Which character dining should we do??

[DisneyNic]

I know there are a ton of threads about the different character dining experiences, but I wanted to get more personalized opinions for our party. I will be going with my DH, DD6, DS4, my mom and my dad. My DD loves princesses. DS doesn't really have anything that he ABSOLUTELY LOVES, except maybe Cars, but I'm pretty sure there isn't a Cars meal (is there?.......didn't think so .) I don't think he would mind the princess dining, I'm just looking for other opinions maybe from people who have been there, done that. Thanks in advance.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Of all the character dining experiences, the princess meal at Ariel's Grotto was the least interactive one that I went to. The princesses came out one by one & visited each table, greeting everyone & taking pictures. If you have someone in your party who LOVES princesses, then this might be the meal for you.

I have been to Goofy's Kitchen, Lilo & Stitch, & Chip & Dale's Critter meal, and there was more going on, where the kids (of all ages) could get up and dance with the characters, etc.

 

[ballarinamom]

Do you have a prefernce for Breakfast, Lunch or dinner? That might help narrow it down

 

[pixiewings71]

Our favorites are Ariel's Grotto, each Princess comes to your table and visits with you and your group. You get autographs and pictures and they tend to linger around our table. DBF even got his picture taken with his favorite Princess, Princess Jasmine. LOL

Our next fave is Lilo & Stitch, we had so much fun with them!! I want to do it again but we haven't yet.

Our least favorite was Goofy's Kitchen, little to no interaction, food was so so and we were pretty neglected by our server. AND we were there 20 min. early for our PS and still had to wait an extra 20 min. after we were supposed to be seated. We won't do GK again.

We haven't done Minnie's yet, I'm thinking I may just book that right now....if it's available. LOL

 

[DisneyLover4Ever!]

If your DS doesn't mind princesses, Ariels Grotto would be a good choice.

But if everybody would prefer meeting characters other than the princesses and you wouldn't mind having a character breakfast then you should try out Minnie and Friend's Character Breakfast at the Plaza Inn.


I have also heard good/ and not so good comments about GK-L&S-and C&DCM

 

[wadelle2]

That's a toughie. My children are the same gender and ages as yours. We've done Ariel's Grotto twice and my daughter loved it. In December we also did Mickey & Minnie and Goofy's. I think my son liked Goofy's kitchen the best. It was #2 of my daughter's faves behind Ariel's. At Goofy's there's a lot more action. Kids get out of there seats at times to join in a dance and a "musical" performance with pots & pans. There seemed more room to stretch out. Overall food options were better with less lines than M&M's. I kind of liked Mickey & Minnie's myself. I liked dining in the park, the beautiful setting where you can look out at other goings-on, lots of natural light. They have the best waffles there, but the rest of the food was disappointing and there were usually lines at all the food stations. The table area was a bit crowded as well.

If you're trying to please both kids and are only doing one character meal, I'd consider Goofy's. You get a good variety of characters and we saw a princess (Cinderella) there as well. Especially now that the Princess Fantasy Fair offers a good princess experience, I'd vote for Goofy's.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I've done Goofys and Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn...I liked Minnies a lot more than Goofys!!! Character interaction AND the food. I have some good pictures of Minnies in my trip report. Link is below.

 

[dalepool]

I wonder if the chip and Dale character breakfast at California Grand might be a good choice. You can order the Breakfast Buffet or have table service. The fun thing about this meal is Chip and Dale do a walk thru the restaurant with kids ( and Parents) following.

I do like the Breakfast buffet at DLH.

Just a side note. The children are so busy watching the characters they sometimes forget to eat.

Happy dining

 

[MicknMinnJen]

my vote is GOOFYS KITCHEN!!!!

That is the only dining experience we have had, but it was FABULOUS!!! the characters were AWESOME and we got alot of time with each one!

We were very impressed with the buffet choices.


GOOFY'S KITCHEN!!! GOOFY'S KITCHEN!!! GOOFY'S KITCHEN!!!

 

[zandjmom]

Funny how opinions differ. We have done Goofy's and absolutely loved the character interaction (tons) and the food. We did Minnie's last week and I felt like we had wasted $100. I actually contemplated asking for part of my money back because at the end of eating all we had gotten was food. Not one character had come by in about 45 minutes. We had to ask where they were and if they were coming by.

Eventually about 6 did but that was after we were through eating...just basic breakfast items....and there was a handler who told the children they could not go up to the characters. They were to wait at their tables until they came by. That does make some sense but when they are through eating there's not much to do. Also, at Goofy's the kids could get up and dance and interact with the characters.

We will not do Minnie's again but would definitely do GK.

 

[DisneyNic]

So, I still haven't decided for sure (but I have some time ) but I am leaning a little bit towards Ariel's Breakfast. So my question now is, how do I make reservations for Ariel's Breakfast?? Everywhere I have looked only mentions lunch or dinner.

 

[bumbershoot]

So, I still haven't decided for sure (but I have some time ) but I am leaning a little bit towards Ariel's Breakfast. So my question now is, how do I make reservations for Ariel's Breakfast?? Everywhere I have looked only mentions lunch or dinner.

Is this for your trip in 17 months (according to your ticker)?

If so, priority seatings can be made only 60 days out, so you have a bit to wait.

Also, the breakfast is fairly new, then they stopped it, but have started it again. I just made a PS this morning for May 26, so it's going on for the near future, at least. But if this is for your ticker-trip, who knows what might be going on then! After all, the long-term DCA plans include "Carsland", so maybe by then they'll have something related. No way of knowing at this point, IMO.

But if you're going earlier than that, 60 days out (though the Disney Dining CM this morning said it's 2 months by date, so yesterday would have been when I could have called for may 26, though counting 60 days it was today) call Disney Dining to make your reservations.

You can check out dlresortinfo dot com for menus; they have the Ariel's breakfast (and lunch and dinner) menus.