updated March 9, 2024
One of the most popular questions we receive from guests traveling to Walt Disney World is about character dining options! I get it – you are in the midst of planning your trip and your little ones won’t stop asking you when they can see Mickey Mouse or their favorite Disney Junior character! Well here’s the latest on the character dining options currently available at Walt Disney World!
Traditionally there are character meals in all four theme parks as well as a several resorts. You’ll want to make sure you book these available character dining options as soon as your dining window opens! With limited options, and limited seating in the restaurants, these go fast! So where can you dine and see characters? Let’s go over those options!
Download Our Character Dining Chart!
Overview
Characters will come out and rotate around the restaurant, stop for autographs and photos, and even hugs! Don’t forget that if you’re looking to book a character dining option in one of the theme parks, you will be using an admission ticket to enter the park. You can find all the current menus in your My Disney Experience account??.
The Disney Dining Plan with table service credits can be used for all of these experiences– select location require two table service credits. Find out how the Dining Plans can save you money on character dining here!
In the Parks
Hollywood Studios – Hollywood & Vine
With the atmosphere of Hollywood, Hollywood & Vine offers two different character experiences. At breakfast only, guests can visit with Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, Roadster Goofy, and Doc McStuffins! These beloved characters are always so fun for the Disney Junior crowd and breakfast is on point! I’ve always loved this one! My children always enjoyed connecting with these characters as they are the names and faces they watched.
Minnie and her friends make an appearance at lunch and dinner at Hollywood & Vine. Minnie hosts a seasonal dining “party” so characters will be dressed accordingly to the season she is celebrating. You can find Minnie and friends in their spring attire, Halloween costumes, best Christmas garb, and more! Meals and appetizers are plated for lunch and dinner as well. Characters make an appearance at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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Epcot – Garden Grill
In a unique setting – I mean where else does your restaurant rotate 360° while you dine – Farmer Mickey is joined by Pluto and Chip & Dale. This has always been a popular character dining experience as it’s small so the characters get around to guests quite a bit! The food at Garden Grill is always super fresh as much of is sourced right there in the Land pavilion. I love that about this restaurant! Characters make an appearance at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Akershus – Epcot Norway Pavilion
Princess fans will be joyed to learn that Akershus Royal Banquet Hall has reopened its doors! Visit with Belle and other princesses at Akershus.
Guests can enjoy family-style platters fit for royalty! Platters will include field greens salad with lingonberry vinaigrette, traditional kjØttkake (Norwegian meatballs), and grilled salmon. Akershus is currently open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Animal Kingdom – Tusker House
Donald Duck and his besties are in their safari gear at Tusker House when they visit with guests! Tusker will offer a family-style menu with African-inspired flavors and the traditional Disney favorites! You can’t go wrong with breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Tusker House!
Magic Kingdom – Crystal Palace
Pooh Bear and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood appear at the celebratory feasting for lunch and dinner at The Crystal Palace . This is a buffet is a hit for those who love this friendly gang!
Magic Kingdom – Cinderella’s Royal Table
At Cinderella’s Royal Table, your majesty welcomes you to her Castle. Cinderella hosts breakfast, lunch, and dinner and her royal friends visit while you dine. This is a prepaid dining experience and is some of the best food at Magic Kingdom if you ask me. The experience itself is so unique and one worth splurging on.
At the Resorts
What’s great about character dining at the resorts is you don’t need theme park admission nor theme park reservations! These are often great to schedule on travel days when you arrive or before you leave!
Disney’s Riviera Resort – Topolino’s Terrace
One of the newest character dining options to Walt Disney World guests, Topolino’s is a top-notch experience. Situated on the 10th floor of the resort, the views are just as fantastic as the food! Breakfast at Topolino’s is really top-notch and if you can’t pick just one entrée, ask your server for a taste of a second.
I promise you deciding what to order will prove to be challenging as everything on the menu here is mouth-watering. Since Topolino means Mickey Mouse in Italian, you will find Mickey joined by his friends Minnie, Daisy, & Donald at this location. Disney’s Riviera Resort in on the Skyliner route making this resort dining easy to get to from many locations! Characters make an appearance at breakfast only.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Chef Mickey’s
A classic! Chef Mickey’s and character dining are synonymous so the good news is Chef Mickey is serving up breakfast! Head on over to the iconic Contemporary resort for this dining experience. You’ll of course get to watch the monorail whiz by while dining. Characters make an appearance at breakfast and dinner.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Story Book Dining at Artist Point
Snow White fans will be thrilled to see Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and The Queen stroll through the Enchanted Forest! You can enjoy a bountiful prix fixe dinner with the choice of individually plated entrées and shared starters and desserts. Guests can start their storybook adventure with a wickedly refreshing cocktail like the Enchanted Apple with a hint of sour apple of course! The Royal Prime Rib Roast and the vegetarian dish are both returning as well as the decadent “Poison” Apple dessert with dark chocolate-apple mousse. Story Book Dining at Artist Point is open for dinner only.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – ‘Ohana
Who doesn’t love mischievous Stitch and his sidekick Lilo? Or is it the other way around? This duo is back during ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast. I’m not sure if people show up for the fun with Lilo & Stitch or the Pineapple Coconut Breakfast Bread, Mickey Waffles, and the Lilikoi Juice! Pro Tip: ask for a mimosa with Lilikoi Juice!
Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Cape May Café
Minnie and her friends are making the rounds in their beach gear at Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort during Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast! The fun thing about this breakfast buffet is you can enjoy not just Mickey waffles, but Minnie waffles too!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort – 1900 Park Fare
With theming from the 20th century, 1900 Park Fare will offer a breakfast and dinner buffet and visits from various Disney friends. Most often you can find Aladdin as Prince Ali, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Tiana. You can also find Big Bertha which is a turn-of-the-century organ from France that has been housed at the Grand Floridian since 1988!
A guest favorite is the strawberry soup, along with the various carving stations and kids will love the Mickey waffles and traditional kid-friendly fare at dinnertime. Reservations are now open for the return of 1900 Park Fare on April 11th.
Bonus Character Sightings
In the Parks – Magic Kingdom
Okay, I’m mentioning this location because some guests are happy with small sightings. The Beast has been coming out for a quick appearance at Be Our Guest during lunch and dinner which are both currently table-service meals. This location is not considered by Walt Disney World dining to be an official character dining options and appearances by Beast are subject to change.
Do you want to dine with the characters?
I’d love to help you and your family plan your next vacation whether it be a Disney destination or somewhere else! We help you plan vacations all over the world so just send me an email at jocelyn@themagicforless.com or fill out a no-obligation quote request to get started! And be sure to connect with me on social media or sign up for my news & updates!
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