Your 2020 Walt Disney World Character Dining Guide
If you’ll be heading to Walt Disney World in the year ahead and are traveling with small kids, dining with Disney characters is certain to be near the top of your priority list! Thankfully from resorts to the theme parks, there are a ton of these awesome table service meals! Whether you want to plan one for every day of your stay or are simply looking for the perfect one to celebrate that special occasion, we thought we’d give you a mini-guide to all the character dining options currently available at the parks for 2020.
Let’s take a look:
Magic Kingdom:
Cinderella’s Royal Table
If you are visiting the theme parks for the first time, Cinderella’s Royal Table is a rite of passage. Tucked away on the second floor of Magic Kingdom’s iconic Cinderella’s Castle, it is a meal fit for royalty. The characters on hand include Cinderella (photo op) as well as Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Snow White and sometimes Jasmine who will make the rounds as you dine! The food is upscale cuisine with dishes like Carmel-Apple Stuffed French Toast for Breakfast and Tenderloin Beef for Dinner. Because of its iconic location, dining here is at a premium and will set you back 2 Table Service dining credits if on the dining plan or $69.00 per adult out of pocket.
Crystal Palace
This dining experience is a must-do for Winnie the Pooh fans and is a guest favorite mainly due to its incredible location at the top of Main Street U.S.A. The meal features an all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner. For breakfast, you’ll find everything from Mickey Waffles to made-to-order omelettes and for lunch and dinner carvery meats, assorted sides and a lovely dessert buffet. But the main draw is, of course, your chance to meet characters from Hundred Acre Wood including Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore! Dining here will set you back 1 Table Service Credit or from $36 – $59 per adult.
Be Our Guest
Though not “technically” considered character dining the Beauty and the Beast theming makes this Fantasyland eatery popular with those looking for unique Disney dining experiences. For breakfast and lunch, the restaurant is a quick-service eatery offering a menu with a french twist and featuring dishes like Croque Madame and Braised Chicken Coq Au Vin. For dinner, Disney kicks it up a notch and the eatery shifts to a gourmet French menu with everything from Escargot to Filet Mignon. For that reason, dinner is two table service credits or $59.00 + per adult. When dining here The Beast may come into the dining room briefly to offer a regal wave though he doesn’t stop for photos. There’s a separate photo op location that you can visit on the way out to be snapped with him.
Epcot
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
This is an awesome alternative to dining at Cinderella’s Royal Banquet Hall for guests that don’t want to shell out the two dining credits! This 1 Credit character meal is conveniently located next to the Frozen Ever After attraction in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion. For breakfast, guests can get continental breakfast items from the buffet while skillets of eggs, sausage, bacon and potato casserole are brought to your table to share! For lunch and dinner, seafood takes pride of place on the Norweigan menu with a filet of salmon that must be tried. However, the real draw here is, of course, the Princesses. During this royal feast, you’ll have a chance to meet Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora and Ariel. The princesses also lead little ones through the princess procession around the restaurant which is sure to pull at your heartstrings! For those not on the dining plan, a meal here will set you back about $60 per adult and $30 per child.
Quick Tip: Opt for an 8am breakfast reservation here and by the time you finish your meal, Frozen Ever After should be just about to open (on non Extra Magic Hour days.) This puts your family in a prime position to be among the first to line up!
Garden Grill
If I were to name the most underrated character dining meal at Walt Disney World it would be this! Garden Grill has long been a favorite for my family. Located in The Land pavilion this restaurant gently rotates while you dine offering views of the different scenes of the Living With the Land attraction. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, dishes are served up family-style, For breakfast, you can expect heaping skillets of traditional breakfast items along with a sticky bun bake that is AMAZING. For lunch and dinner its nice combinations of meat and poultry with salads and sides. Dubbed Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast you’ll be visited tableside by this cute chipmunk duo in addition to Mickey and Pluto. Dining here is 1 Table Service Credit per person or $36-$59 per adult.
Hollywood Studios
Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine – Hollywood and Vine
This has long been a popular dining option for Disney Junior Fans and is a great way to start the morning. For breakfast only, you can eat, play and laugh along with your favorite Disney Junior friends! The breakfast features a buffet brimming with everything from Mickey waffles to pastries, fresh fruit and made-to-order omelettes! And its never to early to sneak a cheeky sundae treat from the Sundae station! Characters on offer are usually Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Jake from Disney Junior’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Vampirina and Roadster Racer Goofy! Dining here will set you back 1 Table Service dining credit or $35 – $59 per adult.
Quick Tip: Want to sign up your little ones for Jedi Training Academy? On non-Extra Magic Hour mornings, I’ve often booked an 8 am reservation here. That means when we finish breakfast we are just in time for Jedi Training sign-ups next door (near the Indiana Jones Stunt Show.) It gives you the extra advantage of already being in the parks!
Minnie’s Seasonal Dine – Hollywood and Vine
For lunch and dinner, Hollywood and Vine changes over to Minnie’s Seasonal Dine! Here you’ll find members of the fab 5 (Minnie, Mickey, Daisy, Donald and Goofy) dressed up in their seasonal best. For both meals, you can expect an eclectic buffet where you can tuck into everything from carved meats to peel-and-eat shrimp. The dessert buffet here is also a thing of beauty so save room! This meal is 1 Table Service Credit for those on the dining plan or will set you back $35 – $59 per adult.
Quick Tip: Plan on seeing Fantasmic!? Then make this reservation under the Fantasmic Dining Package! For the same price, you’ll enjoy the meals mentioned above with VIP seating for that evening’s Fantasmic performance!
Animal Kingdom
Tusker House
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner this buffet restaurant located in Harambe Market is known for its delicious world cuisine and fun character interactions. During your visit, you’ll be able to meet Safari Mickey, Daisy, Donald, Pluto and Goofy. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner where you’ll find dishes from all over the world. For those wanting to eat out of your comfort zone try options like Beef Bobotie washed down with a delicious glass of Jungle Juice. For lunch and dinner, you can go traditional carvery meats and sides or instead try a delicious curry! Dining here is 1 Table Service Dining Credit or $35- $59 per adult.
Resorts
Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch – Ohana – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has long been a character dining favorite for returning visitors. You can start your morning off with some big island vibes. Enormous breakfast skillets are brought to your table family-style including bacon, sausages, eggs and potatoes. Though the food is delicious, the real draw, however, is the opportunity to mingle with Lilo, Stitch, Hawaiian Mickey, and Pluto. Character dining is only available for breakfast and will set you back $35-$59 per adult or 1 Table Service dining credit.
Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner – 1900 Park Fare Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
A favorite with my family on check-in day, this delightful evening meal is big on character. The event is hosted by Cinderella and Prince Charming who even do a romantic waltz around the room. The party eventually gets crashed by Lady Tremaine, Anastasia and Drizella (Evil Stepsisters) who bring with them some pretty hilarious hijinks. On occasion, the Fairy Godmother has also been known to turn up. Dining here is buffet with a range of tasty options like Mongolian Beef and Cheese Tortellini! Guests can expect to pay around $59 per adult for a meal here or 1 Table Service dining credit.
Supercalifragilistic Breakfast – 1900 Park Fare Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
If breakfast is more your thing then consider making a breakfast reservation at 1900 Park Fare. You can start your morning off right with visits from Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. It is a buffet breakfast with a wide range of delicious items from Mickey Waffles to Strawberry Soup. Located at Disney’s magnificent Grand Floridian Resort and Spa it’s also just a short jaunt over to the Magic Kingdom for a day of fun! Dining here will set you back 1 Table Service dining credit or $35 – $59 per adult!
Chef Mickey’s – Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has long been a character dining favorite! Located in the resorts grand atrium you can watch the monorail come and go while you enjoy a breakfast, brunch, or dinner buffet filled with delicious items. Some of our favorites include the create your own waffle station at breakfast as well as, pot roast, delicious potstickers and a sundae bar that is sure to impress the kids. While dining, you’ll enjoy the awesome interactions with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck and Goofy. Its high energy singing, dancing good time! Dining here will set you back 1 Table Service Credit or $35 -$59 per adult.
Bon Voyage Dining – Trattoria Al Forno – Disney’s Boardwalk
For those planning a visit to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, this character dining breakfast is a great first port-of-call. There are incredible breakfast items on the creative menu including a frying pan filled with delicious pastries, a breakfast calzone and one f the best iced coffees I’ve ever had! There to meet and mingle with guests are two of your favorite Disney couples: Rapunzel and Flynn Rider and Ariel and Prince Eric. Breakfast here can be a pretty difficult reservation to nab so try to do so as close to the 180-day mark as possible. Dining here will set you back 1 Table Service Dining Credit or $25-$59.
Minnie’s Beach Bash – Cape May Cafe – Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Get your morning off to a sunny start with this beach-style buffet breakfast featuring everything from Mickey Waffles to sliced meats, cheeses and delicious pastries. While you dine you’ll be visited by some of your favorite Disney friends including Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy. Best of all you are only a short boat ride or walk to both Hollywood Studios or Epcot! Dining here will set you back 1 table service dining credits or $35- $59.99 if paying out of pocket!
Storybook Dining – Artist Point- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
One of the newest character dining options, Artist’s Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has been magically transformed into an enchanted forest. Here you can dine on delicious treats with an enchanted twist like Brother’s Grimm Roasted Chicken, Wicked Shrimp Cocktail or the Poison Apple dessert! Best of all, you’ll be able to meet some of your Fairy Tale friends including Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and the Evil Queen. This meal is only offered for dinner meaning reservations can be hard to come by! You can expect to pay the customary $35-$59 per adult or 1 Table Service dining credit!
NEW! Breakfast a la Art with Mickey and Friends – Topolino Terrace – Disney’s Riviera Resort
Start your morning with breakfast the Riviera Resort’s beautiful new rooftop restaurant offering an exclusive storybook dining experience. The prix fixe menu offers delicious choices to please everyone in the family like fresh pastries, quiches and our favorite the Sour Cream Waffle!. While enjoying breakfast and the bird’s eye views you can meet some of your favorite Disney Friends for a perfect photo and autograph opportunity! You may find yourself mingling with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck—stylishly dressed from head to toe in outfits unique to Topolino’s Terrace! This experience is 1 Table Service Dining Credit or $35- $59 per adult.
Character dining is massively popular at Walt Disney World so we recommend making your reservations as close to the 180-day mark as possible. Reservations can be made online, by calling your travel agents or Disney directly at 407.WDW.DINE.
Thinking about a visit to Disney? Getting started is easy! Simply fill out my form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels! Book before January 31, 2020 and I’ll even throw in a FREE Disney Gift Card!
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect sailing and stateroom to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your visit truly magical. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook