IMAGE GALLERY: Easter Bunny Delights Kids and Parents at Mall Breakfast

Like many other children, William Darbee said he is scared of the Easter Bunny, but an early morning breakfast on Saturday in the food court at Northshore Mall made him more comfortable in an interactive setting.

He said he'll dress up later to take a professional photograph with the Easter Bunny, who will be available for pictures until Easter on April 24.

Darbee's mother, Rachael, said last time they went to the breakfast, they served chicken and biscuits  from Chick-fil-A, which is the main sponsor.

These attendants of the breakfast are  members of Kidgits Club, which runs children's events at Simon Malls, including Northshore & Square One malls, throughout the year -- all for a membership fee of only $5 a year.

Lisa Murcock wasn't feeling the chicken for breakfast previously, but said her daughter loves the fruit cup that they served this year.

She does like how when taking a professional photograph with the Easter Bunny, the staff allows customers to take it with their own camera, as theirs is slightly off-focus and more difficult to edit on a home computer.

At the 2010 breakfast with Santa, free picture-taking wasn't allowed in the food court,  like it was at the 2011 breakfast with the Easter Bunny, which makes the professional photography lee-way even more important.

"I was disappointed," Murcock said.

Event organizer Jenna Lynds, guest services manager, said this annual event brings out a great following --  about 200 parents and children, and if guests weren't Kidgits members, a $5 donation, which included munchkins, a fruit cup, and fruit juice, went towards the Simon Youth Foundation.

"Children can come up to characters on their own terms. It makes them feel more comfortable, and they are more apt to say hi after."

Besides the Easter Bunny, the Chick-fil-A cow posed for pictures with children.

Traci Pace noted that her 5-year-old son, Matthew, was more interested in the cow.

"He keeps on walking up to it," Pace jokes.

His grandmother, Barbara Berdstrom said, "I love these things. They're so cute. We'll definitely come back next year."

Eric Weddle remembered that the Easter Bunny took pictures in the food court sitting down last year, but likes the easier access.

This year, the Easter Bunny walked around to the tables and shook hands with children.

Rebecca O'Laughlin noted her sons, Isaiah and Aidan, changed their minds about taking pictures.

"They don't like characters and hate Chuck-e-Cheese," she said.

Radio Disney entertained the crowd, too.

The road crew played non-stop pop hits, including Justin Bieber & Miley Cyrus' songs, hosted trivia, played bunny hop and other games that reflect the Disney Channel.

"A good time was had by all," Matt Simko, event talent, reflected.

Mall Easter Bunny hours are Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Prices for photos range from $10 to 29.99, excluding tax, but Kidgits members are eligible for a discount with a card ID.

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