In our family of 6, it’s always drama booking Advanced Dining Reservations because not everybody likes the same types of food. So when we can find a restaurant that has a buffet it’s great. When you can get a buffet AND meets some characters it’s that much better.
As of today in 2020, many of these dining opportunities are not available, but seeing as many people are beginning to plan their 2021 and beyond trips, I thought I’d take this chance to tell you a bit more about the Walt Disney World Character Dining BUFFET opportunities.
Here is a list of the Buffet/Character experiences available at Walt Disney World Resort. (Character appearances and entertainment are subject to change.) Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR) are highly recommended!
Walt Disney World Resorts
1900 Park Fare
Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. There are three different experiences that happen at 1900 park fare so pay attention! When you go has a big impact on which characters are there.
Breakfast – Supercalifragilistic Breakfast. You’ll enjoy this all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet! You can get custom-made omelets, mini pancakes, Mickey-shaped waffles, carved ham, and more. Characters usually include:
- Mary Poppins
- Alice in Wonderland
- The Mad Hatter
- Tigger
- Winnie the Pooh
Afternoon’s – Wonderland Tea Party. Children ranging from ages 4 to 12 can have a TEA PARTY with Disney Characters from Wonderland for an hour of games, stories, and cupcakes. Children are given special “tea” (apple juice), but the main event is really decorating cupcakes and make a craft to take home. Naturally, there are plenty of photo-ops with their Wonderland hosts.
Dinner – Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner. Enjoy a buffet dinner as the honored Guest of Cinderella and Prince Charming along with the Stepsisters and/or Madame Tramaine! We have even met some of the mice before. You’ll find seafood, salad, pasta, and beef along with every type of delicious carb you’ve been avoiding this year. There is also kid-friendly fare as chicken nuggets, cheese pizza, and the always popular macaroni and cheese.
Cape May Cafe
Cape May is one of our favorite Character Breakfasts and usually it’s easy to get a reservation. It’ is located inside Disney’s Beach Club Resort. You will enjoy an American-style buffet with some of your favorite Disney Characters in their “beachy best”. Cape May Cafe offers a Day at the Beach Themed Character Breakfast with appearances by Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Pluto. You will enjoy Mickey waffles, scrambled eggs, seasoned potatoes, sausage, oatmeal, and more. There are ONLY characters at breakfast at Cape May
Chef Mickey’s
Honestly, Chef Mickey’s is the BEST place to meet “THE FAB 5” and introduce your little ones to characters. Of course, people of every age adore these characters so its not just for the diaper set! Located inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s invites you to party with him at his all-you-care-to-eat buffet with Disney Friends while the monorail whizzes by. Character appearances: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Breakfast is traditional pancakes, Mickey waffles, French toast, fresh fruit, bacon other goodies. Dinner offers roasted chicken, carved beef, pasta, savory sides, and kids’ favorites. The Sundae Bar may be the highlight of the dinner for our kids, where every topping you can imagine exists for you to build your own delicious treat!
Trattoria Al Forno
Head over to Disney’s Boardwalk to enjoy the Trattoria Al Forno features the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast. Jump-start your morning with a hearty breakfast featuring beloved Characters from some of your favorite Disney fairytales. Characters usually include Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel, and Flynn Rider. Breakfast entrées, which may include fluffy buttermilk pancakes, breakfast calzone, and a frittata.
Magic Kingdom
The Crystal Palace
We NEVER miss a visit to Crystal Palace. It’s on our list of ADR’s every single trip we take and honestly has some of the most delicious food in our opinion. Located just off Mainstreet U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom Park, Crystal Palace has a yummy Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with an All-You-Care-to-Enjoy experience bountiful buffet featuring American favorites prepared before you in the onstage kitchen. When you love Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore you absolutely cannot miss this dining opportunity. THIS IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO TRY RATATOUILLE FOR THE FIRST TIME!
Epcot
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Every princess-lover in the world can’t wait for Akershus to re-open! Located in the Norway Pavilion in Epcot, the Akershus invites you to dine with royalty inside a medieval castle! Open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner usually, but fair warning, only Breakfast is “traditional American cuisine”. For Lunch and Dinner, you will MOSTLY find Norweigian inspired dishes. For adventurous diners, this is amazing, for those who aren’t you might want to stick with Breakfast. Character appearances include Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora, Ariel, and sometimes Jasmine, Don’t forget your autograph books this will save you a TON of time standing in line!
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood & Vine
If we’ve got Disney Junior/ Playhouse Disney lovers along with us on a trip you can bet you’ll find us at Hollywood and Vine, located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Hollywood & Vine features a unique Character experience with your favorite Disney Junior Pals WHICH CHANGE OVER TIME! in 2021 you should expect to eat, play and dance along with Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, Fancy Nancy, and Roadster Goofy during this dining experience. This a BREAKFAST ONLY experience! The buffet features Mickey waffles, frittatas, pastries, and fresh fruit. Usually, around Halloween, they have lunch and Dinner experiences with “Fab 5” characters. You can check out more about that by clicking HERE.
Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Restaurant
If you are headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, Then pack your adventuring pith hat and head to Tusker House You will likely dine with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy for Donald’s Dining Safari – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These all-you-care-to-enjoy meal buffets include traditional American fare, plus unique dishes with African influences.
Regardless of the restaurant that you choose, you are sure to have a magical time and that you book your ADR’s! Be sure not to forget your camera, autograph book, and pen!
Have a MAGICAL TRIP!
Kristin
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