[Navywife]

I will be going to Disney in November for the first time And wanted to pick one or two dinner or character meals with my kids. My kids are 5 and my daughter is two (she will turn three later that month) and when I called WDW they said she was free. Yeah that saves a little. But I want to get the most for my money and that the kids will really enjoy. Please give me some pointers!!!!

[ArielBelle]

Hi Navywife!

There are a lot of great character meals to choose from. Try www.wdwig.com and click on dining. That will narrow your search a little and give you a good idea who is where and what serves what. Good luck and happy planning. You must be very excited!

[BuzzLightyear]

Hi and Welcome to DC !!
I am sure you'll get tons of advice on character meals here.
My pick is for the character meal at The Crystal Palace at the MK. This is with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eyeor. I saw so many kids in 5 and under crowd so excited when I was there.
They do this for breakfast or lunch , not sure if they do a character dinner there.

[iluvwdw]

I agree with Buzz...I did Crystal Palace for lunch a few times and it was a blast...and I didn't even have my DS then!!! I plan on doing it again in August, and I also plan to do Chef Mickey's, which I haven't done yet. I hear nothing but great things about this one, too!

[dab]

Welcome to Disney Central! A WDW first timer!!!! We're all going to have fun helping you plan! I agree with the others about Crystal Palace. For dinner you might try Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. It has the fabulous five... Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale (sometimes even Donald). If you want a character meal experience with a smaller budget I then try the Ice Cream Social at Epcot's Garden Grill. It is served between lunch and dinner (3:00 I think) and Mickey, Pluto Chip & Dale are there. One more tip, breakfast is less expensive than lunch or dinner so you might want to try for your table service meals at b-fast and eat counter service at lunch and dinner.

[Willbegone]

Welcome to DC Navywife! My DH was in the Navy aboard the USS Kittyhawk from 1994-1997. I also have to say go for Crystal Palace for lunch and Chef Mickey's for breakfast or Dinner. You want be disappointed. Don't forget WDW has a great military deal out right now.

[Navywife]

Wow! You guys are great. I admit the more I read this site the more I am excited but also overwhelmed. We got in under the military deal so we are staying at the Contemporary Resort for about $100 so I don't think that is bad from what I have seen in some of the disney books. Our passes are also covered through them as well. So really it leaves us with meals and I would like to do some planning ahead so we dont end up with McDonalds all the time. I think we will do the Chef Mickey for sure but for Dinner. But other then that we are open. Is MGM worth going to with small children?

[BuzzLightyear]

Originally posted by Navywife
Is MGM worth going to with small children?

In my opinion it is. It our favorite park to go to as a family. They have Playhouse Disney Live and you can use baby swap to ride the Tower of Terror and Rock-n-rollercoaster!!

[dab]

Originally posted by Navywife
Is MGM worth going to with small children?

Congratulations on the great deal you're getting at the Contemporary and also with the passes. Well deserved!!! To answer your question, I think a half day is all you will probably want. There are a lot of characters there and it is the only place to see Buzz & Woody if that is impt. to your kids.

[neen626]

Welcome NavyWife,

This board is great way to get lots a great tips on your trip and also make such great friends. Everyone here is so very very helpful!!
With this boards help I got great tips for traveling to MK with a 17 month old, and also for planning our character breakfast at Cape May Cafe.

Welcome, Congratulations and Enjoy!
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[Willbegone]

Originally posted by dab
it is the only place to see Buzz & Woody if that is impt. to your kids.

Actually we saw Buzz and Woody on the bridge near where the raft to Tom Sawyer's Island picks up in MK.

As for MGM for small children, YES, Playhouse Disney and Voyage of the Little Mermaid are GREAT for small kids. Plus as already mentioned by dab it is a perfect place to catch alot characters.

[Navywife]

Wow that is great. I had pretty much written MGM off. My husband thought there was a Muppet thing there but he wasnt sure. I didnt realize that Playhouse Disney was there. We will have to stop there for sure. This is a seperate issue but do any of you belong to the Safari Club with the rainforect cafe? Is so it is worth it?

[dab]

Originally posted by Willbegone
Actually we saw Buzz and Woody on the bridge near where the raft to Tom Sawyer's Island picks up in MK.

As for MGM for small children, YES, Playhouse Disney and Voyage of the Little Mermaid are GREAT for small kids. Plus as already mentioned by dab it is a perfect place to catch alot characters.

That is great to know. We saw Jessie & Bullseye in the same place but didn't know that Buzz & Woody could be there too!!! That line at the Studios can get really long!

[tinkerbell]

Welcome to DC NavyWife I grew up a Navybrat :)
no matter what you need to know we all have something to help you decided and no matter what you decide we all hope you will have nothing but magical moments!!!

for a character meal .. chef mickey's is our favorite for food and fun :)
there is so much at all the parks really for small children .. our granddaughters always loved the Honey I shrunk the kids playground, it is one of the best parks to catch even the most hard to find characters as dab said.

[garada3]

Hi NavyWife

My hubby was in the Navy in the late 80's doing something? on submarines. It was before I met him, but alas his tatoos remain, lol!

This board is excellent, I am planning a trip in October and these people have been full of excellent advice. Don't be afraid to ask, they won't think bad of you even if you ask a million tiny details!

I picked up a Passporter guide book at the local bookstore. It has been alot of help so far with the big detail planning and is so handy for keeping my trip stuff organized. it lists all rides and attractions in all the parks which is helping me to organize our days. it has pockets and checklists and stuff like that to keep a "planner" like me smiling. I think it was $20 - $25 dollars. Check one out.

Just a pleased consumer.