Disney Tip Thursday

Character Meals - This is a great way to NOT stand for hours in those park lines to get a photo op and signature with the Disney characters! My tip is to schedule your ADR close to the last sitting for breakfast. Breakfast is the less expensive meal too. One - you can call this lunch instead so you can do just two full meals that day. Two - you can probably see the characters almost twice since they go around quickly to make sure all the last sittings were seen. They work like this: You check in and then they offer a photo op with a character or a restaurant sign at the entrance. These are the packages you can buy for like $30. (TIP - you CAN pass this if you choose and save the money) You are seated at your table and be sure that who ever is taking the pictures have a good angle and the kids have excess to get up to hug the characters. Then get out the camera and signature books and be ready for them to come by. (TIP - Make sure you have a thick pen for the character to hold) Waitess brings your drinks and here comes one. The character will stay just enough for a signature and a couple of photos then leave. (FYI - characters in full costume do not talk only characters in human form like a princess do) Then you have time to get your buffet plate full and back to the table when the next character comes. Pics and signatures then you have time to eat til the next character comes. It continues until you are done eating and have seen all the characters. If you missed one, ask your waitress to tell them to come back. They will make sure it happens. Let them know if you have a birthday cause they sing and bring you a surprise! Our favorite character meal is Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. Whether breakfast or dinner. You get to see the some of the main Disney characters: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald or Chip and Dale. It also books up fast so plan your ADR well in advance at 180 days. The meals are buffet style and very good. Check out here for the breakfast menu and prices http://allears.net/menu/menu_cmb.htm and dinner menu and prices http://allears.net/menu/menu_cmk.htm . Notice the breakfast to cheaper! It is also at a great resort to see since the monorail runs thru the resort. You could even take the monorail around to top it off. Kids love it! Try to get in the front next to the driver, it is the best and the kids get a surprise! (My picture on the right is from this meal at our November trip) The next best is Princess Storybook Breakfast in Norway at Epcot. Check out which prinesses, menu and pricing here http://allears.net/menu/menu_psb.htm. The food is brought to your table family style. The princesses are so engaging as they are really into character. Another one is O'hana at the Polynesian Resort. Check out the meal here http://allears.net/menu/menu_ohb.htm. This is also family style to your table. You can see Stitch and Lilo as well as Pluto and Mickey! Stitch is so fun! Trouble maker so beware! So we are trying the new character breakfast in September. Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House in the Animal Kingdom! I will let you know my review after our trip. Whew! These Disney tips are so long winded so I hope they are helping someone out there! Heehee! Have a magical day! Cindy