Character dining is a favorite among Disney guests. It is a great way to meet characters, get autographs and take pictures while not having to wait in lines. Throughout the parks and resorts there are a variety of character dining options to choose from!
The first options for character dining are located at Disney World Resorts. Minutes away from Disney’s theme parks or perfect for days when you don’t have park tickets!
Chef Mickey’s Fun Time Buffet located at the Contemporary Resort, a monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom, is where you can meet the Fab 5: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald. It is a buffet style meal that serves breakfast, brunch and dinner. It is very lively and upbeat and the characters will periodically lead guests in song and dance. An entertaining experience for guests of all ages!
Ohana’s Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch at the Polynesian Resort is an American style breakfast with a Polynesian twist. Along with Lilo and Stitch you will also get a chance to visit with Mickey and Pluto dressed in their Hawaiian best. Ohana means family and this restaurant makes you feel as though that is what you are! Don’t miss the P.O.G. juice, one word AMAZING!
1900 Park Fare at The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has two different breakfast and dinner options both with character dining. The Supercalafragilistic breakfast features characters such as, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh & Tigger. While at Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner you will dine with Cinderella, Prince Charming, and Lady Tremaine and her wicked step sisters- Anastasia & Drizella . Although, on occasion some have seen the Fairy Godmother and Cinderella’s mice. Both meals are buffet style with plenty of options to choose from.
Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort hosts Minnie’s Beach Bash Buffet Breakfast featuring Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy. What better way to start your day then dining with Disney favorites dressed in their beach gear. This is your typical buffet breakfast from croissants & donuts to eggs and Mickey waffles.
The following character dining experiences are found within Disney World Parks. Each park has one to two restaurants where you can dine with the characters.
Cinderella’s Royal Table is a one of a kind experience that allows you to dine inside Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom. From the moment you enter, you are made to feel like royalty. You will find Cinderella greeting guests at the door of her castle and taking a photo with each party. You will be lead up the spiral staircase to the dining room where you will have a chance to eat with a variety of Disney Princesses. Princesses vary from day to day but some of the more common ones are Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Ariel (Little Mermaid), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Snow White, and Jasmine. Cinderella’s Royal Table has character dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Crystal Palace, also located in the Magic Kingdom, is where you can dine with your favorite friends from The Hundred Acre Woods- Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet & Eeyore! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all you can eat buffet style. The location of this restaurant makes it a great choice to begin you day or end it. If you ask for a window seat, you might even catch a glimpse of a parade or fireworks depending on your reservation time.
Akershus Princess Storybook Dining in Epcot’s Norway is another great choice for a Princess character meal. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served here with all meals featuring Disney Princesses such as Jasmine, Aurora, Snow White, Belle and Ariel. At times, Mary Poppins will make an appearance. Every so often during the meal, the princesses will gather the children in a parade around the restaurant. This is a great alternative to CRT, especially if you are on the dining plan as it is only 1 dining credit.
Chip n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast Dinner at the Garden Grill in the Land Pavillon at Epcot is a family style meal with beef, turkey, mashed potatoes and fresh salads & vegetables, some grown right in Epcot. A character dining experience featuring Chip n’ Dale, Pluto & Mickey! Another bonus to the characters, is this is Disney World’s only rotating restaurant and turns very slowly as you eat giving you different views of the Living with the Land attraction.
Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios features two different character dining experiences. For breakfast and lunch, you will dine with some of your favorite Disney Jr. characters including Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Handy Manny. They characters will dance and parade around with the children throughout the meal making for a great experience for the younger crowd. At dinner, you will find Minnie Mouse and friends-Mickey, Donald, Daisy & Goofy- in Minnie’s Seasonal Dine. Disney Parks Blog describes it best, “Minnie’s fabulous dinner parties celebrate the cheerful togetherness of the holidays, the glamour of Hollywood, the delight of spring, the excitement of summer and the frightening fun of Halloween. With each new season, look for unique music, décor, all-new costumes, menu items and interactive musical moments.”
Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Africa section is a unique dining experience where you will find Donald greeting guests and taking pictures and then dine with Mickey, Pluto and Daisy Duck all dressed in their Safari attire. The restaurant is amazingly themed to look like colorful Harambe Marketplace. Breakfast and Lunch are buffet meals, while dinner is served family style.
Character dining is a great way to meet several characters all in one location. You get one on one interaction, autographs, pictures and lots of smiles! Character dining can make for some very memorable experiences. All characters at each meal are subject to change. Be sure to book character meals 180 days in advanced as they are very popular and reservations fill up fast.
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