Character Meals

[sablebomb]

We are planning on spending a few days at MK and want to do at least one Character Meal.
I know there are only a couple of options in MK but understand there are other easy to get to restaurants that do character dining at the nearby resorts?

Can anyone suggest which ones are your favorites?

If at a location outside of MK, what method would you need to use to get there and how long would it take to get?

Thanks!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Which characters are you interested in?

 

[sablebomb]

To be honest we are pretty open.
Probably first choice would be Mickey (and friends).
Lilo and Stitch would be cool too.
Maybe even princesses.

Is there a place to search which characters do the character meals?

 

[chloelovesdisney]

If you want Mickey and friends you can do breakfast, lunch or dinner at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. I'd walk it from the MK.

Lilo and Stitch along with Mickey and maybe Pluto I think are at 'Ohana in the Polynesian for breakfast. I'd go there early and then take the monorail to the MK.

Princesses would be at Cinderella's castle in the park for any meal, kind of pricey but a fun experience.

Also popular is 1900 Park Faire at the Grand Floridian also accessible by monorail, interesting mix of characters there and vary by breakfast vs dinner.

I'm sure there's a list somewhere of the different character meals here but I'm not sure where it is.

 

[sablebomb]

Thank you!
I will look into those ones you mentioned.
Any suggestions on what is easier to book? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? or are all about the same?

 

[adamreisinger]

Currently Mickey meets at TK character meals:
Chef Mickey's (at the Contemporary Resort, on the monorail line to MK)
Garden Grill (at Epcot)
Good Morning Breakfast w/ Goofy (at the Four Seasons)
Hollywood & Vine (Seasonal Dining Events)
Mickey's Backyard BBQ (Campsites at Fort Wilderness)
Best Friends Breakfast at 'Ohana (along with Lilo & Stitch)
Tusker House (at Animal Kingdom)

Princesses meet at:
Cinderella's Royal Table (Magic Kingdom - Cinderella greets, and the table cast is usually Snow White, Aurora, Ariel and Jasmine)
Akershus (Epcot - Belle greets, and the table cast is usually Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora and Ariel, but has more of a rotation than CRT)
Trattoria al Forno (Breakfast only; BoardWalk - Ariel and Rapunzel, along with Prince Eric and Flynn Ryder)
1900 Park Fare (Dinner only; Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine and her daughters)

So there are plenty of options either way. But if you're set on both Mickey and Lilo & Stitch, then 'Ohana is the way to go. It can be a tough reservation to get, but if you try right at 180 days or set up a search with Touring Plans, you should be able to nab it. Plus, with it being right on the monorail line at the Polynesian, transportation is pretty easy.

 

[RLGNC]

We like Chef Mickey's. Last trip we went for brunch mid-day which was fun. We were able to get some time in at MK before the reservation.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Thank you!
I will look into those ones you mentioned.
Any suggestions on what is easier to book? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? or are all about the same?

I had no problem finding 'Ohana or 1900 Park Faire breakfast well past the 180 day mark. Chef Mickey's was a little harder but I've had it pop up a few times on MDE while randomly searching. I just like to see what's open in case I change my mind.

Cinderella's castle is probably the hardest to book, but I'm not sure if it makes a difference for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The princesses aren't really my son's thing so I don't pay too much attention to it.

 

[AntJulie]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/character/

This lists and describes all park and resort character meals.

 

[Haley R]

We’ve done dinner at Cinderella’s royal table and really liked it. We were on the dining plan so it took 2 credits otherwise I don’t think we would’ve paid OOP for it. I thought the princesses were great but the lighting is a little weird and hard to get pictures in. We are trying 1900 pf for breakfast this upcoming trip and I’m so excited to see The characters there!

 

[AntJulie]

We are trying 1900 pf for breakfast this upcoming trip and I’m so excited to see The characters there!

Madhatter was very entertaining with the kids. My grandson was wearing a Disney character cap/hat with a propeller on top. Madhatter was twirling it around and had me laughing as well. Alice is very chatty and sweet. The buffet was decent. I would do it again.

 

[Haley R]

Madhatter was very entertaining with the kids. My grandson was wearing a Disney character cap/hat with a propeller on top. Madhatter was twirling it around and had me laughing as well. Alice is very chatty and sweet. The buffet was decent. I would do it again.

I just haven’t 100% decided. It’s our only rest day and we have dah that night. Can’t decide if it’s worth it to go to gf, back to pop, and back to mk

 

[AntJulie]

I just haven’t 100% decided. It’s our only rest day and we have dah that night. Can’t decide if it’s worth it to go to gf, back to pop, and back to mk

You could try for the later breakfast times so, not getting up super early. You'll still have time after to go back to the resort for a little bit. Decisions!

 

[Haley R]

You could try for the later breakfast times so, not getting up super early. You'll still have time after to go back to the resort for a little bit. Decisions!

I know I can’t decide! I originally had a 10:30 but decided after we ate we really wouldn’t have much time to relax after and get back to mk by 5.

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

There's also Crystal Palace in the MK park with Pooh and friends. That's one of my favorite breakfasts! The puffed Pooh french toast is fabulous. We've had good times at all of our character meals but Crystal Palace and dinner at 1900 Park Faire have been best character interactions near the MK with 'Ohana breakfast coming in close.

 

[sanapp]

If you are going to do Chef Mickey's then I would only recommend breakfast. I was so disappointed in my dinner there that I will not return for any meal!

I like the Ohana breakfast because it is served family style which is a nice change from the usual buffet.

 

[Dee McGee]

Near Magic Kingdom, your options would include the Fab 5 at Chef Mickey's or Winnie the Pooh and friends at Crystal Palace. There is also Lilo and Stitch at Ohana in the Polynesian.

 

[VicarJT]

Buffets at both Crystal Palace and 1900 Park Faire are quite good. Because 1900 Park Faire has "face characters," we enjoy the interactions much more. Particularly for dinner - the Stepsisters alone are worth the price of the meal.