that might help cut down on that a bit. Although again, kids of all ages have quite a bit of fun at these meals!

And there are no ridiculous questions on the disboards, especially for people going for the first time ever or in awhile. On my first trip I thought the Hollywood Tower Hotel was a real hotel that was being built! We laugh everytime we see it now but my point is how could any question anyone ever have rival my own misguided notion that a ride was a real hotel! Have fun on your trip!

 

[jemilah]

There is always a princess or 2 at goofy's kitchen , a little something for every one...............and my boys always take a picture with the princesses!