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Meeting characters is all part of the fun when visiting Walt Disney World, and there are ample opportunities to interact with your favourite Disney characters during the large number of in-park meet & greets. However, long lines often develop, and although you may be able to secure a FastPass+ for some meets, there is an alternative to waiting in queues or using up your FastPass+ allocation - which is to book a character meal at one of the restaurants offering such an experience.
Although some restaurants are located within the parks, there are a number situated at various Disney Resorts, meaning you don't necessarily need to travel to the parks in order to meet your favourite Disney character. For this reason, it's also a great activity to enjoy during a non-park day.
All Character Dining meals are table service, with many being served as a buffet, some are family style - where food is delivered on platters to your table, and one or two being full table service meals or a mixture of the three. Prices tend to reflect the food and service offered, and menus vary between each venue, so it's worth checking the Walt Disney World website for full information before you decide to book.
What to expect
During a character meal at Disney World, you can relax and enjoy your food whilst characters intermittently join you at your table to interact, sign autographs and pose for photographs. There's no need to approach them, in fact this is discouraged so you don't ruin the experience for another family.
If a character disappears before they have reached your table, don't worry, they'll just be taking a break and will promptly return, with some having handlers to ensure they don't miss anyone out. If you do feel you have been missed, let a Cast Member know and they'll make sure you receive a visit before the end of your meal.
A select few restaurants do require you to meet characters away from your table - for example, Stitch is located in the waiting area of 'Ohana, but most will circulate the restaurant throughout meal times, with some intermittently leading guests in a song and dance around the venue, so it's a good idea to prepare children, and encourage them to join in the fun
How to prepare
Another way to prepare, is to have autograph books, pens and cameras ready. Memory Maker photographers don't tend to visit tables, although they may be present at those meet and greets which occur outside the main dining room.
Hint: The autograph books with photo holders make a wonderful souvenir of your character meet and greets. Ask the characters to sign one side, then pop a photo of your meeting in the photo holder on the opposite page. As characters find it much easier to hold a thick pen when signing, make sure you have one to hand.
To further enhance your experience, interact with the characters - they will gladly play along and it really adds to the fun. For example: tell Minnie you like her dress, ask Eeyore how he's feeling today, pretend to be confused between Chip and Dale, or tell Lilo that Stitch was misbehaving when you met him earlier.
What to wear
Character dining is a casual affair, so there are no particular dress codes enforced. However, you will see many people dressed for the occasion - from Mickey ears to themed t-shirts, right up to children dressed as the Princess they are hoping to meet.
This can often add to the interaction, and provides some fabulous photo opportunities. Minnie will often point out our Minnie ears, and Stitch absolutely loved the themed t-shirt of him, with the emblems depicting various emotions - continually pointing to the one labelled 'hungry'.
Purchasing the correct attire before your trip can work out much cheaper than buying these in the parks. Here are some of our suggestions:
Which characters at which restaurants?
Disney stipulate characters and menus are subject to change, but as a general rule, you can expect the following:
1900 Park Fare - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Breakfast:
- Mary Poppins
- Alice in Wonderland
- The Mad Hatter
- Tigger
- Winnie the Pooh
Dinner:
- Cinderella
- Prince Charming
- Drisella
- Anastasia
- Lady Tremaine
Food is served buffet style, and, although we've never eaten here, we've heard reports of the fun antics occurring courtesy of the Ugly Stepsisters - Drisella and Anastasia.
At breakfast, you can expect a choice of: pancakes, bagels, bacon, sausage, omelets, eggs Benedict, fruits, cereals and more.
Dinner provides a selection of salads, soups, meats, fish, and vegetables.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall - Epcot Norway Pavilion
Ideal for Disney Princess fans, as there are many of the most popular characters all in one room, which may include:
- Snow White
- Cinderella
- Belle
- Aurora
- Ariel
Food is served buffet/family dining style, and characters will be present at all sittings - breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Norwegian influenced menu includes eggs, bacon, mackerel, cheeses and meats served at breakfast, with lunch and dinner providing the opportunity to sample such dishes as: Viking Mixed Grill, Seared Pork Tenderloin and Grilled Fillet of Salmon.
Cape May Cafe - Disney's Beach Club Resort
Start the day with a substantial and varied breakfast buffet, including Mickey Waffles, fruits, hot offerings, cereals, pastries, plus the chance to meet:
- Minnie Mouse
- Goofy
- Donald Duck
- Daisy Duck
all dressed in their beach attire. Characters are at breakfast only.
On the number of occasions we've eaten breakfast here, we've always experienced fabulous character interaction - with them posing for selfies, generally messing around, and even had Goofy sit with us at the table to draw in the kid's autograph books.
During our last visit in 2019, Daisy had been added to the list of characters, and we noticed the outfits had been given a revamp.
We've always enjoyed the food options available at Cape May Cafe. Alongside usual breakfast offerings, a few different dishes have also been available to try.
In 2019, the food was as plentiful and tasty as ever, and it was a treat to see the rather rare Minnie Waffles served alongside typical Mickey ones. Plus, our server even gifted a card and some aptly themed cupcakes in recognition of an event we were celebrating. Another fun time was enjoyed by all.
Chef Mickey's - Disney's Contemporary Resort
For the chance to meet the main man himself during breakfast, lunch and dinner, head over to Disney's Contemporary Resort where you'll find:
- Mickey Mouse
- Minnie Mouse
- Pluto
- Donald Duck
- Goofy
Throughout your buffet meal, you'll also be invited to join in the singing and dancing which occurs at various times.
Breakfast includes fruits, yoghurts, smoked salmon, potatoes, bacon, and Mickey waffles. During lunch and dinner you can expect salads, a selection of meats, vegetables, soups and pasta.
Cinderella's Royal Table - Magic Kingdom
For the ultimate dining experience, including the chance to eat within the castle walls, Cinderella's Royal Table provides the opportunity to enjoy a table service meal, whilst meeting a number of Disney Princesses, including:
- Cinderella
- Princess Aurora
- Snow White
- Princess Jasmine
- Ariel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner reservations are available, and highly recommended. As this is one of the few non-buffet restaurants, you'll be presented with a selection of pastries, then be required to select your entree from choices such as: traditional cooked breakfast, shrimp and grits, baked quiche and beef tenderloin with egg.
At lunch and dinner, appetizers include soup, salads, scallops, and charcuterie selection. With entrees including; tenderloin of beef, roast chicken breast, seared pork rib chop and chickpea panisse. All followed by a choice of desserts.
With the exception of Cinderella, not all Princesses will be present at every sitting.
The Crystal Palace - Magic Kingdom
If you're a fan of Winnie the Pooh characters, The Crystal Palace is the place for you. Whilst enjoying the breakfast, lunch and/or dinner buffet, featuring many American classics, you can expect a visit from:
- Winnie the Pooh
- Tigger
- Piglet
- Eeyore
Garden Grill Restaurant - Epcot
This revolving restaurant, located in The Land pavilion of Epcot's Future World, serves food family style, during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
It's also one of the few places to meet Disney's cheeky chipmunks and friends, with typical characters including:
- Chip
- Dale
- Mickey
- Pluto
We ate here in 2019, and were very impressed with the whole experience. Food is served family style, starting with a basket of assorted breads and salad, followed by a huge platter of meats, seasonal vegetables and sauces. The meats were beautifully cooked and all the accompaniments were delicious. There's even a generous portion of macaroni cheese and fries delivered - although we were all enjoying the meat and vegetables too much to make much of a dent in these.
If you have enough room left for dessert, this consist of a large sponge cake topped with fruit and whipped cream, plus a cookie for each guest.
Hollywood & Vine - Hollywood Studios
Another All-You-Care-To-Enjoy (aka buffet) restaurant where you can experience the enjoyment of character interactions throughout your meal.
Depending on which sitting, and which time of year you visit, characters will vary.
At breakfast, you can expect to be joined by Disney Junior characters, which tend to include:
- Doc McStuffins
- Jake the Never Land Pirate
- Sofia the First
- Roadster Racer Goofy
Lunch and Dinner, hosted by Minnie Mouse, are themed according to the season. Therefore, depending when you visit, you may see characters dressed in beach attire, Halloween costumes, or in their Christmas outfits.
Minnie is usually joined by:
- Mickey Mouse
- Donald Duck
- Daisy Duck
- Goofy
As with Crystal Palace, food is typical American fare, so you can choose from fruits, pastries, pancakes, waffles, meats, potatoes and eggs during breakfast, with lunch and dinner offering: salads, soups, pasta, vegetables, meats and fish dishes, as well as a number of desserts.
Both restaurants are ideal for picky eaters, as you're likely to find something to please everyone, however, it's nothing special, so if you prefer more adventurous food, there are better restaurant options available.
'Ohana - Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
This is an extremely popular character breakfast, served family style, which provides the opportunity to meet:
- Lilo
- Stitch
- Mickey Mouse
- Pluto
During you meal, Mickey, Pluto and Lilo will appear at your table to pose for photographs and sign autograph books, whereas the Stitch meet & greet occurs in the waiting area - where Memory Maker photographers are on hand to capture the moment you're pulled in to a hug by Disney's naughtiest alien.
We've eaten breakfast here on a number of occasions, and we prefer the family-style service over the buffet. You'll be served a fruit platter, along with a large portion of breakfast bread, as well as hot drinks, and the famously delicious 'Ohana breakfast juice. The hot (or in our case, luke warm) platter consists of Mickey Waffles, scrambled eggs, potatoes, breakfast biscuits and ham.
Breakfast provides a great opportunity to meet Stitch, one of our favourite characters, however, we deemed it not worth the high cost due to the average service and food which was served.
Artist Point - Disney's Wilderness Lodge
A relatively new character dinner, where you select your entree from a prix fixe menu, which includes Prime Rib, Roast Chicken and Fish, with shared starters and desserts at either side, whilst meeting:
- Snow White
- Dopey
- Grumpy
- The Evil Queen
Trattoria al Forno - Disney's Boardwalk
Another opportunity to enjoy a character breakfast in the Epcot area. Here you may be joined by:
- Ariel
- Prince Eric
- Rapunzel
- Flynn Rider
whilst feasting on pancakes, frittata, fruit, freshly baked bread and/or pastries.
We haven't eaten breakfast here, but, if the evening meal we enjoyed here on our last visit is any indication, you won't be disappointed with the food.
Tusker House Restaurant - Animal Kingdom
Another popular buffet restaurant, due to it's African inspired dishes providing something extra from the norm, plus the chance to encounter:
- Mickey Mouse
- Donald Duck
- Daisy Duck
- Goofy
all decked out in their safari attire.
We've eaten breakfast and dinner here, enjoying both meals - choosing from fruit, pastries, cereals and a number of hot options at breakfast, and pita, dips, curries, rice dishes, meats, vegetables and salads at dinner.
Be Our Guest Restaurant - Magic Kingdom
We've added this one in at the end because, despite Disney not advertising it as a character meal - perhaps because you are not visited at your table, Be Our Guest dinner provides the opportunity to meet Beast. Guests are invited to join him in the library after their meal, and although he doesn't sign autographs, Beast will gladly pose for photographs.
Cost
As many of the character meals are served buffet or family style, with the others offering a higher standard of table service menu, this is reflected in the cost.
Check specific prices for each venue, but as a general guide when eating at the restaurants serving food solely buffet/family style, you can expect to pay around $40 per adult ($25 per child) for breakfast, with this rising to around $55 per adult ($33 child) for lunch and dinner.
Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, Artist Point, and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall all carry a higher price tag, with the most expensive character meal being Cinderella's Royal Table, where you can expect to pay around $68 for each adult ($41 child), rising to $82 per adult ($48 child) for those wishing to eat lunch and dinner in the castle.
For this reason, if you're on the Disney Dining Plan, character meals are a good use of your table service credits, especially for lunch and dinner sittings. Cinderella's Royal Table is classed as signature dining, therefore requires 2 table service credits per guest, whereas all other venues require 1 table service credit.
So, if you've got fans of character meet and greets in your group, you may want to consider booking a character meal or two. Enjoying good food, whilst your favourite Disney characters come to your table, means you can lessen the time waiting in queues, free up some FastPass+ allocations and, let's face it, it's not every day you get the opportunity to dine with a Princess.
Have you ever dined with the characters at Walt Disney World? Leave your comments below, we'd love to hear your reviews.
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