Meeting a favorite Disney characters is a time honored experience for many who visit Disney World. However, character greetings often involve saying a quick hello, posing for a picture, getting an autograph, and then moving on so they next person in line gets their turn.
If you want to spend a little more quality time with your favorite characters, a Character Meal might be a better option!
All of these meals take place at table-service restaurants, most of which are very nice, inside theme parks or Disney resort hotels.
All but one of these experiences is only one table-service credit on the Disney Dining Plan, and while many say it’s not a great way to get the most value out of your credit, you can’t put a price on meeting your favorite character!
If you want to attend one of these character meals, Advanced Dining Reservations are highly recommended if not required. Many of them sell out very quickly.
Let’s take a look at the available character dining experiences in Disney World!
Chef Mickey’s Fun Time Buffet
Chef Mickey’s Fun Time Buffet inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort serves breakfast, brunch and dinner in an all-you-care-to-eat buffet. The monorail zooms overhead, and Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy dance and make their rounds for photos and autographs.
Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner
Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa’s 1900 Park Fare allows guests to dine with Cinderella and Prince Charming for a dinner you’ll never forget!
Supercalifragilistic Breakfast
Also at 1900 Park Fare is the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, which is an all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet. You’ll get to meet Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Winnie the Pooh.
Wonderland Tea Party
The Wonderland Tea Party also takes place at 1900 Park Fare. It’s exclusively for ages 4 to 12 and offers a make-your-own-cupcake, “tea” (apple juice), and the opportunity to meet Alice in Wonderland characters in this one-hour-long unbirthday celebration.
‘Ohana’s Best Friends Breakfast
The Best Friends Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s ‘Ohana restaurant features Lilo and Stitch and other Disney favorites like Goofy and Mickey. This all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast is served family style.
Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast
Disney’s Beach Club Resort’s Cape May Café hosts Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast. Minnie and some of her best friends are present in their best beach attire.
A Buffet with Character
A Buffet with Character takes place inside Magic Kingdom at Crystal Palace set in a late 1800s Victorian Greenhouse. Meet Pooh, Piglet, and Tigger for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Fairytale Dining
Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table puts guests right in the middle of Magic Kingdom’s icon, Cinderella Castle. This is the only character dining experience that requires two table-service credits on the current Disney Dining Plan. Young Princes and Princesses are encouraged to dress up in their best royal attire to attend this meal, but it is not required.
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at The Garden Grill is a rotating restaurant providing some neat views Epcot’s The Land pavilion as it passes by parts of Living with the Land. This all-you-care-to-enjoy meal is served family style.
Princess Storybook Dining
Princess Storybook Dining in Akershus Royal Banquet Hall takes place in a medieval castle in World Showcase’s Norway Pavilion. Guests can meet Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora, and Ariel for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Disney Junior Play ‘n’ Dine
Disney Junior Play ‘n’ Dine at Hollywood and Vine is the only place you can dine with Disney Junior characters. This event in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is available for breakfast and lunch.
Minnie’s Seasonal Dining
Hollywood and Vine hosts Minnie’s seasonal dining for dinner! Theme, characters, and food differ from Summertime, Halloween, and Holiday!
Donald’s Dining Safari
Donald’s Dining Safari is held at Tusker House Restaurant, which is stylized like an African marketplace. This meal is available all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you’ll get to meet Donald and some of his best buddies!
Storybook Dining with Snow White
Storybook Dining with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge’s Artist Point Restaurant is a new character dinner during which you’ll get to meet Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and even the Evil Queen. You’ll enjoy individual entrees and shared appetizers and desserts in this enchanted forest.
Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast
The Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno is known for having two famous couples: Ariel and Prince Eric and Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. This opportunity is only offered at breakfast time.
Have you visited Disney character dining restaurants? Which ones?