Tag Archives: Character Dining

Unique Dining Outside of the Parks – Part II

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Tired of the same old restaurants in the parks at Walt Disney World, or just looking for something new?  Check out the first installment check it out here to learn about unique dining options in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Resort areas. **LINK** 

Animal Kingdom Resort Area:
Landscape of Flavors located in the Art of Animation is one of the few quick service restaurants on my list of unique dining.  It makes the list due to its lunch and dinner menus where you can custom make any different types of meals such as pasta, omelet, burgers, and salads.  It is fun to custom make your own pasta with sauce and meat choices.  It is sure to win over even the pickiest of eaters.

 Dine with Animal Specialist with in the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a 4 course lunch at Sanaa where you can learn all about the animals that are just outside the windows of the restaurant!  This is a truly intimate lunch that is limited to 12 guests.  Once you are finished eating you will head into a secure area for and up close and personal encounter with radiated tortoises. 

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Photo via Disney.com

Wanyama Safari is available only to guests of Animal Kingdom Lodge and features a 90 minute tour with unique vantage points for observing the animals.  It is limited to 12 guests so you will have a very personalized tour.  Prior to the safari you will have a reception with the chefs and cultural representative from Jiko and then conclude your safari with a fabulous dinner at Jiko.  This is a one of a kind dining experience.

Disney Springs:
If you are in the mood for some fantastic food by a famous chef you will want to see Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs.  There is a large sushi menu and plenty of Pan-Asian food for every palate. The menu is extensive with lots of seafood but plenty of steak, noodle and chicken dishes.  Don’t miss this fantastic restaurant.

Wolfgang Puck Express is an easy choice for a single table service credit with amazing food.  People always rave about the macaroni and cheese as well as the bacon wrapped meatloaf.  Not to be mistaken with Wolfgang Puck Grand Café, the express is just a smaller version of the main restaurant by the celebrity chef. Here is a great review we have!

Boathouse

Photo via Disney.com

The Boathouse is another recent addition to Disney Springs, right on the water front.  You cannot beat the location and ambience at Disney Springs and the food is pretty darn amazing too.  They feature American, seafood and steaks and have gotten a reputation for the gigantic Gibsons S’mores Baked Alaska that serves four!

What other restaurants would you add to the lineup of unique offerings outside of a Walt Disney World park?  Let us know!

Unique Dining Outside of the Parks – Part I

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Sometimes when planning dining reservations for a Walt Disney World vacation people focus on restaurants in the parks.   Fortunately, there are many, many choices outside of the parks and if you plan correctly going to a dining reservation outside of the parks doesn’t have to take a lot of time out of your day.  Of if you aren’t planning to visit a park you can still have plenty of fun and even meet some Disney friends!

 Magic Kingdom Resort Area:
Grand Floridian Resort has two very unique character meal options both at the same restaurant, 1900 Park Fare.  For breakfast you can meet Mary Poppins, Alice, the Mad Hatter, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh.  For dinner you can meet up with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine and her daughters Anastasia and Drizella.

Also at the Grand Floridian there is Victoria & Albert’s a very upscale restaurant, having an AAA Five Diamond rating since 2000.  There is also the highly coveted Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s which features 13 courses and the chef personally conversing between courses.  This is definitely a bucket list item!

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Photo via Disney.com

Citricos Dining with an Imagineer is a very unique option outside of the park.  Who wouldn’t love to pick the brain of a Disney Imagineer?  This is your chance to ask questions and learn about the behind the scenes of Walt Disney World. 

Within the Wilderness Lodge you will find the Whispering Canyon Café, a buffet with some shenanigans.  If you love great food, a neat atmosphere and sassy and fun cast members you will want to make the trip to Wilderness Lodge for this family style bottomless platters!  Just be careful when you ask for ketchup or straws!

 In the Polynesian Village Resort there is a unique character meal featuring Lilo and Stitch as well at Mickey and Pluto in Hawaiian gear.  Lilo is not featured anywhere else so if you have a person who loves Lilo and Stitch this is THE place to go!

 Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is located at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness and boasts an amazing dinner show with great food, fun, vaudeville comedy, singing and dancing.  And of course Strawberry Shortcake!  There are multiple shows each day in different price categories based on your seat.  You can read Tara’s review here.

Epcot Resort Area:
Another great character meal option is at the Beach Club, Cape May Café!  This is a character meal for breakfast only and features Minnie and friends in their beach attire!  So if you are in Epcot or Hollywood Studios or staying at an Epcot are resort this is a fantastic option that isn’t as well-known as other character meals.  You can read a review right here! 

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Photo via Disney.com

Beaches and Cream in the Beach Club boasts more than just ice cream.  This old-fashioned soda fountain has a full menu of burgers, salads, sandwiches, and soup.  But most people are coming for The Kitchen Sink.  This creation has scoops of 5 different types of ice creams, every topping imaginable plus a whole can of whipped cream.  You will need the whole family to finish this monster!  But beware when you order it you will cause some heads to turn since the whole restaurant will light up as this treat makes its way to your table.

 Todd English’s bluezoo located in the Dolphin Hotel is a sleeper choice.  It is a pricey dinner, so maybe for a special occasion this is a great choice.  It has won numerous awards and does awesome seafood as well as plenty of beef, chicken and pork dishes to keep everyone happy.  They even feature a pretty great kid’s menu if you are bringing the whole family.  The restaurant itself is beautiful and you will want to get dressed up for this dinner.

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Photo via Disney.com


Check back soon for more  dining suggestions on the Animal Kingdom Resort area and Disney Springs!

 

Alternatives to Popular Dining at Disney

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Is your favorite restaurant booked up at Walt Disney World? We have all been there! But here I will give you some alternatives to some of the more popular restaurants at Walt Disney World.

Cinderella’s Royal Table instead try Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. You aren’t eating above the Magic Kingdom, but it is still a castle with a chance to meet some princesses!

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Cinderella’s Royal Table instead try 1900 Park Fare for dinner. Here you will have a great dinner plus meet Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the stepmother and stepsisters. The character interaction is fantastic and fun, plus you are still a short monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom. Here is our review.

Be Our Guest instead try Chefs de France. This is a grown up version of Be Our Guest with fantastic French food and you will be able to get right in. There is no Beast here but the atmosphere is lovely.

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Le Cellier Steakhouse instead try Yachtsman Steakhouse. Located in the Yacht Club you will find a similar menu without entering a park. Check out Jamie’s review.

Chef Mickey’s instead try Garden Grill. Garden Grill has Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale in this slowly rotating restaurant in The Land Pavilion in Epcot. The food is served family style in a much more laid back atmosphere. Read a review here.

Chef Mickey’s instead try Tusker House. Another great character meal with Mickey and friends located in Animal Kingdom. This menu is more adventurous with a neat atmosphere. With it being inside a park it can get your early entrance to be closer to the attractions.

If you have a favorite alternative dining experience share it with us!

 

 

 

Character Dining Breakdown for Walt Disney World

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Character dining is very popular and very much a part of most families trips to Disney. One of the most confusing things and hard to follow is which characters are where and if they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner or just breakfast, etc. Also, people are always asking me – which is the best and when they mean the best typically they are asking about who has the best character interaction and not the best bacon (though food is important) because these meals are not cheap but most are buffets and you can eat a lot of yummy food to get your value plus the pictures and smiles on your kids faces (or your adult faces) will be something priceless.

I am going to start also by saying that this information is correct as of today March 21, 2106 (I hope it is!) but the characters are always changing and this is who is typically there. Though no character is ever guaranteed so know that going in and do not be disappointed but enjoy the event! If you HAVE to meet one specific character you might need to fastpass that for a meet and greet. One more tip when you see a description like Luau Mickey or Safari Donald this describes the character theme at this meal. So, Safari Donald is dressed up like he is going on a safari for example!

Starting with character meals that require 1 Table Service Credit when using the Disney Dining Plan:

 

‘Ohana at Polynesian Resort – 

Best Friends Breakfast – Breakfast Only

Lilo, Stitch, Luau Mickey, Luau Pluto

 

Garden Grill Epcot

Chip ‘n Dale’s Harvest Feast (all meals)

Chip & Dale, Farmer Mickey & Farmer Pluto

 

Chef Mickey’s at Contemporary Resort

Chef Mickey’s Fun Time Buffet (all meals)

Chef Mickey, Chef Donald, Chef Goofy, Chef Minnie & Chef Pluto

 

Tusker House at Animal Kingdom

Donald’s Safari Meal (all meals)

Safari Mickey, Safari Donald, Safari Goofy,  & Safari Daisy

 

1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian Resort

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast (breakfast only)

Alice, the Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins and Bert, Tigger & Pooh

 

1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian Resort

Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner (dinner only)

Cinderella, Prince Charming, Cinderella’s  Stepsisters (Anastasia and Drisella) and Wicked Stepmother (Lady Tremaine)

 

Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios

Disney Junior Play n’ Dine (breakfast and lunch only)

Disney Junior Characters: Jake, Sofia, Doc McStuffins & Handy Manny

 

Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios

Minnie’s Seasonal Dine (dinner only)

Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy

  • January 4, 2016 – March 20, 2016
    Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine
    Celebrate Hollywood blockbusters at a banquet honoring the glitz and glamor of Tinseltown!
  • March 21, 2016 – June 5, 2016
    Minnie’s Springtime Dine
    Shake off winter’s chill with a fabulous fête marking the bright and beautiful delights of spring!
  • June 6, 2016 – September 11, 2016
    Minnie’s Summertime Dine
    Heat things up at a beach-inspired bash welcoming the excitement of the season!
  • September 12, 2016 – November 6, 2016
    Minnie’s Halloween Dine
    Head to Minnie’s favorite haunt as all her pals gather for a frightfully festive Halloween feast!
  • November 7, 2016 – January 6, 2017
    Minnie’s Holiday Dine
    Deck the halls at a dazzling dinner party filled with holiday cheer and the joy of the season!

Cape May’s at Beach Club Resort

Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast (Breakfast only)

Beach Minnie, Beach Donald and Beach Goofy

 

Akershus in Norway at Epcot

Princess Storybook Dining (all meals)

Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Snow White

 

The following are character meals that require 2 Table Service Credits when using the Disney Dining Plan:

Mickey’s Backyard Bar-B-Que  at Fort Wilderness Resort

“Dinner Show” (dinner Only )

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale

 

Cinderella’s Royal Table in Castle at Magic Kingdom

Fairytale Dining (all meals)

Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Snow White and sometimes Belle (cast of princesses will consistently vary)

Minnie’s Holiday Dine Review – Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine

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The newest character dining opened up, over the holidays, as a one-off for dinner at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios. It was a one-off experience because it was supposed to just be a holiday party event called Minnie’s Holiday Dine. It was so popular that they decided (because they are SMART) to make it every night and it would change themes based on seasons.

  • January 4, 2016 – March 20, 2016
    Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine
    Celebrate Hollywood blockbusters at a banquet honoring the glitz and glamor of Tinseltown!
  • March 21, 2016 – June 5, 2016
    Minnie’s Springtime Dine
    Shake off winter’s chill with a fabulous fête marking the bright and beautiful delights of spring!
  • June 6, 2016 – September 11, 2016
    Minnie’s Summertime Dine
    Heat things up at a beach-inspired bash welcoming the excitement of the season!
  • September 12, 2016 – November 6, 2016
    Minnie’s Halloween Dine
    Head to Minnie’s favorite haunt as all her pals gather for a frightfully festive Halloween feast!
  • November 7, 2016 – January 6, 2017
    Minnie’s Holiday Dine
    Deck the halls at a dazzling dinner party filled with holiday cheer and the joy of the season!

IMG_2730We went on our girls trip at the end of January and got to partake in the Silver Screen Dine which was a fantastic theme and so much fun. We had reservations at 6:40pm and Hollywood Studios closed at 8pm. We did have to wait in the rain for a few because we got there early and they did not allow us to even check-in early so that was a bummer. The reason I am sharing this info is because it ended up making the experience even better because we were in the last waveIMG_2725 of diners and once it started clearing out the characters had all the time in the world to play with whoever was left. Daisy was decked out in diamonds and an evening dress and was asking all the boys to dance. The family next to me had a beautiful teenage son who had special needs. Daisy was amazing and made his trip total magic. She kept pointing to her ring finger and he figured out she wanted him to propose. Those two danced the night away as I sat there with the other girls in tears of joy watching Disney magic right in front of us.

The characters that are there are of course Minnie, our gracious host, Daisy, Mickey, Goofy and Pluto. They all were in cocktail dress and tux attire and looked very fancy! The food was good, it was Hollywood and Vine and a buffet so lots of IMG_2732options and the desserts were really quite nice. But, it was the fun with the characters that made this a favorite.

I want to go to all the different themes and smart they are because this is not the normal one and done character meal. No more been there done that until you hit all seasons!

 

Animal Kingdom Tips

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Animal Kingdom gets a bad rap and I admit I am guilty of adding to it. But to redeem myself here are some tips that you may find helpful when exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

The Kilimanjaro Safaris is worth doing more than once. If you can get a FastPass+ for this for later in the day then go on first thing. The animals may be more active in the morning and no two rides will be the same.614

Save Kali River Rapids for the end of your day, unless it is really hot. This way you will not have to walk around the park in wet clothes all day long. Alternatively you could always wear quick drying clothes or take an extra outfit with you. There are lockers located near the attraction.

Plan to take in at least one of the major stage shows. There are two great choices, Finding Nemo the Musical and Festival of the Lion King. Both are really well done and you can’t go wrong with either choice, but don’t waste a FastPass+ on it since there is plenty of seating for either.

Plan a pre-park opening breakfast at Tusker House. You can get in the park early have a great breakfast and then be in the park back by the Kilimanjaro Safaris when the park opens.

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The Boneyard is a great place for kids to blow off some steam. Parents can also sit back and take a quick break while the kids play and dig.

Check out the Wilderness Explorers and earn badges. You will probably learn a lot on the way and maybe explore parts of the park you would not have otherwise seen!

Plan a dinner at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The restaurants in the park are fine but you will find some great places just a short bus ride away. Plus it gives you a chance to see this gorgeous resort and you just may plan to stay there next time.

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While Animal Kingdom isn’t the most popular park but there are some great attractions and shows here that are worth seeing!

Hollywood & Vine – Disney Jr.s Play ‘n Dine

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I was recently able to dine at Hollywood & Vine for breakfast with my 2-year-old daughter.  She was very excited to meet Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First, two of the newer characters featured at this meal.  Jake, from Jake & The Neverland Pirates and Handy Manny also appear at this meal, making it great for both boys & girls!  I know one of the most common complaints I hear is that Disney needs more dining selections that appeal to boys, so this one is really great for the younger lads in your group!

IMG_0556I was impressed to see complimentary iced lemon water offered outside the restaurant in the patio area where you wait for your reservation.  It was very hot outside, and the refreshing drink was much appreciated.  We didn’t wait long for our table, however, about 5 minutes.  Upon entering the restaurant, my daughter spotted Jake right away and was very excited.  Shortly after being seated, our waitress took our drink order and invited us to help ourselves to the buffet.  Before we could head that way, Jake made a stop at our table, to the delight of my daughter.  After a few pictures and a high five from Jake, we headed to the buffet.

 

The meal was good and included all of your standard breakfast favorites.  My daughter enjoyed Mickey waffles, fresh fruit, tater tots (that I wouldn’t typically allow her to eat for breakfast) and chocolate milk.  I had a nice spread that included sausage gravy over a biscuit, cheese grits, breakfast potato casserole, and a small blueberry muffin, as well as much needed coffee.  All of the items I sampled were tasty and definitely worth the price of the meal ($24.99 for an adult; my daughter was free of charge since she is under 3.)  During our meal, Handy Manny dropped by our table for a couple of quick pictures.  My daughter wasn’t very interested in Manny, but the visit was still enjoyable.

IMG_0573We did wait quite some time to see Doc & Sofia.  We had finished our breakfast and waited about 15 minutes for both of them to come around.  My daughter was dressed in a Doc McStuffins themed outfit and got lots of fuss from Doc over her clothes.  Sofia was a hit as well.

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Overall, I would say this meal was great.  We enjoyed the food and loved the character interaction as well.  Have you dined at Hollywood & Vine since the new characters arrived?  What did you think?