Character Meals are a fun and exciting way to Dine at Disney. You get to eat a meal and have various Disney Characters come and visit you right at your table.

Having breakfast, lunch or dinner with Disney characters has proven to be very popular and many of Disney restaurants are now offering this up close and personal encounter.

Whilst enjoying your meal the Disney characters will visit each table in turn where they will pose for photographs, give cuddles and interact with the guests at the table.

Character meals can be found in all of the four major theme parks, as well as many of the Disney resorts. These character meals are all-you-can-eat affairs that are offered in one of three styles: buffet, family style or a pre-plated fashion.

As with most things Disney, the Character Meals are not the cheapest way of eating but they are one of the more fun ways of eating.

There are three main style of meal.

• Buffet Style - All you can eat, you are served with drinks and you then help yourself from the buffet

• Family Style - This is where the server delivers large bolws/skillets of food to the table and you help yourselves from the bowls/skillets. If you need more of anything then just ask the server and they will be pleased to bring you refills of the skillets

• Pre Plated Style - The server will serve each guest the same meal already arranged on the plate right to your table. If you require more to eat then just ask your server and they will happpily bring you more. Don't be embarrased about asking for more, it is expected.

Normally you need to make an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) for character meals, in the off peak season you can sometimes get a character meal without a prior reservation but it is highly recommended that you acquire an ADR. If you decide on the spur of the moment that you would like to have a character meal in the park you are currently at, ring or go to guest services as early as you can.

You will ALWAYS require an ADR for the popular Cinderella's Royal Table, you can book this 180 days in advance.

>> To book any Character Meal you can either book online or call (407) 939-3463 <<

DIBB Tips On Dining With The Characters

What Time to Eat?
The best tip is to book at odd times, if you avoid what is considered the usual time for meals then very often you'll find it's not so crowded and the characters will have more time to spend at each table. Also you'll be able to enjoy lower crowd levels on the rides when everyone else is fighting the crowds for meals.

Which Charaters?
Be sure to find out which characters will be joining you at your character meal. Disney do change the characters that appear, the characters found at breakfast may not be the same as those found at lunch or dinner. Ask when you are making the reservation which Disney characters you can expect.

Where to sit?
Place the kids in the seats nearest the aisle, this way the characters will have easy access for those hugs and autographs.

Autographs
The Charaters will be happy to sign autographs for you but please be prepared. Make sure you have an autograph book or notebook and a pen. A big fat pen will be much easier for the characters to use.

Photographs
The characters will be happy to pose for photographs, make sure you have your camera ready before they arrive at your table. A good tip is to give the kids a disposable camera and let them snap away without direction, you'll be surprised at what great pictures can very often come from these cameras.

Maybe Next Time
Having the charaters up so close can be overwhelming for some children so please do not force your child to interact with the characters if they don't want to. Why not interact yourself, don't get embarassed, you are on holiday remember, it is allowed! If your children see you having fun they are more than likely to join in.

It's My Turn
As excited as your child or you for that matter might be, please wait your turn, the characters will visit each and every table and you should get several visits. There is a great temptation to want to start interacting with the characters whilst they are visiting other tables, especially if it is the next table to you. Remember the family at that table has paid for and deserve to have their experience un-spoilt, as do you when it's your turn.

It's My Birthday
If someone in your party has a birthday then mention this to the CM when you check-in and also mention it to the waiting staff, there could be a surprise in store for you.


Magic Kingdom

• The Crystal Palace
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Type: Buffet
Characters : Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet

• Cinderella's Royal Table
Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Type: Pre-Plated
Characters : Characters from Disney's Royal Family


Epcot

• Garden Grill
Meal : Dinner
Type: Family Style
Characters : Mickey, Chip and Dale

• Princess Storybook at Restaurant Akershus
Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Type: Family Style
Characters : Princesses and other heroines from Disney classics


Animal Kingdom

• Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House
Meal : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Type : Buffet
Characters : Donald, Mickey, Daisy and Goofy
Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Hollywood & Vine
Meal : Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Type : Buffet
Characters : Playhouse Disney's JoJo, Handy Mandy, June and Leo


Resorts

• 1900 Park Fare - located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Meal : Breakfast, Dinner
Characters : Mary Poppins, Bert, Alice in Wonderland, Pooh and Tigger

• Chef Mickey's - located at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Meal : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Type: Buffet
Characters : Mickey and friends

• Cape May Cafe - located at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort
Meal : Breakfast
Type: BuffetCharacters : Minnie, Goofy and Chip & Dale

• 'Ohana - located at Disney's Polynesian Resort
Meal :Breakfast
Type : Family Style
Characters : Mickey & Friends, usually Lilo and Stich

• Garden Grove Cafe - located at the Swan Hotel
Meal : Breakfast (Saturday and Sunday)
Characters : Goofy and Pluto

• Garden View Tea Room - located at Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Meal : Afternoon Tea (Snack)
Characters : Princess Aurora

• Gulliver's Grill - located at the Swan Hotel
Meal : Dinner
Characters : Timon and Rafiki or Goofy and Pluto