In my opinion, everybody going to Walt Disney World should go to at least one character dining experience. Though a bit more expensive then regular meals, the experience of the characters coming right up to your table to spend some one-on-one time with you (with no lines!) is like no other. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, I would definitely recommend going to as many of these meals as you can!
If someone in your group collects autographs, this is an easy way to fill up those pages, and you can sometimes find characters here that are hard to find anywhere else. If you love taking pictures with uncommon characters/characters with interesting outfits (like me!), almost every character is wearing some sort of restaurant-exclusive outfit.
Here is a list of my top five favorite character meals; it was so hard to narrow it down to five! I’ll rate the restaurants by atmosphere, characters, and food. This list is in no particular order; however, the meals toward the top are generally rated a big higher than the last ones on my list.
So, let’s get started!
- The Garden Grill
This may be a bit surprising to some people, but the Garden Grill ranks at the absolute top of my list. There are several reasons for this.
For starters, it is placed in EPCOT right above one of my family’s favorite rides, Living with the Land. Those who have ridden the ride before may remember seeing a restaurant hidden above a few of the earlier scenes- that’s the Garden Grill! If you are seated near the large window, you will even be able to watch boats move along the ride. Another unique addition to this restaurant’s atmosphere is the fact that it actually rotates. But don’t worry— it moves so slowly that you can barely feel it. It is almost always very quiet and relaxing in the restaurant itself.
The food here is served family style. You may hear people say the food is not great, but I’m here to say that is not true. Of course, it all depends on the food you enjoy and don’t enjoy, but I will assure you that it is some of my favorite food in Disney World. I eat here for lunch every trip and look forward to it every time. Guests start with a garden salad and rolls with honey butter. For their main course, they are served a few different meats and sides like macaroni and cheese, vegetables, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Dessert is usually a short cake. You can ask for another serving of any dish. Some of this food is actually made from the food grown in the Living with the Land greenhouse!
You will meet Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto. Because the restaurant is usually very quiet, you will most likely meet them more than once! Mickey is wearing a farmer outfit, perfect for any pictures! While the characters here are not as unique as some of the other restaurants on this list, the food and atmosphere certainly make up for it. Besides, where else will you witness Mickey’s adorable farmer outfit?
Overall, I would definitely recommend this place. It is criminally underrated and one of my top favorite WDW restaurants, and you will certainly have a one-of-a-kind experience here.
- Chef Mickey’s
Chef Mickey’s is actually one of my other favorite restaurants. I absolutely love going here and I always get so excited when I know I have a reservation here.
Located in the Contemporary Resort, it is situated by the Contempo Café. You can even watch the monorail drive through the resort! I will admit that the restaurant can be loud at certain times and is a bit crowded. This is the true Disney experience and I firmly believe every family should come here at least once. Before being seated, families take a picture with a statue of Chef Mickey— we have collected so many over the years! If you choose to buy it, it makes a great keepsake to remember your trip.
As far as food goes, it’s a hit or miss. It’s a large buffet with tons of options. It was great the last time I went, and obviously every restaurant has its good and bad days. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and the desserts are always great. They even have a large create-your-own Mickey waffle station here!
The classic characters can be found here. Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy all make their rounds. They are even wearing chef outfits! This is a great place to quickly obtain the classic autographs. Since the restaurant is large, you will most likely meet each one only once, but that is the norm for almost every other character meal. They still make great pictures!
This restaurant is, as I said, a hit or miss. It is either at the top of your list, or a bit further down. I would recommend for you to go here at least once, and it is a great place for younger guests. Try it!
- Cape May Café
This restaurant is located in the Beach Club Resort. I absolutely love everything about this place. The New England-style theming is absolutely gorgeous. Of all the times I’ve been here, it has never been loud. The only disclaimer for this restaurant is that characters only visit guests at breakfast. They will not be coming around at any other time. If you can go for breakfast, I would highly recommend it.
The breakfast here is great. It is calm and a nice place to relax while taking in the scenery. I have never personally tried the seafood buffet for dinner, but I have heard great reviews. I usually stay at the Beach Club, so it is always nice to come here for a good breakfast before going to the parks.
You will most likely meet Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy here. The swimsuits they are wearing here are beautiful— especially Donald’s. He looks absolutely adorable. In fact, these outfits were the sole reason that Cape May Café beat out some other character dining spots. You will get beautiful pictures here. I would love to see a guest coordinate their outfit with one of the characters’— I think that would look really cool.
I could not recommend this peaceful place enough. You will not regret dining here and seeing the characters’ sweet outfits.
- Tusker House Restaurant
Tusker House is a beautifully decorated buffet in Animal Kingdom. It is always a must-do for us. Though large, the restaurant is spaced out enough that you can hardly notice the fact that a lot of other guests are dining here as well. It can be loud, but that is not a deal breaker. My best tip would be to go at a time where the breakfast buffet is being switched out for the lunch buffet so you can try both! Try to get a reservation for around 10:45 AM.
This is one of my favorite places for breakfast. You are served a delicious “Jungle Juice” that I long for whenever I am not in Disney World— it’s that good. You can get your food at any time. Lunch is great, too!
You will meet Mickey, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy here. They are all wearing adorable safari outfits! This will make for some great, unique pictures. They often play games with all the younger children in the restaurant.
This is definitely my favorite restaurant in Animal Kingdom and I would HIGHLY recommend it if you are going to be at the park. You will not have an experience like this anywhere else.
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
This is probably the best place for the true Disney experience. You will actually dine inside Cinderella’s castle! This is an amazing experience and truly one-of-a-kind. The decorations are beautiful, and you must eat here at least once. Keep in mind you will need to use two Disney Dining Plan Table Service Credits to dine here.
I am going to admit that it has been a while since I’ve dined here, so I cannot say for certain how the food is currently. I have heard that this is also a hit or miss. Some people say it is amazing, others are not as impressed. Everyone can agree that the dessert here is highly impressive. Whatever it is, the atmosphere and chance to meet unique characters surely make up for it.
You will meet a variety of princesses here. I cannot say for certain who will be visiting guests when you dine here, but I do know that you will certainly meet Cinderella. This is an amazing place for autographs and pictures. While you can also meet the princesses at multiple meet-and-greet locations in the parks, they will come right up to your table and interact with you here. Any fan of princesses will absolutely love this place.
To conclude, this restaurant embodies the true Disney experience. While a bit pricier than others, there are a ton of factors contributing to that price, and you will receive a very unique experience here.
I hope this helped you narrow down some dining options. It would be almost impossible to go to these places without a reservation, so PLEASE get one as soon as they open. What is your favorite character dining option? What would you add to this list? What would you like me to post about next? Let me know in the comments!
Have a great day,
Gia