On April 18, the social distancing requirements throughout Walt Disney World were dropped, allowing guests all over the parks to finally get their fill of Mickey hugs and Winnie the Pooh high-fives. Disney did a great job during that time to make sure all guests were safe, while still being able to see their favorite characters. However, there’s nothing like a Minnie hug in Magic Kingdom…or at Chef Mickey’s! That’s right, Meet and Greets are back not only throughout the parks, but also for character dining. (well, to most of the restaurants.)
Character Dining is one of our favorite parts of our DVC Vacations. Eating Mickey Mouse shaped macaroni and cheese, while saying “cheese,” while hugging the Mouse behind all the magic- priceless. While characters are slowly popping back up at tables, here are the restaurants that are back to character dining, pre-pandemic style.
Chef Mickey’s: Contemporary Resort
Characters: The Fab Five
Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto are back and ready to be a part of your family’s meal…( and they secretly are hoping that picture makes your holiday card.)
Hollywood & Vine: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This restaurant is serving up classic American fare and two rounds of character appearances. Breakfast is filled with Disney Channel Junior Stars that will make your little one’s day!
Breakfast Guests
• Fancy Nancy
• Vampirina
• Doc McStuffins
• Roadster Goofy
Lunch & Dinner Guests
• Minnie Mouse
• Mickey Mouse
• Goofy
• Donald Duck
• Daisy Duck
• Pluto (occasionally)
Tusker House: Animal Kingdom
• Donald Duck
• Daisy Duck
• Goofy
• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera: DVC’s Riviera Resort
Bring your little dancers, artists, and finger painters to meet the artist version of their favorite character. This place also serves up the most creative allergy friendly dishes.
• Mickey Mouse dressed as a painter
• Minnie Mouse dressed as a poet
• Donald Duck dressed as a sculpture
• Daisy Duck dressed as a dancer
Garden Grill: Epcot
Family style dining served with a side of laughs from our favorite silly chipmunk brothers, is back on at Epcot’s Garden Grill Restaurant.
• Pluto
• Mickey Mouse
• Chip ‘n Dale
Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Two of the seven dwarfs and Snow White are making their way back to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to make sure the Evil Queen does not put any apples in your meals!
• Snow White
• Dopey
• Grumpy
• Evil Queen
We are extremely excited that more magic is returning to our DVC vacations through character dining. And we aren’t the only ones who have missed it… reservations are filling up quickly. As soon as your DVC resort is booked, be sure to reserve your dining experiences. Pro Tip: We recommend 60 days before to reserve, and 90 days for holidays and summer weekends!
