5 Great Character Dining Options at Walt Disney World
One of the best parts about visiting Walt Disney World Resort is the world famous cuisine that is offered. From snack options, to five star sit down restaurants, Disney leads competitors in not only service and entertainment, but in dining. In addition to the fare, Disney offers guests the unique opportunity to meet with characters while they enjoy their meal. This is known as character dining, and is only found in select Walt Disney World restaurants. We have complied a short list of the one’s we think are the most valuable, enjoyable, and offer the best food choices.
1900 Park Fare
Located in the beautiful Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 1900 Park Fare is first on our list of “can’t miss” character dining experiences. The dining hall holds both breakfast and dinner, and hosts a variety of characters throughout the day. Between eight a.m. and noon, 1900 Park Fare is home of the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast. The buffet style breakfast offers mickey shaped waffles, fresh fruit and yogurt, made to order omelets, freshly brewed coffee, and many more beloved food choices. In addition, an afternoon tea party is held in the dining hall with some of our favorite classic Disney characters. During this time, children ages four to twelve can play games, share stories, and interact with one another. These little ones will encounter Winnie the Pooh, his best pal Tigger, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, and The Mad Hatter.
The dining room reopens from four to nine p.m. to hold Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner. The buffet includes a variety of delectable and enticing choices. It offers salad, pasta, soups, specialty items, and seafood. In addition, there is a kid’s area where children can find pizza, chicken, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and a taco bar. In addition, there are assorted desserts that tie the entire meal together. Prince Charming, her Evil Stepmother Lady Tremaine, and her stepsisters Anastasia and Drisella join Cinderella in her visit through the dining room. They make their way from table to table as your family enjoys their meal.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
If anyone in your party is a fan of Disney princesses, the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a wonderful dining opportunity. The Princess Storybook Dining is located in the Norwegian Pavilion in Epcot. The venue is designed as a medieval castle and hosts five of everyone’s favorite Disney princesses. Belle, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, and Snow White make their appearances throughout mealtime and make sure to share pictures and autographs with the guests. Akershus serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so guests are free to choose a time that is most convenient for them. Breakfast consists of basic favorites such as cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and potatoes. As the day continues, the menu transforms to include cuisine more specific to the Norwegian culture. Choices range from seafood to oven roasted chicken breast, to a platter of imported cheeses and cured meats. Lighter options are available for little ones such as grilled chicken, pasta, and pizza.
Cape May Café
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is home to one of the best character breakfasts in Walt Disney World. Cape May Café is a character breakfast option themed as a New England beach front. Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast features Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy all decked out in their bathing suits and beach gear. The breakfast is served buffet style and includes meal items such as Mickey waffles, oatmeal, potatoes, eggs, and fresh fruit. There is also a selection of cereals, croissants, Danishes, pastries, muffins, and breads for those looking to add a little more to their plate. Each table is covered in white paper, and there is a selection of crayons so that you can draw and be creative as you are waiting for the characters to make an appearance at your table. This dining experience is sure to bring your family many smiles, laughs, and memories to take home.
The Crystal Palace
One of the most elegant and care free character options lies on Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. The Crystal Palace invites guests to dine with beloved characters from the Hundred Acre Woods. The restaurant is themed to resemble a Victorian greenhouse set in the late eighteen hundreds. With glass ceilings and a white pillar interior, the building gleams with light and houses beautiful greenery. Much like the other breakfast venues, The Crystal Palace offers traditional American favorites such as custom made omelets, fresh pasties and fruit, bacon, and sausage. During lunch and dinner, guests can enjoy fresh pasta dishes, peel to eat shrimp, roasted meats, fresh salads, and much more. A dessert bar is also available, stocked with pudding, brownies, cookies, cobbler, and ice cream. Both meals are served buffet style. The food is prepared in front of guests in an “on stage” kitchen. Guests will be joined by Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet as they enjoy their meal.
‘Ohana
Located in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch offers a Polynesian influenced take on traditional American options. The atmosphere is set to relax guests and make them feel at home. Servers and hosts are referred to as “cousins” to imply that everyone at ‘Ohana is family. Breakfast is served family style, and meant to be some sort of a feast. Cuisine includes Hawaiian pork sausage, island smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, island style fried potatoes, and a variety of tropical bread options. A juice unique to Polynesia, known as P.O.G. (passion fruit, orange, and guava juice), is also served to guests. As the feast is enjoyed, Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto will visit guests. They are dressed up in island attire ready for photo opportunities and autographs. Each character spends individual time at the tables, giving guests valuable character encounters that may not be available in the parks. The atmosphere, food, and character aspects of ‘Ohana make it a dining experience we don’t recommend passing on.
Bonus Tip: Contact your travel agent to reserve your spot at one of these magical Disney restaurants!