The Walt Disney World Swan is home to a character meal each night If you’re like me, you know the princesses and other Disney characters from your own childhood, as well as from your child or children when they were growing up. You can meet plenty of characters in the parks, but there is usually a line, and the interaction is over almost as soon as it began. Character dining is a fantastic way to meet characters in a more relaxed setting. You won’t have to wait in line, and you’ll enjoy a filling meal. Sounds like a win to me!
Character dining is for all ages. Don’t think that you need to have a child with you in order to enjoy the experience. Also, you do not need a theme park ticket in order to book some character meals. There are several meals available at the resorts.
I will often suggest that you book a resort character dinner for the day that you arrive, or a resort character breakfast for the morning that you leave. The meal will totally surround you with all things Disney, but you won’t use a day from your ticket just for a meal. It’s a great way to start or end your vacation.
I already added a list of character meals with princesses that are found outside of the parks. Here is the current list of non-princess character meals. It does not include the three dinner shows. Keep in mind that not all meals at these restaurants will be character meals. Remember as well that characters can and do change from time to time.
Cape May Cafe – Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast takes place each morning at Cape May Cafe. Minnie is joined by Goofy and Donald, and they are all ready to hit the beach. This is a fairly easy reservation to grab, as far as character meals go. It’s also near both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Dinner is not a character meal.
Chef Mickey’s – Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This is not an easy reservation to get. The reason why Chef Mickey’s is so popular is because it features the Fab Five of classic Disney characters; Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. Breakfast, brunch, and dinner are served, and all three are character meals. Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a monorail ride or quick walk to the Magic Kingdom, making Chef Mickey’s even more appealing.
Garden Grove – Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
This is another restaurant where you might be able to grab a last minute reservation. Goofy, Pluto, Timon, and Rafiki were appearing the last time that I checked. Dinner is a character meal nightly, and breakfast has characters on Saturdays and Sundays. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, you will not be able to use it at Garden Grove.
Ravello – Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Four Seasons Resort Orlando is a luxury resort that is located on Walt Disney World property. Like the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, it is not owned by Disney. Ravello hosts Good Morning Breakfast With Goofy and His Pals. Goofy and friends such as Mickey and Minnie appear for breakfast on Thursdays, Saturdays, and some Tuesdays. If you’d like more information, call 407-313-7777. Like Garden Grove, Ravello does not accept the Disney Dining Plan.
‘Ohana – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
‘Ohana is popular with both tourists and locals. In the morning you can enjoy the Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch. Mickey and Pluto could be there as well. If you have your heart set on this one, make your reservation as early as possible. Dinner is not a character meal.