There’s a lot to love about Walt Disney World, like thrilling roller coasters, immersive dark rides, dazzling shows, delicious food and, of course, Disney characters. Naturally, with so much to see and do, it can be tough to squeeze it all in. Luckily, you can kill two birds with one stone and save some time in the process for at least a couple of things on that list with Disney character dining.
Although character meals at Disney World are offered throughout the day, from morning to evening, the best way to see your favorite Disney characters while you eat, in our opinion, is with a character breakfast. Because truly, could there be a more magical way to start a day at Walt Disney World than with some hugs from Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck or the Disney Princesses? We think not.
So, why is a Disney character breakfast better than dining with characters for lunch and dinner? Which restaurants at Disney World host character breakfasts? What Disney characters can you see there? And how much does a character breakfast cost? We’ll dig into all the details, including where to find the best character dining for breakfast at Disney World, in this handy-dandy guide. We hope you’re hungry!
Due to the pandemic, some character dining locations are still temporarily unavailable, including 1900 Park Fare and the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno. Though currently unavailable, a Disney character breakfast will resume at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall on May 14, 2023, and at Garden Grill Restaurant on June 14, 2023. Check the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date availability.
AM Disney Character Dining FAQs
Ok, before we get into the specifics about which Disney World character dining restaurants offer breakfast, let’s first go over a few commonly asked questions so you know what you’re getting yourself into. After all, as they say, you can’t make an omelet (or Mickey waffles, for that matter) without breaking a few eggs.
What is character dining at Disney World?
Ok, first things first. What is a character dining experience? For the uninitiated, whether you’re doing a Disney character breakfast or tucking into lunch and dinner classics alongside Mickey Mouse and the gang, character dining meals are basically character meet-and-greets done tableside. In other words, rather than you waiting in line to see your favorite Disney characters, they come directly to you while you fuel up for a day of fun-filled adventures.
So, in between bites or trips to the buffet, whoever is in attendance at your particular Disney character meal will stop by your table to pose for photos, sign autographs, give hugs and hang out for a bit. You’ll get a chance to see each character at least once, possibly even more. This means that you’ll get to enjoy much more quality time with the characters than you would during a normal meet-and-greet, which is a huge selling point, as far as we’re concerned.
Why do a Disney character breakfast?
Generally speaking, we love character dining meals because they allow us to see several Disney characters while we’re doing something that we’d need to do anyway: eat! Just like for rides and other attractions, character meet-and-greets can often draw big crowds, and that means a lot of time spent in line and less time to do the other things on your list.
Even though Disney character dining experiences can be lengthy affairs, by doubling up mealtime and character interactions, you can actually end up saving time in the long run, especially if you plan on doing lots of meet-and-greets in the theme parks. By using a chunk of time to knock out a whole bunch of characters on your list and also have a filling meal in the process, you free up the rest of your day to do other things. Not to mention, the quality of the interactions at Disney character meals also tends to be much better.
As for why we love Disney character breakfasts specifically, it really comes down to two main things: cost and timing. On the whole, morning character meals at Disney World are more affordable than lunch and dinner. They still aren’t cheap by any means, as we’ll get to in a bit, but character breakfasts are the most affordable character dining experience.
We also find that, depending on your plans for the rest of the day, it’s simply easier to block out some time for a character breakfast at the beginning of the day than for lunch and dinner, especially since many Disney World character meals, and particularly breakfasts, are located at the hotels instead of inside the theme parks. What’s more, having a hearty breakfast (at a slightly lower price, to boot) means that you’ll stay full for a good portion of the day, allowing you to either wait it out until dinnertime for another sit-down meal or supplement with something lighter and more inexpensive from one of the various quick-service restaurants.
Where can you eat breakfast in Disney with the characters?
In general, you’ll find at least one Disney character breakfast at each of the theme parks (two in Magic Kingdom and Epcot), as well as several in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios Resort Areas. Disney World hotels with a character breakfast include:
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Keep in mind that not all character dining locations offer a character breakfast. Some—like Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom—only serve lunch and dinner. That’s right, that means no sightings of the Beast or Evil Queen with a side of scrambled eggs.
How much does it cost to have breakfast with Disney characters?
As we mentioned, while not a cheap dining option, a Disney character breakfast does cost less than seeing characters at lunch and dinner. So, while dining with Disney characters around suppertime could run you anywhere from $62 to $79 per adult, a character breakfast is typically priced between $42 to $65 per adult. For a restaurant with multiple character meals, expect to pay around $12 to $15 less per person for breakfast versus lunch and dinner. You should also note that character dining experiences with the Disney Princesses, especially Cinderella’s Royal Table in Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, are more expensive than those with the likes of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.
What time are character breakfasts at Disney World?
Hours for a Disney character breakfast vary from restaurant to restaurant. However, most morning character dining experiences begin between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM and run until 10:30 AM or 10:45 AM, with some even reaching into brunch territory with end times between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM. In general, if a restaurant serves both lunch and dinner, expect its character breakfast to conclude around 10:30 AM.
Are advanced dining reservations required for Disney character meals?
Yes, in general, dining reservations are highly encouraged for Disney World character meals. Since character dining experiences are among some of the most popular meal options at Walt Disney World, tables tend to book up pretty quickly. So, although there might be some walk-up availability, it is never guaranteed. Not to mention, having to wait for a table to become available can take up a lot of precious time. To save yourself from possible heartbreak or a potentially long wait, your best bet is to make dining reservations as soon as you know when you will be traveling and which character meal you want to do.
Which is the best character dining experience for breakfast?
When it comes to the best character dining experience at Walt Disney World, that really depends on your group and factors like which characters you want to see, what kind of food you like, where you are planning to be that day and, to a slightly lesser extent, how much you want to spend per person. That said, if we absolutely had to pick the best character breakfast at Disney World, these are the character dining experiences that would come out on top, along with a quick and dirty explanation of why:
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Much cheaper than Cinderella’s Royal Table if you want to see Disney Princesses
- Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno – Delicious themed dishes with Italian flair and unique Disney couples like Rapunzel & Flynn Rider and Ariel & Prince Eric
- Breakfast à la Art at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera – Elevated breakfast dishes, classic Disney characters in adorable costumes and an incredible view
- Garden Grill Restaurant – Less busy than places like Chef Mickey’s with better food and not to mention the lovable Chip ‘n’ Dale
- Tusker House Restaurant – More interesting breakfast offerings with a slightly African twist, plus it’s fun to see Mickey Mouse and the gang all dressed up in their safari gear
- 1900 Park Fare – Unique characters like Alice, the Mad Hatter and Mary Poppins, as well as Winnie the Pooh and other Hundred Acre Wood friends
Have a Magical Start to Your Day with a Walt Disney World Resort Character Breakfast
Ready to discover where you can enjoy character dining for breakfast? Read on for all the character meals available in the mornings at Walt Disney World, including which characters you can see, how much they cost and what’s on the menu.
Character Breakfasts in the Theme Parks
Hoping to kick off your day in the parks with a Disney character breakfast? Here are the in-park character dining locations that are open for breakfast at Walt Disney World.
Magic Kingdom Park
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Located in Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom, no character meal is more enchanting than one at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Here, guests dine in a regal dining room filled with touches inspired by the classic animated movie. Even her tiny mice friends make an appearance. Cinderella’s Royal Table is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with each meal offering an upscale prix fixe menu that is a cut above what you’ll find at many of the other character dining experiences. For breakfast, expect entrees like Baked Quiche with goat cheese, mushrooms and spinach, Beef Tenderloin and Egg, and Caramel Apple-stuffed French Toast, as well as morning cocktails like mimosas, bellinis and the savory Bloody Mary.
If you want to see Disney Princesses for breakfast, Cinderella’s Royal Table is the place to be. Those typically making an appearance include Cinderella, of course, as well as Snow White, Aurora, Ariel and Jasmine. However, keep in mind that the lineup is subject to change. Due to its iconic location and a cast of royal attendees, Cinderella’s Royal Table is also the character breakfast where dining reservations tend to book up the quickest, so you’ll need to be on it early if you want to snag a table. Additionally, this is also the most expensive Disney character breakfast by a long shot.
Price: $65 per adult, $39 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
The Crystal Palace
The other character breakfast at Magic Kingdom features a vastly different character lineup. Located on Main Street, USA, The Crystal Palace also plays host to all-day character dining, with characters like Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore making appearances at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Like many other character dining locations, The Crystal Palace offers a buffet breakfast stocked with typical morning dishes like eggs, bacon, pancakes, Mickey-shaped waffles and biscuits & gravy. This also tends to be one of the busier Disney character dining spots, so it can get pretty noisy and cramped at times. That said, the characters here are undeniably adorable. Who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too?
Price: $45 per adult, $29 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Epcot
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
For those looking for Disney Princesses without the steep price tag of Cinderella’s Royal Table, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase certainly hits the spot. Similar to its regal Magic Kingdom counterpart, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features appearances by visiting royalty like Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) or Snow White. Even Mulan or Mary Poppins might stop by.
Here, dishes are served family-style, offering morning classics with a dash of Scandinavian inspiration, such as potato casserole, Norwegian waffles, scrambled eggs and pastries. All in all, the food here is delicious and just unique enough to please picky eaters and more adventurous palates alike. And, not the mention, the setting is charming. Add in the fact that this is the cheapest Disney character meal for princesses, and it’s easily one of the best character breakfasts at Disney World.
Price: $53 per adult, $34 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Garden Grill Restaurant
Located over in The Land Pavilion in World Nature, Garden Grill Restaurant is another worthwhile Disney character breakfast. Starring everyone’s favorite chipmunk duo, as well as Mickey Mouse in his farmer getup and his pal Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast is a true delight. What’s more, the dining room of this unique character dining restaurant revolves throughout the meal, offering views of the Living with the Land boat ride below.
If that isn’t enough to convince you, Garden Grill boasts some of the best food, all served family-style, of any Disney character breakfast, including items like Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf, Cheesy Potato Casserole and Grilled Flank Steak with Ranchero Sauce alongside the classic Mickey waffles. Lunch and dinner here are just as tasty, dishing up entrees made with ingredients grown right there in the pavilion’s greenhouses.
To top it all off, Garden Grill Restaurant also tends to be one of the quieter Disney World character dining locations, meaning more quality time with Mickey and the gang. And bonus, this also happens to be tied for the cheapest Disney character breakfast at Walt Disney World. Win!
Price: $42 per adult, $27 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood & Vine
Of all the character meals at Disney World, the Disney character breakfast at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios is probably the most niche. Helmed by the likes of Doc McStuffins, Fancy Nancy, Roadster Mickey, Vampirina and Goofy, the Disney Junior Play n’ Dine tends to be best for families with young children.
As a result, the buffet-style breakfast here tends to play heavily to picky eaters, with dishes like Mickey waffles, Bananas Foster French Toast, Seasonal Bread Pudding and Sticky Buns on offer. Having said that, there are some options that adults are also sure to love, like Chicken & Waffles, Omelets, Eggs Benedict and Salmon & Bagel Casserole.
Price: $42 per adult, $27 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Tusker House Restaurant
Located in Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Tusker House Restaurant is arguably the most unique Disney character breakfast at Disney World. Here, diners tuck into a spread of buffet-style breakfast dishes with a sprinkling of African-inspired flavors, such as bobotie, Guava Cream Cheese Danish and Cardamom Granola. Alongside the requisite Mickey-shaped waffles, you’ll also find some Simba waffles, too.
Available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu isn’t the only thing we love about Tusker House Restaurant. Helmed by Donald Duck, as well as Daisy Duck, Mickey Mouse and Goofy, each in their adventure-ready safari gear, this character breakfast also makes for some very memorable photo opportunities.
Price: $45 per adult, $29 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Character Breakfasts at the Disney World Hotels
The Walt Disney World theme parks aren’t the only places with character breakfasts. Other character meals are offered in the mornings at several Disney World resort hotel restaurants. They include:
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort
No character meal at Walt Disney World is more quintessential than Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Located in the atrium of the iconic A-frame building of the Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s features an all-you-can-eat buffet-style spread for breakfast and dinner, with slightly elevated options like Corned Beef Hash, Beef Brisket, Frittatas and even a selection of charcuterie and cheeses.
While Chef Mickey is the headliner, you’ll also see Minnie, Donald Goofy and Pluto at this character meal, too, making this a great pick for fans of classic Disney characters. But they aren’t the only Disney World icons making an appearance. The Magic Kingdom monorail also runs directly in front of the restaurant. The character lineup, setting and convenient location make Chef Mickey’s another of the most popular Disney character meals, so be sure to make a dining reservation so you don’t miss out.
Price: $51 per adult, $33 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Best Friends Breakfast at ‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
For all the fans of Lilo & Stitch out there, this next morning character meal is for you. Located in ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Best Friends Breakfast features appearances by two dynamic Disney duos: Lilo & Stitch and Mickey Mouse & Pluto. Guests also enjoy all-you-care-to-enjoy helpings of island-inspired breakfast dishes like Hawaiian-style Ham topped with Pineapple Compote, Fried Island-style Potatoes and Pineapple-Coconut Breakfast Bread, all served family-style.
(However, if you’re willing to sacrifice the character experience for some truly tasty breakfast, head around the corner to Kona Cafe for some Tonga Toast or Macadamia Nut Pancakes and thank us later.) Ideally situated directly along the monorail, this is another convenient character dining option for those heading to the Magic Kingdom.
Price: $45 per adult, $29 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals at Ravello in Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Looking for Disney World character dining with a touch of luxury? Then consider the Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Hosted by Ravello, the hotel’s Michelin-recognized Italian restaurant, this breakfast buffet offers a smorgasbord of morning favorites, as well as appearances by Goofy, Mickey and Minnie in their finest resort wear. Please note that this character meal is only available on Thursdays, Saturdays and select Tuesdays.
Price: $52 per adult, $32 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
1900 Park Fare in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Open for breakfast and dinner at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, 1900 Park Fare is another delightful character dining location. Although you can see the likes of Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother, Lady Tremaine and Cinderella’s stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella, at dinnertime, breakfast serves up a British invasion like none other, with such characters as Pooh, Tigger, Mary Poppins, Alice (in Wonderland) and the Mad Hatter.
Just as enjoyable is the spread of dishes on the breakfast buffet, including Floridian Strawberry Soup, Eggs Benedict, House-made Corned Beef Hash, Smoked Salmon Lox and Cheese Blintz with Warmed Blueberry Sauce. The mix of characters on offer here is truly unique, making this one of the character meals at Disney World.
Price: $45 per adult, $29 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Epcot & Hollywood Studios Resort Area
Minnie’s Beach Bash breakfast at Cape May Cafe in Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Held in Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast brings together the titular hostess with the mostest alongside Daisy, Donald and Goofy, who are each dressed up in their best beachwear. Honestly, as cute as this character meal is, if you’re looking for character dining with some of the Fab Five, then you’re better off going elsewhere. Aside from the Salted Caramel “Beach Buns,” the food here isn’t anything spectacular or interesting. The whole experience is very middling. Not bad, not great, just fine. Sorry, Minnie!
Price: $45 per adult, $29 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Breakfast à la Art in Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort
When it comes to the best Disney character dining for breakfast at Disney World, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera is right near the very top of our list. Located on the top floor of Disney’s Riviera Resort, this rooftop restaurant character breakfast is hard to beat. Featuring a prix fixe menu of European-inspired dishes like a Sour Cream Waffle, Wood-fired Butchers Steak with polenta and French Toast Brûlée, this is some of the best character dining food in all of Walt Disney World (only the dinner menu for Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge comes close).
Plus, with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy all dressed up like Parisian artistes of some sort (Mickey has taken up painting, Minnie is a writer, Donald has started sculpting, and Daisy dances), the character interactions here are second to none. Plus, the pièce de résistance of character dining at Topolino’s Terrace is its bird’s-eye views of the rest of the resort. As one of only three rooftop restaurants at Disney World, you can’t ask for a more inspired setting for a Disney character dining experience.
Price: $45 per adult, $29 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno on Disney’s BoardWalk
For a royal Disney World character dining experience with a touch of romance, book a table for the character breakfast at Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk. Featuring Ariel & Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid and Rapunzel & Flynn Rider from Tangled, this is another of the more unique character meals at Disney World.
Just as distinctive as the character lineup here is the themed prix fixe menu on offer. Think Italian-inspired dishes like King Triton’s Shipwreck al Forno, which is a meaty breakfast calzone, and Tangled Eggs, which are studded with tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella. You also receive a family-style assortment of pastries, which come adorably served in a frying pan. Needless to say, Rapunzel would be proud.
Price: $45 per adult, $29 per child (plus tax and gratuity)
Well, Disney character dining fans, that brings our guide to morning character meals at Disney World to its delicious conclusion. What’s your pick for the best character breakfast at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! Then, find out how you can save some cash to make these AM character dining experiences more affordable with the help of our discount Disney World tickets.
