What is Character Dining at Disney World?
Disney World’s character dining experiences are a delightful way to share a meal with beloved Disney characters. These enchanting meals allow for special interactions, as characters make their way from table to table, creating memorable moments, especially for the little ones. Whether it’s a heartfelt hug, a friendly chat, or a treasured autograph, character dining at Disney World is a must-do for all Disney fans. It’s your chance to enjoy a magical meal and create cherished memories with your favorite characters. Throughout the parks you will find a magical selection of restaurant venues which cater to Character Dining experiences. Whether you’re looking to start the day with a memorable breakfast, or you’re looking to tuck into a lunchtime buffet or an atmospheric evening meal, you can be sure of a fun way to interact with your favorite Disney characters.
- Magic Kingdom Character Dining
- EPCOT Character Dining
- Animal Kingdom Character Dining
- Hollywood Studios Character Dining
Best Places for Character Dining at Disney World?
With no less than 12 Character Dining venues peppered around the Disney Parks of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, you’ll find a cornucopia of unique family-friendly character dining venues to choose from.
Below is the definitive list of Disney Character dining meals in the parks and resort hotels for 2024:
- Chef Mickey’s
- Hollywood & Vine
- Topolino’s Terrace
- Garden Grill
- Tusker House
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Be Our Guest
- The Crystal Palace
- Storybook Dining at Artist Point
- ‘Ohana
- Cape May Cafe
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Discover where to find these character meals below!
Magic Kingdom Character Dining
The Crystal Palace, $$$-$$$$
Soak up the ambience of a bygone era and dine in the Victorian splendor of the light-filled covered glass house, which is inspired by 1800s decor and elegantly furnished with tropical palms and topiaries. Offering views across to Cinderella’s Castle and Main Street, U.S.A you’ll dine accompanied by meets, photos ops and autographs with Winnie the Pooh himself and his pals.
- Where: Main Street, U.S.A, Magic Kingdom
- Sittings: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Cuisine: American-style buffet
- Disney Characters: Winnie the Pooh and characters from Hundred-Acre-Wood
Cinderella’s Royal Table, $$$$
Savor a feast fit for royalty, within the elegant and regal surroundings of the Castle’s Grand Hall. This table-service restaurant promises an enchanting experience to remember. If you’re dining there with any Princess fans then sparkling tiaras and gowns for young guests are a must!
- Where: Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom
- Sittings: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Cuisine: American
- Disney Characters: Cinderella and her Prince
Be Our Guest, $$$$
At Be Our Guest Restaurant, dining becomes a truly unforgettable experience, as you step right into the heart of a Disney movie. The themes are intricately detailed, and the food is nothing short of amazing! While it may not be one of the typical character dinners at Magic Kingdom, the enchantment doesn’t end there. The Beast himself gracefully moves about the restaurant, occasionally offering photo ops for guests to capture the magic of the moment. Whether you choose to dine in the restaurant’s Grand Ballroom, the West Wing or the Rose Gallery, it promises a dining experience that brings the wonder of Disney and Beauty and the Beast to life.
- Where: Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom
- Sittings: Lunch & dinner
- Cuisine: American, French-style
- Disney Characters: The Beast
EPCOT Character Dining
Garden Grill Restaurant, $$$-$$$$
Arguably one of the best Epcot locations for character dining has to be Garden Grill Restaurant – with Chip n’ Dale and their friends making an entertaining entrance, followed by Mickey and Pluto in their charming Farmer outfits. Tuck into fresh seasonal salads and fresh produce, whilst enjoying the rich variety of scenes in Living with the Land.
- Where: World Nature at EPCOT
- Sittings: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Cuisine: American
- Disney Characters: Chip n’ Dale and their pals, plus Mickey and Pluto
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, $$$ to $$$$
By royal decree, this themed table-service restaurant promises a Storybook Dining experience to remember, with memorable meet-and-greets from Disney’s most famous Princesses. Set within a medieval castle, you’ll enjoy a delectable Norwegian-inspired family meal, whilst enjoying the royal parade of princesses.
- Where: World Showcase, EPCOT
- Sittings: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Cuisine: American, Norwegian-inspired
- Disney Characters: Disney Princesses
Animal Kingdom Character Dining
Embark on a culinary adventure with Donald Duck and his best friends, as you tuck into African-inspired breakfast, lunch or dinner, set within this vibrant Harambe marketplace.
Tusker House, $$$ – $$$$
- Where: Africa, Animal Kingdom
- Sittings: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Cuisine: American, African-inspired
- Disney Characters: Donald Duck, Mickey, Minnie and Disney friends
Hollywood Studios Character Dining
Showcasing the months in spectacular seasonal costumes, Minnie and her pals host fun soirees together in style, with upbeat music and tasty menu options. Whichever season you visit Hollywood Studios, you’ll find Minnie ready to welcome you for a Holiday Dine, Silver Screen Dine, Springtime Dine, Summertime Dine or Halloween Dine experience.
Hollywood & Vine, $$$$
- Where: Echo Lake, Hollywood Studios
- Sittings: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Cuisine: American
- Disney Characters: Disney Junior Stars (breakfast), Minnie and friends (lunch and dinner)
Where is the cheapest Character Dining at Disney World?
Head to the Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) and Tusker House (Animal Kingdom) for the best-priced character lunch. For the best-priced character dinner, pick from either Hollywood & Vine (Hollywood Studios), Garden Grill (EPCOT) or Tusker House (Animal Kingdom).
Breakfast:
The most budget-friendly character breakfasts are at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For Disney Character dining on a budget, look no further than breakfast time at Walt Disney World. Although Disney character breakfasts have seen a price increase, they offer substantial value for money compared to lunchtime and dinnertime. These breakfasts typically range from $42 to $55 for adults (plus tax and gratuity) and $27 to $34 for kids (plus tax and gratuity).
These delightful breakfast options offer the opportunity to dine with beloved characters, while keeping your budget in check. It’s a win-win for both your taste buds and your wallet!
Lunch:
When it comes to midday feasting, Walt Disney World presents a feast of choices that can leave you spoilt for options. The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom, once renowned for its affordability, still delivers a memorable rendezvous with Winnie the Pooh and his pals, setting the stage for those cherished photo ops. If you’re in search of the most budget-friendly Disney character dining experience, look no further than the Garden Grill at Epcot – with the Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest Feast priced at $62 for adults (plus tax and gratuity) and $40 for kids (plus tax and gratuity).
Dinnertime:
The dinner hour at Disney World typically offers an array of tantalizing cuisine and character interactions, although it can lean towards the pricier side. If you’re aiming for the most economical character dining experience for dinner, our recommendation is Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios, with lunch and dinner buffet pricing from $40 per child (plus tax and gratuity) and $63 per adult (plus tax and gratuity).
If your heart is set on a dinner date with the one and only Mickey Mouse, you have fantastic options at Garden Grill at EPCOT – with Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest Feast priced as $62 for adults (plus tax and gratuity) and $40 for kids (plus tax and gratuity) and at Tusker House – priced at $62 for adults (plus tax and gratuity) and $40 for kids (plus tax and gratuity). Each one promises a memorable Disney dining experience with the big cheese himself!
Good to know:
The set child menus are for young diners aged between 3 and 9 years old.
How to book Character Dining at Disney World?
To secure your preferred dining times, the best approach is to either contact our dedicated Concierge team, or visit the official WDW website to secure your dining reservation yourself. Here, you can easily explore all the available restaurants, review their availability for specific dates and times, and lock in your Disney dining reservations. It’s the key to unlocking the magic of character dining at Disney World.
How far in advance should I book a Disney Character Dining meal?
For a seamless Disney character dining experience, we strongly recommend making reservations exactly 60 days in advance. These character meals are exceptionally popular and tend to fill up swiftly. Disney World’s guidelines for booking character meals, known as ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations), allow you to secure your spot 60 days prior to your arrival date. For those who like to plan ahead, explore our guide on how far in advance you can book Disney reservations.
Plan your Disney World vacation
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The magic doesn’t stop outside. Step indoors, and you’ll discover a world of epic games rooms, themed kids’ bedrooms, private pools, and much more. Plus, many of these rentals are pet-friendly, ensuring the whole family can join in on the fun.
For guests seeking to elevate their Disney dining experience, our luxury Concierge Services are here to make your stay even more magical. From airport transfers and grocery packs to private chefs and fully-decorated dining spaces, we’ve got your convenience covered. Enjoy festive goodie bags, special character experiences, and more. Make this Disney dining adventure one to cherish and explore our enchanting collection of Orlando vacation rentals today.
For vacation guests looking to celebrate their Disney Dining experience in style, our luxury Concierge Services promise to serve up the ultimate convenience – with our dedicated Travel Planners able to arrange everything from resort transportation and attraction tickets and to Disney dining experiences.
With all this and more to savor, tuck into a luxurious banquet of fun and memories – with our exclusive collection of Orlando vacation rentals today.
