Wondering where you can eat and still meet characters? I have the most current and up-to-date list of Disney World restaurants that offer some type of character interactions! Do you have plans to eat at any of these?
Last updated: 1/11/2022
Character Meals
Character dining experiences were plentiful pre pandemic. It seemed like at least half of the restaurants in the theme parks offered some type of character meet and greet while Guests dined.
Character meals were a great way to meet a handful of our favorite friends while eating. It eliminated time waiting around in line and offered a distraction to children while they waited for food.
Now, with reduced capacity in restaurants and physical distancing, the list of restaurants that offer character interactions has drastically declined.
Do not despair! There are more restaurants slowly reopening, and some are even offering characters!
Epcot
The only restaurant that offers a character interaction at Epcot is Garden Grill.
Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Chip, and Dale will all be there to greet you! They walk around the tables and pose for physically distant photos.
You will also receive a special autographed card in lieu of them signing autographs at each table.
For a full review of Garden Grill post reopening, read Kenny’s experience HERE.
Magic Kingdom
At Magic Kingdom, the only “official” character meal is Be Our Guest in Fantasyland. The Beast will “join you for dinner” (and lunch) as he makes his way around the restaurant.
Pirate tip: ask to be seated in the main ballroom. This is the only room he really walks around in.
Lunch is no longer quick-service, and the menu has been changed. Additionally, breakfast is not currently served here. Read all the changes HERE.
Cinderella’s Royal Table is not technically a character meal, but Cinderella usually pops in a few times to say hello from a distance. We aren’t sure if this will be a pretty consistent appearance (after all, Disney did adjust the price of the meal to reflect the lack of princesses).
Check out my review HERE.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood and Vine is the only character meal at Hollywood Studios!
First, start your day off right with your favorite Disney Junior friends like Vampirina and Fancy Nancy. See the menu changes HERE.
Minnie hosts a seasonal dine for lunch and dinner. You can read about Marisol’s experience at Halloween, my lunch for the Christmas dine, and Maggie’s thoughts on the Silver Screen bash.
Animal Kingdom
Tusker House is reopening on June 20 with reservations available on June 4. This family-style meal serving up African flavors will also feature our favorite safari friends again!
Donald Duck and pals will once again greet Guests from a distance as they promenade throughout the restaurant. More details can be found HERE.
Topolino’s Terrace
Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort offers a very unique character experience.
First, they are the one of the only restaurants outside the four theme parks that still offers a character experience. If you have some down time during your vacation, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast and meet some friends.
I love this meal so much I’ve had it three times since reopening! Most recently, my family stayed at Riviera Resort, and it was very convenient to take the elevator upstairs to breakfast and then make our way to Hollywood Studios.
Second, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy are all in very unique outfits! They draw inspiration from the French Riviera as a painter, writer, sculptor, and ballerina.
Pirate tip: ask to be seated at one of the corner tables. The characters all stop there longer!
During our family trip, we sat at a corner table with all my children at one end, and we got some fantastic videos and photos without masks! Check it out below:
Not only do you get to see some great characters, but they are also sporting fun outfits that can’t be seen anywhere else! Read all about this modified experience HERE.
Chef Mickey’s
Mickey Mouse and his friends have returned to breakfast and dinner at Chef Mickey’s restaurant located inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
You can savor a new delectable menu inspired by favorite dishes. Even better, you will be able to taste all of them as part of an all-you-care-to-eat family style feast with other traditional favorites!
Disney Resort hotel guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days). Maggie recently wrote about her breakfast experience HERE.
Story Book Dining at Artist Point
Story Book Dining at Artist Point is tucked inside Wilderness Lodge, and it reopened in December 2021. You can meet Snow White, a few of her friends, and the Evil Queen as you dine on entrees like prime rib.
Susan recently enjoyed a meal here after the reopening. You can read all about her experience in her review HERE.
We hope as the reopening of Disney World progresses more character meals will reappear throughout the resorts and parks. With no traditional character meets in the parks, this is the closest you can get to many of your favorite pals.
Do you have dining plans at any of the above restaurants? Are there any restaurants that you hope offer some type of character interaction? Let us know on Facebook! You can also join our KtP Crew and share your thoughts there.
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