Character dining is one of our favorite additions to a Walt Disney World trip. A meal and meeting characters? Talk about a win-win! Character dining at Disney World saves time by seeing several characters at once instead of waiting in lines. Many options are available throughout the theme parks and resort hotels if you're interested in booking a character meal. We highlight all of the locations below. Don't froget to check out our rankings to see what our top froggy favorites are!
FAQs
- What are the best character dining experiences at Disney World? It truly depends — whether you want to dine with Mickey and pals, Disney princesses or other favorite characters such as Stitch or Winnie the Pooh. That said, Topolino's Terrace, Crystal Palace (churro Mickey waffles, hello!!) and Tusker House are some of our personal froggy faves!
- How much is character dining? It depends, as some character dining locations are buffets, while others have prix fixe menus. Cinderella's Royal Table will consistently be one of the pricier options, while the buffets at the resort hotels (such as Cape May Cafe) are on the lower end.
- How long is character dining? We typically recommend budgeting 60 to 90 minutes for character dining to allow enough time for every character to come to your table.
- When can you book character dining? You can book character dining (and all other advance dining reservations) up to 60 days in advance on the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app.
- Do I need a park ticket for character dining? You need valid general admission if the character dining location is within a theme park. However, you do not need a park ticket if the restaurant is located at a Disney resort hotel.
Overview of Character Dining at Disney World
Disney World offers a diverse range of character dining experiences, featuring Disney royalty and Mickey and friends donning unique outfits. You'll have plenty of food options to choose from, as well. Moreover, each location offers a fun, themed experience sure to delight the entire family! All four theme parks have at least one character dining location, as well as some at the resort hotels.
We'll provide an overview of each experience below, grouped by location, along with our top tips for making the most of your character dining experience. Remember that valid park admission (and a park reservation for annual passholders outside of Good-to-Go days) is required to dine inside the theme parks. Advanced dining reservations are highly recommended for all locations. Booking windows open 60 days before arrival for both hotel and off-site guests. Disney Resort hotel guests can make dining reservations for the entire length of their stay once their booking window opens. For off-site guests, the booking window opens 60 days in advance for each day of their visit.
Note: The characters listed generally appear at these dining locations. They are subject to change. During your visit, there may be more, fewer or even different characters. Pricing information is accurate as of the publish date and does not include tax or gratuity; prices are also subject to change.
Character Dining in Magic Kingdom Park
There are two character dining locations located within Magic Kingdom. Although not officially considered a character dining experience, we also want to mention Be Our Guest Restaurant, an elegant table-service restaurant themed after "Beauty and the Beast." This popular location offers an incredibly themed atmosphere. You can even see the Beast make a tour around the ballroom!
Cinderella's Royal Table
When it comes to enchanting dining experiences, nothing tops Cinderella's Royal Table, where you actually eat INSIDE the castle! Cinderella greets you soon after you set foot inside (no glass slipper required). Once upstairs and seated, Disney Princesses, such as Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine and Snow White, will come to your table for photos and a brief interaction.
As if the grand atmosphere wasn't enough, the menu is just as impressive! For breakfast, try the banana-stuffed French toast and fluffy egg white frittatas and for lunch, enjoy the soup of the day and roasted lamb chops before hightailing it over to Pirates of the Caribbean. Lunch and dinner have the same menu, which includes grilled filet mignon and the catch of the day. The desserts (also called finales) will satisfy any sweet tooth. Try the Floating Island — a strawberry meringue with tropical fruit coulis.
Depending on when you dine, you may be able to catch picturesque views of Happily Ever After — Magic Kingdom's nighttime fireworks. If so, the restaurant will dim the lights and pipe the music in. Talk about an enchanting experience! Dining here is so spectacular that it is routinely one of the most sought-after reservations. Booking windows open 60 days before your trip, so make this one your top priority!
Pricing: $74 per adult, $45 per child (breakfast); $88 per adult, $52 per child (lunch/dinner)
The Crystal Palace
Have you ever wanted to dine in the Hundred Acre Wood? Well, here's your chance! The Crystal Palace is located right next to the hub grass, right before you set out on your swashbuckling adventure in nearby Adventureland! With floor-to-ceiling windows and a romantic Victorian-style vibe, this greenhouse restaurant offers a buffet and plentiful photo opportunities with Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger and Piglet. Best of all, these characters appear at all three meals!
The buffet is diverse — perfect for even the pickiest eaters! Breakfast serves up classic bites, including the famous churro Mickey waffles, cereal, pancakes, biscuits and gravy (Leap's fave) bacon and more. At lunch and dinner, seasonal salads, pasta, roasted carved beef and country fried chicken keep your tummy from rumbling!
Be sure to save room for dessert! For more information, check out our complete Crystal Palace guide.
Pricing: $52 per adult, $33 per child (breakfast); $62 per adult, $42 per child (lunch/dinner)
Character Dining in EPCOT
EPCOT offers two character unique dining experiences: Chip 'n' Dale's Harvest Feast at the Garden Grill and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.
Chip 'n' Dale's Harvest Feast at Garden Grill
First, Chip 'n' Dale's Harvest Feast! Aside from Space 220, the Garden Grill has one of the coolest atmospheres in all of EPCOT, as it actually rotates. Not only does this switch up your surroundings every couple of minutes, but it even gives you a glimpse into the Living with the Land ride beneath you.
Expect an all-American classic menu here that includes Mickey-shaped waffles, smoked bacon, skillet potatoes, cornbread, salad, backyard grilled steak, farm fresh green beans, seasonal veggies and rotisserie-roasted turkey. This unique character dining experience is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner — and best of all, all the food is served all-you-can-eat and family style. Oh, and did I mention that the vegetables and salad are grown down below in Living With the Land?
One of the things our frog family loves most is how much time each character spends with you. We never feel rushed with the characters here. Chip 'n' Dale and Mickey (who's wearing his adorable farmer’s overalls) have incredibly playful interactions with everyone at the table.
Hop on over to our Garden Grill foodie review for more details! Also, do you know how to tell Chip 'n' Dale apart? Chip has a black nose, just like a chocolate chip!
Pricing: $49 per adult, $33 per child (breakfast); $62 per adult, $42 per child (lunch/dinner)
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
For fans of "Frozen," the Norway pavilion in EPCOT offers so much to do! From greeting Anna and Elsa at Royal Summerhus to reliving the story of "Frozen" in Frozen Ever After, it's perfect for fans of the film and song (parent frogs, you know which one I'm talking about). However, Norway also offers a unique experience for Disney princess fans. Welcome to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall!
Set in a medieval castle, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall offers a feast for royalty, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. We've been lucky to see Belle, Ariel, Aurora, Snow White, Jasmine and Tiana on past visits, but sometimes Mulan makes a surprise appearance too. Keep in mind, Anna and Elsa are unable to make it as they are greeting guests across the way. Lily loves taking photos with the princesses and will even twirl around in her princess dress with them. Cue those magical memories! Tadpoles will also participate in a princess processional, dancing and waving alongside their favorite characters.
At Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, all the food is served family-style. Expect standard fare such as scrambled eggs, mixed fruit and potato casserole at breakfast and seared salmon, chicken with apple and fennel preserves and Norwegian meatballs at dinner.
Akershus is an excellent alternative to anyone who couldn't snag a reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table. Check out our blog, Frog Family Foodie Review: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for all the deets!
Pricing: $59 per adult, $38 per child (breakfast), $69 per adult, $46 per child (lunch/dinner)
Character Dining in Disney's Hollywood Studios
There is only one character dining location in Disney's Hollywood Studios, but you'll find plenty of variety as it offers seasonal options!
Hollywood & Vine
Located across from Disney Gertie, Hollywood & Vine offers up unique seasonal character dining experiences. Throughout the year, Minnie Mouse and her friends (usually Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Pluto) host parties to celebrate each season — Springtime Dine, Summertime Dine, Halloween Dine and Holiday Dine. During the fall, for example, Minnie and friends are wearing their spooky outfits before transitioning into their holiday best. Previously, breakfast was hosted by Disney Junior Pals, but Minnie now hosts breakfast, lunch and dinner. Head over to our Frog Family review for more details.
Pricing: $49 per adult, $33 per child (breakfast); $63 per adult, $42 per child (lunch/dinner)
Character Dining in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park offers one great character dining location — one of our top favorites!
Tusker House Restaurant
Tusker House in the Africa section of Disney's Animal Kingdom offers a chance to see Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse in their safari gear! Because it's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we always make sure to include it in our plans regardless of where the day takes us. Sometimes, we start our day with some fluffy Simba Waffles, chai-spiced croissants and an African Bloody Mary (for us adult frogs) before exploring the savannah on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Other times, we cap our night off with spit-roasted tandoori chicken and some naan before taking a dip in the Uzima Springs Pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
The menu at Tusker House features incredibly flavorful African cuisine, served in a buffet-style setting. We love the numerous options available because we always feel like we're adding something new to our plate with each visit. Don't worry if the characters pass by your table while up at the buffet — they'll stop back. Try the South African-spiced cauliflower, berbere-marinated pork and watermelon-feta salad! Explore our foodie review for more details!
Pricing: $49 per adult, $33 per child (breakfast); $64 per adult, $42 per child (lunch/dinner)
Character Dining in Resort Hotels
The four theme parks offer some amazing character dining experiences, but don't overlook the Disney World hotels! Even if you're not staying there, you can still book these enchanting meals. Please note that you will need to provide your reservation number and photo ID to the security agent when you arrive at the resort gate.
Though not an official Disney Resort, we also wanted to mention the Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals at the Four Seasons as another option.
Storybook Dining at Artist Point — Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort
Who says that dining in an enchanted forest is just for fairytale characters? Step into Snow White's story at Storybook Dining at Artist Point, where you'll meet Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and yes, even the Evil Queen herself! She doesn't make rounds to the tables and has her own private meet-and-greet.
This enchanting restaurant has a prix fixe menu with all the items inspired by fairy tales: A Stroll Through Nature, Brother's Grimm Herb Chicken, Royal Prime Rib Roast, "Cottage" Beef Stroganoff (to name a few). There are even some plant-based options to enjoy, too. Of course, the Evil Queen needs her own signature dessert, with the "Poison Apple," a dark chocolate-apple mousse with a sour center.
Storybook Dining at Artist Point also offers a diverse selection of alcoholic beverages, featuring many beer and wine options from the Pacific Northwest. Note that you can only book this character dining location for dinner. Hop over to our foodie review for more royal details! Heigh-ho, you go!
Pricing: $67 per adult, $41 per child (dinner)
Topolino's Terrace: Flavors of the Riviera — Disney's Riviera Resort
Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort offers one of the cutest character dining experiences, most notable for the outfits each character wears. After visiting the European Riviera, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy have decided to rock outfits inspired by their studies. Say hi to Mickey the painter, Minnie the poet, Donald the sculptor and Daisy the dancer!
Like the Chip 'n' Dale meal over at EPCOT, this is one character experience we rarely feel rushed at. Each character takes their time with you, leading to many magical memories (and photos) before diving into a luxurious French and Italian-inspired meal. Your choice of entrées includes eggs Benedict Florentine, wild mushroom scramble, quiche gruyère, French toast and more. Tadpoles can create their own entrées, too. Their options include scrambled eggs, fruit and yogurt and Mickey-shaped waffle dippers, along with various sides such as roasted potatoes and bacon. Indulge in a diverse menu, including coffee, mocktails, and breakfast cocktails.
Hop on over to our Topolino's Terrace foodie review for more details!
Pricing: $52 per adult, $33 per child (breakfast); open for dinner (a la carte menu) without characters.
'Ohana — Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
'Ohana means family, which is why everything here is served family style! The Best Friends Breakfast, which features Lilo and Stitch, serves plentiful helpings of biscuits, Mickey-shaped waffles, pork sausage links, scrambled eggs and more. You'll even be treated to 'Ohana's famous pineapple-coconut bread!
While we think breakfast is the real star of 'Ohana, we'd be remiss not to talk about dinner (no characters). Like the other resorts on the monorail loop, they pipe in Happily Ever After. Enjoying some of the famous 'Ohana bread pudding while watching the fireworks? Count us IN!
Pricing: $53 per adult, $33 per child (breakfast); open for dinner without characters
Chef Mickey's — Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Contemporary Resort offers a classic buffet-style restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. At Chef Mickey’s, the Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy) join guests for their meals in culinary outfits. The restaurant overlooks Bay Lake, as well as the 90-foot-high mural by Mary Blair that has become an icon of the Contemporary Resort. You also get great views of the monorail above!
For breakfast, enjoy fresh fruit, Mickey waffles, house-made French toast, corned beef hash, scrambled eggs, bacon and other morning favorites. At dinner, offerings include seasonal-inspired salads, herb-roasted turkey, shrimp scampi, New York strip loin and more. With so many options, this is a great choice for groups with diverse palates and picky eaters.
Pricing: $58 per adult, $37 per child (breakfast); $69 per adult, $44 per child (dinner)
Cape May Cafe — Disney's Beach Club Resort
Minnie Mouse loves to throw a beach party! Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast is a wonderful character dining location at Cape May Cafe at Disney's Beach Club Resort. Minnie and her friends are dressed in their beachy best to start the day sunny side up. Breakfast includes oatmeal, cheddar biscuits and gravy, waffles, scrambled eggs, salted caramel "beach buns" and more!
This is a relaxed, casual dining experience and a perfect choice if you're staying at one of the EPCOT-area resort hotels. Hop on over to our full foodie review for more details!
Pricing: $49 per adult, $33 per child (breakfast); open for dinner without characters
1900 Park Fare — Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa reopened April 10, 2024, with a refurbished location, returning dishes and new additions sure to delight. Open for breakfast and dinner, the buffet offers classics such as the strawberry soup along with new dishes, including Tiana's Gumbo with Spicy Andouille Sausage. There's also a whole new lineup of characters to meet! Guests can greet Aladdin (in his royal Prince Ali outfit), Cinderella, Mirabel and Tiana (in her new look from Tiana's Bayou Adventure) — all characters that understand the power of a wish.
Pricing: $58 per adult, $37 per child (breakfast); $69 per adult, $44 per child (dinner)
Tips for Disney World Character Dining
We've had the opportunity to experience character dining over the years and have some additional tips to help you get the most out of the experience.
- We personally prefer choosing breakfast for character dining. Most locations only offer characters during breakfast. However, some have them at lunch and/or dinner. We appreciate that breakfast is offered at a lower price. Plus, you can't go wrong with breakfast food (Mickey waffles, anyone?). Furthermore, this allows flexibility for the rest of our day. Lunch and dinner are still great options, as well. Be sure to double-check which characters are available during specific times.
- If you're at a buffet, meeting characters as they come to the tables requires the right timing. If you see a character making their way toward your area, we suggest hanging tight before going back up for food, especially if they're only a few tables away. Characters sometimes have a set rotation, so it is easiest to go with the flow.
- If you hoppen to be up from the table when they pass by, don't fret! Character attendants typically try to keep track of which characters have seen which tables. If you're nearing the end of your meal and still haven't seen a certain character, ask a character attendant to see if they are coming back soon. Usually, areas have a great system in place, ensuring characters come out in a timely manner. You might even get to see a character a second time before you go!
- Not sure how the kids will handle meeting characters? Sometimes, character dining is that perfect balance between waving to a character from afar or having that one-on-one interaction. Already being at your table may make the meeting less stressful for young tadpoles.
- Use your My Disney Experience app to search for character dining spots on the day of your trip or when your booking window opens.
To summarize, character dining is a fun way to sprinkle a little extra Disney magic into your day! Which character dining at Disney World will you choose? Be sure to check out our rankings (linked above) to see which are our froggy favorites!
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Characters
Related: Your Royally Good Guide to Finding Princesses at Disney World
Hoppy planning!
