[Dana]

Ok all here it is...My lovely DD had decided that she maybe a little too old for all those character meals...(yeah they're all planned..I'm thrilled) I need an idea for a fun meal with no characters. This child is only 8 years old...I can count the greys to come when she is older...(of course I dye my hair..but they will still be there:laugh ) Any ideas or thoughts on this? I need suggestions for MGM (not 50's PT did that...didn't care for it)and maybe a resort place. My heart is totally broke over this. I love the characters. My baby thinks she's 12...god help me...why can't they stay little forever? Oh well pitty party over...suggestions?

[PiratesFan]

I'm not too knowledgeable about MGM, but for a fun resort dinner, Ohanna's came to mind in the Polynesian. Open pit fire, all you can eat, and there is some kind of entertainment they do with the kids. Get there early and request a lagoon view especially when the MK has fireworks. Check it out, I'm sure others could elaborate on this better than me. Have a good time on your trip.

[mickey]

Whispering Canyon in the Wilderness Lodge is fun, I think she will really love it. Kind of a participation kind of place. Lots of singing and jokes. Sci-Fi Drive In at MGM might be good for her as well. You could also try Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom or Downtown Disney.

While I wouldn't say there is a lot to do, Kona Cafe in the Polynesian is one of my kids' favorites. Great food and wonderful views of the monorail as it passes. Good luck!

[BDavis932]

I agree with PiratesFan...try O'hana! For about $20/adult ($12ish for kids) you get an all you can eat Polynesian multi-choice appetizer, Grilled Jumbo Shrimp, Turkey medallions, Steak, and Pork. You also get a sweet pinapple for dessert with carmel dipping sauce. Your daughter will love the hula-hoop contest and coconut/broom race. This place is awesome!! I can't recommend it enough!

The "big kahuna" walks around and sings hawaiian style music, and everyone tends to your every need. This is a "don't miss"

I would still keep the character meals...just tell her that they are for you!! (Hey...I'd go to Chef Mickeys even if I didn't have kids!)

[brumcg]

Dana,

I'd keep those plans if I were you. My oldest daughter is now 10. On our last couple of trips she's tried pulling the "I'm too old for the characters act", yet when she comes face to face with the characters, she still loves them and considers them among the highlights of the trip.

She's already pulling the same act for our March trip... it ain't gonna work this time either.

Bruce

[jgriff2388]

My 10 year old daughter loved the Hoop De Doo. She had no idea what to expect and it was one of her favorite things from our last trip. The jokes were very corny and she thought they were very funny. The kids like the food too, basic fare of fried chicken, ribs, etc. Plus all you can drink, so they get that lovely suger high. Outside the Pioneer Hall where the show is at is a petting zoo, so that was a plus. There is also a carriage ride and hey ride near by that you can take after the show.:)

[dab]

I agree with the others about O'Hana's and Rainforest Cafe. Go to the Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney though... it's larger than AK and fun to shop afterwards! Once she is caught up in the "Magic" she isn't going to think she's too grown up for characters! So, have those character meals... and take lots of photos for blackmail when she's dating!! :laugh

[tinkerbell]

our granddaughters -- 10 and 13 have never felt too old for the charactor meals and I am betting like others said ..once she is there .. she wont be either :) I remember this past april Lisa the 13 year old felt she was too old for the craft tables in the WSC .. but she loved some kind of hunt at AKL .. that was going on during Earth day celebration.
but what I really thought when I saw this was ..something about seeing the charactors turn us all in to children .. personally for me ( ya'll will prolly laugh ) I never think of it as someone inside a costume .. I think of them as really being the charactor

[smallworld]

Dana: My daughter is 15 and we STILL do the character meals; although not breakfast. She loves it! Still gets autographs. She is making one of those creative memories scrapbooks of her visits to WDW since she was 3--the 8 or is it 9th visit coming up end of this month.

She loves to chase down the characters for a hug and picture. Sometimes now we take along an old photo of when she was 3 and very shy with Minnie to show Minnie now.

Secretly, I think she knows that under those costumes are so good looking boys now that she could have cared less about at the age of 3!!!!!!!!!!!! Smallworld

[disneycouple30]

Don't cancel the character meals, the kids once there will love them, like everyone said above once there she will be very glad you didn't cancel them. Tell her my 10 year old gandson and 12 year old granddaughter thought they were to old for them, but were glad we went. Plus these 5.6 and 5.3 yrs old kids (56 & 53)are heading to two of them next week.

[Dana]

We did a compromise. I told I wanted to to the character meals. She now feels like she is doing something I wanted to do....We kept any three of her choice. We ended up with Chef Mickey's, Libert Tree for dinner, and Breakfastsaurus. It turns out that if Pluto is there, she isn't too old for the character meal...:laugh :laugh She didn't want to do the princess meal in Norway or Hollywood and Vine ( I am totally bummed about that one) She loves Chef Mickey's and at first that was the only one sh'e agree to keep. I think you are all right in saying, once we get there she will be more "into it". I think I may have killed the whole thing with a major case of Disneyitis and over planning. Her way is better ...gives us more flexability. Thanks all for the great ideas. We did the hoop de doo last trip and are going to pass this time. I'm thinking about the Whispering canyon place that Mickey suggested. It sounds like fun and it's right where we are staying...p[erfect for a late dinner after the early closing in the parks.

[dab]

What a good mom and a good compromise! I hope you enjoy all of the wonderful meals and memories!

[Dana]

Originally posted by dab
What a good mom and a good compromise! I hope you enjoy all of the wonderful meals and memories!

Thanks Dab. I hope you enjoy your trip in 2 days..you lucky dog! I am going to take many pictures and post them in her year book when she is a teenager.:laugh :laugh :laugh

[dab]

Good plan!!:devil I'll have to bank that idea for my grey hair days!

[Michael Darling]

Originally posted by Dana
My baby thinks she's 12...god help me...why can't they stay little forever? Oh well pitty party over...suggestions?

Well, I'm 19 and I think I'm 12 and I still enjoy character breakfasts. That is, if I'm with other 19-year olds who also think they're twelve!