Revealed: The Best Magic Kingdom Character Dining Spots

Nobody beats the dining experience that Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida offers.

For starters, not only can you sit down to a delicious meal, but you can also meet your favorite Disney characters while you’re eating! 

This perfect combination of food and entertainment adds to the magic that the park offers. If you’re curious about where the best dining spots are during your visit, read on to learn more!

What Is Disney Character Dining?

Character Dining is one of the absolute highlights you can look forward to at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. In certain restaurants, Disney characters like Winnie the Pooh or Cinderella mingle and interact with the guests.

You can introduce yourself, have a chat, and ask for a photo and an autograph. This usually happens while you are eating, so there’s no waiting in line to meet the characters. 

At Disney World, the magic doesn’t take a break because it’s always with you— even during your meals!

The most difficult part will be choosing which characters to see, and what food to eat. Disney World offers a long list of themed eateries, so you’re sure to find something you like.

The Best Magic Kingdom Character Dining Spots

Be Our Guest 

Do you dare dine with the Beast? Within his castle, there are three grand rooms to visit. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch him there at lunch or dinner…

Enter the gorgeously designed Ballroom, where absolutely everything is ornate and glamorous. Enormous sparkling chandeliers hang above you, while animated snow falls outside the windows!

Another possible venue in Beast’s castle is the Castle Gallery where portraits adorn the walls. Here, you’ll also see a scaled version of Belle and the Beast figurines dancing in a music box.

Lastly, you can venture into the ominously dark West Wing, the Beast’s moody study. Amid the gloomy atmosphere, can you spot the enchanted rose?

Be Our Guest’s delectable menu is inspired by French cuisine. You can get your hands on the standout Escargot de Bourgogne and filet mignon!

Although the character interactions in Be Our Guest are limited, it nevertheless compensates with its luxurious feel.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Within the iconic Cinderella Castle lies the princess’ magical banquet. Your visit to Magic Kingdom isn’t complete without dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table!

Here, you can dine like royalty in the medieval castle adorned with stained glass windows, majestic mosaics, and expansive archways. The immersive experience alone makes you feel like you’re part of the story!

Enter the Grand Hall and take the spiral staircase or shining elevator up to the Banquet Hall. As soon as you enter, the kids in your party will immediately receive magic wands and swords.

The Banquet Hall itself hosts a small, intimate space that provides guests with a great view of the surrounding attractions below.

For a fuller experience, book a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table for breakfast! During this time, guests can feast on scrumptious tenderloin, quiche, or something more traditional.

The lunch and dinner menus are also exquisite. In this three-course meal, you’ll get your fill of mouth-watering appetizers, filling entrees, and decadent desserts.

There are also inclusive options that cater to guests with food restrictions!

The Crystal Palace

Located along Main Street, The Crystal Palace offers a dining option that’s close to many of the popular attractions in Magic Kingdom.  

If you plan to experience what this Victorian-style dining place has to offer, make sure to plan your meal times accordingly. Many shows are held nearby, creating a lot of foot traffic.

When you dine at The Crystal Palace, you’re certain to never go hungry. You’ll have access to all-you-can-eat buffet options all day long, making it the perfect choice for famished visitors after a long day of enjoying the activities.

Choose from a variety of options such as pastries, eggs, and bacon for breakfast, and prime rib, fried chicken, and shrimp for lunch and dinner. 

While enjoying the food, you’ll also get to meet popular Disney characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and many more! 

The Best Magic Kingdom Character Dining Spots at EPCOT

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

If you want to meet Disney princesses, then head on to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall! 

Located at EPCOT, this is one of the most popular character dining restaurants. Because of its popularity, booking your spot in advance is highly recommended. 

While dining here, you’ll enjoy a Norwegian-inspired feast while Disney princesses roam the castle, greeting guests. 

So, who are the princesses you might meet? Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and Snow White are all present and accounted for. For guests who really want to experience character dining, Akershus is the one for you!

Garden Grill

Are you looking for fresh dining options with a nice atmosphere and a unique experience? If so, the Garden Grill is one restaurant you don’t want to miss. 

Among the dining spots available, Garden Grill is special because it uses farm-fresh food. The restaurant itself also rotates very slowly, as if you’re in a relaxing merry-go-round.

Garden Grill hosts character interactions with Chip, Dale, Farmer Mickey, and Pluto. They visit each table and stay for quite some time, making the experience all the more satisfying.

On its menu, Garden Grill offers grilled beef, barbecue-roasted chicken, garden salad, and much more. There are also allergy-friendly options that are great for those with dietary restrictions.

The Best Magic Kingdom Character Dining Spots at Hollywood Studios

Hollywood and Vine

If character interactions for the kids are a factor in choosing where to eat, you can’t go wrong with Hollywood and Vine which is located in Hollywood Studios!

With meals served during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there’s always a Disney character for you to meet. 

During breakfast, you’ll enjoy your American-style meal with Disney Junior stars. There are also biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and eggs benedict available.

Meanwhile, seasonal lunches and dinners are also served depending on the time of year. These themed meals are hosted by the glamorous Minnie Mouse and her friends, making it a unique and memorable experience.

Some seasonal meals that you can try during different months are Minnie’s Halloween Dine, Minnie’s Holiday Dine, and Minnie’s Springtime Dine.

The Best Magic Kingdom Character Dining Spots at Animal Kingdom

Tusker House

For an interesting dining experience that feels like being out in the wilderness, make your way over to Tusker House!

Offering African-inspired flavors in a safari atmosphere, Tusker House has something for everyone’s tastebuds.

You can enjoy classic breakfast options such as pastries, bacon, eggs, and waffles. The lunch and dinner menus are just as scrumptious, with a wide array of house specialties like chicken, shrimp, and salmon.

Like many nearby restaurants, Tusker House’s character interactions are a highlight. Donald Duck and his buddies will be strolling the area, so make sure to say hello!

With its weathered walls and traditional masks contributing to a lively, adventurous atmosphere and its exciting food, Tusker House is simply one you can’t miss out on.

The Best Magic Kingdom Character Dining Spots at the Resorts

1900 Park Fare

Like many other dining options in this list, 1900 Park Fare is also a character hotspot. Enjoy a “supercalifragilistic” banquet or, in other words, an all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet!

While eating, you might get the chance to meet Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger, or Winnie the Pooh. 

If you book in the evening, you’ll be able to attend an enchanting dinner hosted by none other than Cinderella and Prince Charming!

Artist Point

If you’re feeling a little Grumpy, head on down to Artist Point and meet the character himself! At Artist Point, Grumpy the dwarf visits every night with his pals Dopey and Snow White. 

Beware, for the Queen may be near… you can ask for a picture, but don’t accept her ruby-red apples! 

Instead, you can have the “Poison” apple for dessert— a rich chocolate mousse, coated in glittering red sugar. 

For adults, you’ll be delighted to discover that there is a wide range of colorful cocktails, as well as an esteemed wine and beer list. 

Cape May Cafe

Up for the beach? 

Head over to Cape May Cafe and experience Minnie Mouse’s Breakfast Bash for a splashin’ good time. Minnie and her friends will be there too, greeting you with their sunnies on!

To cap off a long day of exploring the park, stop by for a specialty seafood dinner featuring smashing surf ‘n’ turf dishes! Other than the already-filling options, you can also add crab legs to your order by the pound. 

Chef Mickey’s

If there’s one character you need to meet at Disney, it’s none other than the cornerstone character of the whole franchise himself—Mickey Mouse! 

Luckily for you, he’s got his own restaurant serving breakfast and dinner. And it’s worth checking out, too!

At Chef Mickey’s, you’ll not only get to enjoy the delicious food but will also receive an autographed card signed by Mickey and other Disney characters. 

You’ll spot Mickey’s iconic head with two ears in all your dishes, from pancakes and pasta to plentiful pastries.

The beautiful view of Bay Lake and the zooming monorail also help to take this dining experience to the next level. 

‘Ohana

For a truly different atmosphere, why not try ‘Ohana? This Polynesia-inspired restaurant is filled with intricately carved tiki and palm leaves. You’ll feel like you’re in the tropics with this one!

As far as character interactions go, you get to meet Lilo and Stitch during your family-style feast. Though they won’t stay around for dinner, you’ll nevertheless have an incredible Hawaiian meal to look forward to.

As a bonus, ‘Ohana also accommodates vegans and those with food allergies!

How To Make Dining Reservations

Now that you know which spots offer the best character dining experiences at Disney, it’s time for the hard part: Choosing where to go!

Characters pop up at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but they rarely linger in one place all throughout the day. Pick specific dining times when the characters you want to meet are most likely going to be there. 

Disney recommends that you book in advance for any character dining event. Seats sell fast, and it’s not possible to walk in on the day without a booking.  

To make dining reservations, visit the Dining section of the Disney World website and click the “Character Dining” tab to see a list of restaurant options. You can then select your dining spots of choice and book a seat!

Alternatively, you can also use the My Disney Experience App to make your reservations.

Be sure to pay careful attention to each restaurant’s cancellation policy and the information regarding which meal characters will show up. Some character dining events may also be temporarily closed or subject to change. 

To keep up to date, make sure you check out Disney’s help center website before your visit! 

The Bottom Line

For an extra special experience at Disney World, book a spot at a character dining restaurant!

Interact with famous Disney characters while enjoying delicious cuisines from across the world. Soak in the glorious themes of each room, and relish the different sceneries that range from castles to greenhouses. 

Booking in advance will ensure you get a spot at your desired eatery. That way, you’ll be able to have the most magical meal during your visit!