Hello Mark!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! It is a pleasure to answer your first question.
Character meals are very important for my family, especially for our 6-year-old daughter who gets to interact with her favorite Disney friends. I always recommend making reservations at dining locations where you can meet popular characters. That will save you plenty of time at the theme parks with meet and greet experiences.
Mark, character dining is also considered entertainment so your party will be charged for every person in the group. Once we visited
1900 Park Fare for dinner and I was not feeling well. Although I did not eat, I still had to pay because of the character entertainment and interactions. I suggest talking to Cast Members upon arriving at your dining location, but expect to pay.
If you are concerned about
special dietary needs, then I strongly recommend getting in touch with the Special Diets team ahead of your visit at
Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com. They are amazing and will help you plan dining experiences according to your needs. Always note dietary restrictions and requests on your reservations and talk to Cast Members when you arrive at the restaurant. They will go above and beyond to accommodate you, and you may even speak with the Chef.
Thank you so much for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I hope you have amazing dining experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort! Enjoy character dining opportunities because those are unforgettable and unique experiences.
See ya real soon!
Thiana