Ohanas Best Friend Breakfast; hula dancing; girl; stitch
  • On Sep 15, 2025
    Karen from MD Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    How do I plan character dining but I don’t want to go to a theme park

    Welcome to planDisney, Karen! I'm so glad you stopped by today to ask about character dining experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort! With so many great options to share a meal with your favorite pals, character dining is a fantastic way to add a little extra magic to your day, even if you aren't visiting a theme park!

    Karen, with your arrival date in early October, you're already in your advance dining reservation booking window, which means you can search for dining availability online now and make your reservations as soon as you're ready! When you search for availability, you can use the filters to narrow down your options to meals that include characters and restaurants outside of the theme parks! I'm also happy to share my top picks for character dining outside of the theme parks with you!

    • Brunch at Topolino's Terrace in Disney's Riviera Resort is my top choice for a character meal outside of the theme parks. The food is delicious, the rooftop views are spectacular, and the character interactions are always fabulous! You'll usually find Daisy, Donald, Mickey, and Minnie visiting guests at this location!
    • Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch at 'Ohana in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort is another family favorite for us! It's the only place on property you'll find Stitch-shaped waffles, and Stitch's antics are always a hit with my kids! In addition to Lilo and Stitch, you'll usually also have a chance to meet Mickey and Pluto at this restaurant!
    • Dinner at Chef Mickey's in Disney's Contemporary Resort offers family-style dining with classic Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy!
    • 1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is another great choice for meeting some unique characters like my favorite princess, Tiana, as well as Mirabel, Aladdin, and Cinderella. This restaurant offers the same characters for both breakfast and dinner.
    As you can see, Karen, there are lots of great options to choose from! I hope you find the perfect mix of food and characters to make some magical mealtime memories on your upcoming visit! If you have any other questions we can help you with, please come see us again here at planDisney! We'll always have a seat for you at the table!

    Bon Appetit,
    Alison
thumbnail image for Alison

Meet the Panelist: Alison, Louisiana

I'm Alison - a wife, mom, and teacher from New Orleans, LA. My first childhood visit to the Walt Disney World Resort sparked a lifelong love of this magical place, and I still find magic in both the new and nostalgic on each visit! I understand the changing dynamics of planning a practically perfect vacation; no matter how large your group is or what your interests are, I look forward to helping you create magical memories and discover unique experiences to make them even more enchanting! Learn More About Alison

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