One number you didn't see in my post on Disneyland math the other day was how many costumed characters we saw in the park (outside of the parade, which is full of them). That's because, for some reason, there weren't many around. Either we were at the wrong places at the wrong times, or they were hiding from the crowds.

So we opted the next morning for a character breakfast, which is a nice, though pricey, way for your children to get up close and personal with favorite Disney friends. Characters stroll through the dining room and come to each table for autographs and photo ops, so you skip the long lines to greet them in the park. For young children, this might be the main attraction.

You'll need reservations ahead of time; the concierge at our hotel got us into the Chip n' Dale Critter Breakfast at the Grand Californian. During about an hour there the kids got to meet six characters: Chip and Dale the chipmunks, a raccoon, two bears and Pluto, whom we unfortunately called Goofy at first.

He shrugged his shoulders as if to say this happens all the time. Poor Pluto.

Thank goodness he showed up, because the other creatures weren't quite as familiar to my kids. (It might help, if you're planning ahead, to ask about which characters will appear.) But they loved the attention from them just the same. And all of us liked the breakfast buffet, which -- just so you're prepared -- came to $91 including tip for the four of us.

Have you been to character meals at Disneyland or Disney World? Tell us which ones you'd recommend, and whether there are any you'd avoid.

(Photo by me)