Character Meals: A Disney Do or Don’t?

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Girls and Cinderella

With hundreds of restaurants all around Disney World property, how do you choose what’s right for you? Dining with characters is one of the most unique experiences you can have in Disney. Is there anything better than breakfast with Mickey? Well, the answer to that can be quite controversial!

Are you thinking of making an advanced dining reservation with characters? Before you do, consider these pros and cons.

The Pros


  • At character meals, you are pretty much guaranteed to see each of the characters that are at the restaurant without waiting in line! As you enjoy the food, the characters will make their rounds around the restaurant, stopping for pictures and autographs. There’s no need to stand in those daunting lines on Main Street or Fantasyland to see Pooh and Friends when you can see them at your Crystal Palace meal.
  • All of the character meals are buffet. Disney buffets include such a variety of food that even the pickiest eaters will find something they enjoy. From appetizers to entrees to desserts, there is so much to choose from. You can definitely get your money’s worth!
  • Whether you’re dining in a park or at a resort, there are plenty of options to fit your busy schedule. Not all restaurants that host character meals have them at every meal time, but no matter what time of the day you’re looking for, you’ll have several restaurants to pick from. Also, it’s not just your standard Mickey and Minnie at the meals — you can dine with Princesses, Lilo and Stitch, Winnie the Pooh, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, and more! There really is something for everyone.

The Cons

  • Like other special experiences in Disney, character meals can come with a high price tag, and some might even require a down payment. My best money-saving tip? Plan a character meal during lunchtime. The same food is often served during both lunch and dinner, but the lunchtime price can be significantly lower.
  • Character meals are often packed with kids, which can make for a hectic setting. If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing meal, dining with characters are probably not be the best thing for you. Character meals can also be insanely popular and hard to reserve (think Cinderella’s Royal Table), so be sure to book as far in advance as possible (180 days is recommended).
  • While there might be a wide variety of foods available at the buffets, it’s not the best food available on property. Some people have noted that the food isn’t as fresh as it could be, that it sits under the heat lamps at the buffets for too long. Also, the options for children are often limited to pizza, french fries and macaroni and cheese. If you’re looking for looking for the best cut of steak on property, you’re not going to find it at a character meal.

Overall, I’d say that character meals in Disney World are a DO! I highly recommend that everyone try one at one point to see if it’s right for you. While the food might not be signature restaurant quality, it is always delicious and has a lot of character!


D2T-1

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