s/o character meals at Disney

Re: s/o character meals at Disney

• spring_time member

  March 2014

  LalaMama81 said:

  spring_time said:

  , but I can picture myself with a grumpy child at a character meal with a forced smile on my face saying, "You WILL enjoy this meal if it is the last thing you do. Eat your pancakes."
  

  
  

  Anyway, why is the character meal so necessary?  It seems very expensive.  Aren't the characters just walking around the park all the time?  Can't you run into them while experiencing the parks?  I keep reading about avoiding lines by going to a meal, but I thought the characters just kind of roamed around.  What is the alternative way to meet the characters if you don't go to a breakfast? I think I have a lot to learn…

  If you do that (as many do) you will be miserable. That's part of why planning helps - also like any travel w/ kids - you have to adjust expectations. They might not want to run to the next ride on the list, but they do want to play in the dancing fountain, etc. 

  
  

  Characters do not roam around. They do have scheduled times they are out in their specific locations - ex. Mary Poppins near the UK in Epcot or Alice by the Tea Cups. It's still time specific usually and the only way you just "run into them," is if there is no line when you walk by. Other characters - more princesses, mickey, minnie, etc. have scheduled times that are often inside - those lines can get busy. We lucked out and walked right in once, but that was just good timing. 

  
  

  A character breakfast is a guarantee you'll see the characters listed all while you are eating a meal you need to eat anyway. They come to your table and spend a few minutes, sign autographs, take pics, etc. 

  
  

  Doing them daily isn't my thing, but scheduling a few is a timesaver and much more enjoyable I think. 

  I had no idea.  That is good information to know ahead of time.

  
  

  I think that will be my struggle, adjusting my expectations.  I struggle with it on a daily basis, so I will have to work on it before we go.  I think I get so wrapped up in everything being perfect, and satisfying the vision in my  head, that I forget to enjoy those moments of pure joy when my children break routine. I am working on it. 

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

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• Court0026 member

  March 2014

  I thought we were just going to "go to Disney".  I still would be thinking that if it weren't for this board   I haven't been in 20 years, so I am kind of out of the loop.
  

  O 10.08 & MJ 6.10
  

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• Disneygeek77 member

  March 2014

  You might be surprised.  Kids usually perk up when they see their favorite characters.  We took DD to Akershus to have lunch with the Princesses.  My goodness she was in a foul mood when we walked in.  I actually freaked out a bit because the meal was supposed to be the highlight of our day and I booked the lunch pretty far in advance.  Well once she figured out there were princesses walking around, her attitude changed immediately.  She  loved it.  

  
  

  La la mama is right.  Disney is not like the commercials where you can skip down main street holding hands with Goofy.  The characters are in specific locations at certain times of day.  Sometimes the lines can be long, especially in the middle of the day.  That is why people enjoy the character meals because it is like killing two birds with one stone.  There are also certain characters ( like Doc McStuffins) that you can only see at a character meal.  

  
  

  I know it seems overwhelming.  I was overwhelmed too, but once I started reading books and Disney blogs ( easywdw.com and wdwprepschool.com), it all started to come together.  

  
  

  I also honestly believe that doing a little bit of planning can make the whole trip much more enjoyable for everyone.  

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• Andrewsgal member

  March 2014

  Disney is magical but like any time you travel with kids they will get over tired and there are times the trip will fall short of your expectations. When things get crazy DH and I look at each other and say "Happiest fucking place on earth" it's kind of our thing that reminds us to chill out and let it go.

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• notkateanymore member

  March 2014

  There is no perfect Disney trip and that's OK. 

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• Andrewsgal member

  March 2014

  Oh and we make it a game to spot the fighting yelling families. They are everywhere. Happiest fucking place on earth!

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• spring_time member

  March 2014

  Andrewsgal said:

  Oh and we make it a game to spot the fighting yelling families. They are everywhere. Happiest fucking place on earth!

  LOL, I remember a time, before kids, at the zoo, where I saw a mom with her two kids.  One was in the stroller crying and throwing a tantrum.  I only caught part of the conversation, but it went something like, "You want to ruin your birthday? Go right ahead. The rest of us are just going to enjoy the day..."   My pre-mommy self judged big time. I know better now.

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

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