Traditional character meet and greets and character dining in Disney World are BACK in Disney World!
Chef Mickey at Chef Mickey’s!
We’ve been checking out ALL of the meet and greet options in all four theme parks, but we can’t forget the character dining! So, which restaurants have brought back the hugs and high fives? This is a COMPLETE list of back-to-normal character dining in Disney World!
The following character dining locations have returned to normal operation! That means you can take close pictures, high five, and hug your favorite Disney characters. The locations are…
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT
- Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald)
- Cinderella’s Royal Table featuring Disney Princesses in Magic Kingdom
- Cape May Cafe featuring Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Disney’s Beach Club Resort (Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy at breakfast)
- Hollywood and Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and Roadster Goofy at breakfast and Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and sometimes Pluto at other meals)
- Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Mickey, and Minnie)
- Garden Grill in EPCOT (Mickey, Pluto, and Chip ‘n Dale — Currently, Garden Grill serves only Lunch and Dinner; however, starting June 14th, 2023, Breakfast will return to Garden Grill!)
- Artist Point — Story Book Dining with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort (Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and The Evil Queen)
- Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy)
- The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom (Winnie the Pooh and pals such as Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet)
- ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Meet Mickey, Stitch, Lilo, and Pluto during breakfast)
Hi, Snow White!
A few character meals have still yet to return. Those include:
- Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort (open without characters)
- 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (still closed)
We’ll be updating this post as more character dining changes and returns so keep checking back! And, as always, keep an eye on DFB for the latest updates!
Click HERE to see the BEST Disney World Character Meals RANKED!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023.
Making a character dining reservation soon? Tell us in the comments!
TRENDING NOW
The Park Pass Reservation System: what it is, why it's a thing, and how to...
We spotted an OLD souvenir in Disney World that you might be interested in!
Disney's Halfway to the Holidays will be here SOON. Here's what we're expecting to happen.
This designer's idea could make airline travel look VERY different.
Disney World just got a NEW Indiana Jones bar, and we're checking it out!
Check out the NEW rooms at Disney's Beach Club Resort.
Here's your LIST for drinking around the world in EPCOT!
We tried a TON of small plates at a recently reopened Wine Bar George --...
Will 1900 Park Fare ever reopen in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort? Here's what we know!
Here are a few essentials to help you keep going on your next Disney vacation.
We're ranking ALL of the Disney World hotels!
There's a SPECIAL fireworks show coming to Disney World -- but not for long!
Two non-Disney hotels are confirmed to have a BIG Disney World perk in 2024.
We know we know...school's just NOW out for summer, but is it ever too early...
Baby Groot could be coming to a Disney Park to have a dance party with...
Be Our Guest was once a busy, beloved restaurant. What went wrong?
We've got a FIRST LOOK at the 'Princess and the Frog' makeover coming to Splash...
HURRY! You can get Disney Loungefly backpacks for under $40!
We found the CHEAPEST week to visit Disney World in 2024. Check it out!
There's one Disney World restaurant that is SUPER hard to visit — and you can't...
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Subscribe via RSS
Subscribe via email
Happy to have character experiences back at Chef Mickey’s, but has the buffet returned, or is it still family style service?
But when will Tusker House go back to a normal buffet?
Hello,
Looking forward to our visit from Uk this summer , after 2 cancellations !
Do you think Ohana will be back with stitch and friends by August?
Are the buffet’s back also, or still “family style”
Gutted that the Crystal Palace still has no characters Tigger is my favourite!
Hi Damon! Disney hasn’t released any official news on characters returning to ‘Ohana, but we have seen a return to pre-Covid character dining in the past few days so we’re keeping our eyes peeled on those restaurants that aren’t back in full swing and will update as soon as we have more information. 🙂
Hi Donna! As of right now Chef Mickey’s is still family style.
Garden grill doesn’t have breakfast yet- right?
Hi Minde! You are correct. Breakfast has not yet returned to Garden Grill. We will be sure to update as soon as we get word on its return.
Are you keeping an eye on Ft Wilderness Campfire for Chip and Dale?? I’m so sad they’re still not back.
We definitely are, Christy! I’m so ready for them to return! Chip and Dale are my favorites!
Any news on Characters at Crystal Palace? 🙂
I was wondering about Crystal Palace also
Are all the prices going up too when characters come back like at Cape May? We like to dine there and don’t care about characters. Hate to pay the extra.
What about Goofy & Pals breakfast at Ravello? Thoughts on that? Is it back with characters?
Could we get an update on the character meals that are currently active? As well as the ones that are planned to return and how the experiences are now different (i.e. different characters or table service and previously buffet). We are planning a trip to Disney in December and trying to keep up to date with who is back and what is different has been a challenge.
What is causing the delay in The opening of 1900 Park Fare and when will it open, with or without Character Dining? Thanks
Hi Ron, Disney hasn’t released any of that information, but as soon as we get any details we will be sure to post them.
Question- We have reservations for dinner at cape may cafe at the end of October. I see the characters return on October 4. Do the characters come around during dinner as well, or only breakfast there? Thank you so much!
Has chef Mickey returned to buffet breakfast yet please
Hi Christine! As of now, Chef Mickey’s is still family style and has not yet returned to the buffet.
Will there be character dining at the Disney resort Vero Beach from February 23rd to March 3rd