​So, you’ve booked your trip and now it’s time to start planning your dining reservations.  With so many choices it can be overwhelming.  I’ve broken down my favorites at each park.  But first, let’s talk about why you should book character dining experiences….

It lets you get one-on-one time with many different characters right at your table! While you are taking a break from the crowds and lines- enjoying your delicious meal with your family you get to visit with characters from Mickey Mouse to Winnie the Pooh to Cinderella and so many more! Dining with the characters allows more time in the parks to ride rides, watch parades, shows, and you will not have to worry about getting in lines to meet the characters.  If you are on the Disney dining plan, you can use table service credits at all of the character dining, which can save a lot of money.

Listed below are my personal favorite character dining experiences.

Magic Kingdom Character Dining

Cinderella’s Royal Table is an experience you won’t want to miss!  This restaurant is located inside Cinderella’s Castle!  When you first enter the castle you will be greeted by Cinderella herself and have a picture taken with her before going up the royal staircase to be seated.  Once seated you will listen as the princesses enter the room!  Ariel, Aurora, Snow White, and Jasmin greet you at your table where they sign autographs, chat with you, and pose for pictures.  This dining experience definitely comes with a hefty price tag and if you are on the dining plan it will require two table service credits but is a once in a lifetime dining experience you have to try at least once!  

Crystal Palace located right off of main street at the Magic Kingdom.  Here you will find Winnie the pooh and friends!  Crystal Palace is buffet style and available for Breakfast and Dinner and not only will Winnie the pooh, Eeyore, piglet, and tigger visit your table, but they also parade around the restaurant with the children, it’s not only delicious, it’s a family favorite for sure!

Epcot Character Dining

Akerhaus Storybook Dining The World Showcase is home to so many delicious restaurants, but if you make a stop in Norway-Akerhaus is where you can find a princess dining experience you won’t want to miss.  If Cinderella’s Royal Table is a little too pricey, this is a great alternative.  It’s one table service credit and you will be greeted by Belle as you enter. Then while seated, Ariel, Cinderella, Aurora, and Snow White make a visit for photos and autographs. 

Hollywood Studios Character Dining

Hollywood & Vine 
For Breakfast the characters are Disney Junior favorites.  Do you have a Vamperina, Doc McStuffins fan in your house? If so, you will want to book your breakfast reservation now. For Lunch and Dinner Hollywood and Vine is home to Minnie’s Seasonal Dining event.  Minnie and friends are dressed up for the season and love coming around to visit you at your table.
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Animal Kingdom Character Dining
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Tusker House
Tusker House is where you will find Mickey, Donald, Daisy, & Goofy dressed in their safari outfits.  They come visit you at your table for autographs and pictures while you enjoy a huge buffet with lots of different foods to try, from African cuisine to the kids buffet with mac n’ cheese and lots of traditional favorites. 
Character dining can book up fast and reservations can be made 180 days in advance.  Make sure to talk with your mickeys’ dream vacations travel planner about your dining reservations today!
 
 
Carol Dougherty
Travel Professional
708-254-0071

See the light and firework show at Hogwart’s Castle. They do a few shows later in the evening and the times vary depending on the time of year. The Christmas lights are really amazing and start just before Thanksgiving so you have well over a month to see this spectacle.

Take your picture in front of the Universal globe. This is a given, right? ​Post this picture on your social media and everyone will instantly be jealous!

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​Call the Ministry of Magic from the phone booth outside Kings Cross Station. Dial MAGIC (62442) to be connected. All my kids have to be the one to dial so just be patient!

​Get your picture taken under Jaws. There is usually a short line but it goes quick and is definitely worth it for some great shots you’ll want to share. The ride may be gone but they left this gem.

​Find Kreacher in the window at 12 Grimmauld Place. It can take a minute or two of patience but he’ll peak out!

​Eat at Mythos. This restaurant is inside the park & is just amazing. The food is great and the atmosphere is really unique. If it’s a nice day ask for a table outside overlooking the water and Hulk. This is where my girls discovered they love calamari (I’m still surprised every time they eat it - who would have guessed?!)

The wand chooses the wizard! Ollivanders puts on a great little show and if you're lucky enough, someone in your party might get to be the lucky student.

Ride ET & Men in Black. Ok, so I had to make one of these about rides! Some people tend to skip these because they are based on movies that came out many years ago but DON’T DO IT! They are fun rides that make up some of the nostalgia of Universal.

Watch the Horror Make-up Show. Some people love shows, others tend to skip them. I am the latter - there are so many fun rides I don’t always want to stop and watch a show but this one is worth it. It really is engaging as they show how horror make-up is done and made to look real in the movies.

Answer the phone in Simpsons Land. Between the Simpson’s Ride & Cletus’s Chicken Shack there is an alley and you will see a cut out of Nelson by the phone. Every now and then it rings. If you are there when it does, pick up and see what happens!

Stop at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium for an after dinner treat. They have specialty milkshakes and Sundaes that can’t be beat. Espresso Buzzzz is one of my favorites!

Make a reservation at NBC Grill Brew and request either a foosball table or a shuffleboard table. The first time we went to Grill Brew we got a foosball table by luck. Now I request one or the other every time we go. It keeps the whole family entertained while we are waiting for food (even those who may be a bit tired & cranky).

Teri is a Travel Agent with Mickey’s Dream Vacations and MDV Trips. She is a mom of 3 (19, 13, 12) who loves spending her time in warm weather. Currently, her two favorite spots are Orlando, Florida and Roatan, Honduras.
Teri@mickeysdreamvacations.com

​Reusable Water Bottles There are many places to refill throughout the park, and saves quite a bit of $$$ throughout the day as well. This way you do not need to buy water bottles at any of the stands in the park.

Stroller ​ You can also rent strollers from Disney. I chose to bring my Double stroller since both of mine were under the age of 3. Disney did recently update their stroller policy to exclude wagons or strollers size greater than 31 inches in width and 52 inches in length.

Snacks ​ I packed our Diaper bag full of all sorts of snacks. I brought Trail mix, fig bars, fruit snacks, fruit, crackers, cereal, and “Uncrustables”. This tied the boys over in between the “Disney Treats” we would share occasionally throughout the day.

Hand Sanitizer ​ I love to have it on hand most days with toddlers but Disney it is even better! Disney has gotten excellent with having it throughout the park, but I love to give us all a squirt before eating, etc.

Layers ​ Nights can get chilly and the inside rides are all air conditioned so you might want a sweatshirt or light jacket.

Wet Wipes Wipes are an every day essential at the parks. Sticky hands, spills, etc. You will be happy you have them.

Extra clothes ​ Life happens, and I depending on how many days I am at the parks, I don’t like to leave the park to get a new shirt or something. So, I like to have an extra change of clothes for myself and everyone else with us. I put a few extra shirts for the boys in the diaper bag too.

Phone & Camera ​ This is a perfect time to capture memories. You are going to want to keep your phone/camera at arms reach throughout your visit. I was able to get some great pictures of my boys enjoying “The Happiest Place on Earth”!

Comfortable Shoes ​ You are walking and standing in lines ALL day. It is very important for you to have comfortable feet. I also found making sure my boys had good shoes on was key too since they are walking sometimes as well.

Sun protection Sunscreen, hats, lip balm, etc... Since we are spending the majority of the day outside any time of year, it is always a good idea to have the bases covered.

I hope these tips were helpful. I found that each of these items made our days quite enjoyable and that much easier to navigate. I hope you have a wonderful time with your little ones at the “Happiest Place on Earth”!   

If you have any other questions, more tips to share, or would like assistance making your next magical vacation perfect, please email or call me.

I do ALL the work, so you can have ALL the fun!  

Julie Bogle
jbogle@mickeysdreamvacations.com
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