Character Meals

Character Meals

At these breakfasts, brunches, and dinners staged in hotel and theme-park restaurants all over Walt Disney World, kids can snuggle up to all the best-loved Disney characters. Sometimes the food is served buffet style; sometimes it's served to you banquet style. The cast of characters, times, and prices increase frequently (although locations of performances remain fairly constant), so be sure to call ahead.

Reservations are always available and often required; some meals can fill up more than 60 days in advance. However, you can frequently book by phone on the same day you plan to dine, depending on the specific location you choose. It never hurts to double-check the character lineup before you leave for the meal. If you have your heart set on a specific meal, make your reservations when you book your trip—up to six months in advance. Smoking is not permitted.

Breakfast

Main Street, U.S.A.'s Crystal Palace Buffet (407/939-3463. $19 adults, $11 children ages 3-9) has breakfast with Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet, and friends daily from 8 to 10:30 AM. Disney-Hollywood Studios's Hollywood & Vine (407/939-3463. $23 adults, $13 children ages 3-9) hosts Playhouse Disney stars Jo Jo and Goliath from "Jo Jo's Circus" and June and Leo from "The Little Einsteins."

At Disney's Beach Club, characters including Goofy, Chip 'n' Dale, and Pluto are on hand at the Cape May Café (407/939-3463. $19 adults, $11 children ages 3-9) from 7:30 to 11 AM daily. At the Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey, Goofy, and Chip 'n' Dale are on hand at Chef Mickey's (407/939-3463. $22.99 adults, $12.99 children ages 3-9), which has a no-holds-barred buffet from 7 to 11:15 AM daily. The Polynesian Resort's characters including Lilo and Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey are on hand at 'Ohana (407/939-3463. $19 adults, $11 children ages 3-9), which serves breakfast with Mickey and his friends daily from 7:30 to 11 AM.

At the Swan, the weekend Good Morning Character Breakfast with Goofy and Pluto convenes at the Garden Grove Café (407/934-3000. $18 adults, $9.50 children ages 3-9) from 8 to 11 AM. This location is typically not crowded, and makes a good place to take your kids if you can't get a character breakfast seating elsewhere.

At the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa you can drop in Sunday from 8 to 10:30 AM for a character meal at the Watercress Restaurant (407/827-2727. $25 adults, $13 children ages 3-9).

At the Covington Mill Restaurant (407/827-4000. $18.50 adults, $8.50 children ages 3-9) at the Walt Disney World Hilton, a rotating cast of Disney characters appear Sunday from 8:30 to 11 AM.

At the Regal Sun Resort (407/828-4444. $13 adults, $6 children ages 3-9, formerly the Grosvenor) on Disney Hotel Row, Pluto and Goofy appear from 8:30 to 10:30 AM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in what is one of the WDW area's least expensive character breakfasts.

By Reservation Only

The Princess Storybook Breakfasts with Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and at least three other princesses are held at Epcot Center in the Norway exhibit at Royal Akershus Banquet Hall (407/939-3463. $24 adults, $13 children ages 3-9) in the Norway Pavilion from 8:30 to 10:30 am daily. Donald Duck and his friends are at Donald's Breakfastosaurus 8:10 to 10 AM daily at the Restaurantosaurus (407/939-3463. $18.99 adults, $10.99 children ages 3-9), in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Mary Poppins and the Alice in Wonderland characters including the Mad Hatter preside at 1900 Park Fare Restaurant (407/824-2383. $249 adults, $13 children ages 3-9) in the Grand Floridian from 7:30 to 11:30 AM daily.

Cinderella herself hosts Magic Kingdom breakfasts from 8 to 10 AM daily at Cinderella's Royal Table (407/939-3463. $35 adults, $24 children ages 3-9). This breakfast is extremely popular, so book six months in advance to be assured seating. (Prices jump to $37 for adults and $25 for children during holiday periods that include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.)

Lunch

At Cinderella Castle, Cinderella's Royal Table (407/939-3463. $38 adults, $25 children ages 3-9) is a popular lunchtime option. Your picture is taken as you arrive, then presented to you—in a Cinderella frame, of course. (Prices jump to $40 for adults and $26 for children during holiday periods that include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.)

Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore come to the Crystal Palace Buffet (407/939-3463. $21 adults, $12 children ages 3-9) on Main Street, U.S.A., from 11:10 AM to 2:30 PM. This is a popular location for character meals, and reservations are essential here. Mickey, Pluto, and Chip 'n' Dale are on hand from noon to 3:50 PM at the Garden Grill (407/939-3463. $22 adults, $12 children ages 3-9) in the Land pavilion at Epcot.

The Princess Storybook Lunches with Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and at least three other princesses are held at Epcot at the Norway Pavilion in Royal Akershus Banquet Hall (407/939-3463. $31 adults, $19 children ages 3-9) from 11:40 AM to 2:50 PM.

Jo Jo, Goliath, June, and Leo from Playhouse Disney make a comeback at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Hollywood & Vine (407/939-3463. $25 adults, $14 children ages 3-9).

Afternoon Snacks

For the Wonderland Tea Party (407/939-3463. $30 including tax) at the Grand Floridian Resort, Alice and other characters preside over afternoon tea weekdays from 1:30 to 2:30 PM. With the cast's help, children can bake their own cupcakes and then eat them at the tea party. Open only to children ages 3 to 10; all participants must be potty-trained.

Dinner

All character dinners require reservations. At Cinderella Castle, the Dreams Come True Dinner (407/939-3463. $41 adults, $26 children ages 3-9) includes an appearance by the Fairy Godmother. Your evening concludes with the presentation of a framed photo of you and your child at the dinner. (Prices jump to $44.99 for adults and $27.99 for children during holiday periods that include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.)

Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and friends (which in this case does not include Mickey) get patriotic during their evening appearance at the Liberty Square Liberty Tree Tavern (407/939-3463. $29 adults, $14 children ages 3-9). A "revolutionary" feast of smoked pork, turkey, carved beef, and all the trimmings is served nightly from 4 to 8:40 PM. Farmer Mickey, along with Chip 'n' Dale and Pluto appear at the Land Pavilion at Epcot's Garden Grill (407/939-3463. $29 adults, $14 children ages 3-9) from 4 to 8 PM daily. Winnie the Pooh and friends appear at a nightly buffet from 4 to 8:45 PM at the Crystal Palace Buffet (407/939-3463. $29 adults, $14 children ages 3-9) on Main Street, U.S.A.

Every night at 8 pm (7 PM in winter), near Fort Wilderness's Meadow Trading Post, there's a Character Campfire (407/824-2727) with a free sing-along. Chip 'n' Dale are frequent attendees, among other characters.

Cinderella's Gala Feast is held at the Grand Floridian's 1900 Park Fare (407/939-3463. $33 adults, $15 children ages 3-9), for a buffet served from 4:30 to 8:20 PM daily. The Contemporary Resort hosts a popular dinner starring Mickey at Chef Mickey's (407/939-3463. $30 adults, $15 children ages 3-9), from 5 to 9:15 PM daily. At the Walt Disney World Swan, you can dine with Lion King characters Monday and Friday from 5:30 to 10 PM at Garden Grove (407/934-1609). Known as the Garden Grove Café during the day, Gulliver's Grill hosts Goofy and Pluto the other five nights of the week. Dinner is $32 adults, $13 children ages 3 to 9.

The Princess Storybook Dinner with Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and at least three other princesses are held at Epcot Center at the Norway Pavilion in Restaurant Akershus (407/939-3463. $36 adults, $20 children ages 3-9) from 4:20 to 8:40 PM.