What is character dining at Disney World? There are special meals offered at select restaurants that feature characters who will come and greet you throughout your meal. These meals are always at buffets or pre-fix menu locations and are normally pricier than other buffets due to the characters. They are so popular do to your ability to meet so many characters without have to wait in hour-long lines at the parks. Given the wide selection of options I think it’s important that I break down the best character dining at Disney World so you can pick the right one for your family!
If you are looking to fill your autograph books be wary that many character dining locations are stopping autographs and instead handing out cards. If filling up your autograph book is the goal it may be better to seek the characters out in the park.
The Best Character Dining at Disney World
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Tucked away in Norway at EPCOT is one of the best kept Princess secrets! Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a medieval castle with Storybook princesses who join your royal banquet dining experience. The princesses do rotate so there is no guarantee who you are going to get but the list has all the popular ones for you to meet. If you are worried about the food not being your cup of tea then I recommend going for breakfast which is your standard faire of food.
Characters Spotted: Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Princess Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, Mulan, or Mary Poppins.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
So this is what dreams are made of right? Dining inside of Cinderella’s castle, it just doesn’t get more magical than that, you will feel like you are in her actual castle (which you are)! The view of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom thru the beautiful stained glass windows is breath taking. Many of the young guests attend dressed up like their favorite princess. Well the location alone is enough to attract the droves of people who fight to get a reservation here but you also get to meet a bunch of princesses while you are here.
Characters Spotted: Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Rapunzel, Jasmine, Snow White
1900 Park Fare
This stop over at the Grand Floridian Hotel is a popular alternative that I recommend if you can’t get the golden ticket into Cinderella’s Royal Table. Plus there is AMAZING strawberry soup here, a must try! There is easy access from the Magic Kingdom via the resort monorail or a fun boat ride.
Characters Spotted: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, Drizella, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh
‘Ohana
The food here is AMAZING, my mouth is already watering! For breakfast at ‘Ohana they not only serve you up a plethora of breakfast goodies but you will also get to meet some of your favorite Hawaiian friends! The Polynesian Resort is easily accessed from the Magic Kingdom via the resort monorail or a fun boat ride.
Characters Spotted: Lilo and Stich, Pluto, Goofy, Mickey
Honorable Disney World Character Dining Mentions
Tusker House
Located in the Animal Kingdom, the special outfits on the characters here are so unique! If you want to meet the characters be sure to go for breakfast!
Characters Spotted: Safari Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Mickey Mouse
Garden Grill
If Chip ‘n Dale are among your favorite characters, this is the best place to meet them and hang with characters in this slowly rotating restaurant! Another bonus is that it overlooks the attraction Living with the Land at EPCOT, so you will see some of the scenes from the attraction and many of the vegetables served in your meal are grown there!
Characters Spotted: Mickey, Pluto, Chip, Dale
What has your favorite character dining experience been? Have you eaten at any of those stops? Be sure to leave a note with the comment or join in the conversation on our private Facebook group dedicated to Disney trip planning!
I have been visiting the parks annually since my parents first brought me at just a year old. Recently I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Florida local and moved from the wintery Northeast to the sunshine and fun of central Florida. Now I am hoping to share my Disney knowledge with you so you can have the best vacation possible!
Graham Rand
Wednesday 24th of October 2018
We only got to do one character dining experience when we went to WDW so I can't really compare them or anything, but the food at the 'Ohana one was amazing. I'd eat there all the time if I had a normal restaurant like that near where I live. And of course the kids loved the characters even if they were a little shy of them at first.