Just my thoughts having done most character meals on property to describe how this compares.
How Much Does This Cost?
$334 for one adult and one child. It's about $99 more for each extra adult and $235 for each additional child (3-9). Price includes tax and gratuity. Kids under 3 are free, but if you want gifts for them, that's an extra $234.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
Yes. It 'ain't cheap.
When Does This Happen?
5 days a week, dates and start time vary.
How Do I Get There?
Give yourself plenty of time if you're using WDW transportation. You'll need to take a bus to MK and then the Monorail from there. The boats from MK to Grand Floridian don't start until 30 min before park opening so they may not be able to get you there in time for check in. You might want to Uber or use a Minnie Van instead if this sounds like it's going to take awhile.
What's Included?
Food for everyone in your group including sandwiches, tea and cake for adults. Kids 3-9 get several toys and souvenirs and apple juice instead of tea. No Long Island Ice Tea or alcohol is served. The Tea I got had a green apple flavour.
What are the Toys?
18" Aurora doll (pink dress), necklace, bracelet and crown for girls. Sword, shield, teddy bear and pin for boys. Both get a certificate, long stem pink rose and thank you card as well. You can buy these toys for an additional charge for guests 10+, but you could probably get similar items at a lower price elsewhere in WDW or online. The doll is exclusive to this event, but no where close to the quality of the LE Disney store ones. AFAIK you cannot substitute the toys for something else and there is no other character doll to choose from besides Aurora. You pay for these things for every child ages 3-9. No exceptions. That's why this event is so expensive. You pay in part to have all these things waiting for you when you arrive.
How Long is this event?
Check in is 15 before the event starts. There may be a delay in the start time to get everyone checked in. From the time everyone is welcomed to the time the kids do their parade around the lobby and photo opp this takes about 2 hours. For that reason, I would not plan on doing any parks that morning or earlier afternoon. You'll also be carrying around the kid's swag afterwards.
How Many People are There?
The Garden View Tea Room seats at most 65 people. On the day I went not every seat was taken and there was about a 2:1 ratio of adults to kids.
What Happens?
Rose Petal is the MC for the event. She greets everyone and leads the group in storytelling and song (some non-Princess ones as well) with the help of a keyboard player. Food and tea is served intermittently in between the activities. Kids are invited to come to the centre of the room and show off their Princess skillz. Aurora comes later to say hi to everyone and both Rose Petal and Aurora come to every table. Because of how few kids are there, they spent a lot more time with each group than you would find at a regular character meal. Service in general is much more polished and personalized in comparison.
Do Any Other Characters Come?
No, just Aurora. If you want to meet several princesses at one meal, you're better off doing something else.
What if My Kid Hasn't Seen Sleeping Beauty?
Not to worry. The story is told as part of the event. However, if your child doesn't like Sleeping Beauty or Aurora, they may not care for the event.
Obviously, kids will wear whatever costume they want. Most were not dressed as Aurora when I went.
Is it Worth It?
Depends. Can your child sit patiently for an hour + meal? Do they like stereotypical "princess" things like pink dresses and such? Are you willing to spend that kind of money for a one-time event? Obviously, it's up to you to decide.
This event is on another level than your typical character meal. You are not rushed, you do not need to leave your table to get food, your child gets several gifts and lots of personal attention and chances to interact with the MC. Unlike BBB or some other makeover package, adults can do this with their children. I think this is a great alternative for that reason and a great "birthday gift" (seemed most kids were having their birthday on the day I went), but it's not something I would recommend to everyone for every trip.
Again, if you want to do a "character meal" this is NOT the best option. You only see Aurora. No Mickey or Ariel or anyone else. It's also not a place to fill up on food or to start your day in the parks.
However, if your child loves "girly things" like pretend tea time and you are looking to do something special with them, this may be worth the money.
If you have any other questions, let me know.
How Much Does This Cost?
$334 for one adult and one child. It's about $99 more for each extra adult and $235 for each additional child (3-9). Price includes tax and gratuity. Kids under 3 are free, but if you want gifts for them, that's an extra $234.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
Yes. It 'ain't cheap.
When Does This Happen?
5 days a week, dates and start time vary.
How Do I Get There?
Give yourself plenty of time if you're using WDW transportation. You'll need to take a bus to MK and then the Monorail from there. The boats from MK to Grand Floridian don't start until 30 min before park opening so they may not be able to get you there in time for check in. You might want to Uber or use a Minnie Van instead if this sounds like it's going to take awhile.
What's Included?
Food for everyone in your group including sandwiches, tea and cake for adults. Kids 3-9 get several toys and souvenirs and apple juice instead of tea. No Long Island Ice Tea or alcohol is served. The Tea I got had a green apple flavour.
What are the Toys?
18" Aurora doll (pink dress), necklace, bracelet and crown for girls. Sword, shield, teddy bear and pin for boys. Both get a certificate, long stem pink rose and thank you card as well. You can buy these toys for an additional charge for guests 10+, but you could probably get similar items at a lower price elsewhere in WDW or online. The doll is exclusive to this event, but no where close to the quality of the LE Disney store ones. AFAIK you cannot substitute the toys for something else and there is no other character doll to choose from besides Aurora. You pay for these things for every child ages 3-9. No exceptions. That's why this event is so expensive. You pay in part to have all these things waiting for you when you arrive.
How Long is this event?
Check in is 15 before the event starts. There may be a delay in the start time to get everyone checked in. From the time everyone is welcomed to the time the kids do their parade around the lobby and photo opp this takes about 2 hours. For that reason, I would not plan on doing any parks that morning or earlier afternoon. You'll also be carrying around the kid's swag afterwards.
How Many People are There?
The Garden View Tea Room seats at most 65 people. On the day I went not every seat was taken and there was about a 2:1 ratio of adults to kids.
What Happens?
Rose Petal is the MC for the event. She greets everyone and leads the group in storytelling and song (some non-Princess ones as well) with the help of a keyboard player. Food and tea is served intermittently in between the activities. Kids are invited to come to the centre of the room and show off their Princess skillz. Aurora comes later to say hi to everyone and both Rose Petal and Aurora come to every table. Because of how few kids are there, they spent a lot more time with each group than you would find at a regular character meal. Service in general is much more polished and personalized in comparison.
Do Any Other Characters Come?
No, just Aurora. If you want to meet several princesses at one meal, you're better off doing something else.
What if My Kid Hasn't Seen Sleeping Beauty?
Not to worry. The story is told as part of the event. However, if your child doesn't like Sleeping Beauty or Aurora, they may not care for the event.
Obviously, kids will wear whatever costume they want. Most were not dressed as Aurora when I went.
Is it Worth It?
Depends. Can your child sit patiently for an hour + meal? Do they like stereotypical "princess" things like pink dresses and such? Are you willing to spend that kind of money for a one-time event? Obviously, it's up to you to decide.
This event is on another level than your typical character meal. You are not rushed, you do not need to leave your table to get food, your child gets several gifts and lots of personal attention and chances to interact with the MC. Unlike BBB or some other makeover package, adults can do this with their children. I think this is a great alternative for that reason and a great "birthday gift" (seemed most kids were having their birthday on the day I went), but it's not something I would recommend to everyone for every trip.
Again, if you want to do a "character meal" this is NOT the best option. You only see Aurora. No Mickey or Ariel or anyone else. It's also not a place to fill up on food or to start your day in the parks.
However, if your child loves "girly things" like pretend tea time and you are looking to do something special with them, this may be worth the money.
If you have any other questions, let me know.
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