For families who are true Disney fans, you can't beat starting the day by having breakfast with real Disney characters. If you're going to Walt Disney World, you can do just that. Disney character breakfasts are held at a number of restaurants and venues around the parks. These meals generally include buffet service, and a set group of characters will roam around the dining room interacting with all the guests. The best one for you depends on who you'll be eating breakfast with.
As you might expect, the character breakfasts in Walt Disney World are extremely popular. Reservations are required for almost every meal, unless you get lucky. Make reserving a table for these meals a part of your vacation planning right along with hotel reservations and plane tickets. The guest relations cast members at 407-939-3464 (WDW-DINE) are extremely helpful in setting up reserved seating. Reservations are allowed up to 180 days in advance, and if your child will be crushed without a breakfast with favorite characters, reserve early. All the character breakfasts are camera-friendly experiences. The characters walk around between tables, and will interact with the members of your party. Expect laughing, hugs, silly poses with children and lots of photo ops.
Some Disney fans just love good, old-fashioned fun, with corny jokes and classic characters. If this describes your family, make a breakfast reservation at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort. You'll find all the expected Disney breakfast buffet items, including Mickey-shaped waffles, plus breakfast pizza, cheese blintzes and even sausage quiche. The action is loud and rowdy here, and you'll soon be clapping, singing and twirling your napkin along with the stars. Take your photo with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald while enjoying the energetic kids' party atmosphere.
If you have a little princess in your party, make a breakfast reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table. It's one of the most popular character breakfasts in the parks, so early reservations are a must here. You'll dine in royal splendor in Cinderella's castle, waited on by footmen. Cinderella herself will meet your party when you arrive, taking pictures with everyone who wants to join in. Fans of the Disney princesses won't be disappointed, as they'll get to meet Cinderella, Snow White, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, and other royals in their finest gowns. The atmosphere is very glittery; the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is right next door, ready to glamor up all the guests before they eat.
If Pooh, Eeyore and Piglet are members of your extended family, the Crystal Palace is where you have to experience a character breakfast -- the only venue that includes characters from Winnie the Pooh. The Victorian-style restaurant is light and bright with dozens of windows. Common breakfast buffet items are offered here, as with most Disney character breakfasts, but the atmosphere is calmer and more gentle. If you get early reservations here you'll be allowed to enter the park before it opens. Getting a photo of Cinderella's castle with no one around is a rare treat, and not to be missed.
Unlike most of the character breakfasts in Walt Disney World, the meal at O'Hana in the Polynesian resort is known for having fantastic food as well as fun character interaction. Instead of a buffet, food is served at your table, family style, and includes such specialty beverages as Hawaiian POG juice -- passion fruit, orange and guava -- and real Kona coffee flown in weekly. Kids will love playing with Lilo and Stitch, as well as Mickey Mouse and Pluto. There's music, limbo contests and a parade, including kids, through the restaurant.
