Why No Star Wars Character Meals?!

[Indecisive]

My family went on our first WDW trip in May 2014. We were very lucky to have been able to dine at the limited-time-only Jedi Mickey dinner at H&V with Jedi Mickey, Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy, and Stormtrooper Donald. It was fantastic! We did not attend the Galactic Dine-In Breakfast with various villains because I thought it would be too scary for my 4 year old.

We are now planning a May 2016 return to WDW (my then-4 year old will now be 7!). If I understand correctly, Disney has not ever repeated these very popular (2 dining credit) Star Wars meals?! Why?! I know they are not doing Star Wars weekends anymore, but I don't see what that has to do with anything. DHS has plenty of other Star Wars stuff going on and these meals would be popular year-round.

I just don't understand why they don't offer Star Wars character meals?! As a mother of two young boys, it is frustrating that while there are several princess-themed meals, nothing is offered for boys. And, yes, I am aware that many girls would also enjoy a Star Wars meal! Which is all the more reason they should offer this.

Does anyone have any intel on why they aren't doing this? It just seems like a win-win-win for everyone.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Disney have made the decision that the Classic Disney characters (Mickey, etc.) will no longer dress in Star Wars outfits.

They've had the Star Wars weekend breakfasts with actual Star Wars characters, but have clearly made a business decision not to offer them on the regular. I suspect they are less profitable than you think.

 

[Indecisive]

auroraborealis, I am curious why the Star Wars character meals would be less profitable than other character meals?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

auroraborealis, I am curious why the Star Wars character meals would be less profitable than other character meals?

It may be partly a matter of venue. They did the SW Weekend meals at Sci-Fi. They also did a trial run of a Sci-Fi breakfast, no characters, last fall. It was not continued.

The business decision has been made that Star Wars stuff is at Hollywood Studios, and that's pretty hard and fast. There are limited venues where they can do a meal there until the new expansions are complete. Sci-Fi is the only one that has any thematic simpatico, and from the looks of it there is some reason they choose not to do breakfast ongoing, or SW characters there ongoing. Given that it's Disney, and we have plenty of non-face SW characters appearing in-park so it's not a casting issue, the conclusion I personally draw is it's a financial thing.

 

[Indecisive]

Thanks for your thoughts. It is just so disappointing and baffling! I know a lot of families, mine included, would really enjoy a Star Wars character meal. Anyway, I guess I should just count my lucky stars that we had a chance to do it once, and I feel extra-lucky that we got to experience the classic characters in Star Wars costumes--it was so adorable. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they may add Star Wars meals at some point!

 

[minnie mum]

I agree. Disney has been on a cost cutting kick this year (while still raising prices), and Characters cost money in wages, training and costumes. But I'll wager there will be a SW character meal when SWland opens (in a time far, far, away).

 

[addiln]

I would be willing to bet once the Star War area is opened up at DHS you will see more of a character meal there. They can set the restaurant up the right way and give it the right theme so it looks like it belongs there.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would assume that as well. The limited venue options at present are what they are, but we know they will add dining options in the new "Lands."

 

[DancinMama]

My family went on our first WDW trip in May 2014. We were very lucky to have been able to dine at the limited-time-only Jedi Mickey dinner at H&V with Jedi Mickey, Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy, and Stormtrooper Donald. It was fantastic! We did not attend the Galactic Dine-In Breakfast with various villains because I thought it would be too scary for my 4 year old.

We are now planning a May 2016 return to WDW (my then-4 year old will now be 7!). If I understand correctly, Disney has not ever repeated these very popular (2 dining credit) Star Wars meals?! Why?! I know they are not doing Star Wars weekends anymore, but I don't see what that has to do with anything. DHS has plenty of other Star Wars stuff going on and these meals would be popular year-round.

I just don't understand why they don't offer Star Wars character meals?! As a mother of two young boys, it is frustrating that while there are several princess-themed meals, nothing is offered for boys. And, yes, I am aware that many girls would also enjoy a Star Wars meal! Which is all the more reason they should offer this.

Does anyone have any intel on why they aren't doing this? It just seems like a win-win-win for everyone.

I completely agree with you about the character meals aimed more at boys vs. the ones aimed more at girls. We went to both SW character meals at HS last summer and they were both AMAZING!! It was great for our 10 year old boy to get a chance to have meals more up his alley since his 4 year old sister had gotten her princess meal the day before. I'm so hoping they bring these back to the parks, or at least something comparable.