Where should I book for arrival evening character dining?

[Kara19840]

Hi.

Our flight gets in at 2:30pm and I am thinking of just having a chilled afternoon exploring the Art Of Animation and pools etc but want to book a character dinner for the evening.

I don't want to go into any parks for this so where would you recommend?

This will be the very first Disney experience for my family so I want it to be special. Thanks in advance.

Kara

 

[DisneyHardin]

You can't beat Chef Mickey's for the "Disney Experience" since you get to the meet the fab 5. We think the food at Chef Mickey's is decent, but it does get a lot of hate in reviews.

 

[OhThePain]

I agree that CM is the way to go for a first character meal/experience at WDW. However, I would hesitate booking anything on arrival day, especially when arriving in the afternoon. There are a lot of things that can cause a delay in your arrival (either to the airport, your resort, the restaurant) that is totally out of your hands. Missing your ADR and having to pay the no-show fee could leave a shower taste in your mouth, and no one wants that. Might I suggest doing the pool thing at AoA and when you are ready for dinner or know when you want dinner, go on the app and see what is available at Disney Springs. Then, try to book something like Chef Mickey's for breakfast the next morning to really kick off your trip.

 

[Kae]

We have done CM and PF1900. Both great choices

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There really are only 3 choices for out-of-park character dinner:

• Chef Mickey's (big 5)
• 1900 Park Fare (Cinderella & Family)
• Mickey's Backyard BBQ

All others are in parks.

If you stretch it a little, the Garden Grove (at Swan/Dolphin) offers characters at dinner. But if you are on Dining Plan, they do not accept that.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with a PP. there are many, many potential delays, out of your control. Even if you land on time are you taking DME from the airport to AoA? The general wisdom is that it takes an average of about 90 minutes from touch down to arriving at your resort. Then you need to check in, get to your room, settled in etc. It will be late afternoon at this point. Personally I would just hang out at AoA, eat there and have an early night in preparation for an exciting week

 

[Nancyg56]

We like CM too! It's a fun way to kick off the trip, but make your ADR late enough do you aren't running if there arecdrlays