US or IOA Character Meals??

[tdelano]

Are there character meals or special restaurants similar to what Disney offers??

Am I missing a website somewhere that would give me good details about US and IOA??

THANKS!

 

[PartyofSix]

Check out the top of this page there is a topic that covers your questions. Have a great trip.

 

[MIB999999]

Originally posted by nWo_Thunder
Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-Pendous inside Suess Landing at IOA has a Character Lunch. The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Sam I am preform a circus. Then pose for pictures.

Mike

so is this a character meal that you must make reservations for of is it a show of sorts.

Does UNIVERSAL call it a CHARACTER MEAL????

 

[MsDisney]

Does UNIVERSAL call it a CHARACTER MEAL????

It's a "birthday celebration" and the last map I have here had it listed for 2:45 daily, I think they discontinue it in the off-season, or they have, anyway...

It's not a character meal per se....at WDW they have character meals where the characters roam around and interract with the guests while they dine. (as you know, ie. Chef Mickey's) This (Circus McGurkus) isn't what people would consider a character meal. Confisco's used to have a character meal...I know, I dined with Spidey awhile back.

I think the restaurants at the resorts offer some sort of real character meal, but I have no personal experience with them...

I think what people are looking for are meals like Disney offers, WITH the characters interracting with them while they dine, etc.
Karen

 

[the Dark Marauder]

check the insert you get with your maps for specifics. they may have discontinued it altogether, but ya never know. during the off-season, though, they've closed circus mcgurkus. they also axed the sing-a-long celebration.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Did I read somewhere there was a character meal at Confisco Grill with Spider-Man etc??

My DS aged4 would love that

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by Scottish_Maleficent
Did I read somewhere there was a character meal at Confisco Grill with Spider-Man etc??

My DS aged4 would love that

Unfortunately, that has been discontinued for quite some time..



Karen

 

[the Dark Marauder]

sometimes you can see spider-man hanging around outside the backwater bar.

 

[saturday97]

Can't I eat with the dinosaurs?? Maybe I'd be lunch...

 

[EMMADOO]

the three resorts at Universal offer character meals. according to the representative I talked to, you do not have to be a resort guest to dine with the characters. I think Scooby was one of the main characters in the line-up and if I remember correctly, it is only for dinner time.
call.......1-800-711-0080 for times and days.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Last August while staying at Roayl Pacific.. we went to the islands dining room to grab a late bite when Shaggy & Scooby Doo came walking through the restaurant.

The restaurant was EMPTY maybe for a dozen tables (mostly adults) they signed autographs and my daughter (8) offered shaggy some fries.. he was so in character... he said "Like - thanx!" and started eating with us... it was so funny.. but darn I did not have my camera... who expects these things to happen at 9pm???

It was great!

 

[FREEDOM]

Just called the 800 number listed in a previous post to inquire about character meals at IOA/US. They gave me another phone number to call 407-503-DINE for information and reservations. Dinners are held at the three onsite resorts, and you do not have to be a hotel guest to dine.
The character meals are set up differently than Disney. They have scheduled days characters will visit during DINNER ONLY.
Royal Pacifc - Mon/Tues
Hard Rock - Saturday
Portofino Bay - Fri
The rep stated she could not tell me what characters would be present because the restaurant is notified from the Park only 24 hours prior. Typically the more familiar characters like Woody Wood Pecker, Scooby, Popeye, etc. show up. She has seen once where Spider-Man showed but be surprised if any Super Heroes are at dinner.
Our trip is planned for the end of March, but the rep said dining is casual and shouldn't have a problem with reservations.
I'm going to check out the restaurants and menus and keep you posted.

 

[FOV]

Thanks for the info, Freedom. I would love to hear your feedback after you return from your trip!

 

[dorisdvu]

Originally posted by FREEDOM
Just called the 800 number listed in a previous post to inquire about character meals at IOA/US. They gave me another phone number to call 407-503-DINE for information and reservations. Dinners are held at the three onsite resorts, and you do not have to be a hotel guest to dine.
The character meals are set up differently than Disney. They have scheduled days characters will visit during DINNER ONLY.
Royal Pacifc - Mon/Tues
Hard Rock - Saturday
Portofino Bay - Fri
The rep stated she could not tell me what characters would be present because the restaurant is notified from the Park only 24 hours prior. Typically the more familiar characters like Woody Wood Pecker, Scooby, Popeye, etc. show up. She has seen once where Spider-Man showed but be surprised if any Super Heroes are at dinner.
Our trip is planned for the end of March, but the rep said dining is casual and shouldn't have a problem with reservations.
I'm going to check out the restaurants and menus and keep you posted.

Is this information still valid? I'll be at PBH on a Friday. Which restaurant? Do I need to make a reservation?

 

[FREEDOM]

Dorisdvu:
We dined at the Trattoria del Porto at the PBH with Scooby and Woody Woodpecker. It was rather quiet and not too many children were there which allowed the characters to spend more time with us. There is a separate area in the back of the restaurant set up for children with smaller tables, crayons, and a huge TV playing cartoons. The characters sat down and colored and watched TV with all the children. It was more of a group Meet-and-Greet, but they did take individual pictures with the children and weren't in a rush at all.

Our table was close enough to the children's area that we allowed them to eat at their own table. Dinner was much more enjoyable for me and my husband. Depending on how old your children are it might not be a big deal for you, but we were so excited to eat a peaceful dinner while our children were occupied. (Our children are 4 and 2.)

We had reservations, but it really didn't seem to matter to the hostess who seated several parties prior to ours while we waited. There was only 4 in our party, so we really didn't understand our wait of 20 minutes prior to being seated. We spoke to the manager in regards to this, but he didn't seem to be bothered. We continually had to ask for more water and Coke to drink. Finally, we asked the waitress for a pitcher of both. She was accommodating. Customer service was lacking.

In regards to the food, it wasn't worth the money we paid. We ordered the pasta buffet thinking we would more of a variety. My children didn't like the spaghetti because it didn't have meat sauce just marinara. They didn't like fish, veal, etc. So, they ate chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese ? (If you ask me, it was nasty and didn't blame them for not wanting to eat it.) You might have better luck ordering off the menu.

Based on experiences with Disney character meals and character meals at Universal, it's not worth the money. Disney is way more kid friendly than Universal thinks they are.

 

[Esmeralda]

I posted this information in a separate thread, as well. The Hard Rock restaurant is closed, so the new schedule for character dining is:

Royal Pacifc - Mon, Tues, Sat
Portofino Bay - Fri

Hope this helps.

 

[twinmomplus2]

I spoke with a Reservationist aT The HRH this Am. January the 15,04. The character dinner is being held thre every Saturday evening at thier new restaurant called FRESH.

 

[dorisdvu]

Originally posted by Esmeralda
I posted this information in a separate thread, as well. The Hard Rock restaurant is closed, so the new schedule for character dining is:

Royal Pacifc - Mon, Tues, Sat
Portofino Bay - Fri

Hope this helps.

Which restaurant at Portofino Bay? Do you need to have a reservation?

 

[veggiemamma]

I am so upset to hear that the Character lunch is discontinued. Their character meals were way better than any Disney meals and we have done most of them. It was always very low key, and never a wait. We had lunch with Grinch, Spider man, Cat in the hat and many more, they came right to your table. The food was fantastic.That was the main reason we bought the season passes. ( which by the way can be bought for $119 online if you are a aaa south memeber, or $109 in their office)

The website states they have Cat in the Hat breakfast bufet for $14 adults $8 kids. Friday sat and sunday, at Confisco. which by the way has wonderful food comparable if not better than the disney restaurants ( it has been compared on other sites to the brown derby)

I am a little sick to think we are going int he center of spring break, we htought we would miss it.... nay suggestions? Is the mardi gras worth attending? WHich park is it? Thanks for any suggestions.....
We are still looking for a hotel... any ideas?
Preferably a suite close to universal, free breakfast, and sleeps 6.

 

[rotten0vicious]

To add my story to this, which is quite funny...

I was little when my parents took me to a chara brunch at Disney. Paid tons of money for them, me and two brothers. Only a few people came out, and I only ate about three pieces of bacon and said I was done.

My dad said he'd never do it again.