Hey there, Laura Rae! I am so happy to welcome you back to planDisney. And you are here with a question about one of my favorite topics: character dining. Hot dog!
I love traveling to the Most Magical Place on Earth with lots of family and friends. Just thinking about the memories you will make and the shared stories warms my heart.
Now, the guidance I have from Cast Members at
Walt Disney World Resort is that most dining locations allow a maximum of 6-8 Guests per reservation. They further suggest to accommodate your entire party, it is best to book multiple reservations with similar timing if available. Upon arrival, you can speak with a Cast Member to see if they can seat both parties together.
In my experience, I am a bit more hopeful. I have a reservation at
1900 Park Fare inside
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in a few months with
my planDisney friends. We looked at reservations for a large group and then also tried smaller groups, like the Cast Member recommended, as there were more options for availability. We have one reservation for a group of 12. I am so excited as this restaurant recently re-opened and celebrates wish-makers like Aladdin and Tiana.
I have a few other character dining recommendations that are better suited for larger groups, depending on the capacity and configuration of tables at the time.
The Crystal Palace inside
Magic Kingdom Park is one of my favorites. Here, every day is a celebration with Winnie the Pooh and his friends. I had so much fun over lunch earlier this month with my nephew. The Crystal Palace offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Tusker House Restaurant inside
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is another favorite. I love the safari-inspired menus and seeing Donald Duck and his friends dressed for an adventure.
Other phenomenal breakfast, lunch or dinner options include
Cinderella's Royal Table and
Hollywood & Vine. Three restaurants offer character dining at breakfast that may be great options for you: Minnie's Beach Bash Breakfast with Minnie Mouse and some of her friends at
Cape May Cafe, Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch at
'Ohana and Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends at
Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.
If you cannot get reservations for 10, I would follow the advice of trying for two smaller groups and asking if you could be seated together when you arrive.
I hope your trip is practically perfect in every way! If you have any other questions, you know you have a friend in
planDisney.
Thinking of the Happiest Things!
Jana