Dining with characters is done

[Ronnie Sanford]

Good evening Wdwmagic

Having a meal with characters is coming to an end. For good. WDC labels it as a suspension, but the truth is the return of character meals is improbable. Hong Kong and Shanghai’s physical distancing SOP simply won’t work in Orlando.

Cost benefit analysis results, safety and the need to lower expenses are the main reasons.
Cue the chopping block.

 

[Joel]

"Physical distancing won't work, so it's gone for good even after physical distancing is no longer necessary."

Seems legit.

 

[Unbanshee]

Yeah, this thread and "info" won't age well

 

[drizgirl]

..... until Disney realizes nobody will pay those prices without the characters.

I'm sure they will suspend it for now. But they will eventually be back.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Character meals have come and gone in the past, but I find it hard to believe they'll be gone forever.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Character dining is what commanded the high prices. It’s why characters were added to the castle, wilderness lodge, Tusker House, Norway, etc.

 

[icc2515]

If we are lucky what will not come back is the dining plan. Character dining will most definitely return as it makes money.

 

[Astro Blaster]

Yep as others have said, I’d be shocked if it was gone forever. Social distancing is temporary, adding characters is an easy way to make extra $, and guests like it.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Fingers crossed we get Artist Point back!

 

[Squeeze The Day]

Gone for good seems a bit on the harsh side. Gone while Social Distancing needs to be enforced may have been a better choice of words. I don’t think we will be living at a 6 foot distance from people when we go outside forever.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Not sure if this will be permanent, but Disney already confirmed that character dining wasn’t going to come back at this point.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Character dining is what commanded the high prices. It’s why characters were added to the castle, wilderness lodge, Tusker House, Norway, etc.

I agree, but counter example: Disney got rid of the characters at Liberty Tree Tavern and still kept the price.

Dining Plan made this possible because so many were not paying the sticker price with cash.

 

[asianway]

Fingers crossed we get Artist Point back!

BEEF BARLEY SOUP!

 

[ToTBellHop]

What utter nonsense.

 

[Doberge]

Disney has been cutting costs for years but only adding more and more character dining. If they could make more money cutting characters it would have happened already.

 

[Horizons1]

Fingers crossed we get Artist Point back!

Should have never lost it in the first place.

 

[HansGruber]

..... until Disney realizes nobody will pay those prices without the characters.

LOL, seriously? The one thing I've realized about the Disney consumer is there is no logic behind their insanity.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

..... until Disney realizes nobody will pay those prices without the characters.

I'm sure they will suspend it for now. But they will eventually be back.

Bingo...they’re a ripoff cattle call in Orlando BECAUSE of the characters...

No matter how much your ecv begs for mercy...it’s not like they’re losing money charging you $45 for breakfast or $60.00 for dinner...

The food quality “ain’t that great” anymore

 

[Notes from Neverland]

Gone for now due to health regulations? Yes. Gone forever? Hardly.

Statements such as "forever" or "never again" or "gone for good" are silly during these unprecedented times. No one can predict what things will look like 6 months or even a year from now, so why make assessments with such certainty?

 

[No Name]

This is a wdwmagic crisis! We used to blame Bob Chapek for everything, but now he’s no longer head of DPEP. Prince D’Charming has replaced him. So who do we blame now?