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Mom And Daughter; Animal Kingdom
  • On Mar 27, 2008
    Maggie from CT Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    In the past my 2 y.o. loves charecters (we went to Sesame Place last summer), but only from a distance. We are going to Disney in April and I wanted to plan a special meal for his 3rd B-day (the week following our trip) Any suggestions?

    I would plan a meal with familiar characters. The characters at WDW are very good at not approaching too close when children seem hesitant. As they approach the table, gauge how your child is responding. If all seems good, you can proceed with a picture.

    If not, just stay seated and talk or wave to the character. Sometimes just asking Tigger if he likes to bounce will elicit an unguarded reaction from a weary child. You could place your 2 year old in a seat that is “protected” so that the characters aren’t approaching from behind and startling your child. It helps to be able to observe the characters from afar while they visit with other families.

    For a young child, I would suggest the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom with the friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. This is a cheerful restaurant with nice buffet meals and fun characters.  Another suggestion would be at the Hollywood Studios. The Hollywood and Vine restaurants hosts Playhouse Disney pals for breakfast and lunch. If your child is familiar with Jo Jo and Goliath from Jo Jo's Circus and June and Leo from the Little Einsteins, then these meals are a fun place to sing and dance along with familiar friends.

    Our son got used to characters while visiting HersheyPark. At first we watched the characters from afar, then we worked up to waving and then we slowly approached them. Before long, our son was running up to any fuzzy creatures that looked friendly. Yet it took me by surprise when at 2, he was afraid of the White Rabbit.

    All kids are different with their tolerance levels for noise, crowds, characters and rides. (For instance, while my son loves the characters, for a long time he couldn’t tolerate the noise of many of the shows, including the fireworks.) The important thing is to take cues from your child and tailor your visit to work best for your family.

    Whatever place you choose to enjoy a birthday meal, have the celebration noted on your reservation.
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Meet the Panelist: Kimberly, Tennessee

I am a stay-at-home mom with a 12 year old son. I thrive on planning vacations, especially to WDW. Inspiring families to vacation at Disney with a memorable itinerary and budget-saving tips is extremely rewarding for me. Learn More About Kimberly

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