Character Dining
Character Dining at Walt Disney World: Meet Your Favorite Disney Friends Over a Magical Meal
One of the most unforgettable experiences during a Walt Disney World vacation is character dining — where delicious meals meet Disney magic! Imagine sharing breakfast with Mickey and Minnie, lunch with princesses, or dinner with your favorite Disney pals — all without waiting in long meet-and-greet lines.
Character dining is perfect for families, especially those wanting more time for rides and shows while still getting those special moments with beloved Disney characters.
What Is Character Dining?
Character dining is a themed meal experience where popular Disney characters visit your table to take photos, sign autographs, and interact while you eat. The experience is typically offered at table-service restaurants across the parks and Disney Resort hotels.
You’ll get:
Great character interactions without long lines
A relaxed, air-conditioned environment
Family-style or buffet dining with themed menus
Photo opportunities and fun memories that last a lifetime
Character Dining in the Theme Parks
Here are some of the most popular character dining locations inside the parks:
Magic Kingdom
Cinderella’s Royal Table – Dine inside Cinderella Castle and meet princesses like Ariel, Jasmine, and Snow White. This is truly a storybook experience!
The Crystal Palace – Enjoy a buffet meal with Winnie the Pooh and friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. Perfect for families with little ones.
EPCOT
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway Pavilion) – Princesses such as Belle, Aurora, and Ariel make royal appearances while guests enjoy Norwegian-inspired cuisine.
Garden Grill (The Land Pavilion) – This rotating restaurant features Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto dressed as farmers — plus great views of Living with the Land!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood & Vine – Meet Disney Junior stars at breakfast or join Minnie Mouse and friends for themed seasonal lunches and dinners.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Tusker House – Safari Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy host this flavorful buffet with African-inspired dishes and plenty of fun.
Character Dining at Disney Resort Hotels
You don’t need a park ticket to enjoy these! Resort character meals are a great option for arrival or departure days.
Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contemporary Resort) – One of the most iconic experiences! Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto for an upbeat buffet meal near Magic Kingdom.
‘Ohana (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort) – Enjoy a tropical breakfast with Lilo and Stitch while overlooking Cinderella Castle.
Story Book Dining at Artist Point (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) – A fairy-tale dinner with Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and the Evil Queen in a beautifully enchanted forest setting.
1900 Park Fare (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa) – Recently reimagined, this character meal features favorites like Cinderella, Mirabel, and Tiana in a grand Victorian atmosphere.
Travel Genie Tip
Book character dining as soon as possible — these reservations go fast! Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can make dining reservations 60 days before check-in for their entire stay. If you’re not staying on property, you can book 60 days before each dining date.
If you don’t snag your first choice, don’t worry! Use Disney dining alert tools like Mouse Dining or Steakhouse to get notified when a spot opens up — your Genie Travel Co. advisor can also help you find availability.
Why You’ll Love It
Character dining offers so much more than a meal — it’s a full Disney experience wrapped in laughter, smiles, and special moments. You’ll walk away with great food, adorable photos, and the magic of a personal Disney character encounter without the wait.
Whether you’re dining with princesses, pals, or Pooh Bear, character dining is one of the most magical ways to make memories at Walt Disney World.