Character dining?

loladelorean

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
As a Disneyland Paris regular I'm a big fan of character dining, especially Inventions which is the amazing character buffet in the Disneyland Hotel.

We want to do at least one lavish character meal whilst in TDR - apart from anything else if we can meet and get photos with some characters during a meal it will free up more time during the day to focus on attractions.

According to the TDR official website the following restaurants offer dining with the characters:
Crystal Palace Restaurant
Polynesian Terrace
The Diamond Horseshoe
Cape Cod Cook Off
Horizon Bay

But having done some more research it doesn't seem as though any of these offer character dining as I know it. Am I right in thinking:
  • Crystal Palace only has characters at breakfast?
  • Polynesian Terrace and The Diamond Horseshoe in fact offer character shows not characters coming to your table?
  • Cape Cod Cook Off is just Duffy and again something to do with a show?
  • Can't seem to find any info on here or elsewhere about Horizon Bay characters - can anyone shed any light?
In short, where can I go for a nice meal where characters will come to the table? And which characters are we likely to meet there?

Many thanks in advance! :)
 
I can only comment on Diamond Horseshoe as that's the only one we visited on our trip, but you're correct in assuming it's just a character show. Woody and crew do not come to the table. You may get a high five or some small interaction as they move around the room but not much interaction at all.
 
I can only comment on Diamond Horseshoe as that's the only one we visited on our trip, but you're correct in assuming it's just a character show. Woody and crew do not come to the table. You may get a high five or some small interaction as they move around the room but not much interaction at all.

Thanks that helps me score that one off the list - I'm sure the shows are great, it's just not exactly what we're looking for :) Leaning towards Horizon Bay after reading tesclascar's blog post about it
 


We did the Lilo and Stitch Luau lunch at Polynesian Terrace and the characters DO come to your tables. Mickey and Minnie were there, along with Chip and Dale, and then of course Lilo and Stitch. It was a great experience and I recommend it.
 
We did the Lilo and Stitch Luau lunch at Polynesian Terrace and the characters DO come to your tables. Mickey and Minnie were there, along with Chip and Dale, and then of course Lilo and Stitch. It was a great experience and I recommend it.

We did this as well, and to me it felt more like a character meal than a show. We had an awesome time, and really liked the food, too.
 


It was a set price with 3 different "tier" of seat (best view) but the stage portion was so short I wouldn't fork out a bundle for the top seats, especially if you don't speak Japanese. I don't recall the cost but I remember it being comparable to other character meals at other lands. I found the cost online at the TDR website. You have to book it online, if you're staying at a property hotel you can book in English. The food was delicious!

Also if you have small children, they come up onto the stage and do a dance with the characters. My kids were completely lost but had a great time and the characters were wonderful with them.

minnieluau_zpsfcitwfrv.jpg


mickeyluau_zps3id40nfo.jpg
 
On Horizon Bay Restaurant, Mickey, Minnie and Pluto will come to your table.
This restaurant has two area(left side , right side).
The left side is normal restaurant, the right side is character dining restaurant.
 
Thanks everyone, really helpful! And am I right in thinking it is not possible to book in advance? You just have to try and book into a restaurant on the day?
 
If you are staying at a Disney hotel, you can book most restaurants (including the shows at the Polynesian Terrace) online 30 days in advance of your check-in date at 9am Tokyo time. I was able to book for all 4 days of my stay then. I'm not sure if Horizon Bay takes priority seatings.

Otherwise, the only way to book in advance is on the Japanese site (30 days in advance of the day you want to dine).

When we arrived at the Polynesian Terrace to check in for our meal, they were fully booked or the entire day. I don't know if you'd have better luck trying first thing in the morning or not.
 
Cape Cod Cook Off is stage show and then the character do NOT come to your table.
Few years ago, the show became new show.
Horizon Bay and CCCO does NOT take priority seating.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!











Top