05/11/2026
Character meals at Walt Disney World are one of my favorite ways to meet characters without standing in a long line but there are a few things to know.
1) Character meals take time- and often longer than a traditional service meal because you need to wait for all the characters to make their way around to your table. I love that they take time at the tables but they do have to go in a certain order, have to take breaks, etc so this can extend the length of your meal.
2) I’ve seen it happen WAY too many times- child sees Mickey from a distance and gets excited. Mickey comes to the table and the child is screaming in terror (I mean it is a giant mouse 🫣). Please don’t force your child to say hi or into a picture if they are upset/unhappy. On the flip side, they might be indifferent, especially if that character arrives while they are eating something yummy. Don’t panic- enjoy the atmosphere. You can convey to the characters and their handlers what experience might be best for your travel party.
3) Most are buffets. If buffets are not your vibe, it’s important to know which meals are options for you. The buffets do offer a good variety and can be a big win when your party likes different food items.
Added tip- if you are on a dining plan, some meals are 2 table service credits and tip/gravity is not included (please be kind and tip the servers even at buffets).
When you book your Walt Disney World vacation with me, I can help you choose the best character meals for your family and even help you book them.
Click the link in my bio to get starting planning together today