Updated July 2017
A visit to Walt Disney World just wouldn't be complete without meeting Mickey Mouse. After all, "it was all started by a mouse." ~ Walt Disney
One of the best ways to meet Mickey and his friends is at a character meal. Character meals allow you to multitask by giving you the opportunity to spend time with characters while eating. If you have to take the time to eat, you might as well knock some characters off your "must-meet" list. The characters vary from restaurant to restaurant, so you'll want to confirm which characters are at each one. These characters take the time to go from table to table, usually one character at a time. This will allow you to take pictures, have autograph books signed and enjoy one on one interactions with the characters.
Below I will list all the restaurants that currently have character dining with Mickey Mouse. He will have other characters with him. I will list those characters, but keep in mind that sometimes not every one of them will be there. This can be due to a character needing to take a break. For example Minnie Mouse was not at Tusker House on our last visit. Please note that some restaurants might only offer the character experience at specific meals such as only at dinner or only at breakfast. To learn more about each restaurant, simply click on their name to be directed to The Disney Food Blog page. I am not affiliated with The Disney Food Blog, but it is my number one site I recommend for learning more about dining in Disney. You can find reviews, pictures and menus for every dining establishment in Disney there.
EPCOT
Garden Grill
1 table service dining credit on Dining Plan
Tables in Wonderland accepted
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mickey, but NO Minnie plus Pluto, Chip and Dale
A little tip: Book a Behind the Seeds Tour earlier in the day to learn all about the plants and fish that are grown in Epcot's Land Pavilion that you will be eating for dinner. Dine early so you can have time to enjoy Illuminations in the evening.
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Pluto signing autographs his way at garden Grill |
Tusker House Restaurant
1 table service dining credit on Dining Plan
Tables in Wonderland
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Mickey AND Minnie (although both are not guaranteed and usually it's only Mickey) plus Donald, Daisy, Goofy
Tusker House in Animal Kingdom is one of our family's favorite restaurants. Here you can meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy. You will find American and African foods on an expansive buffet. There is plenty of variety to appease even the pickiest of eaters. The characters greet you in full safari outfits and children are invited to parade around the restaurant. Just wait for the announcement and cast members handing out musical instruments. Tusker House is a fan favorite for both characters and food, so be sure to grab a reservation early.
A little tip: ask for a later breakfast reservation. This will allow you to start out eating breakfast foods, but the buffet will slowly transition over to lunch foods as you dine. This way everyone in your party can get what they like....including Mickey waffles!
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Mickey wearing his best safari suit. |
Hollywood and Vine
1 table service dining credit on Dining Plan
Tables in Wonderland
No Breakfast (breakfast characters are Disney Junior characters)
Lunch (beginning May 14, 2017)
Dinner
Minnie AND Mickey plus Goofy, Donald and Daisy
Hollywood Studios is currently a slower park thanks to the current construction on Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land. Taking the time to sit down to a nice slow paced meal is perfect for your Hollywood Studios day. Minnie's Seasonal Dine is a buffet that offers both food and costumes that change with the seasons. In the Summer you can find Minnie and her friends dressed for the beach and food consists of Summer picnic faves. In the Fall everyone is dressed in Halloween costumes and food has some Fall harvest favorites. In the Winter everyone is dolled up in their Christmas best and look like they could have jumped out of a Christmas card while the food is traditional Holiday favorites such as Turkey, Ham, stuffing and of course pumpkin pie! In the Spring Minnie and her friends are dressed to the nines as they glam it up for a red carpet premiere while foods get a more Spring feel and include some liter fares. Hands down this is our favorite Mickey and Minnie character meal. The food is consistently good and the characters spend a good amount of time at each table and even return multiple times if you are there long enough.
A little tip: book a Fantasmic dining package and enjoy a reserved area just for those with tickets. You must book your dining reservation through the special Fantasmic Dining package link. CLICK HERE for link.
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Everyone ready for a fun Summer beach day. |
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Festive Holiday attire. |
Beach Club Resort
Cape May Cafe
1 table service dining credit on Dining Plan
Tables in Wonderland
Breakfast
No Lunch
No Characters at Dinner
Minnie, but NO Mickey plus Donald and Goofy
Cape May Cafe offers a buffet character breakfast. You can expect to meet Minnie, Donald, Goofy all dressed for the beach. The buffet offers an excellent variety full of cereals, pastries, fruits, eggs, oatmeal, meats, and Mickey waffles. There are plenty of other items guaranteed to keep you full for quite some time! The Beach Club is the perfect beginning of your day.
A little tip: after breakfast walk over to Epcot. You can enter via the International Gateway on the World Showcase side of the park. It's right next door and the park will be quiet and slow. (World Showcase does not open until 11am, but you can still enter and head into Future World.)
Chef Mickey’s
1 table service dining credit on Dining Plan
Tables in Wonderland
Breakfast
No Lunch
Dinner
Mickey AND Minnie plus Pluto, Donald and Goofy
Chef Mickey's is by far the most popular dining option with characters. Reservations can be hard to get if not made early. I suggest you call 180 days before your desired day to dine to make your reservation or as soon as you can. With that being said I have to be 100% honest and say the food on the dinner buffet is subpar. While many people don't mind the lack of better food because they are getting to dine at an iconic restaurant, I say there are way too many options to settle for less. Luckily Disney listens when it hears not-so-good reviews, so perhaps dinner will be better in the future should you decide to dine there. At Chef Mickey's you can find Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto. What sets it apart from other meals with Mickey is he's literally in a chef's coat and the other characters wear aprons or chef hats. My kids enjoyed their experience there, so all was not lost. Since most Disney breakfast buffets offer the same items, I would imagine breakfast is a better option.
A little tip: Magic Kingdom is a short walk away. (You can also ride the monorail from inside the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.) Have an early breakfast before heading into the park, or have an early dinner and watch the Wishes firework display from the balcony of the Contemporary or just head into Magic Kingdom and view them in the park.
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Chef Mickey is excited to meet his guests. |
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Little Minnie fans will be happy too. |
Mickey’s Backyard BBQ
2 table service dining credits on Dining Plan
No Tables in Wonderland
Dinner only
Limited dates
Mickey and Minnie plus Goofy, Chip and Dale
Mickey's Backyard BBQ is more than just a buffet dinner, it is also a dinner show. Disney describes it as a "music filled hoe-down". You will find Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale. The buffet consists of classic cowboy favorites such as ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, smoked chicken, corn on the cob, mac-n-cheese, watermelon and much more. This is the only Mickey character meal that we have not experienced as a family. I did get to enjoy it a few times as a kid and remember it being really fun. We are hoping to go next trip and give a more thorough review, but I can say that everyone I know that have gone has said it was worth the 2 dining credits. A couple things to note: The restaurant is only open March - December. It normally only operates on Thursdays and Saturdays, however during busier times it may be open more days of the week. Simply call and ask or look on the Disney dining reservation website to see available days during your visit.
A little tip: Plan to take time to explore Fort Wilderness before or after your meal. There are many unique activities in Fort Wilderness including a movie and camp fire with Chip and Dale in the evening complete with smores! If you travel during the holidays, be sure to ride around (by resort bus or horse drawn carriage) and check out all the Christmas light displays. All the campsites and cabins will be completely taken over and it really is a site to see.
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Just a little pickin and a grinnin at the hoe-down. |
‘Ohana
1 table service dining credit on Dining Plan
Tables in Wonderland accepted
Breakfast Only
Mickey, but NO Minnie plus Lilo and Stitch
Enjoy an all-you-care-to-eat island inspired breakfast served family style. The meal features classic options such as scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fruits, breads, island style potatoes and of course Mickey Waffles. Your pal Mickey joins Lilo and Stitch and sometime other pals such as Pluto dressed in vibrant Hawaiian attire. Because the Polynessian is located on the Monorail loop, it makes for a perfect start to a day at Magic Kingdom or Epcot.
A little tip: Stop by Pineapple Lanai for a Dole Whip after breakfast. Trust me! These things practically have a cult following by Disney goers. (Yes you can get them in Magic Kingdom, but why wait in a long line when you can get them here.)
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The Polynesian Resort makes you feel like you've stepped into an island paradise. |
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Mickey and Minnie meet guests at The Character Spot in the future world area of Epcot. |
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Minnie the Magnificent in New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. |
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Talking Mickey at Town Square, Magic Kingdom Yes he ACTUALLY talks to you! It is hit or miss on whether you get talking Mickey or a non-talking Mickey, so keep that in mind. |
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