by Pixie Dusted Diva
Located throughout all four theme parks and at a number of resorts you will find a variety of character meals at Walt Disney World. You will want to make advanced dining reservations (ADR) for any table service meal, beginning 180 days in advance before the reservation date by calling 407-WDW-DINE or online at waltdisneyworld.com
During the meal the characters will visit each of the tables in a rotation stopping at each individual table. You will be able to see the order the characters go once the first character visits your table. You will not be allowed to form a line to meet a character (nor is there a need since they come to you). You will also need to make sure you are present at your table when the character does come around. It generally takes about an hour for the characters to make their rotation around the restaurant and you do not want to miss the character when they come to your table. You’ll also want to make sure you bring your autograph books as the characters will sign autographs as they come around to your table.
Characters meals tend to be more expensive, than a non-character meal, but are a great value if you are on the dining plan. Dinner will also cost more than a character breakfast at most restaurants. We tend to do several character meals ever trip.
There are no photopass photographers within the restaurants to take pictures with the characters, so make sure you have your camera, but some restaurants do have photo opportunities outside the restaurant. The pictures outside the restaurant will be taken before you enter for your reservation and will be added to your Memory Maker if you purchased.
Note: The characters listed are subject to change.
Resorts
Beach Club – Cape May Café
Buffet Style Breakfast
Characters: Minnie, Donald and Goofy in beach gear
Note: There are no characters at Dinner
Contemporary Resort – Chef Mickey’s
Buffet Style Breakfast, Brunch and Dinner
Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto
There is a photo opportunity before you enter the restaurant at Chef Mickey’s.
Grand Floridian Resort -1900 Park Fare
Buffet Style Breakfast & Dinner
Surpercalifragilsitic Breakfast
Characters: Pooh, Tigger, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, and the Mad Hatter
Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner
Characters: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, Drizella, and the Fairy Godmother
There is a photo opportunity at 1900 Park Fare.
Polynesian Resort – ‘Ohana
Family Style Breakfast
Characters: Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, Mickey. The characters are dressed in Hawaiian attire. We love Mickey’s Hawaiian shirt!
Note: There are no characters at dinner.
Recently, we have seen a Photopass photographer, which is a rare sighting at a character meal.
Boardwalk-
Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast
Trattoria al Forno
Order off the menu
Characters only at Breakfast
Characters: Rapunzel, Flynn Ryder, Ariel and Prince Eric
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace
Buffet Style Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Characters: Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Order off the menu – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Characters: Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White Note: The Princesses may change
Cinderella’s Royal Table requires full payment at the time of booking. If you are on Disney’ Dining Plan, this restaurant requires two dining credits.
There is a photo opportunity with Cinderella before entering the restaurant.
Epcot
The Garden Grill – Chip and Dale’s Harvest Feast
Family Style Dinner New: November 8, 2015 Breakfast & Lunch will now be served.
Characters: Mickey, Chip and Dale, Pluto in farming attire.
Akershus – Princess Storybook Dining
Order off the menu – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Characters: Belle, Jasmine, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty Note: The Princesses may change. We met Alice in Wonderland here one time.
There is a photo opportunity with Belle before entering the restaurant.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood & Vine – Play and Dine
Buffet Breakfast and Lunch
Characters: Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake from the Neverland Pirates, Handy Manny
Note: There are no characters at dinner.
Animal Kingdom
Tusker House – Donald’s Safari Breakfast
Buffet Breakfast and Lunch
Characters: Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy in safari gear
Note: There are no characters at dinner.
There is a photo opportunity outside the restaurant.
Characters meals are some of my favorite meals at Walt Disney World. You are able to enjoy a nice meal, away from the heat while keeping the children occupied and happy with the characters. You do not to take away from your park time or ride time which in the park, so you are getting two things done at once… eating and meeting characters!
Typically we find the food at each of the character buffet to be very similar, with some signature dishes the restaurant may be known for. We love Pooh’s french toast for breakfast at Crystal Palace, the lobster macaroni and cheese is very popular at Hollywood and Vine, or strawberry soup at dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Most buffets have a carving stations with carvings of meat such as beef, turkey ham or similar. Each buffet has a kids selection with offerings such as pizza, chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese. Of course, there will be a variety of desserts to choose from as well. Hollywood and Vine has a chocolate fountain, which is popular with kids and adults too!
Also, special character dining opportunities are offered throughout the year such as Star Wars Weekend or at Christmas time, when available by reservation only.
Diva Tip: If you are early birds, try to get one of the first dining reservations of the day. Ever dream of having your picture taken in front of the castle with no one else in it? Then you will want to reserve an 8 a.m. reservation to Crystal Palace on a day the Magic Kingdom opens at 9 a.m. Patricia with All for Dreams Travel, the Travel Agent here at Tips from the Disney Diva can help you plan your next Disney vacation and book those dining reservations and character meals. Click here to contact Patricia today!
Character Meals aren’t the only place you can meets characters. Dawn at Enjoying the Days has some great tips if you Must Have Disney Character Pictures, you can read all her tips here.
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