At Walt Disney World, Imagineers bring magic to life. Fictional characters from Disney movies become real enough to touch. It’s the basis of all the many wondrous attractions at the parks, but it’s also the inspiration for character meals. At these special dining experiences, your favorite Disney icons will roam from table to table, interacting with guests. My family is a sucker for these meals, and we’ve done them all, most of them multiple times. Here are my choices for the best character meals at Walt Disney World.
8. Crystal Palace
Winnie the Pooh has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Part of the explanation stems from the popularity of Christopher Robin, the 2018 Disney movie starring Ewan McGregor. The film describes the Hundred Acre Wood from the perspective of Christopher Robin, a character based on the son of author A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh. This bit of personalization struck a chord with movie audiences and reinvigorated people’s love for that hunny-lovin’ bear.
At Crystal Palace at Walt Disney World, diners can hang out at Hundred Acre Wood. Winnie the Pooh and his friends wander the restaurant, entertaining guests with their genteel brand of hijinks. Even in the library of Disney intellectual properties, Winnie the Pooh stands apart for his kindness and purity. This opportunity to play with him is a profound experience for children. Also, while it’s less important overall, the interior of the Crystal Palace is mesmerizingly beautiful. The only reason why this place isn’t ranked higher is that the food is bland.
7. Tusker House
You will NOT find bland food at Tusker House. This restaurant is hosted in the Africa themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. And the recipes here pack a punch with their spicy goodness. Exotic dishes like Tabouli and Bobotie are on the menu, depending on which meal you attend. Tusker House is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which isn’t true for several places on this list.
Of course, the food is only half the story at a character meal, no matter how delicious it is. At Tusker House, you’re here to meet Donald Duck and his special lady friend, Daisy Duck. They’re the host and hostess of this soiree, and they’re dressed as if their next stop is a safari. The characters joining them on this upcoming adventure vary, but you’ll generally find Mickey Mouse and Goofy rounding out the list. It’s a quartet of the classic Disney gang, all wearing Insta-worthy outfits.
6. Chef Mickey’s
Image: DisneyDisney’s Contemporary Resort is home to some of the best Disney resort restaurants in the world. California Grill provides an unprecedented view of Magic Kingdom’s fireworks display, and The Wave by the first floor lobby is a hidden gem of Disney dining.
The fourth floor of the Contemporary is the best, though. It’s where the Contempo Café and Chef Mickey’s sit side by side, a Quick Service/Table Service combo that’s impossible to beat. While I love the food at the Contempo and frequently eat there for breakfast when I stay at the resort, I always feel a bit left out. The sounds of laughter from Chef Mickey’s are impossible to ignore, and they indicate that every child eating at this character meal is having the time of their life.
Chef Mickey’s is home to the main Disney gang. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck all wander the restaurant, entertaining the guests with their shenanigans. Mickey is the one holding court here, though. He’s dressed in adorable chef gear as he walks from table to table, verifying that his guests are having a blast. And they are.
I’ve previously described Chef Mickey’s as “pure joy,” and I stand by that. The laughter of children here is absolutely deafening. The only drawback is the bland food. Disney does need to address the vanilla offerings at its All-You-Care-to-Enjoy (AYCE) restaurants.
5. Hollywood & Vine
Image: DisneyThis character dining experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is unlike all the others listed here. Why? It varies by season! Yes, you can visit once every three months and take part in a different character meal each time. I should clarify that the food never changes, and the characters are the same. What’s different?
The concept behind Hollywood & Vine is that Minnie Mouse is throwing a party. To keep things fresh, she expects her guests to dress appropriately for the time. When you visit during the winter, you’ll see Minnie and friends in yuletide clothing. In the fall, everyone’s wearing their favorite Halloween outfits. During the spring, everyone’s dressed to the nines for a more formal affair. The variance in costumes differentiates Hollywood & Vine. Plus, it has the same characters as Tusker House joining Minnie at her shindig!
Hollywood & Vine has a similarity with the next meal on this list, too. It actually has multiple character experiences. Parents with young children may prefer the character breakfast. The Disney Junior Plan ‘n’ Dine breakfast showcases many stars of Disney Junior programming such as Sofia the First, Jake the Never Land Pirate, and Doc McStuffins.
4. 1900 Park Fare
Image: DisneyDisney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is host to two or arguably three character breakfasts in one. In the mornings, guests at 1900 Park Fare will participate in the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast. It smashes three different Disney universes together, with characters from Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland joining Mary Poppins at the meal.
Later in the day, Alice and the Mad Hatter return for Wonderland Tea Party, which isn’t a meal inasmuch as a children’s unbirthday party. Guests over the age of 12 aren’t even able to attend it, but your kids will looooove it. Their pretend tea parties will pale in comparison to the real thing, as they get served scones and sandwiches along with the best tea at the Grand Floridian.
The third and final gathering is Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner. Think of it as a family meal in the truest sense of the word. Imagine the most uncomfortable family gatherings you’ve ever had, and you’ll get the gist. Cinderella and Prince Charming host the party, but they feel compelled to invite Cinderella’s step-family, Lady Tremaine and her daughters, Anastasia and Drizella.
While the happy couple roams the room engaging in pleasant small talk, the bitter women crack jokes about how terrible Cinderella is and how much more deserving they are of Prince Charming’s affections. It’s the rare rogues’ gallery villain character dinner, and it’s among the most entertaining options at Walt Disney World.
3. Tratorria al Forno
Image: DisneyTwo of my favorite three character meals are exclusively available at breakfast. While that’s not ideal, the entertainment is so outstanding that will grow to love the idea. Eating here will help you start your Disney day in the best possible way.
Tratorria al Forno hosts the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast, arguably the best themed character meal available today. At this meal, you’ll meet your favorite characters from Tangled and The Little Mermaid. Yes, the combination seems odd at first, but Disney has carefully selected these four people due to their shared love of adventure.
During this meal, you’ll meet Price Eric and Ariel, the star-crossed lovers from The Little Mermaid, and Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled. While Eric and Ariel are delightful, let’s be clear that Flynn Rider is the star of the show here. He’ll ask every man he meets to display their “Smolder,” the look made famous in Tangled. The goal of the Smolder is to manipulate others with your facial expressions, and Flynn will encourage people, particularly children, to do the best. Smolder. Ever. It’s adorable.
PS: The breakfast here is spectacular, too. You should want to eat here even without Flynn and co.
2. ‘Ohana
Image: DisneyThe Best Friends Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is just a monorail hop away from the Magic Kingdom. When you eat here, you’re embracing the Hawaiian spirit and love of family. It’s not a coincidence that Lilo & Stitch host the festivities, as their film mainstreamed the concept of ‘Ohana. It’s the belief that nobody gets left behind or forgotten, a touching sentiment about the powerful nature of friendship.
When you eat here, you’ll feel like you’ve always lived in the South Seas. The inviting atmosphere and laid back ambience perfectly encapsulate that island escape that everyone fantasizes about. Lilo & Stitch party here along with their friend Mickey Mouse, who is dressed in a Polynesian shirt, of course. Pluto joins his friend, too, but this is the rare instance when Mickey Mouse isn’t the center of attention.
This breakfast is undeniably Lilo & Stitch’s show. The two parade around, offering pictures with customers in between parades. Yes, I said parades. About every 20 minutes, Hawaiian Roller Coaster comes on the loudspeakers, and the stars of this song invite children to march around the restaurant. I probably have a dozen videos of this particular event. It’s one of my favorite things at Walt Disney World.
1. Akershus
Image: DisneyLook, everyone knows about Cinderella’s Royal Table. Here’s what nobody will admit, though. Eating in Cinderella Castle comes with a massive amount of sticker shock. This meal’s price doubles as smelling salts. You can’t get a deal on the Disney Dining Plan, either. As a Signature Dining experience, it requires two entitlements. Why am I talking about an unlisted character meal?
Akershus shares almost all of the benefits of Cinderella’s Royal Table at a much more reasonable cost. Think of it as a low-key substitute with some extra benefits. In terms of princesses, the two restaurants are even. The Disney Princess roll call includes Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, and Snow White. That’s definitely the A-List. And like with ‘Ohana, there’s a parade during the meal. The princesses will escort your child through the restaurant, making them feel like royalty.
The food is better at Akershus, too. Located at the Norway Pavilion, this restaurant is heavy on the Scandinavian cuisine…and it is goooood. The meats and cheeses here are the finest at Walt Disney World, and the entrees are sublime as well. Eating here is an exercise in Disney-created happiness. Plus, when your meal is over, you’re only a few steps away from Frozen Ever After!
