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Special Edition: Character Dining at Walt Disney World!

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 What is character dining and why would I want to book it?

Character Dining is just that: dining while meeting characters! The best thing about it is that you make your reservation, show up about 15 minutes before, are seated, and the characters come to you! No long line, no fuss, no muss! If you have young children who want to meet characters, it is one of the best ways to ensure they will meet them! 


What's for dinner? Or lunch? Or breakfast?

Most of the Character Dining locations are a buffet, which makes it easier to both get your food and meet the characters. While this isn't necessarily the favorite food of your vacation for grown-ups, there is a nice variety so that everyone can find something they like! Also, the buffets sometimes have a kid section (for kids of all ages!) that carry items like mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, corn, and even sometimes French fries. That can be helpful if your littles or even not so littles are on the picky side. Got adventurous eaters? No problem! They can choose as much as they want off of the regular food bar! They do offer many options also if anyone in your party has food allergies! To check the menu, go to disneyworld.go.com and click on "things to do" and then "all dining." Here, you can check specific food offerings and their ingredients for each of the restaurants. Also, note that each of these locations are a fixed price per person, regardless of how much you eat, so make sure everyone in your party is hungry!
There are some exceptions to the statements above. So read on to find out a little more about each location! Note: All of these dining locations are popular, and it is recommended that you secure a reservation before your trip.


Character Dining in the parks

Akershus, In Norway at Epcot

Akershus is a buffet restaurant. It's location in Norway changes the food offering just a bit. It offers Norwegian food. If you have people in your party that do not have adventurous pallets, you might want to peruse their menu before making this reservation as the spice pallet is different from typical American food.  Also, if the lunch and dinner menus don't work well for you, take a look at breakfast. Sometimes breakfast works out better! Offerings include Kylling og Melboller: Norwegian Chicken and Dumplings, Grilled Salmon with Herbed Butter and much more.
Who can you and your littles meet? Lots and lots of princesses! Disney does not promise which specific princesses will be in the castle while you are dining, but there will definitely be more than a few! You may wish to make this a surprise for your little princess so that she is excited and not disappointed if her favorite is not available! 


The Garden Grill, In Future World, at The Land, in Epcot 

This is a special restaurant that you might want to consider even if you aren't looking for characters! How is it special? For starters, the restaurant rotates gently while you dine, showing you pieces of scenes from Living with the Land! Also, many of the vegetables offered are grown in the Living with the Land Greenhouse!  The food is served family style, at your table and is all you can eat! Who can you meet? None other than Chip and Dale and some of their Disney friends! Offerings include Grilled Beef with Chimichurri, Barbeque Roasted Chicken and much more.


Tusker House, at Animal Kingdom

This popular Character Dining location features a buffet blended with African and American offerings!   I recommend you check the menu before placing your reservation if anyone in your party is hard to please, but as I stated, it is very popular! Should you feel the menu will not work for your party, but want the character experience, I recommend considering breakfast. Who will you meet? None other than Donald Duck and his Disney Friends! Offerings include Spit Roasted Tandoori Chicken, Harira Soup and much more.


Hollywood and Vine, at Hollywood Studios

Come and meet the Disney Junior characters! This buffet offering features American food. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as offering occasional seasonal menus. Note that during seasonal offerings, characters center around Minnie Mouse and her friends. Offerings include Herb Roasted Chicken, Roasted Mushroom Farro Risotto an much more.



The Crystal Palace, at The Magic Kingdom 

Meet fan favorite, Winnie the Pooh and friends! Enjoy a wonderful, American Buffet as Winnie the Pooh and his friends greet you at your table! This dining experience is offered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Offerings include Country Fried Chicken, Prime Rib, and much more.
Cinderella's Royal Table, in Cinderella's Castle, at The Magic Kingdom
This delightful dining experience begins with meeting none other than Cinderella herself! While it is not a buffet, it does offer some of the most delectable Character Dining food in the Kingdom! Who will you meet? In addition to Cinderella, you will meet a variety of other princesses while you dine! Offerings include Grilled Tenderloin Beef, Parisian Gnocchi, and much more. A great meal plus lots of princesses? Sounds like the place to be!


Be Our Guest, The Magic Kingdom

In case you are wondering, Be Our Guest in The Magic Kingdom is no longer a character dining location. That could change in the future, though there is no indication of that currently. If this would be important to someone in your party, then keep checking! You never know when The Mouse will change his mind until he does! For now though, do not book it for a Character Dining experience because you will be disappointed in that regard. If you are looking to eat some great food in a castle however, they have that covered! You can even try "the grey stuff!" And yes, it is delicious! Looking for Belle for your little princess to meet? Check out her Enchanted Tales with Belle, in The Magic Kingdom!


Character Dining at the Resorts

1900 Park Fare at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa 

Though this dining experience is not currently available, you may want to check again closer to your vacation. It boasts a delicious American Buffet. Who will you meet? Characters offered on a rotating basis include Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh and even Tigger! Dining times include breakfast and dinner. Offerings include Cheese Blintz, Smoked Salmon Lox, and much more.

Cape May, at Disney's Beach Club Resort

This American Breakfast Buffet can't be beat! Join Minnie and Friends for her Beach Bash Breakfast! Please note, this experience is only offered during breakfast! Offerings include Salted Caramel Beach Buns, Omelet and Carving Stations, and much more.

Chef Mickey's, at Disney's Contemporary Resort

Join Mickey and Friends for a delightful American Buffet! Breakfast includes Mickey's Signature Offerings, such as biscuits and gravy, warm bread pudding, and vegetable frittatas! For dinner you will find NY Strip, Roasted Pork Pernil, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, and much more! 

'Ohana, at Disney's Polynesian Village

Join Lilo and Stitch and their friends for breakfast! Special offerings include Stitch and Mickey Waffles, Ham with Pineapple, and much more! This experience is only offered during breakfast.


Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Meet Snow White and a few dwarfs for a delicious dining experience that is only available for dinner! Features include Royal Prime Rib Roast, Brother's Grimm Herb Chicken and much more!


Topolino's Terrace-Flavors of The Riviera, at Disney's Riviera Resort

Who is Topolino? Why that's Mickey Mouse in Italian! Come delight in a signature dining experience with Mickey and his friends! The delectable food is French and Italian inspired and is a treat to behold! This experience is available for breakfast and dinner, so you might just want to book it twice! Classic dishes include Filet Mignon and Bouillabaisse and much, more! Note: This restaurant is not a fixed price offering.









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