One
of the most fun and exciting things to do while at Walt Disney World is
character dining. Adults and children
alike will delight in visiting with their favorite characters as they stop by
their tables for a little one-on-one time.
So,
what is character dining? There are a
number of restaurants around the World that offer character dining. These are meals which feature particular
characters that will visit each table during your meal.
These
can be very exciting for young children, and a time saver for you, since your
child will get the opportunity to meet many of their favorite characters and
get their autographs which means you won’t have to stand in lines throughout
the parks to meet those characters.
We’ve
enjoyed many of the character dining experiences over the last few years. Below is a review of just a few:
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| Princess Storybook Breakfast |
Princess Storybook Breakfast at
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion in EPCOT’s World
Showcase. We absolutely love this
breakfast experience. Each time we’ve
gone, we’re ushered into the Hall and led directly to meet Belle for a picture (included
in the price) which is later presented to us at our table. Once we are seated, we are brought platters
of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and a potato casserole. We also serve ourselves from a buffet which
includes biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pastries, fresh fruit, assorted yogurts,
bagels, muffins, and select Norwegian items, along with many other food items. While we dine, the Princesses mingle among
their guests, going from table to table to greet us, pose for pictures, and sign
autograph books. In addition to meeting
Belle, we have also always met Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, and Ariel when
we’ve dined here on each of our trips. I’ve
also read that Mulan and Mary Poppins have been known to occasionally make an
appearance here as well.
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| Donald's Safari Breakfast |
Donald’s Safari Breakfast at Tusker
House in Africa at Animal Kingdom. This
is one of our absolute favorites. When
we arrive, Donald Duck is waiting for us in his safari garb for a picture which
we later have the option to purchase.
Once we’re led inside, we are greeted with their famous Jungle Juice,
which is delicious! Breakfast is a mix
of traditional American and unique dishes with an African influence and includes
roasted ham, corn beef hash, scrambled eggs, Mickey waffles, frittatas, bacon,
sausage, assorted cereals, breads, yogurts, fruit, pastries, etc. Donald’s friends, Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and
Goofy make their appearance wearing their safari outfits.
 |
| Tusker House |
 |
| Hollywood & Vine |
Hollywood & Vine on Hollywood
Boulevard at Hollywood Studios. This
breakfast is a buffet featuring standard American fare, but it’s good for
meeting some of your favorite Disney Junior characters, such as Doc McStuffins,
Princess Sofia from “Sofia the First”, Handy Manny, and Jake from “Jake and the
Never Land Pirates. Throughout
breakfast, children are invited to participate in some fun with the
characters. The menu includes a
selection of fruit, yogurt, pastries, breads, cereals, bacon, sausage, omelets,
scrambled eggs, Mickey waffles, pancakes, etc.
 |
| Chef Mickey's |
Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort. This buffet breakfast is extremely popular,
although I must admit it wasn’t one of my favorites. However, my daughter absolutely loved meeting
the fabulous five in their chef attire – Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy
and Pluto – all made an appearance to the delight of their guests, all as the
monorail speeds by quietly overhead. The
buffet includes fruit, yogurts, cereal, quiche, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon,
cheesy potatoes, Goofy’s Vegetable Lasagna, turkey hash, children’s breakfast
pizza, pastries, etc.
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| 1900 Park Fare |
Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner
at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort. This dinner buffet was wonderfully
entertaining. I loved it! We’ve only been once, but I’m hoping to
return sometime. Dinner is served daily
from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Here, you are
joined by Cinderella, Prince Charming (who is truly charming!), Lady Tremaine,
Drizella, and Anastasia. The true jewels
here are Lady Tremaine and her daughters as they interact with guests in their mean-spirited
way they have always treated poor Cinderella.
The food here is good as well and includes a salad bar, carving station
featuring smoked beef strip loin and hickory smoked ham, salmon, sushi rolls,
pork pot stickers, chicken marsala, ribs, peel and eat shrimp, pizza, chicken
nuggets, ice cream, cheesecake, chocolate mousse, etc. If you can’t get into Cinderella’s Royal
Table, this is a wonderful alternative and will not disappoint.
There
is no shortage of character dining at the parks and resorts, each offering it’s
own characters and dining experience.
Adding at least one character meal to your visit is a wonderful way to
add some magic and make special memories.
Until
next time, remember to keep the Mouse in your
house.
Monica
