What’s the best part about visiting Disney World? Aside from the attractions, top-notch snacks, and amazing nighttime spectaculars, it’s gotta be the Disney characters themselves.

And one of the best ways to get some of that awesome one-on-one time with your favorite characters is by booking any one of the many character dining experiences offered all around Disney property.

So how do you narrow it down?

There are so many options for character dining and they’re all so different in terms of pricing, characters, meals offered, and overall feel.

On the whole, you can’t really go wrong. We tend to appreciate each meal for what it is and find that, if budget weren’t a factor, we’d typically do each one over and over again!

But we recommend keeping in mind what your main priority is: meeting with characters. Because outside of a few spots, we normally don’t prioritize the food itself when it comes to character dining. 

The ambiance is what can make or break the experience since the food is typically not going to be even close to the best meal on property (although there are a few exceptions…we’re looking at you, Artist Point…mmm, and those Churro Waffles from Crystal Palace). 

Need a few recommendations for inspo? Here are our top three character dining spots that maximize food quality, value, and overall experience!

3. Cape May Cafe (Beach Club Resort)

This is a nostalgic one for us, which is really why it made the list. But it is largely overlooked despite being a chill character breakfast with great interactions. Plus, they offer a huge buffet with plenty of variety for all tastes and preferences. This makes it an easy option for younger kids and picky eaters!

Save your res for your EPCOT day; Cape May Cafe is conveniently located within walking distance of the park, making it a perfect after-breakfast stroll (or post-rope drop meal!).

Meal: Breakfast only

Characters: Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy (beach attire)

2. Topolino’s Terrace (Riviera Resort)

Elegant and delicious, this is a character dining experience we agree is totally worth the hype! But can we make the Mickey Waffle Dippers a fixture on the adult menu instead? …Please?

We love to book our reservation for later in the morning and take the Skyliner over to Riviera after we rope drop either EPCOT or Hollywood Studios!

Meal: Breakfast only

Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy (dressed as various artists)

1. Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)

Anyone who’s been with us on Listletter knows this one is our all-time favorite and the character dining we recommend the most for the best value and experience.

The spread is great, with food tending to be higher quality than most other character buffets around Disney World. Reservations, with proper strategy (we dive into all these reservation hacks in our VIP bundles), are normally easier to get than other spots.

Its location within Animal Kingdom makes it a convenient place to dine, too. For the biggest bang for your buck, we like to book a late breakfast here so that we overlap with lunch and get to experience both food offerings.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Characters: Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy (Safari outfits)

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