Too many Character Meals?

[cwasil]

Thanks for all the input...it seems like it's cut right down the middle. Seems that "experience" has taught some of you to tone it down a bit your second or third time around. I know when I was at WDW my last time (2003?) we took our, then, 7 year old to Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Taven and she really seemed to enjoy it but I vaguely remember it being a relative hassle with all the running around, then long waits and finally trying to get her to eat something. That said, they are our kids and I'm sure we'd do anything for them.

I'm thinking that if we go for 7 park days that I'll back it off a bit and do 4 character meals (Garden Grill, Cinderella, Crystal Palace and Princess Dining). If and when our trip budget grows to add on additional days maybe we'll add a character meal every second day. That'll give the kids something to look forward too...

Lastly, I'm thinking of getting a character meal as soon as we fly in. Not sure how long it will take to get from airport to checked in (using ME) but I'm thinking the CRT meal. Is this being too aggressive and a bad idea? I like the idea of having the kids get into the "magic" ASAP but I certainly don't want to become some kind of drill sergeant. In reading this I do sound kind of aggressive...thoughts?

 

[MNGaspar]

My wife and I wish there were more character meals! We have a little girl, but noticed that there really aren't any character meals geared towards boys (unless I'm missing one right now off the top of my head).

I great one for younger kiddies (toddler-preschool) is the Hollywood and Vine breakfast with the Little Einsteins and JoJo.

I recently read that Handy Manny was moving into the breakfast to replace Goliath.

 

[weheartdisney]

We feel the same as an above poster. We can eat minus characters anytime. At Disney, we really like the interaction. Our boys are 7 and 2.5 and love dining with them. We'll continue to do so until they aren't interested any longer.

In August we are going for 6 nights and doing 4 character meals: Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill, Crystal Palace and Ohana's breakfast (this will be our first time dining here).

There is not a right or wrong answer. It totally depends on your own family.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Lastly, I'm thinking of getting a character meal as soon as we fly in. Not sure how long it will take to get from airport to checked in (using ME) but I'm thinking the CRT meal. Is this being too aggressive and a bad idea? I like the idea of having the kids get into the "magic" ASAP but I certainly don't want to become some kind of drill sergeant. In reading this I do sound kind of aggressive...thoughts?

I think it depends on your kids. Mine are at the age now where it wouldn't be a problem. But, if your kids are slow to warm up to things or somewhat shy you may want to wait until they have been immersed in the whole Disney mentality first and have had a chance to adjust.

 

[MJAJmom]

I think you need to do what is best for your family, your schedule and your budget. We love characters meals and do one a day. I prefer a TS meal over a CS meal and don't feel that it takes up too much time in our day. I love having a character meal for bfast before the park opens. I would suggest looking at each of the meals and the characters at each meal. Figure out which ones you like best and what fits your schedule. We've done every character meal except CRT (which we will try for the first time later this month!!!). My boys love dining with characters, it's so unique to Disney.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[Elmo888]

While I don't think that one can have "too many character meals", I do think that one can have too many buffets in a row! We had 4 buffet meals in a row, and we were just really tired of them (two were character meals, and two were not). I had scheduled our only two real table service (non-buffet) meals last (it was just due to park planning, not on purpose). So, I would try to balance buffet vs. actual table service.

We try to balance "adult meals" and "kid meals" pretty evenly, and it works well. I don't know if I would feel that there were too many character meals, but I also don't think that it should be all about the kids (if there is somewhere that DH and/or I would like to eat, we balance these with the kids' preferences). I also agree that character meals are a fabulous time saver vs. standing in lines to see characters.

Thanks for all the input...it seems like it's cut right down the middle. Seems that "experience" has taught some of you to tone it down a bit your second or third time around. I know when I was at WDW my last time (2003?) we took our, then, 7 year old to Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Taven and she really seemed to enjoy it but I vaguely remember it being a relative hassle with all the running around, then long waits and finally trying to get her to eat something. That said, they are our kids and I'm sure we'd do anything for them.

I'm thinking that if we go for 7 park days that I'll back it off a bit and do 4 character meals (Garden Grill, Cinderella, Crystal Palace and Princess Dining). If and when our trip budget grows to add on additional days maybe we'll add a character meal every second day. That'll give the kids something to look forward too...

Lastly, I'm thinking of getting a character meal as soon as we fly in. Not sure how long it will take to get from airport to checked in (using ME) but I'm thinking the CRT meal. Is this being too aggressive and a bad idea? I like the idea of having the kids get into the "magic" ASAP but I certainly don't want to become some kind of drill sergeant. In reading this I do sound kind of aggressive...thoughts?

It takes about 3 hours to get from the airport to your resort.

It might be a little aggressive to go to MK and go straight to a character meal. And I don't know how most kids would feel about going to MK and just having a character meal, but I think that mine might be frustrated!

A character meal outside the parks at one of the resorts might be a better idea and a little more relaxing. And a good way to ease into your trip.

Maybe try a character dinner at Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare. Where are you staying? We had dinner at 1900 Park Fare, meandered around GF (DH had a drink at the bar), and took a taxi back to our resort (around $15 for 4 to ASMusic and sooooo quick and convenient).

 

[daisy2jae]

We are firm believers that character meals saves time from having to see those characters in the parks. We still will visit them in the parks if the lines aren't too long, but the meals are fun and convenient. And you've got to eat, so make the most of it!

we're the same way!

 

[Tinkermom76]

last December we did

1900 park fare breakfast
CRT
Akershus
Chef Mickey's X2
crystal palace

We also did the pirates and pals cruise

we filled over 1 autograph book in 2 days and without standing in a single line

you have to eat you might as well get the characters at the same time so you save time in the parks for rides

 

[KY*Figment]

We are going for 4 nights in June and we have 3 character meals along w/ the tea party w/ Alice in Wonderland. In October we are going for 6 nights; we will have 2 character meals, Hoop Dee Doo Review, & Bibbity Boppity Boutique. We were discussing the next time we go is to do character breakfast each a.m. and signature each night w/ no parks.

 

[meghanlea]

we do several meals, this is part of planning, and a part of disney. and not only is is a great way for us to sit down adn get out of the heat, but they come to us and if we see them in the park and the lines long there is no crying b/c they didn't get to see someone.

 

[KY*Figment]

When we are at the parks we like two table services because it forces us to rest in late a.m./ early p.m. and then for dinner. We rest our girls legsand ours, too.

 

[Minnie*bell]

In your experience, is there a "how many character meals is too many", answer. My guess is that we'll be going to WDW for 7-10 days and on a dining plan. In looking at all the restaurants, you could almost hit a character meal everday if you chose to. When we go my kids will be 4DD, 5DS & 14DD...obviously I don't think the 14 year old will much care but I assume the my other two will enjoy it. I can't really see them getting bored if we decide to hit 4 or 5 of these but thought I'd bring it up and see if you had any input into all of this. Thank you.

I don't think you can book too many. At home there is no characters at meal time. I say GO by the type of food u want b/c even if there is no characters there is ALWAYS something interesting about the restaurants on WDW property. The kids will enjoy them all.

 

[jessica52877]

I don't think you can have too many character meals but I will say that I have NEVER found them relaxing! I am always helping my little one get his plate, getting my food or waiting to take a picture. I like to make sure we have some regular sit down dinners on our schedule to actually relax while eating. DS has never much cared about the characters either, but they just still don't seem relaxing. I do love that they are buffets (as far as food choices go).

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Thanks for all the input...it seems like it's cut right down the middle. Seems that "experience" has taught some of you to tone it down a bit your second or third time around. I know when I was at WDW my last time (2003?) we took our, then, 7 year old to Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Taven and she really seemed to enjoy it but I vaguely remember it being a relative hassle with all the running around, then long waits and finally trying to get her to eat something. That said, they are our kids and I'm sure we'd do anything for them.

I'm thinking that if we go for 7 park days that I'll back it off a bit and do 4 character meals (Garden Grill, Cinderella, Crystal Palace and Princess Dining). If and when our trip budget grows to add on additional days maybe we'll add a character meal every second day. That'll give the kids something to look forward too...

Lastly, I'm thinking of getting a character meal as soon as we fly in. Not sure how long it will take to get from airport to checked in (using ME) but I'm thinking the CRT meal. Is this being too aggressive and a bad idea? I like the idea of having the kids get into the "magic" ASAP but I certainly don't want to become some kind of drill sergeant. In reading this I do sound kind of aggressive...thoughts?

I would definitley NOT do CRT on arrival day. If you don't cancel 48 hours before your reservation, you will be charged the full price anyway. If you have flight delays, you will miss your reservation and be outside of the free cancellation policy (as well as having a really hard time scheduling it later in your trip as the reservations will all be gone). I would figure at least four hours from arrival at the airport until you would be able to be at a meal (and that might be cutting it close). You need to get on ME, check in, put your luggage in your rooms, get transportation to wherever your meal is, get to the restaurant, etc.

 

[sydneysmom]

In my opinion, there's no such thing as TOO many character meals. You're at Disney for the whole experience... you can go out to eat with no characters at home. Also, your children will get a little more one on one w/ the characters than if they had to stand on lines to meet and greet. there's more interaction. We made our ressies for Sept and we've got a character breakfast each morning :

Cinderella's castle
Tusker House
1900 Park Fare
Chef Mickey's
Ohana ( Lelo and Stitch)
Akershus
Crystal Palace

We've also 2 character dinners : Cinderella's Castle and 1900 Park Fare.

They're only little once. And to see their little faces when they see these characters for the first time ? PRICELESS. That's why we've decided to start everyday with a character breakfast... why not start the day off right ? Also, seeing how sweet the kids are with the characters is worth every minute.