6 Disney Character Meals You Really Should Try
When you’re at Walt Disney World, you could use a meal with some character. For that matter, you should eat somewhere that allows you to interact with a few of your favorite Disney characters. Here are half a dozen character meals you should try during your next Disney vacation!
Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch
Most of the other character meals listed here are available throughout the day. ‘Ohana is different. This restaurant is only open for two meals a day, breakfast and dinner. The latter meal is one of the hardest reservations to get at Walt Disney World due to its popularity. Guests love the bottomless plates of grilled meats.
Breakfast is a different story. Each morning, ‘Ohana serves a different kind of All You Care to Enjoy (AYCE) meal. At this one, Lilo & Stitch wander the room, introducing themselves to guests. Mickey Mouse is there, too! He’s dressed in a thematic Hawaiian shirt and is happy to meet you, as is his puppy friend, Pluto!
Stitch is the star here, though. He’ll even host a parade where the kids in the restaurant walk and play as Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride plays over the loudspeakers! Oh, and the breakfast food is fantastic, too. You’ll get as many Mickey Waffles, eggs, fried potatoes, and biscuits as you want. Plus, there’s sausage and either bacon or ham as your breakfast meats. This place is spectacular for breakfast or dinner. You can beat the crowds by picking the morning service.
Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner
Sometimes, it’s fun to root for the bad guys…or, in the case of 1900 Park Fare, the bad girls. Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner sounds like a celebration of the union of Cinderella and her fella, Prince Charming. It partially is. They’re the hostess and host for the evening. Alas, it’s a family meal, which means that Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters visit, too.
This family reunion is a passive/aggressive one. Suffice to say that Lady Tremaine, Drisella, and Anastasia have strong opinions about the royal union. You’d think that becoming part of the royal family would please them, but they throw uproariously angry tantrums throughout the meal. It’s a catty affair that will leave you laughing. Of course, those who prefer a more upbeat interaction can meet the Fairy Godmother, too.
As for the food, you’re at the Grand Floridian. Everything on the menu is excellent! You’ll especially want to try the Floridian Strawberry Soup and several of the seafood dishes available. The Butternut Squash Ravioli is also divine, but please save room for dessert. The treats here are worth every calorie.
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast
Perhaps the most unusual of the character meals on this list is the one at The Land Pavilion at Epcot. Garden Grill Restaurant sits on the second floor of the building, straight across from the entrance. As you approach, you’ll understand the quirky nature of the restaurant. It spins!
Yes, park planners wanted to do something different here due to the location. The restaurant sits down Living with the Land, a dark ride. Since guests can see the attraction from their tables, Imagineers constructed Garden Grill with a twist. They turned the entire seating area into a turntable.
You’ll barely notice that you’re moving while you eat, but you’ll get to see several set pieces from Living with the Land thanks to the constant (slow) motion. Better yet, Chip and Dale will walk over to your table and say hello. They’re even joined by Mickey and Pluto, with your favorite mouse dressed in an adorable farmer’s outfit.
The cuisine here is the freshest possible, as some of the ingredients are grown in the pavilion. It’s farm-to-table in the truest sense. Turkey, beef, and macaroni and cheese are the main entrees, but the veggies are the stars of the meal. And the Berry Short Cake served at dessert provides the perfect ending to a fabulous dinner.
Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the beachiest of all Disney resorts. The theming here is predicated on the love of a sunny day spent playing in the sand. You may believe that this concept wouldn’t translate to an indoor breakfast character meal. You’d be wrong.
Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast is the perfect way to start your day due to its distinctive summer vibe. Located at Cape May Café, this meal is bright and beautiful. The premise is that Minnie wants to spend a day at the beach, and so she’s invited her friends over for a playdate.
Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy join Minnie for the outing, and each one is dressed like they’ll be diving into the water as soon as they’re finished talking to you. Donald’s in sailor garb, while Goofy’s even wearing a life jacket since he only knows how to dog paddle.
While Cape May Café is a seafood place at dinner, breakfast is a more standard affair. Mickey Waffles, scrambled eggs, hash browns, cereals, and pastries are available in a buffet service style. This is one of the few Table Service restaurants that serve breakfast cereals, something your kids might like as they’re laughing at Goofy and Donald’s shenanigans.
Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White
At the time of publication, Storybook Dining is the newest character meal at Walt Disney World. It’s one of the most expensive experiences as well. It’s a prix fixe Signature Dining meal, and so it costs two Table Service entitlements under the Disney Dining Plan. You’ll get your money’s worth, though.
Artist Point was already one of the best places to eat in Orlando. Now, you get to interact with Snow White and two of her Dwarfs while you dine! Dopey and Grumpy will join their friend (and boss?) during the meal, and both of them are guaranteed to make your party laugh. Afterward, you can meet the Evil Queen for a photo op. Don’t expect her to be overly friendly, though. It’s not really her thing.
The cuisine at Storybook Dining is fabulous. Disney’s concocted a menu that plays up the gothic nature of the fairytale. Some of the dishes are served in cauldrons while others resemble items and characters from the story like the poisoned apple or the Huntsman.
You’ll want to sample everything here, as the flavors are rich and diverse. I believe that this is one of the best character meals for large parties. You’ll have fun playing with the Dwarfs and watching one another irritate the Evil Queen. Plus, you’ll get to share bites at the table.
Tusker House
The Africa themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a place where foodies know to go. The Quick Service restaurant serves Dole Whip, while Tusker House is renowned for its authentic African cuisine. Tabouli, Chutney, Basmati Rice, and pita bread are all staples of this restaurant. Many guests come here just for the food, which makes the character meal a happy bonus.
At Tusker House, Safari Donald Duck hosts a party for his friends. His girlfriend, Daisy, and his best friend, Mickey, both attend. Goofy also shows up for the big event. And all of them are dressed as if they’re going on safari. To many Disney fans, the character photo ops at Tusker House are the best in Orlando. That’s how adorable these outfits are.