1900 Park Fare Character Dining Restaurant Review
Is 1900 Park Fare worth the price? Here’s my honest review of this whimsical Disney character meal at Grand Floridian, including food picks like Tiana’s gumbo, the iconic strawberry soup, and what it’s really like to meet the new characters.
🔍 Quick Snapshot: 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Location: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Cuisine: American buffet
- Price Range: $$–$$$
- Accepts Dining Plan: Yes (1 table service credit)
- Characters: Yes – Tiana, Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel
- Reservations Required: Strongly recommended
- Mobile Check-In Available: Yes
- Atmosphere: Whimsical carousel charm with Victorian flair
Overall Rating: 5/5 for food and 5/5 for the character experience and atmosphere. This is a great way to meet different Disney characters.
Related: Another great character dining experience is Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom
First Impressions & Atmosphere
We had an early dinner reservation, and walking into the new-look 1900 Park Fare felt like stepping into a pastel dream. I hadn’t been since it reopened, and wow, the refreshed look is a major glow-up. Gone is the dim, slightly dated dining room. Now it’s all soft colors, light wood tones, and golden carousel touches that give it a fancy-yet-fun feel.
If you’re curious about the vibe, it’s not overly themed like a ride, but it has definite charm. Like if Mary Poppins designed a restaurant inside a Victorian toy box. I was immediately obsessed with the carousel horses on the walls, and even my friend commented on how open and airy it felt compared to our last visit years ago.
Cast members at check-in were lovely and had us seated within minutes. We did mobile check-in through the My Disney Experience app, which definitely helped speed things along.
Related: If you prefer a Mickey dining experience, we love Tusker House at Animal Kingdom
The Buffet: Food Highlights & What to Skip
Now let’s talk about the main event: the food. I’d heard mixed reviews about the new menu offerings, so I was a little skeptical going in. But we all came out impressed.
The buffet layout is super manageable but pretty much has everything you could possibly want to try. The salad bar area was super fresh. I am a huge crouton girl, and these were cheesy and crunchy.
Some of the timeless dishes returned (yes, the famous strawberry soup is back!), but there were also new highlights like Tiana’s gumbo and a curry-roasted chicken that I still think about.
Here are a few standouts from our meal:
Ya’ll, I just loved the bread service. There were three options for dinner and I tried them all. The sourdough rolls were fine. The tomato focaccia bread was really good. But the sweet cornbread was melt-in-your-mouth amazing. And each bread offering came with either whipped butter or a sweet honey butter.
Prime Rib at the Carving Station – Juicy and tender. Add a little horseradish cream and it’s basically perfection.
The prepared salads were really spectacular too. The kale salad was crunchy and flavorful. But the winner for me was the potato salad.
The sides were pretty amazing too. Can you tell from the photo how creamy those mashed potatoes are? Yes, they are creamy, buttery, and you will absolutely be going back for seconds.
The Peel-n-Eat Shrimp are a lovely addition to the main courses. They are spiced nicely and easy enough to peel.
One of my favorite parts of the buffet was the fresh fruit and the legendary strawberry soup. Honestly, you could justify eating at 1900 Park Fare just for the strawberry soup. It’s so refreshing!
There were custom-made omelets available earlier in the day, and classic eggs benedict, but we missed breakfast this time.
The kid station was pretty spectacular too. Check out the elbow macaroni and those meatballs! This was not just an afterthought. The kid options were delicious.
Related: Be Our Guest is a great and unique dining experience with great food too!
Drinks & Desserts
POG juice is still here (praise be). You can also order wine or cocktails, but we stuck to included drinks.
As for dessert, there are so many options. Pace yourself and try one of everything. I really loved the vanilla cupcakes the best. But the bow tie mini cheesecakes were a close second.
And I don’t know if I am just immature or a kid at heart, but I could not pass up the gummy bears from the kid’s dessert station.
Character Dining Experience: Who You’ll Meet
This is what makes the meal really special. We met Cinderella, Mirabel, Tiana in her new Bayou Explorer outfit, and Aladdin dressed as Prince Ali. Honestly, it felt like the perfect mix of princess magic and a few surprises. If you’re looking to meet different Disney characters without standing in line all day, this is a great option.
Each character took time to chat and pose, not rushed at all. We had a full-on conversation with Mirabel about making her own wish, and Aladdin absolutely played up the charm with his whole “royal swagger.” It was adorable.
Tiana? She was next-level. Warm, funny, and so on-brand for someone now tied to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
No sign of the wicked stepsisters from the old version of the meal, but honestly? I didn’t miss them. This crew felt fresh and fun.
During the meal, Cinderella came out for the wishing ceremony. Everyone got to make a wish and you get to keep the commemorative signing card, a great souvenir!
Service & Overall Pace
I’ve had some character meals where I felt like I was on a timer. This wasn’t one of those.
Our server was great. She was super friendly, quick with drink orders and plate clearing, but never made us feel rushed. We had time to enjoy each interaction and actually eat between photos. A rare feat.
The meal lasted just over an hour, which was the perfect pace. Long enough to relax, short enough that we were able to get to Magic Kingdom in time to check in for our After Hours party.
Is It Worth the Cost?
So let’s talk price. Character dining isn’t cheap—we paid around $69 per adult and $44 for kids for dinner. For breakfast, it’s a little cheaper. That said, considering the character interactions, the food quality, and the ease of access to Magic Kingdom, I felt like we got our money’s worth.
And if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, this one only takes one table service credit. That’s actually a great value compared to some other character spots.
Getting a Reservation
If this spot’s on your list, book early. I checked for weeks leading up to our trip and only saw a few scattered time slots left.
Walk-ups are rare. I wouldn’t count on them unless you’re super lucky or flexible with your timing.
👉 Best time to go? Breakfast if you want to fill up before park hopping. Dinner is better if you’ve got time to enjoy a more relaxed vibe.
Getting There & Convenience
1900 Park Fare is inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, so no park ticket needed. We took the monorail over from Magic Kingdom and were there in under 10 minutes.
It’s also easy to get there from any monorail resort or TTC. Just head to the main building at Grand Floridian and follow signs to the restaurant. You can’t miss it—it’s on the ground floor near the lobby.
Final Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. Between the new characters, the scrumptious array of dishes, and the elegant-yet-playful carousel theming, this felt like a favorite character meal in the making.
Is it the most luxurious meal on property? No. But it is a fun, heartwarming, and delicious experience that hits just about every note you want from a Disney buffet. This is definitely one of my favorite character meals, and apart from Boma, my favorite buffet dining experience.
If you’re looking for something less chaotic than Chef Mickey, and a little more personable than Cinderella’s Royal Table, this is your sweet spot.
👉 My top tip: Don’t skip the strawberry soup. And if you’re on the fence, just go. You’ll have a good time, eat well, and leave with some great character photos.
