Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

It seems like everyone is planning a disney trip soon... So we are going in a couple of weeks. My parents have a timeshare and we will most likely be going at least 1x a year for DD's entire childhood...

soo, we haven't arranged any "special" character meal for DD while we are there. Last year we went to Universal Studios and saw some characters on the street...

This year we are doing Disney and DD is familiar with the Mickey gang...Do you think we should book a character meal (if its not too late?)? She is 2. Knowing we are going to go next year and the year after...etc? (it's not once in a lifetime and we are on a budget this year)....

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

I would do Chef Mickey but it may be too late to get in...The food is great, and its cute...if you miss it, not the end of the world...

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

Nah..she won't remember it and if you are on a budget, you'd be better off spending it elsewhere, you know?

i'm waiting 4 character breakfast when DS is 4 or 5

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

i have never done them as we are planning a trip right now as well....but everytime i tell someone we are planning the first thing they say is you have to do the character breakfast! but at this pt DD is still young that she wont know the difference....if you are on a budget i would hold off and do it when you go back.

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

Since you plan on going year after year, I can't see how you'd regret it!

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

How does your DC do with characters? That is a BIG deciding factor if they don't like characters or get scared I wouldn't do it.

Last trip it took DD a few days to warm up then she was hugging them and kissing them. This trip I waited a few days into the trip to do them b.c I know she will warm up (she is very social) but she will have a few days to do so.

As far as IF you can get in - I would definitely try if you want to do them. They are NOT a requirement to having a good time on your trip and there are DEFINITELY plenty of opportunities to meet characters if you plan your trip right. The REAL advantage of character meals is you are guaranteed to meet some characters without having to wait in a long line - they come around in stages to each table one at a time.

As far as if you can get in - I think you definitely have a chance of getting into one of meals BUT it might not be your first choice. You can go directly to WDW's website and book your meals there. You might not be able to be selective though - as in you might not be able to get dinner but you can get breakfast or you might not get 6pm but can get 445 - so if you are willing to be flexible you will have a better shot.

Does your DC any favorites?

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, donald and pluto are at Chef Mickeys (b and d - they don't serve lunch)- at the Contemporary

Pooh and friends are at Crystal palace- in the MK

A variety of princesses are at the princess storybook meals at Akershuh in Norway at EPCOT world showcase

Cinderella, Prince charming, step mother and sisters are at 1900 Park Fare dinner - breakfast I believe is alice, mary poppins, mad hatter etc

Garden Grill is mickey and friends

Cinderella's royal table (very hard to get into)

There is a donald breakfast at the AK

Lilo and Stitch and Mickey appear at Ohana's for breakfast at the Polynesian.

If you have trouble getting anything online - KEEP trying AND I would call - b/c they can search easier on the phone than on line (online you put in a date OR a date range and a time - and it will either give you your choice, some alternatives OR it will suggest other restaurants - which may or may not be character meals at other places). Don't give up - KEEP trying IF it is important to you - EVEN if you are already down there. People cancel all the time - AND people cancel the day of. I hear of a lot of people getting into cinderella's royal table the week that they leave or the day of or the month before when final deposits are due (45 days before final deposits are due on packages and people cancel the trip then). So if you really want it don't give up - just keep trying.

I will let you know if you do want to do any sit downs PLEASE make ADR's now - disney's system isn't set up to really take walk ins - sometimes they will - but it is not unusual to see signs outside all sit downs that say no walks in accepted. Their system works where they have say 30 tables - and ALL tables are put into the ADR system so they fill each one - so there is no room for walk ups unless there is a cancellation.

Have a great trip!

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

oh one other thing if you do a buffet OR family style meal (if you go to a place where you order off a menu it changes things) your DC will be free since she is under 3.

If you go to a table service and there is a menu and you order a meal you will pay for her unless she eats off your plate. But family style and buffets children under 3 eat free.

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

Don't even sweat it! She won't know the difference and it is quite expensive. You will get to see plenty of the characters in the park anyway

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

If she is 2 and you plan on going about once a year, I wouldn't sweat it. She'll be able to see the characters at the park and take pictures then. She won't really be able to enjoy the meals with the characters.

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

If we were going, I know DD would LOBVE it. So I would probably do it if I could. But I wouldn't plan on going every year, so it would be different for me.

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

DS hated the characters, that said I enjoyed the meals with the characters and am glad we did them

We did the polynisian breakfast (ohana) with Lilo Stitch, pluto and mickey
ANd dinner at Crystal palace the the pooh gang.

However I dont think you will regret it if you do not go to them!

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

I went to Disney when I was 27 w/ some friends and one of my favorite experiences was breakfast with the Princesses. I say do it. It's so nice to go in to the castle and the breakfast is so good!

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

We do character meals every day in Disney, but I honestly wouldnt regret it if we didnt do it. We also go see the characters around the park and at times I feel charactered out and just want a simple meal.

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

Nah I would wait, a year makes a big difference too. we are going this year and DD is 3 now so we are doing the cinderella breakfast and she has an appt the whole get up with bibi bobi do or what ever its called!!! have fun!!!!

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

Whatever you do, don't waste your money on garden grill. Yuck!!

Re: Another Disney post - sorry -Will I regret not going to character breakfasts?

Thanks for all these terrific responses. I'll discuss it with my parents, but I think we are going to wait until next year. Will stay away from the Garden Grill!