Hello Dave!
Welcome to planDisney! Thank you for your question about
Character Dining Experiences. Even with preteens, my family absolutely loves dining with our Disney friends. I think it is an even more interactive experience for us now that my kids are a bit older. Just this summer, they had a blast with their Disney pals at Tusker House Restaurant because Donald and Goofy were fighting over who was #1 in their autograph books. It made us all laugh!
You'll find that while you'll have incredible interactions with your favorite pals while you dine, most Character Dining Experiences do not have a
Disney PhotoPass Service photographer available. The characters are still happy to take photos as they visit your table and they all have Disney friends on hand to use your phone or camera in order to get a photo of your whole group!
There are a few that offer special opportunities to pose for a Disney's PhotoPass Service picture before or after your meal:
Chef Mickey's Cinderella's Royal TableStorybook Dining at Artist PointCharacter Dining Experiences are popular, so
Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended.
Here is a great resource from the Walt Disney World Resort Help Center to learn more about when and how to make these reservations.
All this talk of dining has sure put a "rumbly in my tumbly," as Pooh would say! Have a wonderful vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth and please come visit us again if you have any other planning questions.
Magical Wishes,
Lauren