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Beyond the Parks | Character Meals

Character greetings are a highlight of any Disney vacation. It’s always so much fun to interact with your favorite characters and spend some quality time with them.

Unfortunately, lines in the park can be long and time left for interaction can be limited. To get the most bang for your buck, book a character meal! Some of the best of them can be enjoyed without a park ticket, Beyond the Parks!

Chef Mickey’s: Disney’s Contemporary Resort

A classic Walt Disney World favorite, Chef Mickey’s is one of the most sought after reservations on property. For breakfast and dinner, the Fab Five will delight and entertain you as you feast on a buffet of American cuisine. Our favorite part of Chef Mickey’s is the Celebration time! Guests sing, dance and swing their napkins.

1900 Park Fare: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

1900 Park Fare offers 3 distinct character experiences:

  • Supercalifragilistic Breakfast – Enjoy a whimsical start to your day with Alice, The Mad Hatter
  • Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner – Join Cinderella and Prince Charming for an all you can eat dinner buffet with a few surprises. If you’re lucky, Cinderella’s Stepmother and 2 stepsisters will join you for dinner. If they do, get ready for all the madcap shenanigans they can throw at you.
  • Wonderland Tea Party – Characters from Wonderland invite children 4-12 for a special afternoon tea.

‘Ohana – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (breakfast)

Lilo and Stitch’s Best Friends Breakfast is a family favorite of ours. Breakfast, served family style is fun and entertaining complete with a Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride parade. You’ll also get to see Mickey and Pluto dressed in their island best. Guests will receive leis to get into the Hawaiian spirit.

 

Cape May Cafe – Disney’s Beach Club Resort (breakfast)

Goofy and friends host a festive beach-themed buffet. While character friends are subject to change, Minnie, Daisy and Donald have been known the join him. The buffet itself is vast and varied including traditional breakfast favorites, Mickey waffles, fresh fruit and more. While you’re waiting for your friends to arrive, you can draw on the paper tablecloths.

 

Mickey’s Backyard BBQ – Fort Wilderness Campground

 

photo credit: stretchdog via photopin cc

It’s a rootin’ tootin’ good time at Mickey’s Backyard Barbecue. Join Mickey and friends for an all you care to enjoy BBQ picnic. You’ll be entertained by cowboy tricks and a country western band. Complimentary lemonade, fruit punch and soft drinks are offered plus beer and wine for Guest over 21. Below you can find a diagram of the event space.

Garden Grove – The Swan Hotel

Photo credit: Disney

Garden Grove offers a unique character dining experience. The restaurant, themed to transport Guests to the middle of Central Park, has nightly character visits. During dinner service, a pair your favorite Disney friends may just drop by to say hello! Also, on Saturday and Sunday mornings, they offer the Good Morning character breakfast event. These experiences are a great alternative to the popular destinations which book up fast. They are also perfect for Guest staying at an Epcot area resort hotel.

 

Ravello (Breakfast) – Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

 

Photo Credit: MouseSteps

 

A little further Beyond the Parks at The Four Seasons Orlando is Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals. There you can enjoy a traditional breakfast at their world class buffet as Goofy delights and entertains his guests. Reservation required; call (407) 313-7777 to book.

The following Downtown Disney Hotels offer character breakfasts on select days:

  • Wyndham Lake Buena Vists Resort – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
  • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – Sundays
  • Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa – Sundays
There are so many options for character dining to choose from Beyond the Parks. Which option would you like to try? Are any of these your favorite?
Skip waiting in line for Disney characters, dine with them instead. So many fun character meals can be found at Walt Disney World beyond the parks | Disney Dining | Walt Disney World Resort

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The Disney Chef

Tuesday 27th of January 2015

Way back in the day, I did Cape May and it was a lot of fun. I don't think some of those hidden character meals get the credit they deserve.

teacherlady117

Monday 2nd of February 2015

I totally agree. People tend to go to their favorites over and over, but rarely get beyond that. Most of our favorite meals are the hidden gems.

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