Welcome back to planDisney, Joel!
Can you believe you are just a few short days away from your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth?!? I'm all about spontaneous magic, so I'm delighted to once again provide a bit of advice as you plan a vacation that's practically perfect for your family!
I'm a huge fan of character dining experiences, Joel because they provide a great way to see some of your family's favorite characters without needing to keep little ones entertained as you wait in line. At these restaurants, characters will come directly to your table for hugs, photos, autographs, and maybe even an impromptu dance break. When choosing where to dine, you'll decide what you'd like to prioritize: certain characters, locations, menus, or style of service. Let's look at your options!
- If there are certain characters that your family simply can't miss, then I encourage you to see if they are currently meeting at one of Walt Disney World's character dining locations. Since I'm all about Chip 'n' Dale, I never pass up the opportunity to enjoy a meal at Garden Grill Restaurant. If any of your Mouseketeers are fans of fairy tales and princesses, then you'll want to consider Cinderella's Royal Table, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, or 1900 Park Fare. If Mickey is a must-do, you'll find him at Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill, 'Ohana, Tusker House Restaurant, and Topolino's Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera. Minnie Mouse hosts celebrations at Cape May Cafe and Hollywood & Vine during lunch and dinner, and at The Crystal Palace, you'll be greeted by beloved pals from the Hundred-Acre Wood. Finally, your youngest Mouseketeers might love the Disney Junior breakfast at Hollywood & Vine.
- Did you know that there are character dining locations that don't require a theme park ticket? That's right, while there are character dining offerings in each of the theme parks, you'll also find some located in select Disney Resort hotels: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Riviera Resort, and Beach Club Resort. These are not only great options for days you won't be visiting the theme parks, but since they're conveniently located a short walk, monorail, or Skyliner ride away from a theme park they also serve as a great way to rest weary theme park feet without having to sacrifice a minute of a magical day spent mostly in the parks.
- It sounds like you'll have more tiny Mouseketeers than adults in your party, so it might be a bit more convenient to choose a restaurant that serves family style (directly to your table) rather than self-service from a buffet. It's also important to keep in mind that some restaurants offer character dining throughout the day and others limit this offering to breakfast hours. You can conveniently find the location, food service style, and hours featuring character dining for each restaurant on its individual webpage. You can navigate to a restaurant's page by selecting its name from the list of character dining experiences linked here.
The benefits of character dining are no secret, Joel, so these meals are wildly popular among Guests. With this in mind, you'll want to make reservations in advance through the website or My Disney Experience app. Since you're just a few days away from your visit, you might find limited availability, but happily, securing same-day reservations is possible because fellow Guests often change their plans. You can also inquire about joining a restaurant's walk-up list at the host stand. I've had success with both options!
I hope this helps, Joel, and that you're making magical memories around the table so very soon!
Thinking Happy Thoughts,
Lizzie