No visit to Disney World is complete without having a meal with your favorite character. Eating breakfast, lunch or dinner while being able to meet different Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale as well as many other characters is so enjoyable. Seeing our kids faces light up as their favorite character comes by the table to wave hello, pose in a picture with them and sign their autograph book is priceless. There are many different character dining restaurants across Disney World. Some are located in hotels, while others are located in the parks. We have dined at many of these restaurants and most of them have felt really worth it.

You can read my blog post on my tips on securing your most wanted dining reservations to learn more on that topic.

Below are my top picks for my family’s favorite character dining restaurants throughout Disney World.

1. Garden Grill Restaurant (EPCOT)

The Garden Grill is by far my family’s favorite character dining restaurant in all of Disney World. It is located in World Nature at EPCOT near the Living with the Land attraction. The restaurant itself is slowly rotating (you can barely feel the movement) and you can see different scenes in the nearby attraction as you are enjoying your meal. Here you can see Chip and Dale as well as other “Disney pals”. We have typically seen Mickey and Pluto roaming around this restaurant as well. The meal itself is family-style and will be brought out to your table. It is also all-you-care-to-enjoy so if you want an additional entree or side dish all you need to do is ask. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served at this restaurant.

2. The Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom)

The Crystal Palace is also one of my family’s all-time favorite character dining locations. It is located in Magic Kingdom towards the end of Main Street U.S.A. facing Cinderella’s Castle. It is a beautiful restaurant and features a Victorian-themed interior. It is here where you see the Hundred-Acre Woods characters, including Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore as they are enjoying their Friendship Day Celebration. The meal itself is an-you-care-to-enjoy buffet and breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served here.

3. Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)

The Tusker House is the first character dining restaurant that our family ever went to and we still love going here to enjoy the delicious African-inspired food. Located in the Africa area of Animal Kingdom, this restaurant features characters such as Donald Duck, Daisy Mickey, and Goofy in their safari adventure outfits. The meal is buffet-style and what we love most about this restaurant is the many different flavors of food to try. There is also standard “comforting classics” so everyone will still be able to enjoy the meal even if they are not the most adventurous with trying new types of food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served at this restaurant.

4. ‘Ohana (Polynesian Village Resort)

We have also had the pleasure of dining at ‘Ohana while staying at the Polynesian Village Resort. Since Stitch is one of our kiddo’s favorite Disney characters we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see him as well as Lilo, Mickey and Pluto while having our breakfast in the morning. The meal itself is family-style and includes different Polynesian flavors, including starting with Pineapple-Coconut Breakfast Bread as well as POG (passion fruit-orange-guava) juice. Keep in mind that anyone can dine at this restaurant, not just those guests staying at the Polynesian Village Resort. While ‘Ohana serves meals in the evening as well, character dining is only available for breakfast at this restaurant.

5. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (EPCOT)

Located in EPCOT in World Showcase at the Norwegian Pavilion, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a character dining experience that makes you feel as though you are dining in a medieval castle. It features meeting different Disney princesses such as Belle, Aurora, Jasmine, Mulan, and Snow White while enjoying a meal here. The food is Norwegian-inspired and brought to your table family-style. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served here.

Honorable Mention: Cinderella’s Royal Table

We have dined at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside Magic Kingdom a few times before. You get to meet different princesses here including a photo opportunity downstairs with Cinderella before being called upstairs to your table. There you will get to meet other princesses such as Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine and Snow White. While it is a pretty cool dining in the actual castle, we haven’t booked this restaurant in quite some time as the cost of eating here has risen dramatically over the last few years. Our family has personally been going to Akerhus Royal Banquet Hall instead of dining here now as you still get the princess experience but the cost is lower. If you have never dined inside Cinderella’s Castle before it is a memorable experience and one that I would suggest to consider though.

What are your favorite character dining locations at Disney World? Let me know in the comments section below!