Character meals for boys

[CosmicRay]

We have a 6yo daughter who loves the character meals cause she gets to see princesses and Mary Poppins. But there is not much for our son, yes there's Mickey, but he's outgrown Pooh and friends. Why don't they have a Toy Story, Incredibles, or Heros meal for boys? I read the Pirates meal which would be good, but my son would LOVE to see Buzz and Woody. What do you think?

[Jasper]

Several years ago I attended a marketing seminar put on by the Disney Company and held at WDW. During that seminar someone in the room asked basically the same question you just asked.

The response from the Disney "suits" in the room was that their research showed that boys age 6 and above and their families did not respond to character meals in the same way that girls of that same age did. Thus, in their analysis, it was not cost effective to offer the "male" characters in a meal setting. They also went on to say that in general little girls and their families were willing to spend a lot more money to get one-on-one action with a character than boys and their families were.

In other words, it is all about money! Disney has done their homework and decided that this is the best way to shake the coins out of our pockets.

[KylesMom]

I remember having this same discussion back in 2000 - when DS was 24 months old and when I first found Intercot. He's now 10, and Disney has yet to put something in place that would cater to boys. Goodness, they could come up with some really COOL themes as you've mentioned - but they don't. I know that Toy Story continues to reinvent itself and is multi-generational, and for the life of me I haven't been able to figure out why they can't find a place at DHS to cater to the masses with this one! Who knows, maybe with the incarnation of TS3 they'll do something!

Now that I've read Jasper's post:

They also went on to say that in general little girls and their families were willing to spend a lot more money to get one-on-one action with a character than boys and their families were.

I bet most of the parents with little boys here on Intercot would disagree with that!

[#1donaldfan]

With as many places to eat at any Disney location and the ever so crowded places, I can't see why a "boy" focused dinner would not be cost effective. Even some girls are "tom boys" and like buzz, woody....etc....it would be a fun change of pace.....all IMHO, of course..

[loopner67]

their research showed that boys age 6 and above and their families did not respond to character meals in the same way that girls of that same age did.

Wow, this saddens me! My boys are now ages 7 & 9 and I've wanted a "boys Character meal" for years. AND like #1 DonaldFan said, it could even be Toy Story where it wouldn't *just* be for boys. Sorry, but in my house, princesses are *just* for girls. Sigh.

Then, most of the other character meals duplicate the characters. They could, at least, diversify a little more with the characters that they use at the breakfasts? It was a *huge* deal for my boys that they added Stitch to the Ohana breakfast, so that was one victory.

[KylesMom]

Think about what they could do with a 'Star Wars' themed character meal - or heroes featuring Peter Pan, Hercules, Aladdin, Tarzan and others (like the books Disney used to put out). I'd gladly pay the $$$.

Sorry, but in my house, princesses are *just* for girls. Sigh.

Yup! Mine, too. I once suggested we go to a CRT for me and the boys quickly suggested they'd be somewhere else.

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . They also went on to say that in general little girls and their families were willing to spend a lot more money . . .

. . . as witnessed by BBB ridiculous prices
. . . as witnessed by CRT prices
. . . as witnessed by $80-$150 princess outfits

. . . In other words, it is all about money! . . .

. . . duh !

[ElenitaB]

I guess that we don't buy enough "princess get up" type stuff for our boys.

[Disneyatic]

I just can't believe that Disney would think that a "boys themed" character meal wouldn't be well received or profitable. I can tell you 100% that my DH would insist we dined at a Star Wars character meal if it was offered! DD also likes Toy Story and the Incredibles and those are very fun characters that would translate well into a dining atmosphere.
IMO, there is too much character duplication right now in the character meals offered. I know they are all still filled up, but it would be nice to have more variety. They already have the characters and the costumes, why not utilize them???
They seem to be inching along towards including boys more, with the package at BBB, build your own light sabers, the pirates part at WOD, hopefully they'll keep it up and progress to character meals!

[Disneyatic]

I guess that we don't buy enough "princess get up" type stuff for our boys.

I don't have a boy, but I know that when we have gone, I have bought the light saber, pirate guns, some other type of Star Wars gun and a pirate costume for my nephew.
I think if they would offer as much variety of "boys stuff" as they do princess stuff, they would see results.
My nephew is 5 and obsessed with costumes, I know we buy them for him when we see them.

[chrisandmattsmom]

We have two boys ages 7 and 4 and we took them to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary for a character breakfast. There was Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale at the breakfast. Our boys enjoyed them very much! In my opinion, boys are more interested in seeing a variety of characters whereas girls are more interested in seeing the princess characters. I could be wrong, but I know that's how my boys are.

[KylesMom]

Don't get me wrong - Chef Mickey's + Garden Grill + Crystal Palace are all great character meals. However, it would be really fab if there was another selection for boys who were "tweeners". DS has been enjoying character meals at Disney since he was 27 months old, and he still loves Mickey at age 10 (yes, I'm lucky) - but it would be great to see Disney cater specifically to the boy crowd. As mentioned, they've stepped up their merchandising, but they still have a ways to go. Another idea - can you imagine an Indiana Jones breakfast with The Crystal Skull comig out soon?!

[Gator]

What about Donald's Breakfast Safari. If it's anything like Breakfastasaurus, boys will like it. Lot's of food and Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto dressed up in safari gear.

[joanna71985]

Unfortunately Buzz and Woody aren't really suited to be in a character meal.

[ElenitaB]

Yes, our boys do like Mickey and the Fab Five... but boy (no pun intended), would they love a pirate meal or a Star Wars meal or a Toy Story/Pixar character meal. Our last princess meal with DS at age 9 was fun for me but not for him... and in almost every single picture, his discomfort was quite evident.

But seriously, I've often wondered if the powers that be at WDW don't have sons. From the selection at the stores (when they were owned by Disney) to the character meals to programming on the Disney channels, there was such a heavy skew towards girls. Yes, that's beginning to change, but I still can't fathom why there was never a "different" type of character meal.

And btw, I'd love to go to other types of character meals. We both love Mickey and Pluto and Chip and Dale (etc., etc., etc.) but I certainly wouldn't mind a meal with Captain Jack or the Star Wars characters.

[Mom2princesses]

We have two boys ages 7 and 4 and we took them to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary for a character breakfast. There was Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale at the breakfast. Our boys enjoyed them very much! In my opinion, boys are more interested in seeing a variety of characters whereas girls are more interested in seeing the princess characters. I could be wrong, but I know that's how my boys are.

My girls also love to see a variety of characters. So I don't think you statement is true at all about girls. No kid wants to see the same characters over and over again even the princesses.

I do agree though that they need to expand their character meals to include the pirates, toy story, etc.

[Nicki'sMom]

Can you imagine if they opened a character meal featuring Peter Pan, Wendy Captain Hook, Jack Sparrow and say Tiger Lily? It would be so hard to get a ressie that it would make CRT ressies look easy to get. I think Disney is really missing a great opportunity to give its patrons something they really want. Don't they want to keep those of us who frequent the parks as our family vacation interested in returning? I am really hoping something changes cuz as much as our daughter has enjoyed the princesses, I am now pregnant with a boy so my outlook has changed.

[kathiep]

I would love to see a restaurant geared more towards little boys. I have a boy & a girl and they both enjoy Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace.

But, as much as DD enjoys those meals, it doesn't even begin to compare to the princess meals.

And I firmly believe it would be the same for my DS if there was a pirate themed restaurant or some sort of "hero" theme. It would be just a little more magical.

And yes, I know we'd end up spending just as much on pirate gear as we do on princess paraphenalia.

[CosmicRay]

DH and I were discussing the Star Wars themed restaurant last night. That wouldn't appeal just to boys but grown men as well! Plus there is a new Star Wars show coming out this fall. We were saying it'd be cool if they recreate the cantina and have Mace Windoo (sp?) Obi Wan, Darth Vader, Padme even, and Boba Fett are just a few thoughts. DHS has a whole month dedicated to Star Wars, why not a restaurant? I would bet that there would be a great response for it.

[Kenny1113]

I read the Pirates meal which would be good

I have not heard of this. Where is it? How new is it? Where can I find out more!!!