WDW 4 Families - A Disney World Travel Planning Podcast · Walt Disney World For Families

Character Dining In The Parks - 281

·41 min·3 clips

Randy explains how character dining lets you skip long lines and meet Disney characters mid-meal.

This episode focuses on character dining at Walt Disney World, featuring hosts Todd, Kevin, Kristen, and Randy from the WDW 4 Families podcast. The panel shares their experiences and advice for families planning to include character meals in their Disney vacations. They define character dining as meals where Disney characters circulate for photos and autographs without guests waiting in long lines. The hosts list 12 official character dining locations and begin rating several inside the theme parks. They discuss Cinderella's Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, where guests meet princesses like Ariel and Snow White, with adult dinner pricing at $84 and child dinner at $49. Crystal Palace offers a buffet with Winnie the Pooh characters, costing $61 for adult dinner and $40 for a child. At Epcot's Garden Grill, guests meet Chip, Dale, Pluto, and Mickey in farmer outfits, and some food is grown in the Land Pavilion. Akershus in Epcot's Norway serves princess character dining, sometimes featuring Tiana or Belle in her yellow dress, with a cold buffet of cheeses and fish. Hollywood and Vine at Hollywood Studios features Disney Junior characters like Doc McStuffins at breakfast and Mickey's group at lunch, with seasonal outfits for holidays. Tusker House in Animal Kingdom serves a buffet with Donald, Mickey, Goofy, and Daisy in safari outfits, including items like curry and Simba waffles. The hosts note that Cinderella's Royal Table includes a wand or sword souvenir, and Garden Grill is a revolving restaurant overlooking the Living with the Land ride. An interesting insight is that character dining can be ideal for children hesitant to hug characters, allowing interaction from a distance. The panel reveals that some rare characters like Bianca and Bernard from The Rescuers were recently spotted at meet-and-greets. They suggest breakfast reservations often provide more kid-friendly food options like Mickey waffles and can allow early park entry. A surprising claim is that Hollywood and Vine might be the easiest character dining reservation to obtain due to lower popularity. The hosts debate the value, with some feeling the high cost is justified for skipping character lines, while others see it as a time commitment better spent on rides. They note parents may need to facilitate interactions since characters communicate through mime. A memorable moment is Kristen's struggle to pronounce "Akershus," which the group humorously acknowledges. The panel agrees Tusker House can effectively extend a visit to Animal Kingdom, often considered a shorter-day park. The tone is conversational and advisory, with hosts sharing personal anecdotes and differing opinions. The style is educational, offering specific pricing, character lists, and strategic tips for families. Listeners planning a first Disney trip or seeking to optimize character meet-and-greets would love this episode. Those uninterested in dining experiences or seeking park touring strategies beyond meals might skip it.

As heard by us

A practical take on character dining, strongest when it stays with Crystal Palace specifics.

This episode treats character dining as a planning choice before it treats it as a treat, and Crystal Palace gets the most attention for good reason.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Book your Magic Kingdom morning around Crystal Palace, character dining, and an early reservation.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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