“Disappointing” Hodgepodge List of Characters Set for Disney Restaurant Reopening

We waited a LONG time… four years actually… for the reopening of 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort. Now, a little over a month before its reopening, Disney fans aren’t holding back on their early disappointment in the hodgepodge list of characters.

Shuttered since the COVID-19 Walt Disney World Resort closures, we were thrilled to hear 1900 Park Fare would once again welcome guests on April 10, 2024. The restaurant has always been a charming place for Disney fans to enjoy the stunning deluxe resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian, while eating tasty food and hugging favorite Disney characters.

1900 Park Fare

Before its closure, 1900 Park Fare was home to the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, which featured Disney characters such as Mary Poppins, Alice and the Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. In the evening hours, the restaurant offered Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner featuring Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the rare but fan-favorite Lady Tremaine and ugly step-sisters Anastasia and Drizella.

The meals had delicious buffet offerings that one would expect at the deluxe-level dining experience.

New Characters Arrive

Now, with the restaurant’s reopening on April 10, 2024, fans are voicing their disappointment in Disney’s announcement of the lineup that will be available for the character dining experience. Disney’s new character lineup includes Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Princess Tiana.

While Disney notes, “Character appearances and entertainment are subject to change,” fans aren’t holding back their thoughts.

“This Feels Like an Iintern Made This Choice”

Fans aren’t holding back. One comment on Disney’s announcement notes:

“This feels like an intern made this choice. random characters tied together by the flimsiest concept, that doesn’t hold to the theme of the resort or restaurant. And to boot doesn’t pair jasmine with Aladdin, gives us a version of tiana no one has a connection to and doesn’t care about, and if not pair jasmine with Aladdin, then why not pair the prince from princess and frog with tiana and drop Aladdin?”

Another share their  “hodgepodge list of characters” thoughts:

“I was so excited to see this restaurant is finally reopening. It was one of my favorites because of the characters. I was hopeful over the possibility of the same characters coming back, and maybe even expanding the selection (Cheshire Cat, Queen of hearts). A chance to meet rare, fun characters would be so exciting!

But instead I see this hodgepodge list of characters with no theming whatsoever, and they are characters you can meet elsewhere. Nothing new or interesting. Is Disney recycling spare character actors they just happen to have sitting around? Sure seems like it. So disappointing…”

Lady Tremaine was always a rare Disney Villain fans enjoyed dining with:

“Wow. I was excited to see this was reopening….but scratch that. Dinner with the Tremaine’s was our favorite…..no thanks to these new characters.”

Another notes how “incredibly disappointed” they are with the news:

“Incredibly disappointed by this news. I was so excited to hear 1900 Park Fare was reopening and instantly deflated when I saw the character line up. It makes absolutely no sense. This was the best breakfast I’d ever had with a fun mix of face and fur characters, all British. So well themed. And I really wanted to try the dinner with Cinderella and the Tremaines… Guess I never will. Definitely won’t be booking 1900 Park Fare on my next trip. Please Disney consider reverting back to the original lineup!! It was amazing and this is just… Weird.”

Unfortunately, many, many more comments equal to or worse in disappointment than those above fill Disney’s announcement page.

Wish Makers Enchanted Dining

How does Disney make Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Princess Tiana make sense together for a dining experience? They are calling the dining experience “Wish Maker Enchanted Dining.”

“Wishing for something delicious? Your wishes can come true at 1900 Park Fare, featuring an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet at breakfast and dinner—with visits from some favorite Disney Characters. Each Character is known for making a wish… and making their wish come true.”

Not Everything is Changing at 1900 Park Fare

While folks may be unhappy that the character lineup is changing, some things remain the same! Disney has shared that Big Bertha, a turn-of-the-century organ from France at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa since 1988, will still be part of the dining experience.

Despite other menu changes, such as the offering of Tiana’s Gumbo, the 1900 Park Fare’s famous Strawberry Soup is returning to the menu!

Want to make a reservation for April 10 and beyond? Dining reservations open on March 5, 2024.

What are your thoughts? Do you like the new 1900 Park Fare character lineup, or will you miss the old rotation of characters? Let us know in the comments. 

This post “Disappointing” Hodgepodge List of Characters Set for Disney Restaurant Reopening appeared first on Disney Dining.