Character Dining

Character dining is very popular and it doesn’t matter if you are a family with or without kids, it’s a great way to meet the characters and not have to wait in line to do so. There are several choices for breakfast, lunch or dinner and you can find them in resorts and the theme parks. Some of them are family style and others are buffets.

Character dining with Snow White
Character dining with Snow White

Here are a few tips:

  • Make Advanced Dining Reservations! If you wait until the last minute chances are you might not be able to get in.
  • Plan to go early or go late. This way the characters have more time to interact with you because there is typically less people in the dining room.
  • Take a camera and your autograph book. Make sure to have them out and ready for when the characters stop by.
  • Decide what is best for your family, to be able to sit down and be served or to go to the buffet.
  • Consider whether your children will be afraid of costume/masked characters like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh or if your kids will be better suited for face characters like Belle or Alice.
  • Wanting to dine with the Princesses? Cinderella’s Royal Table is very popular and often hard to get into. So if you are wanting to dine here make sure to get your reservations at 180 days out. If you can’t, another option is to catch the Princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall or 1900 Park Fare for dinner with Cinderella and her friends.
  • Fan of the Fab Five? Then you must visit Chef Mickey’s for a great buffet and getting to see the character dressed ready to cook.
  • If you have toddlers, Hollywood & Vine has characters from “Handy Manny”, “Doc McStuffins”, “Sofia the First” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” which can be very entertaining for children of that age.
  • Looking for Winnie the Pooh and friends? Then make reservations for The Crystal Palace, where you can see Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet.
  • Most of all, enjoy your experience!

There are several more options to choose from so make sure to check out the Walt Disney World website for all you character dining choices.

Note: As with everything having to do with characters… it’s always subject to change and character availability. So don’t be surprised if one time you visit 1900 Park Fare for breakfast and see the Mad Hatter, but next time instead of the Mad Hatter it’s Mary Poppins.