Character dining question: number of characters per meal

[KentB3]

Would anyone here know how many characters generally show up at each of the various character meals at WDW? Also, what is generally the maximum number of characters that go around from table to table greeting guests? IIRC, at Chef Mickey's, there are 5 characters that walk around greeting guests at dinner (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale) and Goofy hangs around the desert bar (I heard about Goofy showing guests how to make a cupcake).

Also, Cinderella's Royal Table character breakfast usually has 5 characters in the dining hall at breakfast, with the Fairy Godmother in the lobby; but I have heard of as many as eight characters inside the dining hall during the early days that this character breakfast (mid-1990's when the restaurant was known as King Stephan's). Could someone please clear this up for me?

 

[mkt]

here's no set number, but the rule of thumb is no less than 2, and no more than 6 (less than 2 is a tease, more than 6, is too hard to staff)

 

[KentB3]

Originally posted by mkt
here's no set number, but the rule of thumb is no less than 2, and no more than 6 (less than 2 is a tease, more than 6, is too hard to staff)

Does the "no more than 6" refer to the characters greeting guests in the dining hall at their tables, or does this mean 5 characters in the dining hall with another character elsewhere? (ie: the Fairy Godmother in the dining hall at Cinderella's or Goofy at the dessert bar at Chef Mickeys-- with the other 5 characters greeting guests at their tables)

BTW, thanks for your prompt reply to my question!

 

[mkt]

that's really just a rule of thumb... other variables, such as who is available, and who can't appear, can also affect how many characters appear

 

[KentB3]

Originally posted by mkt
that's really just a rule of thumb... other variables, such as who is available, and who can't appear, can also affect how many characters appear

Well, what are some of the variables? IIRC, Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast seems to have quite a variation in characters; in addition to Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother (who appears in the lobby). What is generally the maximum number of characters for Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast that appear inside the restuarant greeting guests at their tables? (not counting the Fairy Godmother who greets guests in the lobby) I have heard of as many as eight characters at breakfast in the early days (1995-97; then known as King Stephan's), but it seems that not quite that many appear there currently; judging from various WDW books and information from the Internet. As far as I know, this is the most popular character meal at WDW.

Anyway, thanks once again for your reply!

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

Originally posted by mkt
that's really just a rule of thumb... other variables, such as who is available, and who can't appear, can also affect how many characters appear

who can't appear? what determines this...

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

At the Crystal Palace Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and EEyore make the rounds and we always see them at our table at least once. The only time I see them all together is when they a take a group photo with the very first party to be seated for the day. Our hostesss told us this piece of information.

 

[mkt]

Kent, Josh, PM me for more info... i'm trying to keep the magic around... i will give you one basic hint though. Just like every other company, when someone calls in sick at Disney, they struggle to replace them

 

[shedsounds]

We had a Character Breakfast at the Crystal Palce the wednesday after Labor Day this year, it was soooo quiet. We had about 4 visits each from Tiger, EEyore and Piglet, in the end you almost wanted them to stay away so you could get on with your breakfast *joke*

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by shedsounds
We had a Character Breakfast at the Crystal Palce the wednesday after Labor Day this year, it was soooo quiet. We had about 4 visits each from Tiger, EEyore and Piglet, in the end you almost wanted them to stay away so you could get on with your breakfast *joke*

I wonder about this sometimes. I usually like to get a very early or very late meal. Sometimes there aren't that many people around. I think Chip came and visited 5 times one morning at Hollywood and Vine.

Can characters skip tables if they know you've seen them multiple times? Is there a requirement about how long a character must stay at a table?

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by turkey leg boy
Can characters skip tables if they know you've seen them multiple times?

not unless the guest waves them off... and usually the guests are too polite to do that...

Originally posted by turkey leg boy
Is there a requirement about how long a character must stay at a table?

nope.... they are required however to see X amount of the restaurant in a given time (75% in 45 mins, 100% in 30 mins, etc), it depends wholly on the restaurant

 

[TURKEY]

Thanks MKT!!!

Some of life's mysteries are now solved.