So I've got a little sticker-shock, for character meals.

[coastgirl]

Ds is 10 now, which makes him an "adult" in Disney's eyes. I have booked two meals at Disney for Feb, the Ohana breakfast and dinner at 1900 PF.

Dinner for my family of 4 (two adults, a 10 yo and a newly-minted 8 yo): $150!! That includes tax and a (chintzy) tip. (It's a buffet. I'm not tipping 18%.)

Breakfast for my family (same crew, only a day or two before dd turns 8!), with a somewhat better tip, $110!

Wow. I may have to re-think that. We could buy a lot of groceries for $260.

 

[ABCanada]

I agree the Character meals are expensive. We tend to do them as late breakfasts and treat it as our main meal of the day. The 1900 PF dinner is fun and when we were ther the food was good for a buffet. The characters are great.

I am not a fan of the DDP, too much food, (we use TIW instead) but if we are planning on a number of Character Meals and a split stay I sometimes add the plan to one segment and try to schedule all the Character meals for that segment. At least you do not see the bill then so it does not hurt as much. A character meal almost pays for the full day of the plan.

 

[sjsjbrook]

They are very very pricey, but I love them for the fact I don't have to stand in line in the heat or weather to meet a character. I am also guarenteed to see certain Characters, so my kids will not be dissappointed if they get in line to see a certain Character, and then there is a switch and someone els comes out.

and if you eat slow enough sometimes you get to see characters more than once, oh and the shots you get of your older kids with some of them are priceless. I have one of my then 13 yr old with Leo from little Einstiens. Best photo ever.

Breakfast is cheaper if it is the character interaction you want.

At least the dollar is doing well right now.

 

[smangan10`]

Yes, you're paying for the characters, not having to wait in line, table service, and a little better quality food. Not having to wait in line is huge when you have young ones. We usually do a snack for lunch when we attend a character breakfast.

 

[tone.def]

Are you not doing the dining plan?

 

[Gigi22]

OP, could you not split the difference and go to one of the character meals? Kids seem to enjoy them a lot, but they are expensive.

 

[coastgirl]

We actually aren't "doing" Disney this time--looking for a slow pace in a pool home, and going to try IoA/Harry Potter. And we've done the character meals, and loved them. That's why I wanted to throw a couple in to our "non Disney' trip. I booked 1900 PF for dd's birthday, and Ohana b/c we love it...but I may give the birthday girl a choice between one and the other.

 

[mtmbyck]

1900 Park Fare will feel worth the money. The characters are human so interact with guests (more like a show) and the food is excellent. I try to book character breakfasts as brunch so as to get 2 meals out of it but you'll feel less value there. I almost choke buying the park passes too!

 

[pooksma]

I understand where you are coming from. This year DS turns 10 and he's going to cost us a lot more, for everything! I'd like to know how Disney came up with 10 as adult.

He's excited to go back because, in his words, he can "order from the adult menu finally." oh oh....

 

[vacation_junkie]

Ds is 10 now, which makes him an "adult" in Disney's eyes. I have booked two meals at Disney for Feb, the Ohana breakfast and dinner at 1900 PF.

Dinner for my family of 4 (two adults, a 10 yo and a newly-minted 8 yo): $150!! That includes tax and a (chintzy) tip. (It's a buffet. I'm not tipping 18%.)

Breakfast for my family (same crew, only a day or two before dd turns 8!), with a somewhat better tip, $110!

Wow. I may have to re-think that. We could buy a lot of groceries for $260.

my 10 yr old eats like a bird..the meal plan isn't worth it now cause of that exact reason. We would never get our moneys worth