Our family loves going to at least one character dining experience each time we visit Walt Disney World. The food is amazing, the theming of the restaurants brings us right into our favorite movies or destinations, and it really adds to the magical experience of a Disney vacation. Here are five more reasons you must experience at least one character dining experience during your Walt Disney World vacation.
1. The Characters!
Seeing favorite characters is usually a top priority for families when vacationing at Walt Disney World. If there are specific characters your family wants to see, planning a dining experience is the best way to make sure that happens. My son loves Stitch. When we visited in 2017, we made sure we had breakfast at ‘Ohana where we could meet him. Each dining location has a different set of characters so each location will give you a different experience. You can meet the characters wearing outfits that match the theme of the restaurant. Sure, you may have met Mickey before, but have you met him in his safari outfit at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom?
2. The Disney Experience
While there are many magical touches with a Disney vacation, there is something special about having a meal together as a family while Disney characters you know and love come to visit you. The extra touch of magic that character dining brings to your Disney vacation is well worth the time and cost. Multiple characters will take turns visiting your table while you enjoy your meal. You are welcome to take your time getting autographs, playing games, dancing, parading around the restaurant, hugging, and taking photos with each character.
3. Locations
Character dining takes place in the theme parks and at resorts. Each of these meals has a different theme, menu, and character cast. By reserving a character dining experience at a resort, you can have fun exploring that resort which you may not have gotten a chance to see otherwise. Many of the resorts offer different items in their gift shops, photo opportunities, and entertainment than you will not find at the parks. Have you ever seen the monorail drive through the Contemporary Resort? If not, dine at Chef Mickey’s! Once you are done with your meal, you can just hop on the monorail right to parks.
4. Celebrating a special occasion
If you are celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday, a character meal is a must. The cast will make sure your celebration is extra special with a yummy cupcake and/or a birthday card signed by all the characters.
5. Skip the lines and save your Genie+ Lightening Lanes
By reserving a character dining experience for your family, you are giving yourself the gift of time. More time exploring the parks, taking in shows and parades, and riding the rides. While you can get schedule Lightening Lanes to meet some characters at the parks, those fast passes would be much better used on the rides. Instead of waiting in line for 45 minutes to meet one princess, you can spend an hour or so eating a delicious Norwegian meal at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot and meet five princesses. You gotta eat anyway. Might as well make good use of your time doing it!
If you have not experienced Character Dining at Walt Disney World, you are missing out. Be the hero of your Disney vacation and make a dining reservation your family will love! Need some recommendations? I am here to help.
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