INFO: Character Dining Outside the Parks

One experience that seems to appear on everyone’s must-do list during a Walt Disney World vacation is character dining. Many people pair that experience with a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom. The two go hand-in-hand, and though the latter should be done at least once in life (yes, that should be on your bucket list whether you love Disney or not), it isn’t the only dining location where one can meet Cinderella, or any character for that matter.

Since the start of the pandemic, many restaurants are still temporarily unavailable. Add the need for a Park Pass in the process- the planning involved in making a reservation can easily become an overwhelming task. How to make your vacation simpler? Look into dining experiences outside the parks.

Character dining has been modified for the sake of social distancing, amongst other COVID restrictions. Rather than stopping by tables for hugs, photos and autographs, characters now march on through the restaurants as a cavalcade. Autographs are presented at the table, usually, on a card before the end of the meal. Meals that were once served as a buffet are now brought to the table either family style or with a prix fixe menu instead. Despite all of this, a character dining experience should be enjoyed during your stay, especially if little ones (and young ones at heart) are part of your travelling party. 

The following are all the places you can find yourself dining with a character outside the parks- some even rarely seen anywhere else! Note: Advance reservations strongly recommended. For booking at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, call (407) 313-6161. Experiences with an asterisk (*)  are currently unavailable during the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resorts and restaurants. 

 

Chef Mickey’s Family Feast

Location: Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Highlight: Celebration Mickey Pancake, Loaded Potato Cheese Casserole, Harvest Sweet Rolls

Price: Adult $42/Child ages 9 and under $27

Characters: Mickey, Donald Duck, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto

Allergy-friendly: Options available

 

Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals

Location: Ravello, Four Seasons Resort Orlando. Saturdays only.

Highlight: Meals include Bakery Basket and Sliced Fruit.

Price: Adult $48/Child ages 12 and under $28

Characters: Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy

Allergy-friendly: Options available

 

 

 

Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends

Location: Topolino’s Terrace, Disney’s Riviera Resort

Highlight: Meals include bakery basket

Price: Adult $42/Child ages 9 and under $27

Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy Duck

Allergy-friendly: Options available

 

 

*Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast

Location: Cape May Café, Disney’s Beach Club

Highlight: Mickey Waffles, Chocolate Pancakes

Price: Adult $42/Child ages 9 and under $27

Characters: Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Daisy Duck

Allergy-friendly: Guide available upon request

 

*Best Friends Breakfast feat. Lilo & Stitch

Location: ‘Ohana, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Highlight: Hawaiian Pork Sausages and Ham, Island-Style Fried Potatoes

Price: Adult $42/Child ages 9 and under $27

Characters: Lilo and Stitch

Allergy-friendly: Guide available upon request

 

*Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast

Location: Trattoria al Forno, Disney’s Boardwalk

Highlight: Flounder’s Flapjacks, Steak & Eggs, Poached Eggs w/Sausage, Polenta, & Focaccia

Price: Varies

Characters: Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Ariel and Prince Eric

Allergy-friendly: Options available

 

 

 

*Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

Location: Artist Point, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Highlight: Shared Appetizers and Shared Desserts

Price: Adult $60/Child ages 9 and under $39

Characters: Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, and the Evil Queen

Allergy-friendly: Guide available upon request

This last location has 3 Character Dining Experiences…

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner, and Wonderland Tea Party

Location: 1900 Park Fare, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Allergy-friendly: Guide available upon request

 

*The Supercalifragilistic Breakfast includes character visits from Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh.

Price: Adult $45/Child ages 9 and under $29

*Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner presents Cinderella and Prince Charming with a worldly menu.

Price: Adult $60/Child ages 9 and under $39

*Wonderland Tea Party is a dining and crafts event for children ages 4 to 12, Monday through Friday, from 2-3pm. Features Alice in Wonderland and The Mad Hatter.

Price: Child $49.

 

 

Have you dined at any of the locations listed? Would any of these replace the iconic Cinderella’s Royal Table at Cinderella’s Castle?

Where have you enjoyed the best character dining experience?