Top Five Walt Disney World Character Meals for All Ages

When my kids were younger (think: toddlers) we enjoyed a lot of character meals at Walt Disney World. Some were good, some were not-so-good, and one we did because we felt like it was our duty as parents to take the kids to breakfast inside Cinderella Castle. Three times on three different vacations. Thanks, Cinderella.

Best character meals for all ages!

But now as the kids get older (tween and almost-teen) the character meals aren't as important to them, But I'll be the first to admit that, being a kid at heart, I will always love character meals at Disney. So today let's talk about my top five character meals for guests of all ages.

My all-time favorite Disney character is Winnie the Pooh. I've loved him for as long as I can remember and so it is only fitting that my first and favorite character meal is the Crystal Palace.

Meet Winne the Pooh and Friend at the Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace, located in the Magic Kingdom, is a must-do on every Disney vacation. We love making Advance Dining Reservations for breakfast before the park opens because (1) you get in the park before the rest of the crowds and that means awesome photos on Main Street, and (2) breakfast with Pooh and friends is delicious!

But as much as we love breakfast, I'll admit that lunch and/or dinner is my favorite meal at the Crystal Palace. The buffet options are delicious and include breads, salads, carved meats (the choices change regularly but options can include beef and turkey), and an assortment of sides and other main dishes.

We love Winne the Pooh!

And don't forget about the characters! You'll meet Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet as they make their rounds through the dining room. The kids (and adults) can also join in a friendly parade!

A meal with Mickey Mouse is always a treat and a meal at Chef Mickey's in Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of the best spots to meet the Big Cheese! Whether you're dining for breakfast, brunch, or dinner this character meal is a must-do at least once.

The food is good (but not great) and you get to meet The Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto) and watch the Monorail zip by overhead.

The Fab Five greets you at Chef Mickey's

Another great character meal for meeting some of the Fab Five is Tusker House at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Breakfast is my personal favorite, but characters are part of the meal at breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

The theming inside Tusker House is incredible so be sure to take some time to check out your surroundings. Tusker House is another buffet and at breakfast you have to try the Jungle Juice!

The buffets feature a nice combination of "all-American" fare and more exotic African-inspired foods so this is a great buffet for those looking for a little bit of adventure. At breakfast you'll meet Mickey Mouse and friends, and at lunch and dinner Donald and Daisy Duck are part of the lineup.

Meet Mickey Mouse at Tusker House

If princesses are a must when it comes to character meals you can always choose Cinderella's Royal Table (for two dining credits on the Disney Dining Plan!) or you can head over to Norway and dine at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Personally I'd choose the latter - not only for the food but also because it'll only cost you one table credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

Akershus is a great spot to meet several Disney Princesses without standing in line or needing a FastPass+. Normally you'll find Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, Belle, and Cinderella (most of the time). Currently you won't find Anna or Elsa but you can meet them over at the Royal Summerhus after your meal.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Akershus feature the "Taste of Norway" at the start of the meal. While breakfast is OK here, I prefer lunch or dinner due to the wider variety of entree options. Just remember to save room for School Bread from Kringla Bakeri og Cafe after your meal. ;)

Meet the Disney Princesses at Akershus

My last can't-miss character meal is the Garden Grill in Epcot's The Land pavilion. Not only is this a great spot for characters and good food, but the restaurant slowly rotates giving diners a glimpse at the different scenes from Living with the Land.

Breakfast at The Garden Grill is Chip 'n Dale's Harvest Breakfast and lunch and dinner also feature Chip 'n Dale, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto. This is one of the only spots in Epcot where you'll find Mickey Mouse every single day!

The meals at The Garden Grill are served family style on big platters and you really can't go wrong at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The salads feature items grown in the Living with the Land gardens, so it's a bit like farm-to-table dining. ;) Lunch and dinner can include roasted turkey or grilled steak, while sustainable fish is also served at dinner. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, Mickey Waffles, and the almost-famous Chip's Sticky Bun Bake.

Pluto and friends make the Garden Grill fun!

What is your favorite character meal at Walt Disney World? Leave us a comment and let us know what we should add to our must-visit list.