UPDATE:
Good morning. So, we walk into Trattoria al Forno and I go up to the counter to check us in. I apologize for being late (10 Mins) and ask if we can add a chair for my son at our table. I explain that he's in the college program, and he'd like to sit with us, but won't be eating. I said he only found out his schedule a few days ago, and since he's off, we'd like to sit and visit with him. Well, the first girl says it's not a problem and sure she can do that. Then, out of nowhere, this other woman says nope, not unless you pay the $35 price tag. So, I interject and repeat that he won't be eating and she tells me it's for the entertainment. Hello? What???? You want us to pay $35 to sit at the table, not eat, but he can take pics with the characters (which he wasn't going to do anyway)...So, I explain again that he's in the college program, my mom (his grandma) hasn't seen him since December, and can he just sit with us???? She says nope again, THEN tells me if he'd like to sit next door where the characters don't visit, he can and just have a glass of water. AGAIN, I said,"WHAT?" I said,"Doesn't that defeat the purpose of us getting to sit and visit with him?" She then shrugs her shoulders and walks away!!!!!! Ok, am I just a moron? Was that like the worst Disney display of a cast member EVER???? I don't get it...We were all VERY disappointed. So, poor Tim walks in, hugs and kisses all around, and we have to tell him for the next hour or so he has to walk around the Boardwalk and wait for us to eat. I told him I would pay the $35 for him to sit with us, but he graciously said he would meet us in an hour. Does that entire situation suck, or what??????? I thought about canceling the reservation, but Gia was so excited to see Ariel...Unfortunately, I don't think we will be coming back. It's disappointing because the food and character interaction were top notch. The cast member encounter, NOT SO MUCH!!!!