How to Make the Most of Character Dining at Disney World

Is Character Dining at Disney worth it?

Apart from the thrilling rides and exciting attractions spread around Disney World, Orlando, there's another experience that can bring ultimate fun while filling your bellies with scrumptious food. And that is character dining at Walt Disney World's restaurants. 

It is a unique experience where you dine in themed places and enjoy some of the most amazing dishes with your favorite Disney character. It is the perfect way to have a comprehensively fun day with family and kids. 

But it can be hard to decide which character dining restaurant is the best for you. You only have limited vacation days, and it makes sense you don't want to waste them on experimentation. Therefore, you don't need to worry. 

In this post, we have removed the guesswork and listed some of the best character dining experiences at Disney World. This list is the perfect way to learn about how you can make the most of your character dining experience at Disney World, with information about the characters, the restaurant experience, and the best cuisines to try. 

Let us dive in!

Tusker House Restaurant at Animal Kingdom

Tusker House Restaurant is a vibrant and flavorful place that offers family-style entrees. It is located in the Harambe Village of Africa in the Animal Kingdom, and you get to take photos with Donald Duck and friends dressed in safari gear. 

You can start with breakfast here, and it also has amazing lunch and dinner options. For breakfast, you have options like pastries, multigrain croissants, cornbread, spreads of different kinds, and the refreshing Jungle Juice. You can also order the breakfast platter with bacon, sausage, roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, waffles, and Durban chicken and egg curry. 

For lunch and dinner, there are options like Moroccan-spiced beef, Cape Malay green curry shrimp, spit-roasted herb chicken, salads inspired by African cuisine, and house-made breads. You can also order veggies, jasmine rice, roasted potatoes, and mac n cheese as sides. 

If you want to indulge in your sweet tooth, you also have options like animal-inspired mini desserts and chocolate mousse. 

What makes Tusker House Restaurant the first option on the list is the sheer variety of dishes available here. There is something for everyone's taste buds, and every option tastes equally better. 

Garden Grill Restaurant at EPCOT

This restaurant offers a pleasant combination of wholesome meals, a unique atmosphere, and ample time to spend with characters, making it second on our list. 

It is located in the Land Pavilion at EPCOT, and the best thing about dining here is that it rotates, and the background changes throughout the meal. 

The food options have generous portions and are served in an all-you-can-eat family style. You can enjoy turkey breast slices with gravy, grilled beef with chimichurri and herb and leek stuffing, fresh salad and vegetables, and buttermilk mashed potatoes. The berry shortcake with whipped cream is the perfect end to this hearty meal. 

Here you meet characters like Pluto, Mickey, and Chip' n' Dale, dressed in farmer's overalls. 

Cinderella's Royal Table at Magic Kingdom

Cinderella is almost synonymous with Disney World, and you must eat at least once at the Royal Table in her castle in Magic Kingdom.

As you enter the ornate castle, you are greeted by none other than Cinderella. From there, you ascend the spiral staircase or go up in the gilded elevator to the banquet hall. 

Cinderella's Royal Table is surrounded by high windows that give you lovely views of Fantasyland. The famous Disney princesses such as Ariel, Jasmine, Aurora, and Snow White all visit you while you enjoy gourmet food. 

The food options aren't lacking either, and you get to enjoy dishes like duck two-ways, beef tenderloin, and chickpea Panisse. But that's just half the fun! The desserts here are out of this world. The "Clock Strikes Twelve" is a decadent dark chocolate mousse with crunchy praline and caramel at its center. It is served with hazelnut gelato and chocolate sauce, quirkily named "Jaq and Gus."

Your young princesses can get a magic wand to take home as a gift, while the young princes get to take a small sword home. Little children are awarded a wishing star and asked to make a wish with a wave of their swords or wands. 

Lastly, if possible, make sure to time your visit during the fireworks. The whole ambiance of the castles with the lights dimmed down, and the breathtaking view of the fireworks is a truly magical experience. 

Cinderella's Royal Table made it to our list because of the extravagant, adorned, and truly authentic experience it has to offer!

StoryBook Dining at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort

The last but in no way underwhelming addition to this list is the StoryBook Dining with Snow White at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort. The restaurant features iconic characters like Snow White(obviously), Dopey, Grumpy, and the Evil Queen(be wary of taking an apple from her kids!)

Once you make good work of appetizers like wild mushroom bisque, hunter's pie(turkey and chicken, black truffle, cranberry preserve, and crispy sauerkraut), and wicked shrimp cocktail, you can move on to the main course. 

The restaurant lets you choose your entree from a prix fixe menu with options like a royal prime rib roast, Brother's Grimm roasted chicken, or a vegetarian option that features butternut squash, arugula, and gnocchi. 

Apart from cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine from Oregon and Washington, you also have delicious dessert options like the Fairy Tale Gooseberry Pie or a "Poison" apple. 

Lastly, the rustic atmosphere of the Enchanted Forest makes you feel like you are in the movie, which enhances the dining experience pleasantly!

Final Words

You don't have to worry about how to choose your best character dining experience at Disney World now. With the amazing cuisine options and exquisitely unique atmosphere each option on the list has to offer, you can now rest easy and just focus on having fun.

Lastly, you can't ever go wrong with a discount. Check out Orlandovacation for amazing Disney World discounts on tickets, vacation packages, hotels, and rentals throughout the year.