Magical Dining: The Best Character Dining Spots at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is not only known for its thrilling rides and enchanting attractions but also for its unforgettable dining experiences. Among the most beloved are the character dining spots, where guests can enjoy delicious meals while meeting their favorite Disney characters up close and personal. These spots end up saving you a lot of time by allowing you to skip the lengthy lines at the parks for charcter meet and greets. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top character dining locations at Walt Disney World, highlighting the magical moments and delicious dishes that await guests of all ages. Whether you're dining with princesses, classic Disney characters, or cult favorites, these dining experiences are sure to create memories that last a lifetime.
Topolino's Terrace Character Breakfast
Indulge in a European-inspired breakfast experience at Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, located at Disney's Riviera Resort. This elegant rooftop restaurant offers stunning views of Walt Disney World Resort. Make sure to take a moment to step outside on the balcony to take it all in.
This restaurant offers character meet and greets at breakfast only. They serve up delicious cuisine inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean coast. The kids meal for guests 3-9 years old offers a choice of Mickey Shaped Waffle Dippers or Scrambled Eggs; each with a choice of two sides. It is presented to look like an artists palette. It’s the details like this that make Disney so magical. Adults can enjoy a prix fixe breakfast featuring dishes like sour cream waffles, quiche gruyère, and wood-fired butcher's steak. The steak is one of my favorites, I recommend ordering with a side of sour cream waffles.
During the meal, you'll have the opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck, who are dressed in stylish outfits inspired by the Riviera. Donald as a sculptor is absolutely adorable. Mickey’s painter outfit is pretty fabulous too. With its sophisticated ambiance and delectable cuisine, Topolino's Terrace offers a character dining experience unlike any other. The characters make their rounds around the dining room and you will most likely get to see them more than once if you are eating at a leisurely pace.
Cinderella's Royal Table
Located inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, Cinderella's Royal Table offers guests the opportunity to dine like royalty in a fairytale setting. As you ascend the spiral staircase to the banquet hall, you'll be greeted by Cinderella herself and other Disney princesses, who will visit your table throughout the meal for photos and autographs. This is arguably one of the toughest dining reservations to secure. I mean who doesn’t want to dine inside Cinderella’s castle. You can book reservations for dining up to 60 days in advance and for this restaurant I definitely recommend doing so right when that 60 day window opens. I’ll share a little tip with you a little later in this post so look out for it! The menu features upscale American cuisine with dishes like beef tenderloin and roasted chicken, fit for a prince or princess.
Not only do you get the meet Disney princesses up close and personal at your table, but you’ll get a special photo opportunity with Cinderella. Upon entering the castle, you’ll have a quick photo/meet + greet opp. with the princess. This offers a photo pass opportunity as well and they even add a bit of magic to this one! Every time we’ve been here, Cinderella has been very generous with her time and goes out of her way to make guests feel special. This entire experience can be a little bit pricey, but I do recommend you dining here at least once for the experience of dining within the castle.
'Ohana
If you’re fans of Stitch this one is definitely a must do! Get up close and personal with the quirky, blue alien! Lilo is there too and so is Mickey and Pluto. One of my favorite things about ‘Ohana is that you are transported into a tropical paradise at this restaurant, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. This whole resort has such a unique vibe within the Disney bubble.
The character experience is at breakfast only, so make sure to book accordingly. Not only will the characters come out and march around the dining room while Hawaiian Roller Coast Ride plays but they also will come directly to your table. Again, such a great opportunity to get some 1 on 1 time with your favorite Disney characters. Prior to Covid, they would allow kids to march around the room with the characters, my kids adored this. I really how they bring that back soon.
This lively and family-friendly spot offers a Polynesian-inspired feast served family-style, with an all-you-care-to-eat selection of island favorites. Start your meal with 'Ohana's famous pineapple-coconut bread. Breakfast features an assortment of island inspired dishes that included Hawaiian pork sausages, scrambled eggs, savory breakfast potatos and an assortment of fresh fruits. Make sure to get the POG juice with breakfast. You might be wondering what exactly is POG juice, well it’s a combination of Pineapple, Orange, and Guava juice and a true Disney classic IYKYK. KIds will love the all-you-care-to-enjoy platter of Mickey & Stitch shaped waffles! That’s right, Stitch has his own waffles here! I’ve been searching high and low for a Stitch waffle maker to add to our at home collection but nothing yet. I’ve got some great options for Mickey waffle makers though! With its delicious food, festive atmosphere, and character interactions, 'Ohana is a must-visit dining spot for families and Disney fans alike especially if you adore Lilo & Stitch.
Hollywood & Vine
What is unique about Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is that it is the only location where you can dine with your kid’s favorite Disney Junior Characters making it the perfect spot for families with young children. If you book a breakfast reservation you just might find characters like Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and Fancy Nancy! They will dance around the room and visit tables to take photographs.
This is definitely a fun buffet style meal with many kid-friendly dishes like Mickey Waffles for breakfast and chicken tenders + macaroni and cheese for lunch. Kids will love that they have a soft-serve ice cream machine here! Adults might enjoy the carved beef tenderloin, seared salmon, or spice-rubbed pork loin a bit better. During breakfast, I had some of the best biscuits and gravy of my life here. The seasonings were incredible! At lunch and dinner time the Disney Junior Characters leave and Minnie Mouse hosts parties with her friends Mickey, Pluto, and Goofy! You’ll find them donning some pretty cute speciality costumes throughout the year to go with the seasons.
Storybook Dining at Artist Point
Experience a fairytale dining adventure at Storybook Dining at Artist Point in Disney's Wilderness Lodge. This immersive dining experience brings the world of Snow White to life with themed decor, live music, and encounters with beloved characters from the film. Guests can indulge in a prix fixe menu featuring dishes like the "Poison" Apple appetizer and the "Wicked" Shrimp Cocktail, followed by entrees such as the Royal Prime Rib Roast and the Magic Mirror Dessert. They have some amazing “magical” drinks here for kids and adults. The kids meal had a fun theme to it making the whole experience very memorable. At the end of your dinner you’ll be presented with a magical chest that smokes upon opening and contains delicious heart shaped chocolates. It was such a fun way to end a delightfully magically meal.
Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and even the Evil Queen herself will make appearances throughout the meal, creating magical moments for guests of all ages. Snow White will visit your table at some point during your visit and so will the dwarfs. You’ll get a chance to take some pictures with them and chat with Snow White. They will also walk throughout the room performing. At your leisure, you can head over to the Evil Queen little station within the restaurant. They have a great backdrop for photos and a PhotoPass photographer was stationed here during our visit to capture magical memories. The Evil Queen was one of the most fun character experiences at Disney World. She made funny jokes and remarks to my kids that had them in fits of giggles. You surely do not want to miss this chance to meet her.
Chef Mickey's
Join Mickey Mouse and his pals for a fun-filled meal at Chef Mickey's, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort. I consider this one a classic Disney dining experience that you need to do at least once! This iconic restaurant offers classic American fare served buffet-style for breakfast, brunch, and dinner, with something for everyone to enjoy. During the pandemic, it switched to prix fixe all-you-care-to-enjoy family style but buffets are back!
As you dine, you'll be entertained by lively music and appearances from Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck, who will visit each table for photos, autographs, and playful interactions. Kids will enjoy a special performance while the characters dance around the room and encourage spectators to participate at their tables by waving their napkins in the air! Chef Mickey's is best known for its festive atmosphere and character dining experience, making it a favorite among families and Disney fans of all ages. The proximity to Magic Kingdom makes this location ultra convenient. You can walk there or just hop on the Monorail.
The restaurant's open kitchen design allows guests to watch as chefs prepare made-to-order omelets, pancakes, and other breakfast favorites, while the buffet stations offer a wide variety of dishes, including Mickey-shaped waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, pastries, and more.In addition to the delicious food and character interactions, Chef Mickey's also offers stunning views of Magic Kingdom Park and the Seven Seas Lagoon, providing the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. Whether you're dining with family, friends, or as a solo traveler, Chef Mickey's offers a lively and festive dining experience that captures the magic of Disney and creates memories to last a lifetime.
Honorable Mentions:
Be Our Guest Restaurant
This one is located within Magic Kingdom and can help check off dining in a castle on your bucket list. There are 3 unique, enchanting dining rooms inspired by inconic locations for the classic film. The Beast will walk through the Grand Ballroom, the Castle GAllery, and the mysterious West Wing. This is when you can take photo opps from your seat. He does not stop to chat though and moves quite quickly through the rooms. Prior to the pandemic, you would have a chance for a meet and greet within a special area inside the restaurant. You could also get autographs signed, but this has not returned. I am hoping it will one day though. Belle is not at this location at all. You can visit her next door at the Enchanted Tales with Belle attraction. One really cool thing about this restaurant is that you can try the gray stuff, it’s delicious!
Garden Grill Restaurant
This one offers classic homestyle comfort food like grilled meats, harvest vegetables, and warm bread pudding. It kind of reminds me of a Thanksgiving meal or something similar, not my personal favorite. But, what does make this restaurant pretty unique is that it is rotating! That is right, you’ll spin around (very slowly, so don’t worry!) a revolving platform, providing panoramic views of the Living with the Land attraction below. All while being visited by classic Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Chip 'n' Dale, and even Farmer Mickey's friend, Goofy. Another plus is that these characters tend to spend quite a bit of time at your table and you’ll usually see them several times during your visit.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Here you’ll step into a Norwegian castle located in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT's World Showcase. Bonus points that it is a castle and for the fact that you will meet so many beloved Disney princesses here. Plus, the price is not quite as steep as Cinderella’s Royal Table and it’s much easier to get reservations here. For breakfast enjoy you can enjoy buffet style options while lunch and dinner are plated. Princesses that you might see here include Belle, Snow White, Ariel, and Cinderella.
The menu at Akershus features a variety of Norwegian-inspired dishes, including traditional breakfast favorites like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and Norwegian smoked salmon, as well as lunch and dinner options such as traditional Norwegian meatballs, grilled salmon, and oven-roasted chicken. These weren’t our favorite food options at Disney World which is why this one is only an honorable mention. The experience itself with the princesses is fabulous though.
Tusker House
This fun + unique dining experience is located within Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll find a buffet-style menu with African inspired dishes. This restaurant is best suited for more adventurous eaters. Although they do have basic kid-friendly options for little ones dining off of the kids menu. The dessert selection was great when we visited here. The nice thing about this restaurant is you can easily check off the top Disney characters from you must see list. You will typically find Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy here all dressed up in safari gear!
Tips for Making the Most of Your Character Dining Experience:
Make Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs): Character dining spots are extremely popular and can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Be sure to make ADRs as early as possible to secure your preferred dining times. Remember earlier when I told you that you can book your reservation up to 60 days out? Well, there is a little trick that a lot of people don’t know about. Let’s say you booked a 7 day vacation at Disney, as soon as the window for the first day of your trip opens up to book (at 60 days) so does the rest of your vacation. So, for that final day you can essentially book 67 days out. This may seem minor but those extra days can make the difference in securing hard to book reservations.
Bring Cameras + Autograph Books: Don't forget to bring autograph books and cameras to capture magical moments with your favorite Disney characters. Most character dining experiences allow for ample photo opportunities and character interactions. Prior to the pandemic you could get autographs at most locations but many have switched to providing a pre-signed card at the beginning of your meal. But, it never hurts to bring those books just in case.
Be Flexible with Meal Times: Consider booking character dining experiences during off-peak meal times, such as late breakfast or early dinner, to avoid crowds and long wait times. Bonus, if you book a late breakfast you just might get lucky at buffet locations when meals switch over and can get a bit of breakfast and lunch!
Plan for Special Occasions: Character dining can be a memorable way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Let Disney cast members know in advance, and they may be able to provide extra surprises or celebrations during your meal.
Character dining at Walt Disney World offers guests the opportunity to combine delicious cuisine with memorable interactions with some of your favorite Disney characters. From dining in a royal castle to sharing a meal with princesses, classic characters, or cult favorites there's a character dining experience for every taste and preference. Whether you're visiting with family, friends, or as a solo traveler, be sure to add one of these magical dining experiences to your Disney itinerary for an unforgettable culinary adventure.
Are there any character dining experiences I missed that you think deserve a spot on this list? Let me know, I love hearing from you! With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening this summer, I’d love to see a Tiana themed restaurant with characters from the movie at Disney World.
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