To or not to do...that is the question

[dcsend]

Okay. My kids (DS12, DS 9, DD 7, DS 5) are not Disney "fans", but will LOVE WDW. With that said, I don't feel compelled to bring them to a character meal. However, I would like them to have an "experience" since we won't be eating most of our meals there...
Should we bother with a character meal or just go to a "really cool restaurant" (they'd like that just the same - maybe...)? I was thinking of Hoop-De-Doo for the "experience", but for $225 I'd rather not... So, if there's not a character meal that you say is an ABSOLUTE MUST (for our first and possibly last trip to WDW) which restaurant would you recommend (we're staying off site)???

THANKS!

 

[becka]

If you are looking for a non-character meal how about 50's Prime Time Cafe at the Studios or perhaps 'Ohana at the Polynesian resort?

 

[DreaminDisney]

Based on what my kids liked, I'd say.........
With kids non character, Sci-Fi

Crystal Palace or 1900 Park fare for character dining.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Sci-Fi has a great atmosphere, which you can enjoy while ordering just dessert. For an "experience" with dining, I'd say either Prime Time or Whispering Canyon. Maybe even Biergarten at Epcot, my kids loved that.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

If you decide to do a character meal I would recommend Liberty Tree Tavern-but I don't think a character meal is a must do. The reason I picked LTT is the 'classic' characters are there, it wouldn't be my first choice if I was going on food quality. But if I could only do one, that would be it.

If I were to pick a restaurant for the 'experience' my first choice is 'Ohana followed by Biergarten.

Hoop-De-Doo is worth the money the first time around imo, so don't rule it out unless money is the most important consideration.

 

[polkadotminnie]

I would do SCI-FI, WCC, or Ohana.

 

[skent10]

Hoop-De-Doo is worth the money the first time around imo, so don't rule it out unless money is the most important consideration.

I have to agree. If you can swing the money, go at least once! It's the one thing I remember from my trip with my family as a teenager 20 years ago. It's good food (not haute cuisine) and a great show and impressed a 13 year old girl who did NOT want to be at WDW with her family. There's a reason it's the longest running show at WDW. And it's why I booked it for my own family for our first night on our upcoming trip.

At least for me, pinching on souvenirs and other meals for the rest of the trip is worth the high price for this "experience" at least once in your life.

 

[Minnie]

As the 12 and 9 year olds would both be considered adults for buffet pricing I would be hesitant to do it if they are not character fans. (O'hana's is also buffet priced unfortunatley). You could go to any of the other great restaurants for far less and due to this you might be then able to budget more meals in the parks.

However if after some time at WDW they love the characters (they have alot of autograph/picture areas in the parks) then you could always try to add a character meal then. You could even make an ADR for later in your trip and then cancel if needed.

If you do decide on one then pick one that has characters you think your children may like. The Crystal Palace (Pooh and pals), Chef Mickeys (Mickey and pals), ect. Check out allearsnet.com for menus.

 

[Carolinagirl1063]

Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace.

 

[Leah and Emily's mom]

I would suggest Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge...lots of fun for all ages

 

[TLPL]

I would suggest ESPN CLUB @ Boardwalk, kids love sport stuff like that right?
It's themed, it's non-disney.Perfect for kids who doesn't like characters.

 

[La2kw]

Okay. My kids (DS12, DS 9, DD 7, DS 5) are not Disney "fans", but will LOVE WDW. With that said, I don't feel compelled to bring them to a character meal. However, I would like them to have an "experience" since we won't be eating most of our meals there...
Should we bother with a character meal or just go to a "really cool restaurant" (they'd like that just the same - maybe...)? I was thinking of Hoop-De-Doo for the "experience", but for $225 I'd rather not... So, if there's not a character meal that you say is an ABSOLUTE MUST (for our first and possibly last trip to WDW) which restaurant would you recommend (we're staying off site)???

THANKS!

My kids have never been into character meals either. They do enjoy the experiences of the Biergarten, Sci-Fi, Coral Reef, and LTT (for the character-free lunch). They used to also enjoy CRT for lunch, but unfortunately it's no longer character-free.

 

[tfiga]

I second the Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[mrscoobs]

IMO, there are plenty of times to see the charachter's if they want to see them, but if they are not keen on them now then I am not sure I would spend the money on a charachter meal. That being said, for family fun dining experiences, I would go with the previously mentioned Ohana's (in the poly), Whispering Canyon Cafe (in the Wilderness lodge), or 50's prime time cafe (in MGM).

Also, we thought that the Hoop-de-doo was a little expensive when we did it in 2000, but it was something that I remembered from our trips when I was young and when we saw how much fun the kids were having it was well worth it. They were playing a washboard they found in the barn for months on end due to the hoop-de-doo!

 

[Dustmouse]

I would definitely do a character meal! I have to believe that a 5, 7, and 9 year old would respond much more enthusiastically than you might expect. (I know my non-Disney DH did!) You can't beat the photo ops either!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I was thinking of Hoop-De-Doo

You were thinking right, dcsend!

The Hoop-Dee-Doo is my favorite thing at WDW.

The first time I took DS to WDW, it flipped him from being a sullen pre-teen who was dragged along into having a great time.

It is a great show! with yummy food! and fun!

I could rave about it all day. Go, Go, GO!!!


Another really fun restaurant is the Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge.

Have a great trip!

 

[aviva5675]

My DD14 isnt into characters much either. When we went in 02 for our first trip (11/06 will be our second) she didnt want to go at all. We went to one character breakfast and she was fine with it. This trip we are going to do Crystal Palace lunch--a/Pooh etc are pretty calm characters, and b/have heard good things about CP food and building...

 

[DisneyFreak35]

the first time we went, our kids were 15, 9 and 4 and they all loved the character meal. In fact, with exception of the beachclub, we have done every one on property. With the character meal, you dont have to wait in line to see the characters, you can get photo's and/or autographs with each of them and in some cases, there is a parade in the restaurant (the characters and all the kids). If money is a concern, you could try a breakfast, which would be slightly cheaper. For breakfast, i would recommend Donalds Breakfastosaurus...best variety and the characters are donald, goofy, mickey and pluto. Dinner, I would probably say chef mickeys...while its not the best food, it still is good food and they have mickey, donald, chip & dale & minnie. Both places take a family photo, that they try to get you to buy for 26 bucks but there's no high pressure to purchase it. I havent been to a bad character breakfast, whatever you choose.

 

[cwf1028]

Jumping on for some ideas. We went on the Magic in April and were surrounded by characters and my kids were less than impressed. All they cared about at the character breakfast was the food. We are looking to do some fun restaurants, just not character...

 

[disneylizzy]

If it is your very first and might be your only trip, my opinion is to do a character meal. My kids were 17, 16, 12 & 9 and were not into Disney at all. Still, we had a great time at Liberty Tree Tavern. We got some priceless pictures, the food was great and we saw Spectromagic right after our meal. There's something about having Pluto and Minnie greeting you - even my way cool DS really enjoyed it.

That being said, they loved Biergarten, Ohana and 50's, too. Have a great trip!