Topolino's Terrace character dining experience by Dealing with Disney

Topolino’s Terrace ( Topolino is Italian for Mickey!)

 

My breakfast character experience at this semi new dining experience!

I love to find the positives in all my Disney experiences and truly it is not hard to do normally!!

My opinion could very well change once things (hopefully) will return to normal!

 

For a new guest that has never experienced a Disney Character Dining event, this could be a wonderful experience since there is nothing to compare it to.

It is always fun to see the playful favorite characters especially while eating a delightful meal!

One fun highlight to seeing the characters in a dining experience is to see their amazing wardrobe! SO much thought is put into their attire to accentuate the theme of restaurant in.

Some love checking off meeting certain characters in each of their outfits! #Disneygoals #disneybucketlist lol

 

The Restaurant sits on the top floor of the Disney’s Riviera Resort (accessible via Disney Bus and Disney Skyliner)

There is an amazing loft area to sit, relax -enjoy panoramic view! Beautiful photo ops here!

 

This experience under COVID:

At the elevators, there is a virtual check in area. Sign next to the elevator to scan (QR code) that takes you to a link for the virtual check in.

(How to scan the QR: can scan either via phone camera -will pop up the direct link OR use a QR reader APP)

My link was glitching, it popped up but It would not log in for it to register that I was checking in. I had to check in normally-which I did at the restaurant hostess podium.

 

We were quickly led to our table.. If you don’t mind waiting a bit, you can always ask for a table next to the windows for an amazing view. This would also put you further view from characters though.

Buffet is a fixed rate, typical character Disney rate meal.. $42.00 per adult.

Fixed menu a la cart, you can choose 1 entrée out of 6.

You are also brought a basket of pastries, they will bring more upon request.

I ordered the 2 egg (any style) entrée: roasted potatoes, smoked bacon (super yummy) and 2 eggs.  I did ask if there was any way I could get a waffle as a side dish.. I mean, I was at Disney eating breakfast and how do you NOT have a mickey waffle? Just FYI, it was a sour cream waffle (an entrée off the menu) so not exactly the waffle I was expecting but she was being super awesome in letting me have it –no way I could complain!

They happily obliged without charging extra (can’t say they will always allow this but my belief is—it never hurts to ask)

To see the menu, you can either review it from the My Disney Experience APP or ask for a Paper menu, or scan the QR code provided at the table for a direct link to the menu. When I asked for a paper menu, my host looked a tad put out. I am hoping it was just an off day for her.. either way, I never actually got it. The waitress did bring one over when I asked her but only 1. There were 4 of us. We were struggling getting our APP up..

Characters: They come out one at a time every 15 minutes-dancing to a little tune. The make their way around the restaurant stopping at 4 corners of the main dining room. After each character takes their turn, they will then all come out together. They stay separate—making their way again around the dining room -stopping at each corner again until they each male a complete cycle.

They are also giving you a postcard with the character pre-stamped signatures. It’s presented with the bill. They forgot ours and I’ve seen that happen before. I wasn’t worried about 

it but if you would like to have one, don’t hesitate to ask for it. 

Here is a quick video of characters: CLICK ME

My Thoughts:

It was cute. I loved their outfits and the fun music.

I could see some kids and adult kids excited, taking their paparazzi pictures. For guests who may not know the difference, this may meet their needs. For guests who have experienced previous character meals, this is very unfulfilling. We go for the interaction and personalization they offer.  One could knock out some character meet and greets while dining/resting! It worked as a two in one benefit for time! The cost is pretty pricey so this new version negates ALL benefits (IMO)

Food is Disney food court quality.

Dining hall is pretty but nothing worth the cost of being there. Due to no true character interaction, it is hard to call this a Character experience.

 Hopefully this is still just operating under phased re-openings but It is best to have an understanding of what to expect.

 We will keep tabs on how it continues.

On the positive, due to the low crowd—it is very easy to see the characters, everything runs on time and service is prompt.

What normal expectations were before for Character Dining:

Under previous experiences/norms, the characters would make their rounds around the dining hall. They would stop at each table for photo ops with guests and to sign autographs.

In some restaurants, they did stop the autographs (mainly Minnie's Seasonal Review located at Hollywood and Vines-Hollywood Studios). 

This would provide a great one-on-one guest experience with a character. It also saved so much park time meeting characters while dining versus waiting in lines for the meet & greets. 

 

My thoughts:

I wonder if Disney is planning on using this situation to restructure their character dining experiences. I feel if they don't go back to how they used to be, the value of the experience will not hold value. We will have to cross that bridge as everything unfolds. 

One thought that has crossed my mind for possible changes. On the Disney Cruise, their character breakfasts are held differently than the parks. The characters do come to each table for photo ops and to sign autographs. The guests are not allowed to stand however. The character will stand next to the person or table for the photo ops. I am sure this is more for safety precautions dealing with boat-and possible turbulence. I could see this being applied.