As with the rest of our world, things have changed quite a bit at Disney World since March. One thing that has changed is the interaction with our beloved characters. One of my favorite ways to visit with my favorite characters (then and now!) is character meals! You can’t beat the ability to see 4-5 characters at once, while enjoying delicious food and an enchanting atmosphere! Let’s talk about what character meals are currently open and a little about each experience.
Garden Grill
This unique and fun meal is located in the Land Pavilion in Epcot. This restaurant rotates slowly giving guests views of Living with the Land. All meals are served family style with farm-fresh food, some of which is grown in Disney’s greenhouses using unique growing practices highlighted in Living with the Land. Since the park has reduced hours and opens later in the day, breakfast is currently not being served.
Both lunch and dinner start with a Harvest-inspired Garden Salad and then features Sliced Turkey and Grilled Beef with Chimichurri. Savory side dishes include Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Macaroni & Cheese, Herb & Leek Stuffing, and Seasonal Veggies. Round out the meal with a delicious Berry Shortcake with whipped topping. While enjoying your meal, Chip, Dale, Farmer Mickey, and Pluto all visit on the upper deck of the restaurant where you can wave and say hi and get some fun social distanced photos!
Hollywood & Vine
This fun diner features a fun seasonal party with Minnie & friends – perfectly dressed for the different seasons and occassions. With party themes such as Halloween, Christmas, Silver Screen Hollyowood, Spring, and Summer, the experience will be constantly changing! The characters that will be making their rounds for social distanced photos and fun interactions vary, but you can typically see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy.
The lunch and dinner menu is a la carte and starts with a delicious Farmhouse salad. Entrees include delicious options such as Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper Prime Rib with Whipped Potatoes and Fried Brussel Sprouts or Seared Fresh Salmon with Grain Mustard Beurre Blanc with Olive Oil Crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Garlic Lemon Broccolini. In addition, there is Carved Turkey Breast, Pork Osso Bucco, Mac & Cheese Shrimp, and King Trumpet Mushrooms. Kid friendly entrees include Salmon, Roast Beef, Mac & Cheese, and Turkey. The dessert menu at Hollywood & Vine is divine – including lots of pie options, such as Apple Blueberry, Cherry Lemon, Banana Cream, and Chocolate Smores! I think the best choice is the Vanilla Crème Brulee!
Topolino’s Terrace
Topolino’s Terrace is one of the most recent dining experience additions at the rooftop of Disney’s Riviera Resort. This new experience opened in early 2020 and has your favorite characters at breakfast with an artist flair! Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy parade through the restaurant and pause for photos while you dine.
Breakfast begins with delicious assorted pastries and bread. Entree choices include Quiche Gruyere, Sour Cream Waffles, Smoked Salmon, or Eggs prepared to your liking. While Topolino’s Terrace also has delicious lunch and dinner options, characters only greet guests at breakfast.
Chef Mickey’s
Chef Mickey’s has been open with modified meal options for a few months, but we are excited to share that characters are returning on December 16, 2020. While this will still be a modified character experience, it will be so nice to see Mickey, Minnie, and other pals while enjoying breakfast at this restaurant inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
In lieu of the classic buffet, this meal is now family style with some yummy dishes that you’d expect for breakfast – such as Mickey waffles, pancakes, eggs, scrambled eggs, sausage links, kielbasa, ham, tater bites, fruit, yogurt, and french toast sticks. I’m super excited for some of the new menu items coming – like Goofy’s Banana Bread French Toast. Yum!
Other Dining Options
While not officially character meals, two other Magic Kingdom meals are known to have special stop by for a visit. Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table are both unique and magical experiences to dine in luxurious and beautiful locations.
Be Our Guest allows you to dine in Belle & the Beast’s castle. Guests can choose their dining room – with options in the West Wing, the Ballroom, and the Rose Gallery. Don’t forget to try the ‘Grey Stuff.’ It’s delicious! The Beast has been known to make an appearance during meal time, but is not guaranteed.
Cinderella’s Royal Table provides you the unique experience to dine in the iconic Cinderella Castle. This is truly an experience made in fantasies and fairytales! You enter in the Grand Hall and ascend the spiral staircase to the Banquet Hall. The lunch and dinner menu features cured meats and cheese as a starter with unforgettable entrees including fresh fish, chicken breasts, or beef tenderloin.
The best part? Cinderella herself has been known to make surprise appearances distantly from dining guests!
The Charming Travel Co. has all of the best tips and information regarding the slightly modified Disney experience right now. Now, more than ever, is it important to use an experienced travel agent to help guide you to the most magical vacation for your family. Contact a Charming Travel Agent today!