Character Dining Price Increase & Princesses

[FunMom]

I just called Dinsey Dining today inquiring about Goofy's Kitchen & Ariel's. I was just informed that effective 9/12, the price (all meals) for Adults/Kids including tax and tip will increase to $39.64/$17.34 for Goofy's & $34.69/$19.82 for Ariel's. I find these prices rather astounding and cost prohibitive, so now I'm re-evaluating....

We'll be in the parks with our nieces who love princesses and are also interested in seeing other characters. We'll be there for 4 1/2 days the beginning of October, Thursday - Monday

Since it is not summer, and most kids are in school, will the Princess Fantasy Faire NOT be crowded on Thursday and Friday? Can we expect to see a variety of princesses there, or do we still need to do character dining at Ariel's so they can see princesses?

I've never taken notice before - but can we expect to see many princesses throught the park as we spend the day as usual? I have seen the suggestion to go to City Hall for the day's list of character locations and times.

[River Belle]

Eee gads--that is pretty steep. We've never eaten at Goofy's, and now I'm not sure we ever will. At $100 for a family of 3, there are many places I'd much rather eat. Of course it's Disneyland, and you're paying for the character interaction, but is it really worth that much?

[I heart Disney]

I find it best to not look at the prices. Just go and have a good time. Worry about the price later!

[D15]

I've never taken notice before - but can we expect to see many princesses throught the park as we spend the day as usual? I have seen the suggestion to go to City Hall for the day's list of character locations and times.

As far as I know, princesses can now only be found at the Princess Fantasy Faire- no longer out and about around the park.

[mommy-san]

I find it best to not look at the prices. Just go and have a good time. Worry about the price later!

That is my thinking exactly. I have always thought the price we pay for character meals was worth it since there is no line-up to see your favorites. (unlike the 1 hour wait we had at the Fantasy Faire thing!)

Yes, it is expensive compared to an every day meal- but at barely $20.00 more than it was is it really gonna break the bank for the whole holiday?

[DangerMouse]

Unfortunately, the princesses are now held captive at PFFT!

No more spontaneous and magical meet and greets around the castle.

You can see Ariel in her shell at Triton's Gardens still, and Jasmine if she is performing at Aladdin's Oasis. You can also see a princess (usually Cinderella or Aurora) at Drawn to the Animation show in the DCA Hollywood Backlot.

[Koala Gurl]

Even w/ the price increase, I still think Ariel's Grotto is a good deal. I have 2 little kids, so they eat free, and I don't have to try and balance a tray of food on my double stroller while trying to find an open table (that there is worth the price.) Add to that, DD is totally entertained by the princesses, so I get to eat my meal. (Yeah, I usually go just the 3 of us, so anything to make the day easier is nice.)

Consider what you get as well...appetizer, entree, dessert, and a soda w/ refills. That would run only slightly less in the parks.

[amarvel]

i am so ticked at myself now, i would have gone to ariels two weeks ago had i known about this price increase, we were going to go in april instead, soooo bummed, that might be too expensize now, first blue bayou and now this...so bummed!

[Malcon10t]

Princesses can be found at the Animation area during certain times of the day.

[Koala Gurl]

What are the current prices for Ariel's? Is it $29.99??

[mynameisearl]

We were just there last week and I believe it was $20.99 for adults and $13.99 for kids. That seemed like a deal to me. The price increase seems a bit steep, but we will probably do it again. We really enjoy the food and atmosphere.

[Koala Gurl]

Ahh, that IS a much bigger jump than I thought! (I was thinking it was around $30 anyway...guess it isn't such a big jump for me...LOL!)

[Malcon10t]

We were just there last week and I believe it was $20.99 for adults and $13.99 for kids. That seemed like a deal to me. The price increase seems a bit steep, but we will probably do it again. We really enjoy the food and atmosphere.

Its $20.99 before taxes and gratuity. After tax and tip, its the $27.25. So its is going up about $7 per adult and about $3 per child.

[Darkbeer]

Wow, maybe we have an answer as to when the AP and Single Day prices will be going up (a Wednesday???)

As for current prices, here are all the Character Meal Prices, I am going to post the actual price, then add 26% (8% tax and 18% tip) to come up with the full amount charged.

Plaza Inn Breakfast - Adults $21.99, Kids (3-9) $11.99 - ($27.72/$15.12)

Ariel's Grotto (same price for Lunch and Dinner) $20.99/$13.99 - ($26.46/$17.64)

PCH Lilo and Stitch Breakfast - $21.99/$11.99 - ($27.72/$15.12)

GCH Chip 'n Dale Breakfast - $21.99/$11.99 - ($27.72/$15.12)

Goofy's Kitchen Brunch - $21.99/$11.99 - ($27.72/$15.12)

Goofy's Kitchen Dinner - $28.99/$11.99 - ($36.54/$15.12)

And the biggest increase, the Adult Ariel's Grotto price, that is too much IMHO!

[Darkbeer]

Let me clarify, as I have gotten some PM's.

Wednesday, as in Wednesday, September 12th.

Based on what happened last year, and the fact other changes are being made, sounds like a good date to increase the Single Day and AP prices. Only need to update the website once, along with other signage.

Just an educated guess so far, but makes sense, just prior to HalloweenTime and a good opportunity for a SoCal special, such as a 2fer. Add a few dollars to the basic price gets you a high single digit increase in price that is "hidden"....

[DizneyMommy]

The OP said ALL MEALS at Goofy's were going up to the same price - can that possibly be true? Can they really be doing a nearly $20 increase on breakfast?

[Malcon10t]

The OP said ALL MEALS at Goofy's were going up to the same price - can that possibly be true? Can they really be doing a nearly $20 increase on breakfast?

Its $12. ($27-39)

[River Belle]

Its $12. ($27-39)

Even this seems ridiculous to me! Disney will keep raising their prices, and I'll keep on paying because I love the place...BUT--this really is disappointing.

I'm not usually one to complain about modest yearly increases. In fact, I expect them. But this time I can't help but complain...this is really steep.

[momto3princesses]

We were just in Disneyland and California Adventure last week. My most recent experience:

Eee gads--that is pretty steep. We've never eaten at Goofy's, and now I'm not sure we ever will. At $100 for a family of 3, there are many places I'd much rather eat. Of course it's Disneyland, and you're paying for the character interaction, but is it really worth that much?

It is ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT A DOUBT worth that much! Drop in the bucket when you think about airfare, hotel, tickets to get in, all meals, Disney sweatshirts, etc. Cut corners somewhere else (cheaper hotel? or bring a box of cereal for breakfast in your room instead of the $50 per day breakfast buffet we did in our hotel for our family of five... multiply times six - ugh).

It is expensive so we do just one character meal (used to do two when we were a family of four) but I wouldn't dream of skipping it. For example, we do dinner at Goofy's Kitchen the day we arrive (we don't do the parks on travel days). For our money we got: private (just our table) interaction with Belle, Jasmine, Goofy, Chip, Dale, Pluto & Minnie. Every 10 minutes or so, one of them would walk up. Face characters talk to your kids; other ones high five them, hug them, play peek a boo, etc. All characters will pose for pix with your kids and/or family. No lines, no other kids getting in your photo, no feeling of urgency or waiting. And there is a great buffet with everything you could imagine. My husband had prime rib and garlic mashed potatoes. I had shrimp. There is a whole section of "kid food"; there are both healthy and not so healthy options for kids and adults.

[QUOTE=I heart Disney;1121458]I find it best to not look at the prices. Just go and have a good time.QUOTE]
Definitely!!

As far as I know, princesses can now only be found at the Princess Fantasy Faire- no longer out and about around the park.

I found this to be true when we were just there. The princesses USED to be found out and about near the castle. Now just Ariel in her grotto (only between the hours of noon and 5:00 when we were there; had stopped by every day - morning or evening apparently - and found it empty for days before I asked. Princess sightings are hard to come by these days - except at the Princess Faire which I was disappointed in. That used to be the Snow White theater show which was MUCH better IMO.

Do make sure to see the Aladdin theater show (near Tower of Terror in CA); that is great!

But regarding character meals, I vote to go to dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. Plan on an hour and a half there. Even with a reservation, there may be a bit of a wait. Oh, and anywhere they have staff photographers (like near the check in desk at Goofy's Kitchen, Ariel's Grotto, Mickey or Minnie's house, etc) you can use your own camera to get the same pic without paying $14.95.

[annieb727]

So...with the price increase - do you think I would be safe if I purchased the discounted Character meals from getawaytoday (we bought a hotel package from them)? I buy them now and pick them up at the park...we're not arriving until the 17th of Sept...but would that essentially LOCK me in at the lower price?? I wasn't going to get them, and just use AAA or AP discount, BUT if I can prepay and lock in my price, I most certainly will!

Thanks!
~Annie

[Malcon10t]

So...with the price increase - do you think I would be safe if I purchased the discounted Character meals from getawaytoday (we bought a hotel package from them)? I buy them now and pick them up at the park...we're not arriving until the 17th of Sept...but would that essentially LOCK me in at the lower price?? I wasn't going to get them, and just use AAA or AP discount, BUT if I can prepay and lock in my price, I most certainly will!

Thanks!
~Annie

The only one that would be cheaper still would be Goofy's breakfast. Dinner would still be cheaper with the AP/AAA discount.

[The Evil Queen]

That's CRAZY! I KNOW that I can't eat almost $40 worth of buffett food even if it IS Goofy's Kitchen and there aren't any chicken nuggets, fried shrimp, and peanut butter and jelly pizza worth $17.

BUT, it IS Disneyland and you only do it once (maybe twice) a year so, I'll just suck it up and go with the flow. Afterall, with the dining plan dollars, it feels like play money anyway, right?

[annieb727]

The only one that would be cheaper still would be Goofy's breakfast. Dinner would still be cheaper with the AP/AAA discount.

well, we only do the breakfasts anyway...The price for the breakfasts on getaway today, which is for Goofy's Kitchen, PCH Grill, Storyteller's, or Minnie & Friends, is $25.00 adults and $14.00 kids.

[K & S]

Wow, maybe we have an answer as to when the AP and Single Day prices will be going up (a Wednesday???)

As for current prices, here are all the Character Meal Prices, I am going to post the actual price, then add 26% (8% tax and 18% tip) to come up with the full amount charged.

Plaza Inn Breakfast - Adults $21.99, Kids (3-9) $11.99 - ($27.72/$15.12)

Ariel's Grotto (same price for Lunch and Dinner) $20.99/$13.99 - ($26.46/$17.64)

PCH Lilo and Stitch Breakfast - $21.99/$11.99 - ($27.72/$15.12)

GCH Chip 'n Dale Breakfast - $21.99/$11.99 - ($27.72/$15.12)

Goofy's Kitchen Brunch - $21.99/$11.99 - ($27.72/$15.12)

Goofy's Kitchen Dinner - $28.99/$11.99 - ($36.54/$15.12)

And the biggest increase, the Adult Ariel's Grotto price, that is too much IMHO!

18%????

I don't know of any travel guide that suggests an 18% tip for a buffet. Most travel guides recommend $2 per person at a buffet, even in Vegas.

I worked my way through college as a waitress and I knew the better service I gave, the more money Id make. Forced tipping leads to mediocre service because it undermines the entire concept of tipping.

[The Evil Queen]

18%????

I don't know of any travel guide that suggests an 18% tip for a buffet. Most travel guides recommend $2 per person at a buffet, even in Vegas.

I worked my way through college as a waitress and I knew the better service I gave, the more money Id make. Forced tipping leads to mediocre service because it undermines the entire concept of tipping.

For those of you using the dining plans, I may be wrong, but the tip is included in the Character Buffets...I don't know if it is a full 18%, tho.

The first time we used them, we threw down extra cash for a tip and the server refused and advised us that the tip was already included.