Which Walt Disney World Character Meals Are Open?
I am unashamedly a Disney character meal superfan. I generally eat six to eight character meals per Disney trip.
So, the pandemic has bummed me out for reasons beyond the painfully obvious ones.
Photo: Disney
On top of all the other ways that 2020 has been excruciating, Disney has reduced the number of restaurants offering character meals.
At the start, only one place offered them. By the end of the year, we’ll be back up to five, though.
Here’s everything you need to know about the character meals available at Walt Disney World for the rest of 2020.
Chef Mickey’s – December 16th
The pandemic has afforded Disney fans a rare opportunity. You can get a table at Chef Mickey’s without getting into a knife fight.
Okay, I’m joking…some. Let’s be honest, though. Among all Disney restaurants, few have the staying power and extreme demand of Chef Mickey’s.
This place offers several things that guests value. It’s convenient due to its location on the fourth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Even when you’re at Magic Kingdom, you’re only one monorail stop away from the restaurant’s entrance. It’s so easy to reach!
Plus, the monorail literally goes through an open section of the restaurant. While you’re eating, you’ll watch several trams zoom through the area.
Either of these reasons would justify your meal, but the real selling point has always been Mickey Mouse, who (theoretically) cooks the meals here.
At Chef Mickey’s, members of the Fab Five host guests. They’re all in splendid costumes, too. Mickey’s especially charming in his giant chef hat.
Due to Coronavirus concerns, Disney hasn’t included Fab Five appearances, though. Also, the eatery has reduced its offerings to breakfast only.
However, on December 16th, characters will return to Chef Mickey’s! On that day, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will put on a show for you!
Photo: Disney
The restaurant will even offer new menu items on that day!
The Garden Grill
To Disney’s credit, it has managed to operate some of the most exciting character meals despite all the chaos in the world right now.
Unfortunately, the company only feels comfortable running two non-breakfast character meals. So, your options dwindle for lunch and dinner.
The next two places represent your only choices, but that’s okay! They’re both terrific!
You’ll find the Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest Feast at EPCOT’s Land pavilion. Frankly, this place is hard to miss, as it’s located right by the elevator and stairs.
When you enter the pavilion, you’ll be looking right at The Garden Grill. Also, you’ll get an even better view once you’re seating at your table.
This restaurant’s unique rotating aspect will sometimes provide you with a view of Living with the Land, the attraction located beneath it.
Don’t worry if you’re prone to motion sickness, though. The restaurant spins so slowly that you won’t even notice.
Of course, you’re here for the characters and the cuisine, both of which you’ll love.
Chip ‘n’ Dale host the proceedings, but the mischievous chipmunks don’t come alone. Mickey and Pluto visit, too! And Mickey wears an adorable farmer costume.
Disney can safely host this character interaction due to the table and restaurant structure. You can watch Chip ‘n’ Dale frolic without getting close.
The food’s the other star here. You’ll eat savory cuisine with the freshest ingredients imaginable. The Land pavilion grows its own vegetables.
Hollywood & Vine
You’ll find the other post-breakfast offering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Hollywood & Vine sits to the left of the entrance.
Photo: Disney
Technically, the place resides on Hollywood Boulevard across from Echo Lake, but it’s simpler to find than that.
Take the first left that you can and then another left. Voila! You’re there!
I’ve raved about the four seasonal offerings at Hollywood & Vine before. However, I can add visual proof today.
Here’s a recent MickeyBlog video of the socially distant character meal.
The genius of this experience involves Minnie Mouse. She throws a big bash, Minnie’s Seasonal Dine, and she expects her friends to dress appropriately.
So, the outfits change each season. Currently, it’s the fall, which means that all the characters wear Halloween costumes.
Ergo, this quarter is my favorite. I love seeing the Fab Five dressed in style. My favorite throwaway gag involves Goofy’s belt buckle. It’s a giant spider!!!
I’m a huge fan of Garden Grill, but if you must pick a lunch/dinner character meal, Hollywood & Vine is the one.
Ravello
Here’s the character meal you probably know the least about. It’s also the hardest to book.
The luxurious Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World isn’t technically a Disney property.
The Four Seasons owns and operates the establishment. However, Disney’s Golden Oak neighborhood adjoins this resort and shares some amenities.
Disney and Four Seasons have developed a strong business relationship, leading to this character meal.
Ravello serves a Saturday-only breakfast called Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals. Here’s a video with some images from the meal:
Mickey and Goofy look like they’re ready to golf at the club, which feels just right at this particular resort.
The star of Ravello isn’t just the characters, though. The cuisine here is world-class, totally befitting the most luxurious resort on the Disney campus.
Free advice: Devour every baked good you can reach. They’re exquisite.
By the way, this character meal is shockingly affordable. It’s only $42 per adult right now, which is in line with other Disney character breakfasts.
Photo: Four Seasons
Given that you’re dining at the Four Seasons, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the lack of an unjustified price gouging.
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera
The first character meal to return is also Disney’s newest offering. Each morning, Topolino’s Terrace hosts Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends.
Photo: DisneyParksBlog.com
From the name and the location, you can guess the rest. You’re dining at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
So yes, it’s Mickey Mouse and friends dressed as various kinds of European artists. For example, Mickey’s a painter in a fab red beret.
Meanwhile, Donald Duck sculpts, Daisy performs ballet, and Minnie’s some sort of beatnik poet. Minnie’s outfit also makes her look like a super-tourist.
As far as style goes, you cannot beat the photo ops at Topolino’s Terrace.
As for the meal, it’s more upscale than the other offerings listed here. In fact, picky eaters may have some problems.
Mickey Mouse fans won’t care, though. The pictures will light up your Instagram account.
So, those are the five character meals currently available. Thankfully, Disney’s gradually increasing activity at Walt Disney World. So, we may safely expect more soon.
