Our Favorite Character Meals

October 13, 2018

Which Character Meal Should I Choose?

When it comes to dining at Walt Disney World, that is the one question that will inevitably always be asked. Character Dining is a quintessential Disney experience- a right of passage even! But with so many amazing options to choose from how could you ever possibly decide? Read on to discover some of our favorites!

Chef Mickey’s

This is the only character meal at Walt Disney World where you can meet the “Fab Five” (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, & Pluto) all in one place!

Why we love it: Chef Mickey’s is just pure fun from start to finish. The restaurant is open air and the atmosphere is festive. Every so often the characters lead the kids around the restaurant in a napkin twirling parade! We think the food gets a bad wrap here. It is your typical buffet food and it has really improved over the last few years. The food isn’t the reason you book Chef Mickey’s though- the fun is!
Where: The Contemporary Resort

Crystal Palace

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too? Yes, please! Celebrate Friendship day with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet.
WHY we love it: Breakfast here is really great! Try the puffed French Toast, you won’t regret it! The lunch and dinner buffets offer a decent selection as well. The dessert selections are particularly fun! The Victorian architecture is gorgeous and there is an abundance of natural light giving the whole place a relaxed elegant feel.
Where: Magic Kingdom

Garden Grill

This is hands down one of the very best character meals at Walt Disney World and we cannot recommend it highly enough. Here you dine family style as Mickey, Chip, Dale, and Pluto visit each table dressed in their farming clothes.

Why we love it: Garden Grill’s unique atmosphere. The restaurant actually rotates as you eat and it overlooks Livin With the Land (which just happens to be one of our favorite smells at Disney)! The character interactions are some of the best we have encountered on property. The small size of the restaurant means you can often meet each character more than once during the course of your meal. Finally, the fresh food really stands out here and much of it is actually grown in the greenhouses just below in Livin With the Land.
Where: Epcot

1900 Park Fare

Breakfast offers different characters than Dinner here but both meals offer uncommon characters makeing 1900 Park Fare one of the best character meals on property. At Breakfast experience a Supercalifragilistic character line-up featuring some beloved characters from the U.K: Alice, Mary Poppins, The Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. At Dinner dine in regal style with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Anastasia, Drisella, and Lady Tremaine.
Why we love it: Two words- the food! 1900 Park Fare offers some of the highest quality foods at a buffet at Walt Disney World. While usually, buffets can be a bit…lackluster… the buffet here is truly delicious. The character interactions also stand out here. At breakfast, Mary Poppins likes to nanny the children while the Mad Hatter encourages mischief. At Dinner, poor Anastasia and Drisella are still looking for husbands and will likely accept any proposal!
Where: The Grand Floridian

Tusker House

Jambo! Get into the spirit of an African safari at Tusker House and meet Safari Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy.
Why we love it: the theming here is outstanding. The restaurant itself is themed like an African market and is gorgeous! The buffet selection features something for everyone from the most adventurous to the pickiest of eaters. African foods such as Peri Peri Salmon, Tabula and Hummus coexist with kid-approved favorites like Mac and Cheese and Corn Dog Nuggets making this buffet a palate pleaser no matter your preferences!
Where: Animal Kingdom

Akershus Storybook Dining

Your favorite storybook characters come to like in this Medieval castle! Meet Snow White, Belle, Ariel, Aurora, and Cinderella her in this gorgeous setting.
Why we love it: Princesses! This character meal offers great food and a chance to make all of your royal dreams come true by hobnobbing with your favorite royals! The Norwegian can seem intimidating to first-timers bit it truly is delicious- and if you decide it isn’t for you there are plenty of more familiar options available!
Where: Epcot

With so many great options to choose from it is extremely hard to pick a favorite. The best part is all of these options are one ONE credit on the Disney Dining Plan! This list is in no particular order. Honorable mention goes to Bon Voyage Breakfast and ‘Ohana Breakfast. Both are amazing but only offer characters at Breakfast. Did your favorite make the list? If not tell us what your favorite is and why you love it! We are always looking for ideas for our next dining reservation!

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