While some of the pricier dining options at Walt Disney World, character dining can be worth budgeting for, especially if you are visiting with kids. Beginning in 2024, with the return of the Disney Dining Plan, guest will have the option of redeeming table-service meal credits for character meals. In many cases, this can be a great value. Most table-service meals will cost you one table-service meal credit on the Disney Dining Plan. Fine/signature dining experiences, dinner shows and a few character meals require two table-service meal credits. If using table-service meal credits, consider going for lunch or dinner rather than breakfast. Lunch and dinner menus are priced higher than breakfast, so you are getting more value for your table service meal credit. Please note, that Akershus Royal Banquest Hall, will charges 1 table service credit for breakfast, and 2 dining service credits for lunch and dinner, so this character dining experience is an exception to that rule. Many dining locations offer discounts when paying out of pocket for annual pass holders, DVC members and Disney Visa card holder. If paying out of pocket, be sure take advantage of these offers.
Below are some of my favorite character meals, the pros and cons of each, along with discount and dining plan information to help you plan your visit. Menus and pricing can be accessed by clicking on each heading.
Storybook Dining at Artist Point is located inside Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort. This dining experience is Snow White themed. Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy visit tables and sign autographs. At the end of your dining experience you are summoned by the Evil Queen for a picture.
Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location.
Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location
Cost-2 Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan
Serves dinner only
Pros
This is a sit down prix fixe meal. Food and drinks here are excellent and very in theme with the Snow White experience. The presentation of the food and the dining room are very beautiful. The characters are entertaining. Dopey and Grumpy are very dopey and grumpy. The Evil Queen was quick and witty with her evil responses when we interacted with her at the end of our meal. This dining experience is located at the Wilderness Lodge, not inside a park, for this reason this reservation does not require a park reservation.
Cons
If you are not staying at the Wilderness Lodge and don't have a car, this will require a Lyft ride if you want a direct route from your resort to the meal. Alternatively, you can take Disney transportation to Magic Kingdom and a ferry from the Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge.
This character meal is located in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, with breakfast being slightly less expensive. Guests are greeted by Donald and his friends while eating this buffet full of African inspired flavors.
Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location
Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location
Cost-1 Table Service Meal on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan
Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
Pros
While I'm generally not a fan of buffets, the food here is very good. The characters greet you in safari gear which makes for great pictures in theme with Animal Kingdom Park.
Cons
Characters are Donald and "friends". Don't expect to see the whole crew. On one visit my girls were looking forward to seeing Minnie Mouse, but we were told she was out taking Pluto for a walk, so she wasn't at the meal.
Located on top of the Disney's Riviera Resort this breakfast with Mickey & Friends serves breakfast with a nice view. Expect to see characters in Art inspired outfits. You will order breakfast off a prix fixe menu.
Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location
Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location
Cost-1 Table Service Meal on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan
Serves breakfast only for character dining
Pros
The food is great and I enjoy ordering off a menu and having food brought to me. The presentation was really nice in theme with the dining experience. I was able to order my favorite breakfast, salmon on a bagel and there were plenty of other breakfast favorites my family enjoyed. Each meal came out in the beautiful presentation. This dining experience is located at the Disney's Riviera Resort which is connected to the Skyliner. This is very accessible for guest staying at any of the Boardwalk Resorts, The Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation or Pop Century and does not require a park reservation.
Cons
If you are not staying at a Skyliner resort and do not have a car you will not have a direct route to this resort. Again, just like Tusker House, you may not see all of Mickey's friends.
This prix fixe meal is located inside Cinderella's Castle in Magic Kingdom and serves breakfast lunch and dinner. As you enter the restaurant you will have the opportunity to meet Cinderella prior to being escorted to your table. Once seated you will order off the menu which includes an appetizer, entree and dessert. Located next to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, young guest are encouraged to dress up.
Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location
Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location
Cost-2 Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan
Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
Pros
This dining experience gets you inside the iconic Cinderella's castle. You will be able to look out the stain glass windows of the castle as you dine. A souvenir star wand or sword and wishing star is included with the visit. The princesses will be announced and visit each table.
Cons
If you are coming to see Belle, you will not see her there. Her dress to too big to walk around the restaurant, so she is not one of the featured princesses. If you would like to dine with Belle you will need to go to Storybook Dining at Arkersus Royal Banquet Hall inside Epcot. Cinderella's Royal Table will cost you two dining credits on the Disney Dinning Plan. If visiting for breakfast, this will not be the best value for dining credits, consider paying out of pocket.
Mickey and friends visit tables while you enjoy this buffet inside the main tower of Disney's Contemporary Resort. Chef Mickey's serves both breakfast and dinner. Dinner pricing is a little more expensive and both will cost you only 1 credit on The Disney Dining plan. If using dining plan table service meal credits, dinner will be a better value.
Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location
Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location
Cost-1 Table Service Meal on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan
Serves breakfast and dinner
Pros
Located inside Disney's Contemporary Resort this is very convenient for anyone staying at any of the monorail resorts. Chef Mickey's is not located inside a park, so a park reservation is not needed, making it a great option when you are taking a day off from the parks. While I'm not a fan of buffets, the food is good and it will only cost you 1 dining credit on the 2024 Disney Dining plan. If you are going for dinner, Chef Mickey's is a really good value, as it's only priced slightly less than some 2 table service dining credit meals.
Cons
This reservation can be more difficult to book. If you want this reservation it is best to book it as soon as your dining window opens because it fills up quickly. Chef Mickey's is not located inside a park, so there will not be any direct transportation to this meal, unless you are staying on the monorail. However, the Contemporary Resort is walkable from Magic Kingdom.
Located at Norway in Epcot, this buffet provides guests an opportunity to dine with princesses. Upon your arrival you will be greeted by Belle and have a photo opportunity before being escorted to your table. While dining princesses will make their way around the castle.
Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location
Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location
Cost-1 Table Service Meal on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan (Breakfast)
Cost-2 Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan (Lunch and Dinner)
Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
Pros
If visiting for breakfast, this will cost only one table-service credit and can be less expensive alternative to Cinderella's Royal Table. The restaurant truly feels like a medieval castle. If you want to dine with Belle, this is at the meal for you. Positioned next to the Frozen Ever After, and Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus, Akershus is conveniently located for princess fans.
Cons
While the castle is beautiful and the character experience was great, I really don't care for the food here. Akershus almost didn't make my list of favorites because of my strong dislike for the food.
Dine in a Victorian Greenhouse with friends from Winnie the Pooh at this character buffet on Main Street in Magic Kingdom.
Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location
Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location
Disney Visa card holders receive 10% off at this dining location
Cost-1Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan
Serves breakfast lunch and dinner
Pros
If you want to dine with characters from Winnie the Pooh, this is the only place you'll find them in all of Walt Disney World. This is also the least expensive character meal at Magic Kingdom, costing only 1 dining credit on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan. This is also one of the few character dining locations that offers a Disney Visa card holder discount (The other is Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club resort).
Cons
Reservations can go quickly, so you'll want to grab this one as soon as your dining window opens.
Dine in The Beast's castle at Magic Kingdom and enjoy a three course prix fixe menu featuring French inspired dishes. This meal is technically not considered character dining by Disney, but you will see The Beast while you dine, although he does not sign autographs at your table.
Annual Passholders receive 10% off at this dining location
Disney Vacation Club receive 10% off at this dining location.
Cost-2 Table Service Meals on the 2024 Disney Dining Plan
Serves lunch and dinner
Pros
I love this experience for the atmosphere. You really feel like you are stepping straight into the movie Beauty and the Beast. There are 3 dining rooms, The Grand Ballroom, the West Wing, and The Rose Gallery, each uniquely themed. The Grand Ballroom is an exact replica of the ballroom The Beast and Belle share their famous dance. The West Wing is dark and has a completely different feel. You will hear thunder and lightning. This is also where the enchanted rose can be found. The Rose Gallery holds portraits of Belle and and The Beast.
Cons
This meal is very pricey. If using the Disney Dining Plan, this meal will set you back 2 table-service meals. You can find better tasting food at Disney, but you are paying for the atmosphere here.
Read my Be Our Guest Review and Tips
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