The 5 Best Character Dining Experiences in WDW

Walt Disney World isn’t just known for rides, Mickey ears and castles. It’s also known for its fun (and delicious) character dining experiences. You don’t even have to have a park ticket to go to some of these dining experiences. At certain restaurants, you can meet classic characters such as Mickey & friends to characters that you can’t find at the parks, like Lilo & Stitch. There are so many great character dining experiences to choose from but here are the top five!


1.  Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo & Stitch at ‘Ohana – Polynesian Village Resort

This is one of the best, in my opinion, and most fun character dining experiences on Walt Disney World property. The Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo & Stitch at ‘Ohana features delicious family-style breakfast skillets with a Hawaiian flare. Breakfast is available from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with reservations required.

Guests are started off with Stitch Juice (POG Juice) and a huge, tasty piece of their signature Pineapple-Coconut bread. Next, you will be treated to a fresh fruit platter filled with seasonal fruits. The breakfast skillet arrives shortly thereafter and is filled with Mickey waffles, Stitch waffles, scrambled eggs, ham with pineapple compote, biscuits, Island style fried potatoes and even sausage! Still hungry? Don’t worry – this character meal is “all you care to enjoy”!

If you thought the food was the best part, get ready to top that with the fun character meet & greets! You will meet Pluto, Mickey, Lilo and Stitch! This is the only spot in all of Walt Disney World that you will see Mickey wearing a Hawaiian shirt with a lei. Lilo and Stitch can also only be found at ‘Ohana for breakfast. Join them to form a large Conga-style line and shake maracas to the song “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride”. For any Stitch lovers, or even anyone who loves a hearty meal, this is the place to go!

Image by Carlos

*‘Ohana does not have character dining at this time. There are plans to bring back the character breakfast, but no date has been announced yet.


2.  Tusker House – Africa at Animal Kingdom

The Tusker House Restaurant in Animal Kingdom is another one of the best character dining experiences. Not only is the food really good, but you get to see Mickey, Pluto, Donald and Daisy in their safari gear! This fun and unique dining location has character dining available for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

For breakfast, start your morning off with some delicious Jungle Juice (POG Juice), a delicious assortment of safari bread, croissants, cornbread and fresh fruit! The breakfast skillet features Mickey & Simba waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes and Durban Chicken and Egg Curry with Jasmine Rice.

For lunch/dinner, you are started off with assorted house made breads and a delicious African inspired salad. For the main course, you are given a skillet filled with Moroccan-spiced beef, Cape Malay Green Curry Shrimp, Spot-roasted Herb Chicken and Berber-marinated Pork.  The sides are great too and include green beans, carrots, corn, roasted potatoes, jasmine rice, and house-made macaroni and cheese.

For dessert, there are mini animal-inspired desserts – which are not only Instagram worthy but also adorable! Mickey, Pluto, Donald and Daisy dance around the restaurant and come to each table to take pictures. Right now, this is a modified character dining experience, so you can’t hug the characters or get autographs just yet. The good news is you still can take pictures with them and interact.

Breakfast is available from 8:00am-10:30am, lunch is available from 11:00am-3:30pm, and dinner is available from 3:35pm to 8:00pm daily.


3. Garden Grill – The Land at EPCOT

The Garden Grill is one of the most unique character dining places in Walt Disney World. Not only do you get to meet Chip, Dale and Farmer Mickey, but the restaurant also slowly rotates! This restaurant is not very big, so you are able to see the characters several times throughout your meal.

Another bonus is that you are rotating above the Living with the Land ride, so you are offered some awesome views. A fun fact about this restaurant is that its food comes directly from the Living with the Land ride – talk about farm to table! Garden Grill used to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, as of right now breakfast is not offered.

Lunch/dinner meals are all you care to enjoy. Guests are started out with a delicious fresh Harvest-inspired Garden Salad and then given a skillet of grilled beef with Chimichurri, all-natural sliced turkey breast, creamy mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, seasonal vegetables and herb and leek stuffing. For dessert, you will be delighted with a delicious berry shortcake topped with whipped cream or cinnamon roll. Farmer Mickey, Chip and Dale will come around to say hi many times during your meal. It is well worth the money for this fresh, delicious meal.

4. Chef Mickey’s – Contemporary Resort

You don’t even need to have a park ticket to enjoy this character dining experience! Chef Mickey’s is located in the Grand Canyon Concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. At this character dining experience, you can meet the “Fab 5”: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto for breakfast or dinner. You’ll be sure to have a great time dancing in your seat and waving your napkins in the air with Mickey and his friends!

For breakfast, start off with some delicious fresh fruit or mini yogurt parfaits. Then try some delicious Harvest Sweet rolls or fresh fried sweet fritters. For the main course, you will be delighted with scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, slow-roasted beef brisket, mickey waffles, pork sausage links, and smoked bacon. Also be sure to try Chef Mickey’s signature breakfast options (which are incredible): the “loaded” potato-cheese casserole, banana bread French toast and the “celebration” Mickey pancake.

For dinner, start your first course off with seasonal composed plant-based salad, Chef Mickey’s Caesar salad, the citrus-poached baby shrimp salad and some great bread selections. Next, try the plated signature items that include potato gnocchi, roasted garlic gratin potatoes and plant-based farro wheat fried rice. The main course includes prime rib, traditional roasted breast of turkey, roasted salmon or tofu bowl with your choice of baby carrots or asparagus with Gremolata.

Let’s not forget dessert! You will love the Mickey Mouse dome, apple crumble tart, strawberry cream cake or the chocolate-raspberry tart. Like many of the character dining meals on this list, reservations tend to fill up fast- so be sure to make yours in advance! *This character dining experience is currently being modified.


5. Cinderella’s Royal Table – Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

You don’t have to be a Disney Princess fan to enjoy this character dining experience. Eating in the Cinderella Castle at Cinderella’s Royal Table is a magical experience that everyone needs to try at least once! I recommend eating breakfast here rather than lunch/dinner. For breakfast, you will receive a plate of assorted pastries. The main course is your choice of traditional breakfast (scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and potatoes), Shrimp and grits, baked quiche, beef tenderloin and egg, royal avocado toast or caramel apple-stuffed French toast. The kids breakfast menu includes egg white frittata, mickey-shaped waffles, fruit and seed oatmeal or assorted cold cereals with their choice of two sides. During breakfast, you are usually able to meet Cinderella, Ariel, Princess Aurora and Snow White.

Later in the day, Princess Jasmine greets tables while Ariel and Princess Aurora rest until the next day. For lunch and dinner, you may choose from one of the following appetizers: charcuterie, heirloom tomato salad or a royal cheese course. The main course includes one of the following: spice-crusted pork tenderloin, tenderloin of beef, roasted all-natural chicken breast, chickpea panisse or pan-seared scallops.

Finally, for dessert, you may choose from Jack & Gus cheesecake, The Clock Strikes Twelve dark chocolate mousse or Coffee Pots de Crème custard. Children may choose from one of the following for their main course: seared fish of the day, beef tenderloin, chicken nuggets or macaroni & cheese. Keep in mind, these reservations can only be made over the phone and must be pre-paid prior to dining. *Character dining is currently not available at this location


Overall

There are so many great character dining experiences at Walt Disney World. It was hard to narrow it down to just five! All of these places have great food, a great atmosphere and you get to meet some of your favorite characters. Unfortunately, due to the global pandemic, a lot of these character meals have modified character interactions. The good news is that it will return back to normal eventually, especially with the news about character hugs and autographs returning!

What are you waiting for? Book a character meal now and enjoy great food, and say hi to Mickey and all of his friends!

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