Character Dining at Walt Disney World
Get ready to experience the magic of Disney with Character Dining. Enjoy a magical meal while your favorite Disney characters mingle, sign autographs, and take photos with the kids.
Make your reservations 60 days in advance (Pre-COVID was 180 days) to ensure you get the meal you want. Even if you don't get your desired reservation, keep checking the app because open reservations do become available. If you really have a dining experience you want, make sure to sign up for dining alerts! Check out our blog post on “How to Get the Reservation You Want!”
My podcast will help you make the most informed decisions on dining for your family. Check out our list of all character dining at WDW parks, hotels, and good neighbor hotels. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the wonder of Disney through Character Dining.
My main tip is to book a Disney meal when it's most beneficial for your family. Breakfast and lunch are great times if you have little ones with you, as they won't be too tired from the day and can use the meal as a nice break. Dinner is also a great option, but be careful not to book it too late, as your little ones may be asleep. However, if this happens and they don't eat, Disney will refund you if it was a pre-paid experience.
Here are some things to consider when planning a character dining experience.
1. Everyone Pays: Character meals are priced per person, so it's important to budget accordingly, especially if you're dining with a big group. Children under 3 are free.
2. Expensive Experience: These meals can be pretty costly, starting at around $34.99 for children and $57 for adults. Keep in mind that you're not just paying for the food but also for an immersive experience with Disney characters.
3. No Meal Sharing: Unlike other dining experiences, character meals don't allow for meal sharing or splitting. Each guest needs to pay for their own meal, regardless of how much they eat.
4. Advance Payment: Some popular dining experiences, such as Cinderella's Royal Table and the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, require advance payment at the time of booking, so be prepared to pay for the entire meal upfront.
Magic Kingdom Park
Cinderella's Royal Table
Where: Magic Kingdom Park Fantasyland at Cinderella Castle
Characters: Cinderella, and rotating princesses (typically Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora and Snow White, but we have seen Tiana here too.)
Cuisine & Time: American, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Highlights: Dine in the iconic Cinderella Castle, meet Cinderella and her royal friends.
Food Rating: 7/10
Expereince Rating: 10/10
Best For: Any Princess lover, who wants a magical meal in the castle. Higher end food.
Be Our Guest - Fantasyland - Beast only - This is NOT a character meal, it is signature dining. You do not meet with any characters.
Crystal Palace
Where: Magic Kingdom Park, Main Street U.S.A next the Casey’s Corner
Characters: Winnie the Pooh and friends. Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet
Cuisine: American: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Highlights: Meet Winnie the Pooh and friends, enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and take in the stunning views of the Magic Kingdom.
Food Rating: 9/10
Expereince Rating: 9/10
Best For: Adventurous eaters - think Cajun Food and Churro Waffles at breakfast!
EPCOT
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Where: EPCOT in Norway
Characters: Belle and Rotating Princesses, typically Ariel, Jasmine, Aurora and Snow White (Tiana has been seen at breakfast)
Cuisine: Norwegian
Highlights: I prefer to sit in the main room, it is very pretty. The character interactions are amazing.
Food Rating: 8/10
Expereince Rating: 7/10
Best For: Adventurous eaters, check menu. Breakfast and Dinner are both currently served family style. I prefer Breakfast to Dinner.
Disney Dining Accepted: Breakfast 1 Credit, Dinner 2 Credits
Garden Grill Restaurant
Where: EPCOT in The Land Pavilion in World Nature
Characters: Mickey Mouse, Chip 'n' Dale, and Pluto
Cuisine & Time: American: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Highlights: Dine in a revolving restaurant, meet Mickey and friends, and watch the Living with the Land boat ride as it passes by.
Food Rating: 7/10
Expereince Rating: 9/10
Best For: Picky eaters
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Tusker House Restaurant
Where: Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Africa
Characters: Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto,
Cuisine: African & American: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Highlights: Dine in an African village setting, meet Donald and his friends, enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Food Rating: 9/10
Expereince Rating: 9/10
Best For: Adventurous eaters
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood and Vine
Disney Play ‘n’ Dine (Breakfast)
Where: Disney's Hollywood Studios Echo Lake
Characters: Fancy Nancy, Vamperina, Doc McStuffins & Goofy (Disney Junior Friends!)
Cuisine & Time: American, Breakfast ONLY!
Highlights: Meet Disney Junior characters, and have a dance party!
Food Rating: 9/10
Expereince Rating: 10/10
Best For: Random American Food that is all very good. Food for pick eaters, and delicious Adult food.
Minnie’s Seasonal Dining
Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine, Minnie’s Springtime Dine, Minnie’s Summertime Dine, Minnie’s Halloween Dine, Minnie’s Holiday Dine.
Where: Disney's Hollywood Studios Echo Lake
Characters: Minnie and rotating characters Mickey, Daisy, Donald, Pluto & Goofy
Cuisine & Time: American, Lunch & Dinner
Highlights: The whole crew has different outfits at different times of the year and it is so fun!
Food Rating: 9/10
Expereince Rating: 9/10
Best For: Random American Food that is all very good. Food for pick eaters, and delicious Adult food.
Character Meals at Resorts
1900 Park Fare
Where: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (MAGIC KINGDOM PARK AREA)
Characters: Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel, Princess Tiana
Cuisine: American
Highlights: Wish makers ceremony, entertaining characters, wonderful interaction.
Food Rating: 10/10
Expereince Rating: 10/10
Best For: FOOD for everyone!
Cape May Cafe
Where: Disney's Beach Club Resort (EPCOT AREA)
Characters: Minnie, Donald, Daisy & Goofy
Cuisine: American
Highlights: A Surf’s up dance party!! Such fun costumes for the characters!
Food Rating: 8/10
Expereince Rating: 9/10
Best For: Picky Eaters
Chef Mickey's
Where: Disney's Contemporary Resort (Magic Kingdom Park Area)
Characters: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto
Cuisine & Time: American, Breakfast and Dinner
Highlights: Meet Mickey and his friends in a fun and festive atmosphere, enjoy a delicious buffet.
Food Rating Kids: 9/10
Food Ratine Adults: 6/10
Expereince Rating: 8/10
Best For: Picky Eaters
Ravello Goofy & Pals Character Breakfast
Where: Four Seasons Orlando Resort and Spa
Characters: Goofy, Minnie & Mickey
Cuisine: American: Thursdays and Saturday only
Highlights: The most interactive character expereince on Walt Disney World Property
Food Rating: 10/10
Expereince Rating: 10/10
Best For: Picky Eaters, so many options for everyone! Must call for the reservation.
Best Friends Breakfast Featuring Lilo & Stitch
Where: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort ‘Ohana Restaurant (Magic Kingdom Park Area)
Characters: Lilo & Stitch, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto
Cuisine & Time: American & Polynesian, BREAKFAST only!
Highlights: Dine in a Polynesian-themed restaurant, meet Lilo & Stitch, Mickey, and friends, enjoy a delicious family-style meal.
Food Rating: 9/10
Expereince Rating: 9/10
Best For: Lots of Pineapple and Coconut in the food
(American, Polynesian Cuisine) - Disney's Polynesian Villa Resort(MK) - Breakfast - Lilo and Stitch and friends. *
Storybook Dining at Artist Point
Where: Disney's Wilderness Lodge in the Lobby
Characters: Snow White, Evil Queen, Grumpy and Dopey
Cuisine: American but Adventurous
Highlights: meet Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy. Beware of the Evil Queen are she makes her rounds too!
Food Rating Adults: 8/10
Food Rating Kids: 6/10
Experience Rating: 9/10
Best For: Adventurous Eaters, Check Menu!
Topolino's Terrace
Where: Disney's Riviera Resort
Characters: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck
Cuisine & Time: Mediterranean (French, Italian Cuisine) Breakfast ONLY
Highlights: Dine with Mickey and friends in a beautiful setting overlooking the Riviera Resort, enjoy delicious food with a European flair.
Food Rating Adults: 10/10
Food Rating Kids: 7/10
Expereince Rating: 10/10
Best For: Food is best for Adults! Check menu for kids!
EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE NOT RETURED, ARE NOT RETURNING OR HAVE BEEN RETHEMED.
Disney's Grand Floridan Resort & Spa (MK) - Supercalifragilistic Breakfast Buffett: Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Winnie the Pooh. **HAS NOT RETURNED
Wonderland Tea Party: An event just for the kids!!! Disney dining not accepted and for kids 4 to 12 years old! **HAS NOT RETURNED
Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner Buffet: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Drizella and Anastasia **HAS NOT RETURNED
Perfectly Princess Tea (Tea Lunch) - Disney's Grand Floridan Resort & Spa (MK) - Located in the Garden Tea Room with Rose Petal and Princess Aurora. **RUMOR NOT COMING BACK
Trattoria al Forno (Italian Cuisine) - Disney Boardwalk Resort (Epcot) - Breakfast - Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. **NO CHARACTERS HAVE RETURNED
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