Your Guide to Character Dining at Disney World | Miami Moms Blog

There are few Disney experiences more magical than seeing your kids’ faces light up as they greet their favorite characters. Disney has taken that experience to a whole new level with its Character Dining. Rather than wait in line throughout the parks, this allows the characters to come to you while you sit and enjoy your meal. With so many options throughout the parks and resorts, we thought we’d break it down in a quick, at-a-glance guide with some tips to ensure you get a magical experience with your favorite characters.  

Plan Ahead

Reservations for Character Dining (and dining at all table service restaurants) open 180 days in advance. We realize it sounds a little insane to make a dining reservation 6 months in advance, but it is highly recommended as these experiences, particularly ones like Chef Mickey’s, become booked well in advance. 

If you are planning a last-minute trip or find that your desired Character Dining experience is booked, don’t lose hope. Cast members recommend trying again 24-48 hours before your desired dining date as that is when they’re most likely to receive cancellations.

Character Dining reservations can be made here or on the Disney app. 

Things You Should Know

• While the Disney website details which characters you can expect at each experience, those are subject to change. Though they won’t leave you without characters, it’s possible any particular character won’t be there.
• Some restaurants only offer Character Dining at specific mealtimes. Be sure to note at which mealtimes it’s offered prior to making your reservation. We’d hate for you to show up expecting characters at lunch only to find that experience was only available at breakfast!
• Valid park admission is required for the Character Dining at all four parks. However, you do not need to be staying at a resort to enjoy a meal there.
• Most of the restaurants listed accept certain dining plans.

Enjoying the Experience

The characters typically make several rounds to each table to greet guests. So if you’re at the buffet station and miss their first visit to your table, don’t worry! They’ll be back. They’ll also make time for photos and autographs. 

Making the Most of It

Always mention if you’re celebrating a special occasion. At Chef Mickey’s for example, they’ve been known to provide a birthday card signed by all the characters who are typically there. They also bring a cupcake with a candle (neither come with any additional costs) to your table if you mention it’s your child’s birthday when making the reservation. 

Disney Character Dining Locations and Characters

Magic Kingdom

• Be Our Guest
  • This is not listed as an official Character Dining experience on the Disney website but on select evenings the Beast makes an appearance during dinner 
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Castle with Cinderella
  • A Feast Fit for Royalty with Disney Princesses
• The Crystal Palace
  • Buffet with Winnie the Pooh and Pals

Epcot

• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
  • Princess Storybook Dining with characters like Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora and Ariel
• Garden Grill
  • Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast with Chip, Dale, and other Disney pals

Animal Kingdom

• Tusker House
  • Character Dining at all mealtimes with Safari Donald Duck & Friends

Hollywood Studios

• Hollywood & Vine
  • Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine

Resorts

• Beach Club Resort
  • Cape May Cafe 
    • Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast
• Boardwalk
  • Trattoria al Forno
    • Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast featuring some of your favorite Disney fairytales, like Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel, and Flynn Rider.
• Contemporary Resort
  • Chef Mickey’s
    • Fun Time Buffet with Mickey & Friends
• Four Seasons
  • Ravello
    • Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & Pals
      • available on Thursdays and Saturdays (and Tuesdays during school break periods) 
      • includes a complimentary download of digital photos
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • 1900 Park Fare
    •  Supercalifragilistic Breakfast featuring characters like Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Winnie the Pooh
    • Wonderland Tea Party
      • it’s an hour-long “unbirthday party”
      • only for kids ages 4 – 12 and features Alice in Wonderland characters
      • kids make a take-home craft
      • available Monday – Friday, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
    • Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner featuring Cinderella and Prince Charming
    • Perfectly Princess Tea with Princess Aurora
• Polynesian Resort
  • ‘Ohana
    • Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch
• Riviera Resort
  • Topolino’s Terrace
    • Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends
• Wilderness Lodge
  • Story Book Dining at Artist Point
    • Dining with Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy

What’s your favorite Character Dining experience at Disney? Let us know in the comments and check out our Miami Moms Blog Disney Guide for even more info and tips!