How to get the Most From Disney Character Dining

When you’re ready for Disney’s ultimate character experience, you need to know about the special nature of that unique opportunity for memorable dining – character dining, that is.

While we recently told you all about the secrets of great character interactions in the parks in this recent blog, there are a dazzling array of additional options when it comes to some of Disney’s restaurants.

Both in the parks and, especially, the resorts, restaurants like The Crystal Palace and Ohana are practically purpose-designed to provide that perfect meal with a whomping great side dish of character fun.

In fact, we’d go as far as to say that the character meals are a much better way of getting your Disney ‘fix’ than the regular meet-and-greets in the parks - as they usually provide more time with Mickey and Co, there is less frenzy around them, and you don’t have to queue up to meet them.

You do need to book in advance, but that’s the only ‘legwork’ you need to ensure you and your children have a wonderful time.

The ones in the parks aren’t necessarily obvious, and the ones in the hotels constitute perhaps one of the biggest ‘hidden gems’ in the whole of Walt Disney World, so let’s start by highlighting where these wonderful character experiences actually are, and who they feature.

Character Dining in the Disney Parks

Each park has at least one specially designated character dining location (the Magic Kingdom and Epcot actually have two), and it’s well worth knowing these in advance.

Magic Kingdom:

Take your pick from two truly iconic options, The Crystal Palace and that ultimate fantasy for the princess phenomenon, Cinderella’s Royal Table.

The former is a lovely all-day restaurant designed like the famous London structure built for the Great Exhibition in 1851, with an airy greenhouse style. It serves breakfast lunch and dinner for a set fee, with an all-you-can-eat buffet spread of traditional favourites, from Mickey waffles and pastries to fresh-carved roast meats and pasta (PS: the butterscotch pudding for dessert is a must-try!).

The setting for Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of the things that makes this particular meal ultra-special. Located on the first floor of the Castle, it is decked out in best Medieval style and features breakfast, lunch and dinner for a set price three-course meal of fairly traditional fare.

Be aware this is the most expensive character meal in the whole of Walt Disney World, and reservations go FAST, so you typically need to book as soon as the 60-day booking window opens.

Characters: Get ready for a 100-Acre Hundred Wood cavalcade with Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore at the Crystal Palace, while Cinderella greets guests in the Royal Table foyer, with up to four of Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White and Belle visiting tables during mealtime. Occasionally, the Fairy Godmother and those helpful mice Suzy and Perla are also present.

NB: Cinderella’s Royal Table is currently still in pandemic mode, with only Cinderella on hand to greet guests in the foyer. We hope this reverts to normal in 2023.

Epcot:

Here you’ll find another princess extravaganza at Akershus in the Norway pavilion, and a special round table experience at the Garden Grill in The Land pavilion.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall offers another period castle setting for a grand dinner menu that features a variety of Norwegian specialities (including red cabbage, meatballs and salmon) as well as more familiar choices, such as mashed potatoes and chicken, all served family style at your table, where you can always request more of any particular dish.

The Garden Grill is a truly unique location and set-up as it involves a circular dining area that slowly revolves in the course of the meal, providing views of the Living With The Land ride along the way. Chip ’n Dale’s Harvest Feast then offers lunch and dinner, with a garden salad featuring fresh produce from the pavilion itself, as well as barbecue chicken, grilled beef, vegetables and dessert.

Characters: Akershus is most definitely the place for a princess parade, including Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Ariel, while the Harvest Feast showcases those imps Chip ’n Dale along with Mickey and Pluto.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Hollywood & Vine restaurant is the only location in this park for character dining, but it is actually a two-for-one, as the offering changes seasonally. Year-round, it is the home of the Disney Junior Play ’n Dine Breakfast, with an extensive buffet selection that includes biscuits and gravy, Mickey waffles, bagel casserole, salmon and brioche French toast (the latter of which is a don’t-miss).

In addition, there is a seasonal lunch and dinner meal with Minnie and friends, serving up a spectacular buffet of salads, chilled starters, mushroom risotto, herb-crusted steak and oven-roasted chicken. Once again, reservations are highly recommended.

Characters: For Disney Junior, expect to see Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Fancy Nancy and Roadster Goofy, and the character interaction is usually very lively. With Minnie, look out for Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy, usually in specific seasonal costuming.

Animal Kingdom:

Tusker House Restaurant is once again the splendid home of dining with Donald & Friends, featuring a multi-course breakfast, lunch and dinner served family-style at your table (and you certainly won’t be short-changed for food here – it’s one of the most generous in terms of both quantity and quality).

All three meals include some imaginative choices, notably with the breads, pastries and desserts, while the main courses are superb and include Moroccan-spiced beef, a green curry shrimp and herb-roasted chicken.

Characters: This is a classic experience with Donald (naturally), plus Mickey, Goofy and Daisy.

Oh, and don’t forget you still need a park ticket and reservation for your character meal day, which you should make as soon as you have a dining reservation.

Character dining at the resorts

When it comes to those elusive character meals at the various Disney hotels, there are a super six to look out for and, in many ways, they are even more relaxed and enjoyable than those at the parks (although Chef Mickey’s can be extremely raucous!).

Like with those in the parks they definitely need to be booked well in advance – right on the 60-day limit, if you can – but you don’t need a park reservation or entry ticket.

Grand Floridian:

1800 Park Fare has yet to reopen following the various pandemic closures, but it is worth checking to see if/when it returns, as it is a beautiful full-service breakfast and dinner option at this magnificent resort.

Characters: This is quite an eclectic movie mix, from Mary Poppins and Winnie the Pooh to the Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland and Tigger.

Beach Club Resort:

Head for Cape May Café at the extensive Yacht and Beach Club complex, and you’ll enjoy one of the best buffet breakfasts in Orlando, with Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast taking pride of place. Not only is it one of the cheaper options, it also features the restaurant’s signature Salted Caramel “Beach Buns,” plus waffles, omelettes, French toast and fresh-carved meats.

Characters: As well as Minnie (obviously), this is the place to encounter Donald, Daisy and Goofy in their relaxed beach personas.

Contemporary Resort:

Chef Mickey’s is one of the most sought-after character meals, for breakfast and dinner, and it’s quite the performance, with singing, dancing and LOTS of character interaction. Food is plentiful and served family style, with traditional staples such as waffles, sausage, bacon and eggs at breakfast, and salmon, steak and pork loin at dinner.

Polynesian Village:

Here’s another traditional Disney staple, with Lilo and Stitch headlining the Best Friends Breakfast experience. This family-style feast serves up scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, waffles, ham with pineapple and a variety of fresh fruits, breads and pastries.

Characters: Pluto and Mickey join Lilo and Stitch for this unique meet-and-greet in a lovely Polynesian setting.

Wilderness Lodge:

This is another slightly raucous character dinner, with this Seven Dwarfs-themed offering at the Artist Point restaurant featuring a set three-course option that offers fully seven different main course choices, including a vegetarian dish and a succulent prime rib.

Characters: Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and the evil Queen make for an iconic quartet.

Riviera Resort:

Head for rooftop restaurant Topolino’s Terrace for arguably the most distinguished – and tasty – character breakfast, as Mickey & Friends dish up a delicious mixture of fun and fine dining at this luxurious resort, with the likes of smoked salmon, avocado toast and a wood-fired Butcher’s Steak all on the menu.

Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Daisy and Donald all turn up in their fanciest Art Deco costumes to keep the style classy as well as entertaining.

Tips for character meals

The first thing to know about your dining experience is that the characters do visit each table in turn, so it’s important not to let your children go charging after Minnie or Mickey as soon as they see them!

Try to get your children used to the size of the characters at the park meet-and-greets before you go to the expense of a character meal, as they can be quite overpowering for young ’uns at first sight.

Other tips include those we mentioned in the previous blog, including wearing something that features one of the characters you’re likely to meet, as well as thinking up a few questions for them. You are likely to get a more fun reaction from them if you do!

It’s also worth knowing that if you can snag the earliest booking for breakfast at the in-park options, you will be ahead of the crowds for a while at park opening. Alternatively, book the latest time for a more relaxed experience.

Most character meals at the resorts these days feature a souvenir card featuring the characters’ autographs as a parting gift, hence you don’t necessarily need to bring an autograph book with you (but be ready to take LOTS of photos!).

And don’t despair if you can’t get that all-important booking in advance. Keep checking as your holiday date gets closer as Disney does get cancellations from many of its restaurants, while you can even check in person on the day itself to see if they have any open slots.

For more details and bookings for Disney character dining, visit DisneyWorld.com.

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