Solo at a Character Meal?!?

[smile4stamps]

Hi everyone. I was thinking of booking a Character meal for when I am in the parks by myself. I was wondering if there will be a way to get my picture taken with the characters? I know they usually have handlers with them but are they willing to take photos each time?

Also... will I look completely stupid being solo?

Thanks!

 

[bamamolly]

I'm sure you could always get the neighboring table to take your picture. I don't think it'd be strange at all and personally I would be more than happy to take someone's picture if they needed me to. I say go for it!

 

[pearl12970]

I don't think you'll look stupid being solo ! Enjoy your trip

 

[Vala]

I haven't actually seen many handlers at a character meal. But the CMs serving drinks etc. have been more than happy to help. Just check how the picture turned out.

 

[Nala83]

You definitely shouldn't feel at all silly doing a solo character meal- great way to get in some interesting conversations, right?

I do think pictures can be a bit tricky. I did the princess meal with friends last week, and they seated us in a booth tucked in a corner. There was no handler and very few servers came our way. Just based on our seating, I think it would have been awkward to track down another guest to take photos. In that situation, I probably would have resorted to holding out the camera and taking it myself.

Sitting smack in the middle of the action (middle of the room) would have solved that problem. I do think people are happy to help out!

 

[Dobby]

What day(s) are you being solo? I hate to post this, as it may sound strange but I have Plaza Inn booked on the 14th...was supposed to take my daughter, but she'll be going to Legoland that day with the rest of the family. I was thinking the same as you...I can handle eating by myself, but wasn't sure about the photograph part.

So if you're interested,a nd it's not too wierd, I'd be willing to share the table in exchange for picture-taking help. And if it IS too wierd, everyone just ignore this post!

 

[smile4stamps]

What day(s) are you being solo? I hate to post this, as it may sound strange but I have Plaza Inn booked on the 14th...was supposed to take my daughter, but she'll be going to Legoland that day with the rest of the family. I was thinking the same as you...I can handle eating by myself, but wasn't sure about the photograph part.

So if you're interested,a nd it's not too wierd, I'd be willing to share the table in exchange for picture-taking help. And if it IS too wierd, everyone just ignore this post!

I'd love to share but I won't be solo till the 18th. I would do it with my friend but she doesn't eat much and the cost is kinda high for a budget trip. We agreed while she was there we would eat breakfast in the motel.

 

[Dobby]

Alright; I hope you figure something out. I'm thinking maybe if I make a request to sit nearer the middle rather than in a corner? lol!

 

[SplashMo]

make sure they remove the other plates and silverware. I went solo to Goofys and each character would point to the empty seat (Where they thought a child was sitting at) and then leave...

 

[Eeee-va]

VERY worst case, you could probably take a picture of yourself with each character, the same way that people sometimes take "group pictures" when they're hanging out with their friends. I purposely did that with a non-face character, to use as one of my profile pictures on Facebook. (The character actually had a handler who seemed a touch baffled by my actions and offered to take a photo, so I got one the traditional way too. The line was short. I personally like my "BFFs having fun" photo a little more, though, mostly because it's funny. )

If you think you might be doing that, I would practice a time or two to make sure you know where to point the camera. Though a picture of the tops of heads would have a humorous element...

I hope you have a great time at your character meal and get a lot of fabulous pictures! I'd totally help you if I were there, but I won't be. Plus you'd have to ask me (or take photos of yourself with the characters so I saw you wanted pictures) because I'd be way too shy to ask someone at the meal if she wanted photos....

 

[snesguy]

I know at least some handlers will be happy to take the picture for you. They've done this for us so we could fit everyone in the photo. I don't know if it's policy, but if it isn't it should be. The handler wasn't looking over his shoulder like he was doing something wrong, so I think they'll be happy to do it if you ask.

 

[joyfulnet]

I say, Go for it! We just did character meals at Crystal Palace and Akershus, and I wouldn't have thought it strange at all to see someone eating solo. At both places, I would have been more than happy to snap a shot for someone if sitting nearby.

I agree with the comments about making sure that characters don't think there's a child missing at the table. Maybe you could mention it to the handler? Catch the eye of the character as they come around? Just jump up and give them a hug and ask someone to take a pic. Disney's for all ages!

 

[Belle Ella]

NO!! You will not look stupid eating solo. Or if you did, I would too. I'd so write more but I am off to bed I'm exhausted. I can give you the lowdown on my solo character meal experience in the net couple of days if you are interested. Just let me know!! Just did one on Friday, matter o' fact!

 

[Sherry E]

Dining solo is something I can do if I have to. But I had never considered for one second doing a character meal solo (even when I had read about others doing them solo) until Belle Ella did her solo character meal at Goofy's Kitchen a few days ago. Goofy's is my favorite place to go anyway, so I am thinking, okay, I'm familiar with Goofy's. I know the layout. Maybe because I've been there so many times it won't be that weird to eat solo. It might seem more awkward to me if I chose a meal I haven't tried yet to be my solo endeavor. I'd like to try Minnie & Friends or Surf's Up with Mickey, but again, the unfamiliarity of those places on top of the solo dining aspect might be too much to handle in one meal!!

I was mainly curious about how the photo situation is handled, and if you have to constantly get servers to stop and take the photos or if you have to constantly ask table-neighbors to do it. It would have to be one or the other because someone has to take the photos!!

Also, I am wondering how one handles it in terms of leaving your belongings at the table - do you leave them unattended while you hit the buffet or do you take everything with you when you go get your food? And if you don't leave any of your things at the table while you load up the plate, will someone come along and clear off your table while you're gone because they think you've left?

 

[smile4stamps]

Well I went ahead and booked a solo meal for the Minnie & friends breakfast. I have a PS for 8:20am on Monday October 18. I will let you know how it goes!