Tips For Interacting With Characters at Character Meals?

[CharleneTheDM]

So we're trying a Character Breakfast for the first time at Plaza Inn. We're going to try and take advantage of the early entry before park opening (8AM) with a 7:20 reservation (We don't need Magic Morning to leverage it, right?)
My boyfriend and I don't really line up and take pictures with characters, but have been wanting to give it a try.
What are some tips for interacting with them, if they're not "Face" characters (not verbal/vocal)?
I would normally say "Hi CHARACTER!" and give them a hug and take a picture and that's it.
I know autograph books are an option.

But what are some questions we can ask them or say to them to make the most of the magical experiences?

 

[violina]

Two of my friends love character dining (their SO's, including my own, is not really a fan). One of our favourite things is sort of just going with the flow because the characters are incredibly expressive, even if they don't talk. Like Pluto jokingly getting mad at my husband since he called him Goofy instead, or Minnie insisting on a picture with my friend's SO even though we wasn't fully into it (just read his cues though, and he was fine with it; they definitely know not to push). Roll with it, know that they will take cues from you -- whether it's the ears you're wearing, the shirt you have on, or even what you're eating.

We definitely don't really ask questions, but usually they still make it a magical experience.

 

[avalon451]

I found this POST a few years ago and used it with some success with Anna and Elsa and a few others. If you just google Questions for Disney characters you'll find lots of ideas here and elsewhere!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Ask Donald why he wears a jacket but not pants. His reaction is priceless!

 

[Geemo]

So we're trying a Character Breakfast for the first time at Plaza Inn. We're going to try and take advantage of the early entry before park opening (8AM) with a 7:20 reservation (We don't need Magic Morning to leverage it, right?)
My boyfriend and I don't really line up and take pictures with characters, but have been wanting to give it a try.
What are some tips for interacting with them, if they're not "Face" characters (not verbal/vocal)?
I would normally say "Hi CHARACTER!" and give them a hug and take a picture and that's it.
I know autograph books are an option.

But what are some questions we can ask them or say to them to make the most of the magical experiences?

The Plaza is our favorite. We have always been lucky to be there on a day where they have at least 10 characters roaming through.

Over the years I have learned.....
Do not let them sit you in a booth behind other tables.
The characters have trouble getting back to those tables. Many won't even try..

I will only accept a table that has Clear Character Access. It also makes it easy to get up to go to and from the food.

 

[WonkaKid]

Since we’re on the topic and I’ve never done a character breakfast, I have two questions, please.

1. How much does it cost and is the price all-inclusive?

2. I’m essentially a vegan and don’t eat sugar or fried foods. Would it be worth it for me? That is, would I end up paying $49.95 (or whatever it costs) for a bowl of plain oatmeal?

 

[Where's Wall-E]

Since we’re on the topic and I’ve never done a character breakfast, I have two questions, please.

1. How much does it cost and is the price all-inclusive?

2. I’m essentially a vegan and don’t eat sugar or fried foods. Would it be worth it for me? That is, would I end up paying $49.95 (or whatever it costs) for a bowl of plain oatmeal?

1. Price depends on where you're eating. Goofy's Kitchen, for instance, is a buffet and so yes, the price is all-inclusive (all food and non-alcoholic beverages included)

2. At a buffet, you may have more options, and as we know, Disney is pretty good with dietary requirements. Note this when you make your reservation and check in so the chef is aware and can point out what is good/bad for that particular requirement.

 

[Keyframer30]

Sarah Sterling put up this vid a few years ago that I thought was helpful...

 

[StarlitNight05]

Since we’re on the topic and I’ve never done a character breakfast, I have two questions, please.

1. How much does it cost and is the price all-inclusive?

2. I’m essentially a vegan and don’t eat sugar or fried foods. Would it be worth it for me? That is, would I end up paying $49.95 (or whatever it costs) for a bowl of plain oatmeal?

1. I think the Plaza Inn breakfast is $35 for adults. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

2. They have vegan waffles you can request from the chef, there is also fruit, oatmeal, and hashbrowns. Mention to your server that you are vegan and usually the chef will point out the safe options available.

We have also done the character breakfast at Storytellers and they make an AMAZING veggie filled hashbrown "omelette" (no eggs, just hashbrowns encasing the veg). It was so filling and delicious.

For vegan eats in general, I like going to The Happiest Vegan on Earth's blog page for suggestions. She has a list for Disneyland, DCA, and DtD: https://happiestveganonearth.com/

 

[mouschievous]

When we went to Plaza, I wore my Minnie dress. Minnie and I had a "conversation" about it.

We made sure to give Eeyore lots of love, and talked to Pooh about Honey. Ask Hook about the croc, or what happened to his hand. Asking Chip/Dale "which one are you?" will result in them explaining to you how to know who is who, which is fun(and I learned something - I knew about one thing, but there are two!). Max was a total goofball, and I gave Pluto scratches behind his ears. But probably my favorite was spontaneous, when Rafiki accidentally broke our pen and started begging forgiveness, then gave SIL and I both kisses on the cheek.

 

[mouschievous]

PS - we had a 7:20 reservation for Plaza also and it was the best. There aren't many people that early, so for probably the first 20-30 minutes, it was very quiet in there, which meant the characters were able to spend lots of time with us. It was fantastic!

 

[CherylGonz]

We just did Minnie’s and asked Hook where Peter Pan was. Lots of good interaction and he kept coming back to our table and escorted us out of the restaurant. We had a 10:30 ressie because we did MM first. Crowd was super low. They were taking walk ups If you wanted to sit outside. We have been to Goofys 3 times. Minnie’s to us was so much better.

 

[Indiana Scott]

A lady friend of mine told me to never, ever call Pluto "Goofy"!
It's a mistake she wont make again LOL!