How can my kids meet the characters while we're at Disney World? When and where are the meals with characters?
The characters appear throughout the theme parks all day long. Obviously, you can see Mickey and the gang in the parades and shows, but if you want to get the kids close enough for a picture and autograph, look for the character meeting places. The times when they're due to appear are clearly marked on the theme park map you're given as you enter the park.
At all the theme parks, the characters are on hand to greet you near the entrances in the morning. In the Magic Kingdom, the kid-to-character ratio is pretty high; to avoid being trampled, head to Toontown, where they have a crowd control system, otherwise known as a line so that only 15 or so guests are let into the room with the characters at a time. Tour Mickey's house and meet him in the tent behind it, then enter the Toontown Hall of Fame for a chance to visit with other favorites.
In the Animal Kingdom, the characters--decked out in adorable safari gear--hang out in the Camp Minnie-Mickey section. At Disney-MGM Studios, you'll find them lounging like the stars they are outside their trailers on Mickey Ave. And Epcot, while often considered "the adult park," is a great place to visit the characters. Look for them in "their" World Showcase nation; in other words, you'll find Belle and the Beast in France, Mary Poppins in the United Kingdom and Aladdin in Morocco. Because of the settings, it's the ultimate photo-op.
If you really want to get up close and personal with Pluto or Minnie, schedule a character meal. Character dining is available throughout the theme parks and Disney resorts. It is not necessary to be staying at a resort to visit it for a character meal, but, obviously, if you schedule a character meal inside a theme park, you must have a theme park ticket. Meals are generally served buffet style, and each character stops at every table for pictures, autographs and hugs.
Priority seating is a must; arrange it before you leave home by calling
(407) WDW-DINE, and be sure to confirm times, places and prices when you book. As we go to press, the following options are available:
IN THE RESORTS
Cape May Cafe in the Beach Club: Breakfast 7:30-11 A.M. with Goofy and friends. Cost is $15-29 per person.
Chef Mickey's Buffet in the Contemporary:
Breakfast with Mickey and the gang. 7-11:30 A.M. Dinner is served from 5-9:30 P.M. Cost for breakfast and dinner is $15-29 per person.
1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian: Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and friends. Breakfast is served from 7:30-11:10 A.M. For breakfast and dinner buffet, the cost is $15-29 per person.
Ohana in the Polynesian for Minnie's Menehune Breakfast:
7:30-11 A.M. with Minnie and friends. Cost is $15-29 per person.
IN THE THEME PARKS
MAGIC KINGDOM
Cinderella's Royal Table
in Cinderella Castle:
Breakfast with Cinderella and friends is served from 8-10A.M. Cost is $30-75 per person.
Winnie the Pooh and friends
in the Crystal Palace:
Breakfast is served from 8-10:30 A.M.. Lunch is served from 11:30-2:45 P.M.. Dinner is served beginning at 3:45 P.M. Breakfast, lunch and dinner cost is $15-29 per person.
Liberty Tree Tavern:
Revolutionary themed dinner with Minnie and friends starting at 4 P.M. Cost is $5-29 per person.
EPCOT
Garden Grill in The Land with Mickey
and friends:
Lunch is served from 12:00-3:30 P.M.. Dinner is served from 5:00-8:00 P.M.. Cost per person for lunch and dinner is $15-29.
DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS
Hollywood and Vine:
Dinner Buffets with Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Chip n' Dale: Dinner buffet cost is $15-29 per person.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand:
Donald's Prehistoric Breakfastosaurus buffet with Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Pluto. Served from 7:40-10:30 A.M., and cost is $15-29 per person.
Be sure to call (407) WDW-DINE before finalizing your plans, as the hours and prices are subject to change.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in April 2002.
Updated March 2006
