How to Choose the Best Disney World Character Dining for Your Family

Written By Jessica Kriner

One of the most magical ways to meet your favorite Disney characters is by booking a Character Dining experience at Walt Disney World. Not only do you get quality time with beloved characters, but you also enjoy delicious food without waiting in long lines in the parks. But with so many options—at both theme parks and resorts—it can be overwhelming to decide which meal is best for your family.

Let’s break down how to choose the best Character Dining option based on your family’s preferences, budget, and favorite characters, using the latest comparison charts for both park and resort dining experiences.

🎯 Step 1: Decide Your Priorities

Before picking a dining reservation, ask yourself:

  • Do you want to meet specific characters?

  • Are you looking for a breakfast, lunch, or dinner experience?

  • Is cost a factor?

  • Do you want to dine inside a park or at a resort (perhaps on a rest day)?

  • Do you want buffet-style, plated meals, or family-style service?

  • Are you using the Disney Dining Plan (DDP)?

Once you know what matters most, it’s easier to narrow down your options.

🏰 Best Character Dining Inside the Parks

Best for Princess Lovers

Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom) or Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (EPCOT)

  • Price (CRT): Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: Over $60 per adult

  • Price (Akershus): Breakfast: $35 to $59.99 per adult | Lunch/Dinner: Over $60 per adult

    • Tip: Go to Akershus for Breakfast as it only requires 1 dining credit.

  • Dining Plan: 2 Table Service Credits

  • Characters: Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Aurora, Ariel

  • Tip: Book early if pairing with Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. You’re paying for the castle setting and rare character lineup.

Best for Classic Characters

The Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) or Garden Grill (EPCOT)

  • Characters: Winnie the Pooh & friends, or Mickey, Chip & Dale

  • Type: Buffet or family-style

  • Cost: ~$35–$62 per adult

  • Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit

Best Themed Character Experience

Hollywood & Vine – Disney Jr. Play n’ Dine (Hollywood Studios)

  • Breakfast: Disney Jr. characters (Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, etc.)

  • Lunch/Dinner: Minnie’s Seasonal Dine with themed outfits

  • Cost: ~$49–$63 per adult

  • Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit

  • Tip: Seasonal Dine outfits change for Halloween, Christmas, etc. Great value for 1 credit.

Best Unique Character Appearance

Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)

  • Lunch/Dinner Only

  • Character: You may see The Beast (but he doesn’t visit tables)

  • Cost: $72 per adult

  • Dining Plan: 2 Table Service Credits

🏨 Best Character Dining at the Resorts

Dining at a resort is perfect for rest days or slower mornings before heading into the parks.

Best Princess Dining at a Resort

1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian)

  • Breakfast & Dinner

  • Characters: Cinderella, Aladdin, Mirabel, Princess Tiana

  • Cost: $58–$69 per adult

  • Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit

Best for Snow White Fans

Story Book Dining at Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge)

  • Dinner Only

  • Characters: Snow White, Evil Queen, Dopey, Grumpy

  • Cost: $67 per adult

  • Dining Plan: 2 Table Service Credits

  • Tip: A great experience, but less ideal for maximizing credits unless you love these characters.

Best Classic Fab 5 Experience

Chef Mickey’s (Contemporary Resort)

  • All Meals Include: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto

  • Cost: $58–$69 per adult

  • Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit

  • Tip: Consistently high-value 1-credit meal with the full Fab 5.

Best Foodie Pick with Characters

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Riviera Resort)

  • Breakfast Only

  • Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy in Riviera-themed outfits

  • Cost: $35 to $59.99 peradult

  • Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit (Breakfast) 2 Table Service Credits (Dinner)

  • Tip: Amazing food quality, scenic rooftop setting, and solid value.

💰 Dining Plan Strategy: Maximize Your Table Service Credits

If you’re using the Disney Dining Plan, your goal should be value maximization. The best use of your credits comes from choosing restaurants with the highest menu prices per credit—essentially, the more expensive the meal, the more money you’re saving.

💡 Choose Wisely: Highest-Value 1 Credit Meals

These offer excellent value without requiring two credits:

  • Chef Mickey’s (Dinner – $69)

  • Hollywood & Vine (Seasonal Dine – $63)

  • Tusker House (Dinner – $64)

  • Garden Grill (Dinner – $62)

  • Cape May Cafe (Breakfast $49)

  • ‘Ohana (Dinner - $65)

⚠️ Consider Before Using 2 Credits

While beautiful and unique, 2-credit character meals like:

  • Cinderella’s Royal Table

  • Story Book Dining

  • Akershus (Lunch or Dinner)

  • Be Our Guest

may not offer the same "per-credit" value. You’re paying for the experience and setting, so only use two credits if the experience is high on your priority list.

✨ Final Thoughts: Your Most Magical Meal Awaits

Whether you’re chasing royal encounters, seeking silly character moments, or simply trying to make the most of your dining credits, there’s a character meal perfect for your family.

Remeber, if you choose character dining within a park, you’ll need park admission to make it to your reservation. Rest day? Make character dining reservations at a resort like Cape May Cafe (The Beach Club), ‘Ohana (The Polynesian), or Chef Mickey’s (The Contemporary).

Let your budget, character preferences, dining style, and park plans guide your decision. And remember: you can still enjoy magical character interactions without spending extra out-of-pocket—if you plan smart and choose wisely.

Need help customizing the perfect Disney dining itinerary for your family? I’d love to help make the magic happen. ✨

Jessica Kriner