Character Dining at Walt Disney World

More than the rides and the shows, Disney characters are what make Walt Disney World a special family travel destination. Whether you're hoping to meet the mouse that started it all or the princesses that captivate little girls everywhere, character dining is a great way to collect autographs and pictures of Disney friends without waiting in long lines for in park meeting spots. Like all Disney restaurants, advanced reservations are accepted up to 90 days in advance, and because of the popularity of character dining experiences, reservations are strongly recommended for all locations.

Magic Kingdom

Crystal Palace

Located in the Main Street area of the Magic Kingdom, the Crystal Palace is a bright, airy restaurant that hosts breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring characters from the classic Winnie the Pooh stories. The meal is served buffet style, while Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore visit guests at their tables during the meal and lead children in a parade around the dining room.

The menu at the Crystal Palace is notable for variety and freshness, making it one of the best reviewed buffets Disney World has to offer. The breakfast menu includes dishes such as puffed French toast, fresh fruit, and Mickey-shaped waffles. Lunch and dinner selections include rotisserie chicken, chile rubbed salmon, and an impressive assortment of salads and sides.

Adult prices range from $18.99 for breakfast to $27.99 for dinner, with children's prices ranging from $10.99 to $12.99. Breakfast hours are 8:00 to 11:30. Lunch is served from 11:30 to 2:45, and dinner is offered from 3:00 until closing time, which varies based upon park hours.

Cinderella's Royal Table

Cinderella's Royal Table, located in the castle at the heart of the Magic Kingdom, is home to the most popular character dining experience Disney has to offer. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant offers the incomparable experience of dining inside the famous castle. At breakfast and lunch, Cinderella greets guests as they enter the restaurant, while her princess friends circulate through the dining area. Dinner offers a quieter meal, featuring only Cinderella in the lobby and a brief show featuring her fairy godmother upstairs in the dining room.

The menu at Cinderella's Royal Table features a breakfast platter with fresh fruit, breakfast meats, French toast and pastries in the morning. The lunch and dinner menus offer classic favorites such as salmon, pork tenderloin, and the restaurant's signature dish, a shepherd's pie inspired meal of beef, potatoes and vegetables topped by a light pastry. The children's menu offers a child-sized portion of the shepherd's pie as well as standard kids' fare such as chicken strips and hot dogs.

Pricing for meals at Cinderella's Royal Table ranges from $32.99 for adults and $22.99 for children at breakfast to $40.99 for adults and $25.99 for children at dinner. Breakfast is server from 8:00 until 10:20. Lunch hours are 12:00 to 3:00, and dinner is served from 4:00 until closing time, which varies based upon the park hours.

Epcot

Garden Grill

Located in the Land pavilion in the FutureWorld section of Epcot, the Garden Grill is a revolving restaurant that overlooks the ecologically themed attraction 'Living With the Land'. Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale, all clad in farmer's attire, visit with diners at their tables, posing for pictures and interacting playfully with guests.

The menu at the Garden Grill reflects the farm theme of the meal offering a selection of fresh foods. From the vegetables in the salad to the catfish entrée, many of the dishes are created from foods grown in Disney's own greenhouses and aquaculture program. Entrée choices include flank steak with au jus, rotisserie turkey, and fried catfish.

The Garden Grill is open for both lunch and dinner. Pricing is $20.99 for adults and $11.99 for children at lunch, and $27.99 for adults and $12.99 for children at dinner. Lunch is served from 11:00 to 3:00, and dinner is offered from 4:30 until the restaurant closes. Closing time varies with Epcot park hours, but is generally around 9:00.

Restaurant Akershus

Located in the Norway section of the World Showcase, Restaurant Akershus is located inside a castle and derives its name from the 14th century castle in Oslo that inspired the building's design. In keeping with the castle's atmosphere, the character meals here feature a collection of Disney Princesses. Four or five princesses appear at each meal, but the exact cast rotates among Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Snow White, Pocahontas and Mulan.

The menu at Restaurant Akershus is Norwegian-influenced but also features American fare for the pickier eater. Breakfast is served family style and includes fruit, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, potato casserole and a selection of breads. Lunch and dinner offer a buffet of cold appetizers followed by a hot entrée served to the table. The restaurant's signature dish, traditional kjottkaker, is a beef and gravy that has been compared to Salisbury steak. Other menu selections include braised lamb, salmon, and venison stew.

Restaurant Akershus serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served from 8:00 to 10:10 and costs $22.99 for adults and $12.99 for children. Lunch hours are 11:40 to 2:50, and lunch prices are $24.99 for adults and $13.99 for children. Dinner is $28.99 for adults and $13.99 for children, and is served from 4:20 to 9:00.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hollywood & Vine

Home to the only character meal at Hollywood Studios, Hollywood & Vine is an art deco styled restaurant that captures the Hollywood glamour of the park's theme. The meal is served buffet style, while Playhouse Disney characters Jojo & Goliath and Leo & June make the rounds, visiting with diners at their tables. Although the restaurant is open for three meals each day, only breakfast and lunch are character meals.

The menu at Hollywood & Vine is simple, homestyle fare that is well suited to the young children that make up Playhouse Disney's fan base. Breakfast selections include breakfast meats, Mickey waffles with a variety of toppings, scrambled eggs, and pastries. The lunch menu features American favorites such as sliced deli meats and cheeses, pot roast and baked chicken.

The cost for the Hollywood & Vine character breakfast is $22.99 for adults and $12.99 for children. Breakfast is served from 8:00 to 11:20. Lunch is served from 11:40 to 2:25, and costs $24.99 for adults and $13.99 for children.

Animal Kingdom

Tusker House

The newly remodeled Tusker House restaurant in the Animal Kingdom is the setting for Donald's Safari Breakfast. This character meal offers a chance to meet Donald Duck, Mickey, Pluto and Goofy in their safari gear. The restaurant is located in the Dinoland area of the Animal Kingdom, and features rustic décor with fossils adorning the walls.

Breakfast at Tusker House is served buffet style, and offers a variety of selections from coffee cake, muffins, and other pastries to hot dishes including pancakes and chocolate chip French toast. Fresh fruit, hot and cold cereal, yogurt, and a selection of breakfast meats are also offered, along with omelets made fresh upon request.

The breakfast buffet is served from 8:00 to 10:30 daily, and costs $18.99 for adults and $10.99 for children.