Maybe because not everyone agrees that the food is lousy and the character interactions are most certainly not the same in the park as they are in the restaurants?
Seeing as, by your own admission, you have not been to WDW in quite some time, I’m not sure how you even feel qualified to comment on the quality of the food and/or the character interaction that currently occurs.
EDIT: I honestly did not mean for that question to sound as rude as it came across, so I apologize for that. I was genuinely trying to just ask what you base your opinions on? Anyway, again I’m sorry about that.
The most recent one I tried was CRT in 2022. I assure you the food was really bad. It is hard to describe just how bad the food was.
The staff was nice enough, and tried to make up for it. some of the princesses were friendly and enthusiastic, others were not that into it. And I don't mean only how they interacted with us, but all the tables around us. Mind, it does require a certain personality, and anyone can have an off day.
But CRT is an absurdly priced prepaid meal. We had not been inside the castle in over 15 years, so that was part of the motivation. We won't be back anytime soon.
At one point we used to like 1900 Park Fare. The last time we went, which was probably 2019, the lobby/wait area was pretty gross. They had put out an orange slushie machine, but nobody had maintained it. The machine was sticky and gross, with orange goo dripping everywhere, the trash can was overflowing, and people had left empty, and partly empty cups everywhere. the hosts just ignored it, even though they had to keep walking right through the mess. It was very disappointing. That was pre-pandemic though.
While not quite a character meal, a place we adored on our last visit was the Minions Cafe. That place is super! The food items are very creative, and I didn't come away feeling like I'd been soaked. The closest WDW came to that level of fun was some of the special desserts over the summer. they had an Ariel dessert at Friar's Nook that was great, and the Queen of Hearts beverage at - I think Cheshire Cafe.
they don't seem to have fun options like that at most of the character buffets, but maybe we missed them.
We did like Topolino's for dinner, but that was not a character meal. That meal was worth the price. The atmosphere, staff, and food were all excellent. Very nice at sunset. but it is $$$.
