A Comprehensive Guide to Character Dining in Disney World
In Disney World, you’ll find all manner of magical moments. From iconic attractions to heartrending nighttime spectaculars, you’ll make unforgettable memories at every turn. But is there anything more wonderful than a warm hug from a favorite Disney character?
If meeting those beloved characters is at the top of your Disney wish list, chances are you’re interested in character dining. After all, character dining means skipping long meet-and-greet lines AND filling your belly with delicious food while chatting it up with your Disney faves.
Of course, Disney World offers plenty of character dining options, and choosing the right one for you can feel SLIGHTLY overwhelming.
Luckily, we’ve got the FULL breakdown of Disney World’s current character dining options RIGHT HERE! This guide covers character dining tips, general restaurant information, pricing, and which characters you’ll find at each character dining spot.
Let’s check it out!
Tips for Character Dining in Disney World
Make Advance Dining Reservations! Disney World’s character dining locations are incredibly popular and can book up astonishingly fast. Currently, Disney guests can make dining reservations up to 60 days in advance, so be sure to set your calendar!
Check Cancellation Policies. When it comes to cancellation policies, not all Disney restaurants are equal. Be sure to check cancellation policies ahead of time to avoid applicable cancellation fees.
Character Dining is for Everyone! Don’t be fooled – character dining isn’t just for kids! Whether you’re craving a heartwarming moment with a favorite Disney character or you’re just there for the food, kids are NOT a prerequisite for character dining in Disney World. Characters are experts at matching your energy, so you’ll get just the level of interaction you need!
For the Best Character Interactions, Come Prepared! Make sure to bring your autograph book and a large pen. Not all characters will give autographs (some restaurants give out pre-signed postcards instead) but you’ll want to be ready when your favorite character stops by your table. For the very best character interactions, spark the conversation with a question or comment about your favorite character’s storyline!
Character Dining in Magic Kingdom
The Crystal Palace
Located just off the green courtyards outside Cinderella Castle, The Crystal Palace offers buffet-style character dining all day long. Here, you’ll join Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore for an enchanting Friendship Day celebration!
With its ornate Victorian architecture and greenhouse-inspired decor, The Crystal Palace serves as the perfect backdrop for a magical meal with Winnie the Pooh and his friends. You may even score a sweeping view of Cinderella Castle through the restaurant’s stunning floor-to-ceiling windows!
Breakfast includes traditional fare like pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, and pastries, while lunch and dinner both offer a selection of meats, pasta, salads, vegetables, and desserts.
You can check out our Crystal Palace lunch review HERE!
Characters:
- Winnie the Pooh
- Piglet
- Eeyore
- Tigger
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $48 per adult / $42 per child (plus tax & gratuity)
- Lunch & Dinner: $61 per adult / $40 per child (plus tax & gratuity)
Cinderella’s Royal Table
If you’ve ever dreamed of dining inside a real-life fairytale castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table is for you! With its floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows and breathtaking views of Fantasyland, this magical Disney restaurant is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t soon forget.
When you arrive at Cinderella’s Royal Table, you’ll check in outside before being escorted into the castle. In the majestic Grand Hall, you’ll meet Cinderella herself and pose for photos before proceeding up the sweeping staircase and into the main dining room. Here, you’ll enjoy a royal meal and meet with beloved Disney Princesses like Snow White, Aurora, Ariel, and Jasmine.
When you book a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table, you will prepay at the time of booking. Your breakfast includes a delicious basket of assorted pastries and breakfast beverages like juice and coffee. You’ll also choose from a variety of breakfast entrees like Shrimp and Grits and Banana Stuffed French Toast.
Meanwhile, lunch and dinner reservations include one appetizer per person, a dinner entree like the Roasted Lamb Chops, and naturally, a sweet and scrumptious dessert.
Cinderella’s Royal Table is undeniably expensive – the most expensive character dining experience in Disney World, in fact! However, it’s also a unique and classic Disney experience that’s worth doing at least once in a lifetime (note: if dinner is too spendy, breakfast prices may be just a bit more palatable!).
Possible Characters:
- Cinderella
- Ariel
- Aurora
- Jasmine
- Snow White
- Merida
- Rapunzel
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $69 per adult / $42 per child (plus tax & gratuity)
- Lunch & Dinner: $84 per adult / $49 per child (plus tax & gratuity)
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Full disclaimer, Be Our Guest Restaurant is NOT a true character dining experience – in truth, it’s more like a “character sighting.” Still, this impressively themed restaurant makes the list for its unique opportunity to dine as a guest inside the Beast’s opulent castle (even if you can’t actually meet the big guy himself).
When you dine at Be Our Guest Restaurant, you’ll dine inside one of three Beauty and the Beast-themed dining rooms: the Grand Ballroom, the Rose Gallery, and the forbidden West Wing. Depending on your preferences, ask for a table in the Grand Ballroom or the West Wing. The Rose Gallery is nice but lacks the charm of the other two rooms.
Be Our Guest Restaurant is currently only open for lunch and dinner, which both offer a prix fixe menu that includes one appetizer, entree, and dessert per person.
You’ll dine on delicious French cuisine as the Beast strolls right by your table!
Characters:
- The Beast
Pricing:
- Lunch & Dinner: $70 per adult / $41 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Character Dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Restaurant
With its colorful backdrop and unique, highly immersive atmosphere, Tusker House Restaurant is the only character dining experience available in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With buffet-style dining, Tusker House offers a mix of traditional fare and delicious, African-inspired cuisine.
Here, you’ll meet with Donald, Daisy, Mickey, and Goofy as you enjoy international flavors inside a rustic African marketplace.
At breakfast, you’ll enjoy standard American fare like eggs, pancakes, pastries, fresh fruit, and of course, those iconic Mickey waffles! Meanwhile, dinner offers various breads and dips, delicious spit-roasted meats, and African-inspired side dishes like North African Pilau and South African Spiced Cauliflower Curry.
Characters:
- Donald
- Mickey
- Daisy
- Goofy
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $47 per adult / $30 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
- Lunch & Dinner: $62 per adult / $40 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
Character Dining at EPCOT
Garden Grill Restaurant
Located in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT, The Land pavilion explores agriculture, conservation, and the human relationship with Earth. It’s here where you’ll find Garden Grill Restaurant, a unique, rotating eatery that overlooks the pavilion’s fan-favorite Living with the Land attraction.
At Garden Grill, you’ll indulge in farm-fresh, family-style dining and meet with Mickey and Pluto in their farmer outfits.
Breakfast consists of traditional American-style favorites, while lunch and dinner feature staples like cornbread, rotisserie-roasted turkey, grilled steak, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese.
Characters:
- Mickey
- Pluto
- Chip and Dale
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $47 per adult / $30 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
- Lunch & Dinner: $62 per adult / $0 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
A regal meal in the heart of EPCOT’s World Showcase, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall offers magical Princess meets and Norweigan, family-style dining. With its enchanting fairytale setting within the charming Norway pavilion, this beautiful restaurant is a surefire win for Disney Princess fans.
At Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Disney Princesses rotate by day, so there’s no guarantee on who you’ll encounter. However, you’re sure to meet at least five iconic Disney Princesses, which typically include Belle, Tiana, Aurora, and Snow White.
While breakfast consists largely of standard American fare, the lunch and dinner menu boasts more interesting Norweigan options. Adventurous eaters will enjoy the Norweigan meatballs, Stekt Laks (seared salmon), and an array of Norweigan-inspired desserts, along with classic staples like mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese.
Possible Characters:
- Belle
- Aurora
- Tiana
- Ariel
- Snow White
- Mulan
- Mary Poppins
- Cinderella
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $55 per adult / $35 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
- Lunch & Dinner: $67 per adult / $43 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
Character Dining at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood & Vine Restaurant
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Hollywood & Vine Restaurant is a one-stop shop for several types of character dining. At breakfast, you’ll meet Disney Jr. characters at the Disney Jr. Play ‘n Dine, while Minnie hosts Minnie’s Seasonal Dine, which features seasonal menus, theming, and character costumes.
Breakfast offers an expansive (if standard) buffet-style meal consisting of eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, waffles, and more. Younger Disney fans will love meeting their favorite Disney Jr. characters, which generally include Doc McStuffins, Vamperina, Fancy Nancy, and Roadster Goofy.
For lunch and dinner, the restaurant transforms into Minnie’s Seasonal Dine, where you’ll meet Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto in seasonal garb. Whether you visit during Minnie’s Holiday Dine, Minnie’s Springtime Dine, Minnie’s Summertime, or Minnie’s Halloween Dine, you’ll enjoy seeing your favorite characters in their festive best!
You can check out our review of Minnie’s Halloween Dine RIGHT HERE!
Characters:
- Disney Jr. Play ‘n Dine (breakfast):
- Doc McStuffins
- Vamperina
- Fancy Nancy
- Roadster Goofy
- Minnie’s Seasonal Dine (lunch & dinner):
- Minnie
- Mickey
- Goofy
- Pluto
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $47 per adult / $30 per child (plus tax and gratuities)
- Lunch & Dinner: $63 per adult / $43 per child (plus tax and gratuities)
Character Dining at Disney Resorts
1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
As Disney World’s flagship resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is brimming with classic elegance and old-world charm. From the stunning atrium lobby to its beautiful guest rooms, the Grand Floridian’s Victorian theming can be found all over the resort…including 1900 Park Fare!
You don’t have to be staying at the Grand Floridian to enjoy this magical character dining experience! Just head to Magic Kingdom, where you can ride the monorail, take a boat, or even walk directly to the resort.
At 1900 Park Fare, you’ll enjoy breakfast or dinner (this location does not serve lunch!) as you meet with Tiana, Mirabel, Aladdin, and Cinderella. The breakfast buffet offers classic favorites like eggs and Mickey waffles, along with its famous Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup with Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Cream.
Meanwhile, dinner includes Shrimp Cocktail, Prime Rib, and Tiana’s Gumbo with Spicy Andouille Sausage. Of course, you’ll also find classic kid-friendly favorites — and the Strawberry Soup!
You can check out our 1900 Park Fare breakfast review HERE and our dinner review HERE!
Characters:
- Tiana
- Mirabel
- Aladdin
- Cinderella
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $54 per adult / $34 per child (plus tax and gratuities)
- Dinner: $66 per adult / $41 per child (plus tax and gratuities)
‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
‘Ohana may be best known for its family-style, Polynesian-inspired dinner (and those fan-favorite ‘Ohana Noodles), but breakfast brings a whole other kind of Disney fun!
Located inside the Great Ceremonial House (otherwise known as the lobby) of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, ‘Ohana is the only place in Disney World where you can meet Lilo and Stitch together! Mickey and Pluto are also on hand to welcome and entertain guests.
The all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast skillet includes scrambled eggs, Mickey waffles, breakfast sausage, Hawaiian-style ham, and more. You’ll also find Disney’s legendary POG juice, along with delicious pineapple-coconut breakfast bread.
Read more about breakfast at ‘Ohana HERE!
Characters:
- Lilo
- Stitch
- Mickey
- Pluto
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $49 per adult / $30 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
- Dinner: $62 per adult / $40 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort
If you’re traveling with art aficionados – or just someone who appreciates great food and a fabulous view – you’ll love Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, located on the top floor of Disney’s Riviera Resort.
At night, Topolino’s Terrace is a fancy, Signature Dining experience where guests can enjoy top-notch French and Italian cuisine, along with a rooftop view of Disney’s incredible fireworks displays. But if you’re looking for lively character interactions and a truly delicious breakfast menu, you’ll need to visit before 12:15PM!
Here you’ll meet Painter Mickey, Sculptor Donald, Ballerina Daisy, and Poet Minnie. The character interactions here are excellent, as is the menu, which offers elevated breakfast dishes like the Quiche Gruyère and the Wood-fired Steak and Eggs.
You can check out our breakfast review of Topolino’s Terrace HERE.
Characters:
- Mickey
- Minnie
- Donald
- Daisy
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $49 per adult / $30 per child (plus tax and gratuities)
Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
At Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you’ll find laid-back beachy vibes, charming New England theming, and one spectacular character dining experience! At dinnertime, Cape May Cafe offers a veritable seafood smorgasbord – but if you want to catch your favorite Disney characters, be sure to book your reservation for breakfast.
At Cape May Cafe, you’ll feast on breakfast buffet classics like eggs, omelets, French toast, chocolate chip pancakes, and Mickey and Minnie-shaped waffles. Be sure to try the Cheddar Biscuits with Gravy and Salted Carmel “Beach Buns!”
As you eat, you’ll be welcomed by Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy all in their beachy best!
You can read more about Cape May Cafe’s breakfast buffet HERE!
Characters:
- Minnie
- Daisy
- Donald
- Goofy
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $47 per adult / $30 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
There’s only one restaurant in Disney World where you can meet Mickey Mouse alongside FOUR of his best friends! At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s offers breakfast and dinner character dining in the resort’s stunning atrium, which boasts sweeping views of Bay Lake.
The buffet-style breakfast includes traditional American fare, while dinner features a carving station and a wide variety of classic sides like macaroni and cheese and assorted vegetables.
Whether you visit for lunch or dinner you’ll be welcomed by Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald.
Thanks to its classic cast of characters and convenient location (just walk or take the monorail from Magic Kingdom!), Chef Mickey’s is a perennial favorite among Disney fans. Be sure to make those reservations early!
You can check out our review of Chef Mickey’s dinner buffet right HERE!
Characters:
- Mickey
- Minnie
- Pluto
- Goofy
- Donald
Pricing:
- Breakfast: $54 per adult / $34 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
- Dinner: $66 per adult / $41 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
For a character dining experience that’s thoroughly enchanting, look no further than Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White. Nestled away at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Story Book Dining features music, entertainment, and a display of twinkling lights that puts you right in the heart of a fairytale.
Here, you’ll enjoy a short show and meet-and-greets with Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy. Even better? Story Book Dining at Artist Point is the ONLY Disney World character dining experience where you’ll come face-to-face with a real-life Disney villain!
The character interactions here are totally top-notch, but the food is just as good. Story Book Dining is only available at dinner when the menu features delicious and cleverly-themed dishes like the Brother’s Grim Herb Chicken, Magic Mirror Slow-braised Pork Shank, and a “Poison” Apple for dessert!
For more information, check out our review of Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White right HERE!
Characters:
- Snow White
- Dopey
- Grumpy
- The Evil Queen
Pricing:
- Dinner: $65 per adult / $35 per child (plus tax & gratuities)
Ravello Italian Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Orlando
If you didn’t know about the character dining experience at the Four Seasons Orlando Resort, you’re certainly not alone! This one tends to fly under the radar, probably due to the lack of Disney Transportation to the resort. If you’re dining at Ravello, you’ll need to drive your own car or hire a taxi or Minnie Van to get there.
If you do want to experience Ravello’s Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals, you’ll need to do it on a Thursday or Saturday morning, as this event is only offered twice per week.
Breakfast includes a bakery basket, fresh fruit, a choice of an entree, coffee, and juice.
Characters:
- Goofy
- Mickey
- Minnie
Pricing:
- $48 per person (plus tax & gratuities)
Ready for Character Dining in Disney World?
If you’re ready for a magical character dining experience, don’t miss out! Remember to make those Advance Dining Reservations well before arrival day.
See ya real soon!