Time is precious on your Disney vacation. Whether you have one day to explore your favorite park or a week to roam the resort at your leisure, every moment you spend on Disney property counts. We do our best to cram in as much activity as possible, often transitioning from Lightning Lanes to Dining reservations without a breath to spare. So much so that, in our family, sometimes even the relaxing pool time must be actively scheduled. This brings me to this week’s Disney Debate topic.
One Disney activity seems to have fans divided: character dining. While, admittedly, character dining can be an enchanting experience that your family will never forget, it does come at a cost, and not only the (sometimes extravagant) price tag. A character dining experience can take a considerable chunk of time out of your day, which not everyone is willing to forgo, even if money isn’t an issue. If the time isn’t an issue, the costly venture can leave your wallet worse for wear, too, with many of the popular options priced at over $60 per adult.
For us, the answer has changed over time. When my children were younger, it was a great way to corner their favorite characters with a visit in the cool and calmer environment of a dining venue while also keeping them content between characters with some of their favorite food. These days, now that my teenagers are interested in some of the more mature aspects of Disney Parks, I find myself struggling for the time to even consider character dining.
Today, we are asking our DIS community what you think. Is Character Dining a must-do experience for your family, or is it a waste of time and money when you could be out enjoying the parks?
