Walt Disney World: Other Character Meals

If you would like to dine with characters other than Mickey and the gang or the Disney princesses, there are 2 special options just for you!

Winnie the Pooh at The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom

The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom features Winnie the Pooh and friends, while Hollywood & Vine in the Hollywood Studios welcomes favorite characters from the Disney Junior television shows. Read more to find out the details!

The Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom welcomes Winnie the Pooh and his friends (usually Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is served buffet-style, with all of the characters visiting each table to interact with the guests. As with every character meal, characters are happy to take pictures with guests and/or sign autographs. There is also a fun parade for guests, who follow the characters around the dining room.

Eeyore at The Crystal Palace

Breakfast is available starting at 8:05 a.m., which means that it is possible on certain days to have breakfast before the park opens. This allows guests to get pictures on Main Street with fewer crowds, as well as bypass crowds at park opening.

Hollywood & Vine

Disney Junior Play 'n Dine features characters from the popular Disney Junior television shows at Hollywood & Vine in the Hollywood Studios. Characters are part of the breakfast and lunch experiences only. Characters change regularly as Disney Junior shows grow or decline in popularity; past characters have included: JoJo and Goliath (JoJo's Circus), Leo and June (The Little Einsteins), Handy Manny, and Special Agent Oso.  There are usually 3-4 characters available at each meal.

Special Agent Oso and Disney Junior Play 'n Dine

The food is served buffet-style, with all of the characters visiting each table to interact with the guests. There are also entertainment portions where the Disney Junior characters dance with the younger (and younger-at-heart) guests. Breakfast is available starting at 8:00 a.m., which means that it is possible on certain days to have breakfast before the park opens. This allows guests to get pictures on Hollywood Boulevard with fewer crowds, as well as bypass crowds at park opening.

Conclusion

So what do you think? Are you ready for a meal with Pooh or Disney Junior friends?

For more information on other character dining experiences, read my posts on dining with Mickey and friends, or with the Disney Princesses.

Walt Disney World: Meals Fit for a Princess

There are many character dining experiences available at Walt Disney World, and of course, some of the most popular ones are the meals with the Disney Princesses.

Ariel at Akershus

Do you have a princess who wants to dine with her Disney peers? There are three Disney Princess character meals available at Walt Disney World. Each has its own style, so read more to find out about each one!

Cinderella's Royal Table

The most well-known of the Disney Princess dining experiences, Cinderella's Royal Table is located on the second floor of Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. The main appeal of this experience is of course the magic of dining in the castle!

Cinderella's Royal Greeting

It is absolutely necessary to make reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table as early as possible. Advanced dining reservations are accepted up to 180 days in advance, and this highly-sought-after experience fills up quickly. This is the most popular character dining experience at Walt Disney World! The earlier you can make reservations, the better your chances of choosing the date and time you prefer.

Aurora at Cinderella's Royal Table

All three meals are available at Cinderella's Royal Table. Breakfast times start at 8:05 a.m., so it is even possible to have a breakfast reservation before park opening! Likewise, dinner is served until 10:00 p.m., so on nights the park closes early, you may be in the park after closing. This is an advantage because it offers prime opportunities for pictures on Main Street without the usual crowds, as well as allowing you to be well into the park before the main groups of people enter.

Bella at Cinderella's Royal Table

When arriving at Cinderella's Royal Table, guests are first allowed the opportunity to meet with Cinderella. A picture is taken by a Disney photographer, and the price of the meal includes the photo package, delivered to your table before the end of the meal. The package arrives in a special Cinderella photo holder, and includes one 8x10 and two 4x6 copies of the picture with Cinderella, plus one 8x10 picture of Cinderella Castle. A group of up to 4 guests receives one photo package, while a group of 5-8 receives 2 photo packages, and a group of 9-12 receives 3 photo packages! In addition, children receive a special gift, usually a wand or sword.

Cinderella's Royal Greeting

The meals at Cinderella's Royal Table are all-you-care to enjoy, but vary slightly in choices. Breakfast includes pre-plated plates of American breakfast food. Lunch consists of a pre-selected appetizer, with choices from the menu for the entree and dessert. Dinner allows for choices of appetizer, entree, and dessert.

Jasmine at Cinderella's Royal Table

Of course, next to dining in the castle, meeting the Disney Princesses is the highlight of the meal! Cinderella does not come to tables during the meal, as she is busy greeting guests downstairs. Her friends come to each table for autographs and/or pictures. Princess characters are subject to change, and may include: Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, and/or Snow White. There are usually 4-5 princesses in addition to Cinderella.

Snow White at Cinderella's Royal Table

Prices at Cinderella's Royal Table range from $35-$75, depending on the meal and ages of the guests. The price includes the photo package, meal, tax, and gratuity. Payment in full is required at the time of booking. When dining on the dining plan, this meal requires 2 table service credits, due to its popularity.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

If preferences or circumstances prevent dining in Cinderella Castle, the Disney Princess dining experience at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is another wonderful option. Located in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot, Akershus also provides a royal experience for visiting guests.

Belle's Royal Greeting

Although this experience is not as popular as dining in Cinderella Castle, advanced dining reservations are still highly recommended in order to be able to dine on the date and at the time you prefer. Advanced dining reservations are available up to 180 days in advance.

Snow White at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

All three meals are available at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Breakfast times start at 8:00 a.m., so it is even possible to have a breakfast reservation before park opening! This is an advantage because it offers prime opportunities for pictures without the usual crowds, as well as allowing you to be well into the park before the main groups of people enter. We were able to walk on to Test Track at park opening, since Akershus is closer to the attraction than the entrance is!

Mulan at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

When arriving at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, guests are first allowed the opportunity to meet with Belle in her yellow ball gown. A picture is taken by a Disney photographer, and the price of the meal includes the photo package, delivered to your table before the end of the meal. The package arrives in a special photo holder, and includes one 8x10 and two 4x6 copies of the picture with Belle. A group of up to 4 guests receives one photo package, while a group of 5-8 receives 2 photo packages, and a group of 9-12 receives 3 photo packages!

Belle's Royal Greeting

The meals at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall vary depending on the meal. Breakfast includes American breakfast food served family-style. Lunch and dinner begin with a Norwegian cold buffet, with choices from the menu for the entree, and a dessert plate to share.

Cinderella at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Meeting the Disney Princesses is always the highlight of the meal! Belle does not come to tables during the meal, as she is busy greeting guests. Her friends come to each table for autographs and/or pictures. Princess characters are subject to change, and may include: Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, Snow White, and/or Mary Poppins. There are usually 4-5 princesses in addition to Belle. There is also a "Princess Parade" for younger guests to follow their princesses in a parade around the dining area.

Aurora at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Prices at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall range from $25-$60, depending on the meal and ages of the guests. The price includes the photo package, meal, and tax, but not gratuity. When dining on the dining plan, this meal requires 1 table service credit.

Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner

Another Disney Princess dining experience is Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This experience includes Cinderella and her entourage, and the character interaction is top-notch!

Fairy Godmother at 1900 Park Fare

Advanced dining reservations are always recommended in order to be able to dine on the date and at the time you prefer. Advanced dining reservations are available up to 180 days in advance. However, this meal is generally available even on short notice.

Anastasia at 1900 Park Fare

As the name would suggest, this experience is offered at dinner only. An advantage to this location is that it does not require park admission, since it is located at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It is also a short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, if you do go in to the park on the day of this experience. The meal at 1900 Park Fare is a buffet dinner, including dessert. Many guests have commented on the strawberry soup served here!

Little Princess at the Grand Floridian

When arriving at 1900 Park Fare, guests are first allowed the opportunity to meet have a photo taken in front of a fairytale backdrop. Characters are usually not included in this photo. Photos are then brought to your table and you have the choice to purchase them. This photo is included as part of the special Photopass + package, which allows you to prepay for dining and attraction photos, as well as a photo CD.

Drizella at 1900 Park Fare

Characters appearing at this meal are all connected to Cinderella. Characters may include: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother, Anastasia, Drizella, and Lady Tremaine. Many guests have commented on the fun interaction with the characters, including shenanigans from the stepsisters.

Drizella at 1900 Park Fare

Prices at Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner range from $20-$45, depending on ages of the guests. The price includes the meal and tax, but not gratuity. When dining on the dining plan, this meal requires 1 table service credit.

Overview

There is a Disney Princess dining experience to fit many preferences. Which is the right one for you and your royal family?

Dining Spotlight: Meals with the Fab 5

When it comes to dining with Disney characters, Disney has a meal to please all guests! Of course, some of the most popular characters are what we Disney lovers call the "Fab 5." The Fab 5 include: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto.

 

Mickey Mouse at Chef Mickey's

Why Character Dining?

Character dining is a wonderful way to complete two tasks at one time. Since you have to eat, and you (or your little ones) want to see the characters, why not do both at once? When you participate in a character meal, each character will visit your table at least once during your meal. They will spend time with your group, sign autograph books, and take pictures. The setting is usually less rushed than standing in line at the parks, and you don't run the risk of standing in a long line to have Mickey take a break just as you near the front. For this reason, we meet most of our characters at meals and save the lines for the characters we can't see while dining.

Goofy at Tusker House

The "Fab 5"

There is currently only one restaurant that offers dining with all of the Fab 5. There are also several locations that offer dining with at least 2 of the Fab 5 characters.

Mickey Statue at Chef Mickey's

You can find all of the Fab 5 at Chef Mickey's restaurant at Disney's Contemporary Resort. This restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and is a favorite for the characters along with the celebration (fun dance party) that happens during the meal. We like to eat here on the day we arrive at Walt Disney World, since it does not require park admission and we can see the characters and feel some Disney magic even before going into the parks. If you purchase the Fastpass + photo package, the group picture with a Chef Mickey statue is also included in the package.

Minnie at Chef Mickey's

My next favorite classic character meal is Tusker House at Animal Kingdom. This character dining location features Donald and friends at all three meals. Donald's friends usually include Daisy (sometimes difficult to find in the parks, so we love to catch her here!), Mickey, and Goofy. The picture with Donald before you are seated is also included in the Photopass + package.

Donald at Tusker House

We also love to eat at the Garden Grill in Epcot, which features Mickey in his farmer's outfit, Pluto, and Chip and Dale (also difficult to find in the parks). The food at the Garden Grill is amazing, since it is seasonal and much is grown at the Land pavilion in Epcot.

Pluto at Garden Grill

Some of the Fab 5 also make appearances at the following dining locations:

• Cape May Cafe at Disney's Beach Club Resort: Characters appear at breakfast and usually include Minnie Mouse, Donald, and Goofy.
• Garden Grove at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel: Two classic characters appear at dinner.
• 'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Resort: Characters appear at breakfast and usually include Mickey and Pluto along with Lilo and Stitch. The character meal picture is also included in the Photopass + package.
• Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort: This dinner show is held seasonally in the summer. Characters usually include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Chip, and Dale.

It is important to note that Disney World does not guarantee character appearances and all policies state that characters are subject to change without notice. Even Mickey Mouse can get a cold! I am always careful about guaranteeing anything to my girls, in case something doesn't work out the way we expect it to.

Daisy at Tusker House

General Thoughts

As a rule, we much prefer character dining to waiting in long lines at the parks. We are more comfortable and the character interaction is fun! If you would like to dine with Mickey Mouse, Chef Mickey's is by far the most popular location, so making advanced dining reservations is essential. Remember that advanced dining reservations can be made up to 180 days before the trip! I was able to make reservations for a client three months before their vacation, but only after trying for several weeks; it was booked the first several times I tried.

Mickey at Chef Mickey's

Garden Grove and Cape May Cafe are probably the least well-known, being at resorts on or near the Disney Boardwalk. If you are trying to make a reservation and other character dining is booked, there may still be openings at those restaurants.

When in doubt, ask your resident Disney specialist! Do you have questions about character dining? Is there another meal or character that you would like me to cover in the blog? Let me know in the comments section!