Character Dining at Disney World: Every Option + Our Favorite Princess Meal 👑
If I had to pick one Disney experience that surprises families the most, it's character dining. People think of it as "just a meal." Then they're sitting at a table, a princess walks up, kneels down to their kid's level, and asks about their favorite color... and suddenly mom is crying into her lingonberry jam. (Not speaking from experience or anything. 😅)
Let's talk about what character dining actually is, every option you have around Walt Disney World, and the one we'll keep booking every single trip.
What is character dining?
Character dining is a sit-down meal where Disney characters come to your table. Instead of waiting in a 45-minute line in the Florida heat for one photo, you sit, eat, and the characters make their way around the room to visit each family.
At most character meals you can expect:
Time with every character at your table, usually one at a time
Photos and autographs (bring an autograph book and a fat-barreled pen!)
A set price per person, with most meals served buffet, family-style (platters brought to your table), or as a plated meal
Air conditioning and a seat for everyone, which is honestly half the magic with little ones
It's food, a break, and meet-and-greets all in one. That's why I build at least one character meal into almost every Disney trip I plan.
Every character meal at Walt Disney World
Here's the full lineup, broken down by where you'll find them. Characters can rotate, so think of these as who you'll usually see.
Magic Kingdom
Cinderella's Royal Table (breakfast, lunch, dinner · plated) Dining inside Cinderella Castle. Cinderella greets you, and princesses like Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine and Snow White visit your table. It's the priciest character meal on property and one of the hardest reservations to get, but for a once-in-a-lifetime moment, it's hard to beat that view.
The Crystal Palace (breakfast, lunch, dinner · buffet) Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore in a gorgeous Victorian glass building at the end of Main Street. Perfect for toddlers and anyone who loves the Hundred Acre Wood.
EPCOT
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (breakfast, lunch, dinner · family-style) Our favorite! More on this below. ⬇️
Garden Grill (breakfast, lunch, dinner · family-style) Farmer Mickey, Pluto, and Chip 'n' Dale in a restaurant that slowly rotates above the Living with the Land ride. Kids love it, and the comfort food is a crowd-pleaser.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood & Vine (breakfast, lunch, dinner · buffet) Mickey, Minnie and friends, with themes that change throughout the year (think holiday and seasonal outfits). Breakfast has featured Disney Junior friends, which is a big hit with the preschool crowd.
Animal Kingdom
Tusker House (breakfast, lunch, dinner · buffet) Safari Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy, plus African-inspired dishes alongside kid-friendly favorites. One of the best values for a character meal inside a park.
Disney Resort hotels
Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary (breakfast, dinner · buffet) The classic! Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto, and the monorail glides right through the building. Energetic, loud in the best way, and a great "first character meal."
1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian (breakfast, dinner · buffet) This one reopened in 2024 with a "Wish Upon a Star" theme and a fun mix of characters like Cinderella, Tiana, Mirabel and Aladdin. Beautiful room, and you're one monorail stop from Magic Kingdom.
'Ohana at the Polynesian (breakfast · family-style) Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. Bonus: you can walk down to the beach after and look across at Cinderella Castle.
Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club (breakfast · buffet) Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Daisy in beach outfits. Usually easier to book than the big names and walkable to EPCOT's International Gateway.
Topolino's Terrace at the Riviera (breakfast · plated) "Breakfast à la Art" with artist Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy. Rooftop views, and the food here is some of the best on property. It's a short Skyliner ride from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Story Book Dining at Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge (dinner · plated) Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and an Evil Queen appearance. It's a fun twist with a more "grown-up" feel and elevated food.
Just off property
Ravello at the Four Seasons Orlando (Saturday breakfast) Goofy and friends at a non-Disney luxury resort. A great one to know if you're staying nearby or want something a little quieter.
Our family favorite: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall 🏰
Okay. If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know I'm going to tell you to book Akershus.
Akershus is tucked inside the Norway pavilion in EPCOT, in a castle-style banquet hall with stone archways and big wooden tables. It hosts Princess Storybook Dining, and it is the meal I recommend most to families with princess-obsessed kids. (Hi, that's us. 👑)
Here's why we love it so much:
The princesses. You'll typically meet four or five princesses throughout your meal. Belle, Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, Tiana and others rotate in and out. Each one comes to your table, talks with your kids, poses for photos, and signs autographs. The interactions feel personal and unhurried, which I can't say about every character meal. Watching my girl's face light up when a princess knows exactly what to say... that's the whole reason I do what I do.
The food is actually good. This isn't just chicken nuggets with a side of pixie dust. It's served family-style, so platters come straight to your table:
Breakfast 🧇
Breakfast pastries and fresh fruit to start
Cheesy potato casserole (my absolute favorite. I'd go back for this alone!)
Scrambled eggs
Smoked bacon
Sausage (Jesse was obsessed. He's still talking about it.)
Norwegian waffles with maple syrup (or with jam which was to die for too)
Plant-based option: fruit, applecake, Norwegian waffles, home fries and plant-based scrambled eggs
Lunch & dinner 🍽️
An appetizer board with lefse (Norwegian flatbread) and cinnamon butter, cheeses, and salads
Entrées like Norwegian meatballs with lingonberry jam, salmon, chicken, and mac & cheese for the picky eaters
A dessert plate to share at the end
The drinks. Don't skip these! Akershus has specialty cocktails, beer, cider and wine for the grown-ups, so mom gets a little magic too. 🥂 At breakfast, there's even a mimosa, a Viking Bloody Mary and a Viking Coffee (so good - my fave). Breakfast for the win.
The value. Compared to Cinderella's Royal Table, you're getting a similar princess experience for less money, and it's typically easier to book. (Cinderella's Royal Table is still amazing for that "dining inside the castle" moment. Akershus is where I send most families who want princesses without the castle price tag.)
My Akershus tips:
Book breakfast or lunch if you want to head into the rest of EPCOT afterward, or dinner if you want a slower, more relaxed meal at the end of the day
Have the princess autograph book ready before they arrive at your table
Dress up! Kids in princess dresses get extra-special attention
Pair it with Frozen Ever After right next door in Norway for the ultimate princess morning
How to book character dining
Character meals are some of the hardest reservations to get at Disney World, especially Cinderella's Royal Table, Akershus, and 'Ohana. A few things to know:
Dining reservations open 60 days in advance, and Disney resort guests get a head start on their full stay
A credit card is required to hold most character meals, with a cancellation fee if you don't cancel in time
Prices vary by meal period and season, and you'll see current pricing when you book
Morning matters. The best times go fast when the window opens
Let me handle the dining reservations ✨
This is one of my favorite parts of planning with my clients. When your 60-day window opens, I'm up early booking your character meals so you don't have to set an alarm. I also help you figure out:
Which character meals fit your family, based on your kids' ages and the characters they love
How many to book (spoiler: one or two is usually the sweet spot)
Where to fit them into your park days so they work with your Lightning Lane plan, rest days, and nap times
Fill out my travel inquiry form here and let's plan a Disney trip full of the moments your family will talk about for years. 🤍
Real life. Real magic. Real dreams.
xoxo,
Katie