The Complete Guide To Disney Character Dining
Disney Character Dining in The Parks
One of the perks of staying at a Walt Disney World resort, or even just going to a Walt Disney World theme park is the chance to enjoy a character meal. The best way to meet several characters without waiting in long lines is to make reservations for Disney character dining. Even The Four Seasons has a welcome breakfast with Goofy, but here are all the other character dining experiences in the Disney Parks and resorts.
Princesses
“Cinderella’s Royal Table” is the premier Character Dining location in Walt Disney World. You won’t meet Micky and his friends. However, you will meet Cinderella and a variety of other princesses.
That can be a huge time saver if you plan to find them in the parks. You can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and the multi-course meal has a very reasonably sized menu with diverse enough options to please everybody. Also, it’s inside Cinderella’s castle, so… there’s that.
“Akershus” is in Epcot, right next to the Frozen Ever After attraction at the Norway Pavilion. The experience is similar to Cinderella’s Royal Table; only they do have a small buffet. The regal atmosphere is not quite the same as the castle interior, but it is a suitable alternative. The menu features a blend of American and Scandinavian foods.
Mickey and Friends
“Crystal Palace” is a Character Buffet in the Magic Kingdom. It stands in the central plaza, and you can meet Winnie the Pooh there as well as some other friends.
“Garden Grill” is a Family style character meal served in a rotating restaurant over the Land Pavilion. Here you can indulge in all you care to enjoy breakfast fare while Farmer Mickey and friends come to your table to visit.
“Hollywood and Vine” offers two different types of character experiences throughout the year. Sometimes it is Disney Junior and others; it is Minnie Mouse and friends. The restaurant is a buffet in Disney Hollywood Studios. Besides the character schedules, this restaurant tends to change things up around the holidays as well.
“Tusker House” is another character buffet. This one is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and offers an array of food options that range from exotic to very kid-friendly. In this restaurant, you will find Donald, Goofy, and more all dressed up for a safari.
Disney Character Dining at Resorts
Chef Mickey’s
The Contemporary resort has the premier Character buffet for fans of Mickey Mouse. Chef Mickey’s is the best place to go for a character meal to see Mickey and Friends without a park ticket. The restaurant serves breakfast, Brunch, and Dinner service with Characters.
Ohana
Polynesian Village is home to Ohana, the character dining breakfast service that serves all you care to enjoy family-style meals. Most character dining, like Ohana, is exclusive to breakfast, but there are some exceptions.
The Grand Floridian
Grand Floridian has multiple character experiences to offer guests. 1900 Park Fare is the most traditional character dining venue they have, and there are three separate character experiences to have there. The first is the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Breakfast buffet, in which diners have the opportunity to meet Mary Poppins as well as Alice, The Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Pooh.
For Dinner, the buffet becomes themed to Cinderella and includes Prince Charming, The Lady Tremaine, and Cinderella’s stepsisters; of course, Cinderella is there as well.
Finally, between-meal services there is a special Tea Party for children with Alica and the Mad Hatter. Kids get to drink apple juice for tea and do crafts.
There is also a Perfectly Princess Tea Party, which is a tremendous experience with Princess Aurora in the Tea Room at the Grand Floridian. The event includes storytime, gifts, a tea party, and more. The experience is about $400.
Artist’s Point
Wilderness Lodge now has a Character Dining Experience; but unlike the others, this one is at Dinner time only. It’s a Storybook Dinner that appropriately themed to Snow White. The inspired menu and lavish decor make it one of the best character dining experiences on property.
Cape May Cafe
Beach Club has a character buffet featuring Minnie and friends at Cape May Cafe. Since the meal serves seafood for dinner, the breakfast may have a lingering fish smell, which makes it somewhat less desirable of a dining experience.
Trattoria Al Forno
Boardwalk Inn features the Bon Voyage breakfast at Trattoria al Forno. This breakfast is also one of the best as it has a cohesive theme with an inspired menu and a chance to meet Rapunzel, Ariel, Prince Eric, and Flynn Rider.
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