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

[DisneyMomOfThree]

We have been to WDW twice this year and each time we made it a point to do Whispering Canyon Cafe. We love it. The last time we went it was with my entire family (parents, aunts, uncles, niece, nephews, in-laws and my DH and kids). The age ranged from 2 to 65 and they all loved it. We have done Prime Time and Sci-Fi and did not think they were that special. I have heard great things about Hoop Dee-Do. My choice would be either Whispering or Hoop. If cost is a factor check out allearsnet.com for menus and prices.

 

[TLPL]

I think it is Ok to admit to ourselves sometime it is the parent who is the Disney Freak (Thats why we are here, right?) I think it is ok for parents to "come out the closet" to their kids and tell them they really really really really want to do a Disney Character Meal and ask their kids to please please please go with them as their decoy. It's ok people, if your kids love you they won't judge you for your "lifestyle"..... and stop pretending its all about the kids.

 

[Merriwind]

If this is going to be your only WDW trip, I would really recommend a character meal. We have a tradition of starting our WDW trips with dinner at Chef Mickey's. Last October, we had my DH's Dsis, Dbil and 2 Dnieces (10 and 14) and we all headed to CMs the day we arrived. Let me tell you, Dbil (51) had the best time of anyone. I have never seen this guy smile so much! He still talks about it. Dniece 10 was very into it as well. We were all a little worried about Dniece 14, very serious, very grown-up, too cool for WDW, etc. It really only took a couple of minutes of Goofy goofing around with her and she was giggling along with her little sister and our dd (then 6). It was great, the photos we have are great and the memories are awesome.

If you really don't want a character meal, I would suggest Biergarten or Marrakesh as different, experience type meals. Enjoy your trip!

 

[DisneyFreak35]

Whispering canyon is awesome, 50's prime time cafe is kinda cool, Sci Fi dinner theatre is fun, you can check out menus and go that route too.

 

[pezpam]

I don't think character meals are a *must-do* thing. I say that as someone who enjoys them and whose DD enjoys them. On our first trip together, we didn't do any. 2nd trip, I sprung for Chef Mickey's on Valentine's Day. 3rd trip, we had the DP and did several character meals. All 3 trips were a blast, character meals or not.

Just one of those things..... There is sooooooo much to do at WDW that you can't do it all in one trip. If character meals are on the list of things you skip this trip, it's not going to ruin anything.

As a side note, when we don't do character meals, DD loves the Cosmic Cafe and sitting where we can watch Sonny Eclipse's 'show'.... not exactly a traditional character, but the kids enjoy the music and bad jokes....... She kind-of enjoyed Prime Time, but still talks about Sci-Fi. She loved sitting in the 'car' watching the films.

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

As a side note, when we don't do character meals, DD loves the Cosmic Cafe and sitting where we can watch Sonny Eclipse's 'show'.... not exactly a traditional character, but the kids enjoy the music and bad jokes....... She kind-of enjoyed Prime Time, but still talks about Sci-Fi. She loved sitting in the 'car' watching the films.

Where is the Cosmic Cafe? Is it the same as Cosmic Rays in Tomorrow Land? I am interested in trying some new places this March. This will be our third visit in the last year.