During my many trips to Disney World with my family I have compiled quite a list of my favorite restaurants including many with characters. These meals are a great way to see you family’s favorite characters without using valuable park time. Below is a top ten list that I collected with my personal recommendations and tips, keep in mind many of the restaurants below completely fill up 180 days in advance. All Travel with the Magic agents begin their day at 6 am EST to ensure our clients get the best reservations possible.
10. Crystal Palace, serves: buffet breakfast, lunch & dinner and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located in the Magic Kingdom
This is a great place to end a day in the Magic Kingdom while waiting for Wishes or the Main Street Electrical Parade. Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger bounce to each table to take pictures and sign autograph books.
9. Cape May Café, serves buffet breakfast and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
This laid back beach themed café even has crayons on the table for the kids to draw on the paper tablecloths. Dressed in their beach outfits Goofy, Minnie and Donald pay a visit your table. This resort is located beside Epcot and there is a designated walkway between.
8. Hollywood & Vine, serves: buffet breakfast & lunch and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located in Hollywood Studios
For those of us with kids that love Disney Junior this is a must do with Jake, Handy Manny, Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins! If your family enjoys breakfast, try for a reservation before the park opens.
7. Chef Mickey’s, serves: buffet breakfast & dinner and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located in the Contemporary Resort
The Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald & Pluto) serve up a great time here! I personally enjoy breakfast over dinner and it’s the perfect way to start your Magic Kingdom day. This is the only restaurant you can find these five all in the same place.
6. Ohana, serves family style breakfast and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located in the Disney’s Polynesian Resort
This is a must do for my family each visit, the food is served family style and is a traditional breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and the best seasoned potatoes. Characters include Mickey, Pluto, Lilo & Stitch and there is a fun parade that everyone can participate in.
5. 1900 Park Fare, serves: buffet breakfast & dinner and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located in the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
This is one of my favorite restaurant s for either meal, the Supercalifragilistic breakfast is the ultimate way to start your day with Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too! This lively bunch is very entertaining and interactive and makes this breakfast different than others. The Happily Ever After dinner features Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Drisella and Anastasia. They too will bring their characters to life and we’ve even had Lady Tremaine put the step-sisters in the corner for trying to ask my younger brother on a date, it was quite comical! On top of all this fun, the food doesn’t disappoint either with sushi, carved meats, shrimp and crab legs.
4. Akershus, serves: breakfast, lunch & dinner and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located in Epcot in Norway
This restaurant is a great alternative to Cinderella’s Royal Table because it only takes one credit and includes a photo print package. Belle and her princess friends welcome you to their medieval castle for a taste of Norwegian cuisine. My family prefers this for breakfast or dinner. Typically Aurora, Ariel, Snow White and Cinderella join Belle, but Mary Poppins has been known to pop in occasionally.
3. Tusker House, serves: buffet breakfast & lunch and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located in Animal Kingdom
This is another one of my family’s favorite breakfasts and for those of you that are from the South, they even have Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The bountiful buffet has something for everyone and I wish I could buy bottles of the Jungle Juice. Donald is the host character with Mickey, Goofy and Daisy also making an appearance.
2. Be Our Guest, serves dinner and takes 1 dining plan credit. Located in the Magic Kingdom
This restaurant is currently the hottest ticket in town and reservations are gone within a few hours on the 180 day mark, so book early! This is one of the best meals on Disney property not only for the food, but also for the ambiance. The ballroom makes you feel as if you are in the movie with snow falling outside the floor to ceiling windows and there’s even the West Wing complete with the Enchanted Rose. Here you can even “try the Grey Stuff” and of course it’s delicious! My favorite part of the meal was the dessert cart filled with different cupcakes, trust me the Strawberry Cream Cheese is delectable. If you miss out on one of the coveted dinner spots, lunch is available as a quick service.
1.Cinderella’s Royal Table, serves: breakfast, lunch & dinner and takes 2 dining plan credits. Located in the Magic Kingdom
The ultimate in character dining begins here inside Cinderella’s Castle. I recommend getting this reservation for breakfast before the park opens, as that is an experience in its self. Cinderella royally greets your family in the lobby of the castle before being whisked up the stairway into the main dining area with its arched columns and magnificent stained glass windows overlooking Fantasyland. Rotating princesses then come to your table to take pictures and sign autographs. There is also a special ceremony for your knight or princess during the meal so make sure you always have your camera ready! Consider making your princess or prince an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique before your reservation as it is encouraged to dress for the occasion. If you are looking for the ultimate proposal, Cinderella’s Royal Table offers the “Glass Slipper Package” to make all your dreams come true. This meal also includes a photo print package with each reservation. Every princess should enjoy dining in the castle at least once during her reign.
If all this talking of food has made you hungry to book a trip to Disney, I would love to help you get started. Please feel free to email or call me at 800-670-4312 Ext. 144 and for more Disney and travel tips follow me on Facebook and Pinterest.
See Ya’ Real Soon!
Courtney Burnside
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