Should we do a ton of character meals?

[tinkernelllec]

well, personally, I love the buffets, so much to choose from (and if you have picky kids, like I do, that is helpful). Plus, both of your kids would be free!!! But if you have kids that aren't into the characters (as my youngest is frightened of them) then it's not so fun. My DS3 screamed bloody murder everytime the characters came around, but, they all could sense (when he wasn't screaming) that he didn't want looked at or talked to or touched or anything else they might do, which was cool. Now my DS6 LOVES the characters so it was good for him. And I got to see Mickey without standing in line forever at MK at the tent. Plus there too. Anyway, I go out to eat alot with my kids and I find buffets a better choice, just because they get a bigger selection other than chicken strips and usually, they are more kid friendly places.

 

[labdogs42]

We just got back from a week long trip with our 19 month old DS. We decided that we liked the family-style meals the best with him. We liked that they bring your food quickly (almost like a buffet) but you don't have to leave your seat. We loved the Garden Grill and O hana. Last time we did Liberty Tree Tavern (when DS was 15 months) and we would do that one again, too. We really thought Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's were good, but too loud for our taste. Like I said, we like the family style meals.

 

[2poohbears]

I have twins who were 2 1/2 y/o when we went earlier this year. They were a bit afraid of the characters (up close) at the first 2 character meals we went to, but by the 3rd they had a blast. I agree with the previous poster who preferred table service over buffets (although the buffets are great). Liberty Tree Tavern and Garden Grill both had excellent food and it was brought to the table quickly. Garden Grill was really nice for dinner because it was a quiet restaurant so the boys were able to "wind down" a bit before we headed back to the room for the night.

I would book several character meals. If after the 1st one you find the children don't like them you can always cancel the others and make reservations elsewhere.

 

[shellynn24]

I have to start by saying that I do not like character meals. I don't get to eat, it's up for food for the kids, get out the autograph books, take pictures. This goes on every 5 minutes or so the whole time your there. Having said that, We do a few meals while we are there, I do this because I'm not wasting time waiting in a line in the park to get so and so's autograph. So I "sacrifice" and suffer through multiple character meals for the sake of autographs, oh and DS likes them. DD does not like characters at all!!!! She's fine if they're like two tables away, but I have many pics of her screaming in fear while this character or that signs the books. Great family memories.

 

[magchavez]

We just got back from Disney World and did 4 charachter meals with my ds (5) and dd (3). We did Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Princess Lunch in Norway, and Hollywood & Vine at MGM. I thought 4 was too many. By the last one we had already seen all of the characters so we didn't need any more autographs. My kids LOVED Chef Mickey's the best. They still talk about it everyday and last night at dinner they waived their napkins and pretended to be at Chef Mickey's! I would say 2 or 3 would be good!

Maggie

 

[Lisa_Belle]

We just back and both my DD and myself loved the character meals, especially the buffets. We went to:

CRT lunch, Donald's breakfast, Chef Mickey's dinner, Princess Storybook Breakfast, Le Cellier late lunch, Crystal Palace dinner and 1900 Park Fare Supercallifragilistic Breakfast.

The way I see it, I can get a good meal in restaurants all over the country, but how many have Disney characters? Our favorite was the 1900 Park Fare breakfast. The characters were Mary Poppins, Alice, the Mad Hattir and Tigger. There weren't very many people there, so the characters really interacted with the kids. They actually had several conversations with them. And the food was wonderful. Try the strawberry soup. With the buffets, you can get your meal pretty quickly and get out quickly. In some cases, our buffets were quicker than ordering CS, finding a table and eating. Also, I'm a single parent and had no problems getting plates for DD and myself. We were always seated near the buffet line, so I could leave her at the table within my sight while I went back in line.

While the food at Le Cellier was wonderful, it was a long meal - about two hours - and DD was getting restless wanting to get back in the park. Most of our meals were slightly less than an hour.

I will definitely book a ton of character meals next trip. The good thing about Disney is that there are enough choices to please just about anyone - it's just a matter of what you prefer.

 

[mama4]

If you haven't been before, be careful. Some children react very badly to characters and will spend the entire meal cowering under the table crying.

This was my 4 yo ds last April. His 1st trip (when he was about to turn 3) he was fine with them- even posed for pics and gave them hugs. Has a book full of autographs. My 2 yo ds (last April) didn't act afraid of them but wasn't wowed by them either. In fact, he sort of gave Tigger the cold shoulder at CP- didn't want to stop eating I guess

 

[DisneyArk]

My sons were 18 months and 3 years old on our first trip! You are going to have so much fun!

My family loves character meals. I think your kids are the perfect age for them! Those meals are fun and loud and will keep your kids occupied. We love Crystal Palace, 'Ohana for breakfast with Stitch and Chef Mickey's.

By the way, we just went on our 3rd trip and now my sons are 6 and 8. This time we ate a lot of non-character sit down meals and they enjoyed them. Their favorites were Kona and LeCellier because of the desserts.

 

[tanyaandallie]

My sons were 18 months and 3 years old on our first trip! You are going to have so much fun!
/QUOTE]

Thank you!!! I'm super excited. I've had so many people say that it's not worth it at this age, but I think they are going to have a great time!

 

[belle&beast]

We went in January with DD4 and Ds who turned 2 on our trip. We did LOTS of character meals and loved every minute! We went to Akershus for the Princess Storybook Lunch, Crystal Palace for breakfast and dinner,1900 Park Fare for breakfast and Chef Mickey's for a birthday dinner. We also ate at Mama Melrose's and CRT, but at that time, dinner was just photos with Cinderella in the lobby. My kids loved it and we really didn't have any trouble with buffets. Plus DS was free and at buffets it was a lot easier than trying to share plates. Not that there isn't enough food, but it is easier for us to find something that everyone will eat at a buffet. I hope you have a great time and as long as your kids aren't afraid of the characcters, you will have a blast!

 

[java]

The only thing I will mention- and excuse me if it has already been mentioned*i didn't read all the responses.
I have 4 children- 3 of them love the character meals- my 3 year old son- hates them - scared to death of them. Something we didn't expect and we had to ditch the rest of the character meals after we had one early on in the trip- So I scrambled to replace meals. There are other buffet options besides charcter meals for example Ohana or Cape May Cafe for dinner. We did do several all for the kids trips- and then we realized that they will get chicken nuggets pretty much at any restaurant we go to. Even the fanciest have children's menus. So it is actually a great place to try out some nicer meals. Most times you will find many many other families around. Earlier is more family friendly. I say try some other restaurants - live a little.

 

[noodleknitter]

Too many buffets, and "ton" is what you are talking about! My family (who don't normally overeat) tend to at buffets! Especially if we are sitting around, blowing time waiting for characters!