Having the opportunity to meet iconic Disney characters is something most visitors look forward to on some level during their visit to Walt Disney World Resort. Likewise, most will agree that a hearty and satisfying all-you-can-eat high-quality meal is another thing to look towards. So when you combine the two, you have it made—the opportunity to mingle with timeless favorite friends all while getting your fill of what can only be deemed a most magical meal in the making. In this article we’ve compiled a list of 11 famed Disney Character Buffets that just keep us coming back for more.
11. Chef Mickey’s
As the name implies, diners at this Contemporary Resort buffet favorite can expect to find Mickey Mouse himself right onsite, along with other friends making up Disney’s iconic Fab Five—Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy. Donning their special chef attire, each character makes rounds about the restaurant to visit with each dining party along the way. What’s more, at various times throughout the day Mickey will lead in fun restaurant-wide antics to get you dancing, making mealtime all the merrier. Chef Mickey’s is open for breakfast, brunch, and dinner daily, serving up traditional American cuisine and specialty features alike.
10. Hollywood & Vine
A Hollywood Studios staple serving up hearty all-you-can-eat American classics throughout the day, Hollywood & Vine is another place where you’ll find Disney character dining. However, it’s important to note that the characters you’re likely to run into largely depend on what time of day you so choose to dine here. For breakfast it’s all about Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine, with such friends as Vampirina, Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, and Goofy in his Roadster gear straight out of the Disney Junior show Mickey and the Roadster Racers.
Later on, for the lunch to dinner transition, you’ll still find Goofy hanging around, but this time with classic friends as part of Minnie’s Seasonal Dining. At this time, Minnie Mouse is your host, of course, along with good familiar friends like Daisy, Donald, Mickey, and as mentioned previously, Goofy. The character attire each one dons depends on the season—mixing things up a bit and giving guests something new to look forward to throughout the year.
9. Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
If meeting Disney Princesses is what you and your party hunger for then a meal at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is just the thing you’ve been looking for. Based in Epcot’s World Showcase Norway Pavilion, it’ regal feasting at its finest, complete with table visits from some of Disney’s famed Princess favorites. Throughout your delightful dining experience you can expect to mingle with such iconic classics as Cinderella, Snow White, Arielle, Belle, and Princess Aurora, though other less regular regal attendants are also known to sometimes grace diners with their presence, including Princess Jasmine and Mulan to name two others.
Akershus blends family-style dining with bountiful buffet setups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Breakfast features a bountiful array of familiar American favorites while lunch and dinner options present a whole host of traditional Norwegian classics you won’t want to miss.