The Top 15 Character Dining Experiences
You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
-Walt Disney
Walt was right. Create experiences that both adults and children would enjoy. I believe that is one of the keys to why Walt Disney World is so successful. It’s not just about what’s fun for children. So many people don’t understand that about Disney World. Character dining experiences are fun regardless of the age of the guest. They are quite “an experience”! Years before I ever had children, I always enjoyed dining with the characters. There’s just something about seeing my favorite characters in person that makes a trip to Disney so much more magical! I remember when my sisters and I sent our parents to Disney World for their 40th anniversary. One of the favorite memories they brought back was a picture of my father with Pluto. My dad always was kind of a joker, so to see him playing around with Pluto and Goofy and having so much fun, made our hearts so happy. Now that he’s gone, it is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. My husband and I also went to Disney for a belated honeymoon and being able to capture pictures of my handsome husband with Tigger and Alice was so much fun. Or, as you can tell from the picture, so adorable when your child sees a character for the first time. Memories like that are priceless!
If you are planning a trip to Disney World, you will need to know when and where to find your favorite characters. This is a little primer you can use to help you!
MamaMouse Tip: Remember! To make sure you get a seat at these meals, it is advised that you make reservations up to 180 days in advance!
1900 Park Fare : Grand Floridian
Breakfast Mary Poppins, Mad Hatter, Alice, Pooh, Tigger
Dinner Cinderella, Prince Charming, Tremaine Family
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: Epcot
Breakfast Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Snow White or Mary Poppins
Lunch Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Snow White or Mary Poppins
Dinner Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Snow White or Mary Poppins
Be Our Guest Restaurant: Magic Kingdom
Dinner Beast
Cape May Café: Beach Club
Breakfast Donald, Goofy, Minnie
Cinderella Royal Table: Magic Kingdom
Breakfast Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White
Lunch Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White
Dinner Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White
Chef Mickey’s: Contemporary
Breakfast Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto
Dinner Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto
Crystal Palace: Magic Kingdom
Breakfast Eeyore, Piglet, Pooh, Tigger
Lunch Eeyore, Piglet, Pooh, Tigger
Dinner Eeyore, Piglet, Pooh, Tigger
Garden Grill: Epcot
Dinner Chip n Dale, Mickey, Pluto
Hollywood & Vine: Hollywood Studios
Breakfast Agent Oso, Handy Manny, Jake, June
Lunch Agent Oso, Handy Manny, Jake, June
Mickey’s Backyard BBQ: Fort Wilderness
Dinner Chip n Dale, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie
Ohana: Polynesian
Breakfast Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, Pluto
Perfectly Princess Tea Party: Grand Floridian
Brunch Aurora
Pirates and Pals Fireworks: Contemporary
Nighttime Capt Hook & Mr. Smee, Peter Pan
Tusker House: Animal Kingdom
Breakfast Daisy, Donald, Goofy, Mickey
Lunch Daisy, Donald, Goofy, Mickey
Wonderland Tea Party: Grand Floridian
1:30 PM Alice & Mad Hatter
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Oh oh, I’d never heard of the Pirates and Pals one. I’ll have to do that for my husband–he’ll get a kick out of that!
I am NOT a fan of Chef Mickey’s. I feel like a number or cattle in there. And it’s loud.
But Garden Grill 10/10 highly recommend! 
I got to do Be Our Guest just this past Monday and I was very surprised to see the Beast there! I had no idea! It was awesome!
Thanks for writing! It’s a special fireworks cruise. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s not like a regular dining experience. They serve snacks and drinks before you board, then you meet with the characters, hear stories and cruise along Bay Lake watching the fireworks. There is a set price for the entire cruise as well.
I think in terms of Chef Mickey’s, you either love it or don’t. People have very different views. I think part of the reason it seems so loud is the way it is designed. Being open like it is, kind of makes everything echo. It’s the only place I’ve noticed that happening.