Hi Diane!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney as you prepare for your visit to Walt Disney World Resort in just a few short days! These final few days are the perfect time to make sure all of your Donald Ducks are in a row before your arrival!
Diane, I attended a convention at Walt Disney World Resort a few years ago and also took advantage of the special partial-day tickets available just for attendees. These are a great option so you can mix business with fun during your stay! Unfortunately, with a theme park admission ticket that has a 1:00 PM entry time you won't be able to enter the park early for a dining reservation.
I know this is not the answer you were hoping to hear, but perhaps there are some other options for a character dining experience that you may want to consider at a Disney Resort hotel instead.
1900 Park Fare recently re-opened at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and, while character appearances are subject to change, you can currently expect to find Cinderella, Mirabel, Aladdin (in his Prince Ali outfit), and Tiana (in her Bayou Adventure outfit). Reservations are available for breakfast and dinner and I'd encourage you to check availability even though you're only a few days away as plans change and you can sometimes find last-minute availability! One of the most popular reservations is at
Chef Mickey's with breakfast and dinner buffets available, hosted by Mickey himself. If you’re looking for more classic characters,
Cape May Cafe and
Topolino’s Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera each offer character breakfasts. At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you can find the Best Friends Breakfast hosted by Lilo and Stitch inside '
Ohana. These two best friends are usually joined by another pair of pals, Mickey and Pluto, for a family-style breakfast with an island flair!
Before your arrival, it's worth noting that your convention tickets most likely
still require theme park reservations so you'll want to be sure you have those ready to go when you head to the theme parks! You may also want to consider purchasing
Disney Genie+ during your visit to maximize your time by accessing available Lightning Lane entry selections. It’s a must-do for me and my family!
Diane, while I wish I had better news to share with you, I hope this information helps as you plan your visit! Please don’t hesitate to stop by to see us again here at planDisney if you have any other questions!
Cheers,
Kristi