How to Dine with the Characters at Disney World
Dining with the Characters at Disney World is a great way to enhance the magic of your Disney vacation. Character dining experiences give you and your family the chance to enjoy an amazing Disney-themed meal, while also getting to meet some of your favorite Disney characters.
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Why Should You Make a Reservation to Dine with Characters at Disney World
Character meals give you a guaranteed opportunity to talk with, get an autograph from, a hug, and a photo with your many of your favorite Disney characters. During Disney character meals a selection of characters will enter the dining room and make their way to each table so each guest gets the chance to meet them.
One of our favorite perks of a Character Meal at Disney is that instead of waiting in a long, hot, line at the Disney Parks to meet a character, you can enjoy an air-conditioned meal and still get to meet your favorite characters. I highly recommend booking at least one Character Dining Reservations during your first Disney Vacation.
Important things to know about character dining at Disney World
- You must make Advanced Dining Reservations. Character meals do require reservations and the experiences can fill up quickly so once you have booked the dates of your stay you will want to book your character dining experience too.
- If you have a reservation for a dining location in a Disney World Park (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom) you not only need an advanced dining reservation, but you also need to have a reservation for that Park if you are dining before park-hopping begins at 2 PM. (These park reservations may end in January 2024, check back for updates.)
- Currently, character meals are available for many mealtimes but not all locations offer character meet-and-greets all day. Some character dining experiences are only during dinner while others are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. See my notes below for all of the details.
- While Disney Characters and cast members try to allow guests to get a photo and autograph it is not always possible. For example, I have not included Be Our Guest in this lineup because the Beast just walks through the dining room and does not usually stop for photos. Please remember to be kind to cast members and know that they will do their best to have the characters meet your table.
The Disney Dining Plan is back! Find out all of the details of the returning Disney Dining Plan and see how you can use this benefit for these special Character Dining experiences during your trip. Read the post here.
What restaurants offer Character Dining at Disney World?
- Artist Point – Storybook Dining
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Princess Storybook Dining
- Cape May Cafe – Minnie’s Beach Bash
- Chef Mickey’s – Character Buffet
- Cinderella’s Royal Table – Fairytale Dining
- Crystal Palace – A Buffet with Character
- Garden Grill – Chip ‘n’ Dale and friends
- Ohana – Best Friends Breakfast
- Hollywood & Vine – Disney Junior Play N Dine (Breakfast) Minnie Seasonal Dine
- Topolino’s Terrace – Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends
- Tusker House – Donald’s Dining Safari
Artist Point – Storybook Dining
Where is Artist Point?
Artist Point is located in Wilderness Lodge (Resort). You can get to the Wilderness Lodge using Disney World’s free transportation. You can take a bus from any Disney World Park right to the resort. You can also take a boat from Magic Kingdom over to the resort.
What characters are at Artist point?
You will meet Snow White, Grumpy, Dopey, and the Evil Queen during your dinner at Artist Point.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are character meals at Artist point
You can make reservations for this character dining experience for dinner only.
Dining Times:
- Dinner – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
What does it cost to dine at Artist Point’s Character Dining?
The prices for character dining at Artist Point are below:
- Dinner: $60+ per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Princess Storybook Dining
Where is Akershus Royal Banquet Hall?
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is located in Epcot’s World Showcase, at the Norway Pavillion.
What characters are at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall?
You will dine in the medieval castle for a storybook feast with some of your favorite princesses. Here you will find Snow White, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, and Princess Jasmine.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are character meals at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
You can make reservations for breakfast, lunch, or dinner here. The meals are all you care to enjoy buffets and there are both American and Norwegian foods for you to choose from. *
Dining Times:
- Breakfast – 8:30 AM to 12:10 PM
- Lunch – 12:15 PM to 4:40 PM
- Dinner – 5:25 PM to 8:05 PM
What does it cost to dine at Akershus’ Character Dining?
The prices for character dining at Akershus are below:
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Lunch: $60+ per adult
- Dinner: $60+ per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Cape May Cafe – Minnie’s Beach Bash
Where is Minnie’s Beach Bash?
Cape May Cafe is located in Disney’s Beach Club Resort. We stayed at the Beach Club Resort last year and really loved the location, it was so quick to walk from EPCOT’s International Gateway (the World Showcase entrance to EPCOT by UK). You can also take a bus from any Disney World Park to the Beach Club Resort.
What characters can we meet at cape may cafe?
The characters you might see here are Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy Duck all dressed up for a day at the beach!
Minnie’s Beach Bash breakfast is the only character dining opportunity at Cape May Cafe
The only character dining offered here, for now, is breakfast. This is an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet with a selection of pastries, omelets, bacon, and sausage as well as other breakfast favorites to choose from. *
Dining Hours at Cape May Cafe are:
- Breakfast – 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM
What does the Character Dining at the Beach Club Cost?
The prices for character dining at Cape May Cafe are below:
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Chef Mickey’s – Character Buffet
Where is Chef Mickey’s Character Buffet?
Chef Mickey’s is located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and you can make reservations for breakfast and dinner here.
What characters can we meet at chef mickey’s?
You can meet the Fab Five at Chef Mickeys! Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto are all dressed up as chefs and ready to greet you! There is usually a special photo opp after your meal to meet Minnie Mouse
When are Character Meals Offered?
You can meet characters at Chef Mickey’s at breakfast and dinner.
Chef Mickey’s is an all-you-care-to-eat buffet. At breakfast, you will find charcuterie boards with meats and cheeses, waffles and pancakes, eggs, fresh fruits, and pastries.
If you attend the dinner service you will find NY strip loin, roasted pork, a carving station with select meats, shrimp and grits, roasted vegetables, and of course kid favorites like chicken nuggets and corn dog nuggets.
Dining Hours at Chef Mickey’s are:
- Breakfast – 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Dinner – 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
What does the Character Dining at chef mickey’s cost?
The prices for character dining at Chef Mickey’s are below:
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Dinner: $35 to $59.99 per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Cinderella’s Royal Table – Fairytale Dining
Where is Cinderella’s Royal Table?
Cinderella’s Royal Table is located in Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom. In order to dine at the Cinderella’s Royal Table you not only need an advanced dining reservation but you also need to have a reservation for the Magic Kingdom if you are dining before park-hopping begins at 2 PM. (These park reservations may end in January 2024, check back for updates.)
The setting can’t be beat – you will dine in a storybook fantasy, surrounded by stained glass windows and medieval flags. You are encouraged to dress up (little ones can dress up like princesses/princes for this special experience.)
What Characters can we meet at cinderella’s royal table?
You can enjoy a royal dining experience with several princesses. Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Princess Aurora, and Jasmine. (Some characters are subject to change)
When are Character Meals Offered?
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with the princesses.
During the breakfast service, there is a set menu for both children and adults for you to choose from, these include beef tenderloin and eggs or Mickey waffles.
During lunch and dinner service there are three courses and you get to choose your appetizer, entree, and dessert.
Adult entree choices include pork tenderloin, roasted chicken, gnocchi, and grilled beef tenderloin. Children’s entrees include chicken nuggets, macaroni, and cheese, seared fish, or grilled beef tenderloin.
Dining Hours at Cinderella’s Royal Table are:
- Breakfast – 8:00 AM to 10:15 AM
- Lunch – 11:00 AM to 2:55 PM
- Dinner – 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
What does the Character Dining at cinderella’s royal table cost?
The prices for character dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table are below:
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Lunch: $60+ per adult
- Dinner: $60+ per adult
When you make a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table you will pay upfront including taxes and 18% tip. (You can cancel and get a full refund if you cancel 2 hours or more before your reservation.
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Crystal Palace – A Buffet with Character
Where is the crystal palace?
The Crystal Palace on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom.
What Characters are at the Crystal Palace?
The characters you can meet here include our friends from The Hundred Acre Wood: Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. This was our very first dining experience at Disney World with our kids and we all loved meeting the characters.
Pooh and his friends are at the crystal palace during breakfast, lunch, and dinner
The breakfast buffet options are classic American dishes like eggs, pancakes, biscuits, and gravy, pastries, fruits, and yogurt.
During the lunch and dinner service, some of the options you might find are seasonal ravioli, fried chicken, shrimp creole, and assorted vegetables and desserts.
Dining Hours at Crystal Palace are: *
- Breakfast – 8:00 AM to 10:45 AM
- Lunch – 11:00 AM to 2:55 PM
- Dinner – 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM
What does the Character Dining at Crystal Palace cost?
The prices for character dining at Crystal Palace are below:
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Lunch: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Dinner: $35 to $59.99 per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Garden Grill – Chip ‘n’ Dale and friends
Where is Garden Grill?
Garden Grill is located in EPCOT at the LAND. It is a unique rotating (very slowly) restaurant, which gives you a unique experience and different sights as you dine.
What Characters can we meet at Garden Grill?
You can meet Chip ‘n’ Dale and some of their Disney friends at Garden Grill.
When are Character Meals Offered?
Garden Grill offers family-style all-you-care-to-eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfasts include delicious cinnamon bread, scrambled eggs, Mickey-shaped waffles, a potato casserole, and other goodies!
For lunch and dinner, You will enjoy Grilled beef, Sliced turkey and gravy, and lots of delicious vegetable dishes that are grown in the Disney Greenhouses at Living with the Land.
Dining Hours at Garden Grill are:
- Breakfast – 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Lunch – 11:30 AM to 3:40 PM
- Dinner – 3:45 PM to 8:00 PM
What does the Character Dining at Garden Grill cost?
The prices for character dining at Garden Grill are below:
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Lunch: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Dinner: $35 to $59.99 per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
‘Ohana – Best Friends Breakfast
Where is ‘ohana?
‘Ohana restaurant is located at the beautiful Polynesian resort. You can get to the resort from all parks using Disney transportation services. The buses can take you from any Disney World Park to the Polynesian. You can also get there from Magic Kingdom by using the Monorail.
What Characters can we meet at ‘ohana?
You will see Lilo, Stitch, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto during your meal.
When are Character Meals Offered?
‘Ohana offers Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch. This all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet includes a lot of fresh fruits, as well as warm pineapple-coconut breakfast bread, and the ‘Ohana breakfast skillet with ham, eggs, potatoes, sausage, Mickey waffles, and biscuits! *
‘Ohana is also open for dinner service, but there are no characters present for dinner.
Dining Hours at ‘Ohana are: *
- Breakfast – 7:30 AM to 12:15 PM
- Dinner – 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM
What does the Character Dining at ‘Ohana cost?
The prices for character dining at ‘Ohana are below:
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Dinner: $35 to $59.99 per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Hollywood & Vine – Disney Junior Play N Dine (Breakfast) Minnie Seasonal Dine
Where is the Hollywood & Vine?
Hollywood & Vine is located on Echo Lake inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
What Characters can we meet at Hollywood & Vine?
Hollywood & Vine has 2 unique Character dining experiences. At breakfast, you will meet Disney Junior stars. Lunch and Dinner you a Seasonal Dining with Minnie and her friends.
When are Character Meals Offered?
Characters are at Hollywood and Vine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but the characters do vary so be sure to read below for the details.
You will enjoy Disney Junior Play n’ Dine with your favorite characters from Disney Junior. These include Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, Speed Racer Goofy, and Fancy Nancy.
On the breakfast buffet, you will find Bananas Foster’s french toast, chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, and bread pudding. There are also pastries, fruit, yogurt, and other classic breakfast items available.
During lunch and dinner at Hollywood & Vine, the theme is Minnie’s seasonal Dine, and the characters include Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto. They will be dressed for the season/holiday during these mealtimes.
The lunch and dinner menu changes seasonally but some buffet offerings you might find are shrimp, roasted turkey breast, mushroom risotto, whipped potatoes, brussels sprouts, and assorted breads.
Check Disney’s website to see when the different seasonal dining experiences are happening. Below is a list of the Seasonal Dining Experiences at Hollywood and Vine:
- Holiday Dine
- Halloween Dine
- Silver Screen Dine
- Springtime Dine
- Summertime Dine
Dining Hours at Hollywood and Vine are:
- Breakfast – 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Lunch – 11:30 AM to 3:55 PM
- Dinner – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
What does the Character Dining at Hollywood & Vine cost?
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Lunch: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Dinner: $35 to $59.99 per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Topolino’s Terrace – Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends
Where is Topolino’s Terrace?
Topolino’s Terrace is located at the Rivera Resort. You can get to the Rivera Resort by taking a bus from any Disney World Park or take a ride share, Uber, Lyft, or Minnie Van. [We’ve had great luck using Lyft while at Disney, you can also reserve a Minnie Van from Lyft. If you’ve never used Lyft you can use my referral link and save $8 ]
What Characters can we meet at Topolino’s Terrace?
While you enjoy your breakfast, you will meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck.
what meal at Topolino’s Terrace is a character meal?
While Topolino’s offers breakfast and dinner services you will only meet the characters during breakfast.
Breakfast at Topolino Terrace is a prix-fixe menu. Some of the choices include Quiche, Waffles, Smoked Salmon, Two Eggs, and much more.
Character Dining Hours at Topolino’s Terrace are:
- Breakfast – 7:30 AM to 12:15 PM
What does the Character Dining at Topolino’s Terrace cost?
The prices for character dining at Topolino’s Terrace are below:
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
See why Tusker House isn’t the only reason we love Animal Kingdom and why you shouldn’t skip Animal Kingdom on your trip to Disney World. Read the post here.
Tusker House – Donald’s Dining Safari
Where is Tusker House?
Tusker House is located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Africa.
What Characters can we meet at Tusker House?
You will meet Mickey Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, and Goofy all wearing their safari best!
what meal at Tusker House is a character meal?
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Meals at the Tusker House are served family-style
For breakfast, you will find traditional breakfast items as well as hard-boiled eggs, Mickey waffles, honey Greek yogurt, and cardamom granola.
During lunch and dinner, you can try tandoori chicken, chicken curry, marinated beef, and other traditional African dishes. You will also find kid-friendly favorites like macaroni and cheese, corn dog nuggets, and chicken legs.
Dining Hours at Tusker House are:
- Breakfast – 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- Lunch – 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM
- Dinner – 3:35 PM to 7:00 PM
What does the Character Dining at Tusker House cost?
- Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Lunch: $60+ per adult
- Dinner: $60+ per adult
* Times, menu, and pricing are subject to change
Have you ever tried a character dining experience at Walt Disney World before? If you haven’t, are you going to try one?
Character dining at Walt Disney World will make your already amazing vacation even more magical. It’s an experience that your family will talk about for years to come!
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