food IS a theme park
Disney World has some stellar character dining options. A meal where you can eat in the AC AND meet your favorite Disney characters? That sounds pretty tempting.
Chip and Dale
There are a good number of character meals to choose from when you’re in the Most Magical Place on Earth and we want to help make that choice easier. So, we’re RANKING every character meal in Disney World right now!
“ALOHA,” my friends!
Actually, scratch that… I’d like to say “Aloha” to our family of DFB readers.
Why? Because today we’re talking about all things ‘Ohana! And if you’ve dined at this beloved Disney World restaurant– or if you’ve ever seen the movie Lilo & Stitch — you are likely familiar with this phase: “Ohana means FAMILY.”
That said, when we’re talking specifically about ‘Ohana, the popular all-you-care-to-enjoy Table Service restaurant in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, ‘Ohana often means even more to a lot of people… like our readers! They’ve been kind enough to share their stories of ‘Ohana with us through a conversation on Facebook, including their great and not-so-great experiences.
And we, in turn, are sharing their thoughts and stories with you here, so you can know what to expect and perhaps how to prepare for your first — or next! — visit to ‘Ohana.
Welcome to ‘Ohana
So pull up a chair, relax, and get ready to dig into the feast of information about what ‘Ohana, the restaurant, really means… . [Read more…]
The FAB FIVE. All-you-care-to-enjoy EATS. Literally just steps away from the Magic Kingdom.
You guessed it… we’re talking about Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!
A visit to Chef Mickey’s is practically a rite of passage for first-time Disney World guests, and many families find themselves making a Disney vacation tradition out of it. But today, we’re not just talking about our latest visit to review breakfast or dinner at this Character Meal. Instead, we’re sharing YOUR stories at this super popular dining spot.
Because even with all the awesome ingredients in place for a practically perfect Character Meal, sometimes things aren’t so practically perfect at Chef Mickey’s. Our readers shared their experiences (and even some of their struggles or “Fails”) with us on Facebook so together we can help all of you considering your first — or next — meal at Chef Mickey’s.
So strap on your big chef’s hat and settle in, friends!
Chef Mickey’s
Because someone very special (and his best friends) wants to say, “Hiya, pal” at Chef Mickey’s! [Read more…]
Aloha kakahiaka (Which is good morning in Hawaiian.)! And we did have a VERY good morning recently at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.Â
Polynesian Resort Lobby
We’ve had a longtime LOVE for the Polynesian and its amazing eats. Whether it be a Dole Whip from the Pineapple Lanai (they just taste better here don’t they?) or the Chocolate-Covered Pineapple from Kona Island, there is always something tasty to be found at this iconic resort.
Pineapple Coconut Chocolate Covered Bacon
But sometimes, you just want to hit a classic spot…with a little character. That’s right! We headed to one of our favorite restaurants and character breakfasts on property, ‘Ohana. This has long been a beloved character breakfast, but would it still hold up — especially with the addition of the new character Breakfast à la Art at Topolino’s Terrace at the Riviera Resort?? That’s what we wanted to find out!
If you’re planning a visit to Disney World with little kids, you might find yourself overwhelmed by all the choices when it comes to planning. And, you might be getting a lot of advice from well-intentioned friends and family — but you’re still confused.
Have no fear! Our good friends (and recommended travel agents!) at Small World Vacations have been planning Disney World trips for families for YEARS and they have the answers you’re looking for when it comes to Disney World planning with young kids!
Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom
The new Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge opens later this month, and Disney has released the first look at concept art for the location.
Storybook Dining with Snow White artist rendering ©Disney
The restaurant is being transformed into an Enchanted Forest for the new character dining experience, complete with trees adorned with lanterns. [Read more…]
It’s time to Eat, Drink, and BE MERRY at Hollywood & Vine for MINNIE’S HOLIDAY DINE!
This past weekend delivered the debut Minnie’s Seasonal Dine Character Meals in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From now through January 3, 2016, dinner at Hollywood & Vine is a holiday meal, offerings guests the very unique opportunity to celebrate the season with a few of our favorite Disney pals!
Once the holidays wrap up, dinner parties with Minnie Mouse and friends will continue; however, the theme will change with the seasons! Starting January 4, 2016, Minnie and the gang will host a celebration of Hollywood and the movies. Spring, summer, and even Halloween will have themed celebrations of their own; and decor, music, and even certain menu items will change along with the party theme.
This isn’t the first time Hollywood & Vine has changed things up from its typical non-character buffet dinner (breakfast and lunch, it should be noted, will continue to feature Disney Junior pals at Play ‘n Dine). Hollywood & Vine has played host to themed, seasonal character dinners in the past with Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine, held in conjunction with Star Wars Weekends for the past two years.
Hollywood and Vine
But the only Force involved in Minnie’s Holiday Dine is a whole lotta of HOLIDAY SPIRIT… [Read more…]
If you can’t make it to the limited-run character meal that is Minnie’s Holiday Dine coming to Hollywood & Vine Restaurant starting in just a few weeks, fret not…
Because our favorite gal Minnie Mouse will be hosting dinner parties ALL YEAR LONG! That’s right… Minnie’s Seasonal Dine will be offered throughout the year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: the text below has been updated, as Disney has since released the various seasons and themes that will be celebrated at Minnie’s Seasonal Dine.]
So, what happens after the holiday season? Well, that depends on the time of year… from spring to summer to Halloween and more, Minnie and some of her best Disney pals will be celebrating events and seasons throughout the year. Each season will offer changes in decor, music, menu items, “interactive musical moments,” and new costumes, adding to the festive fun!
First up? A celebration of the movies and all the glitz and glitter of Hollywood will take place from January 4th through March 20th! And it looks like Minnie is already adding to her considerable wardrobe for the next occasion…
©Disney
Currently, interested guests are able to book through March 20, 2016 only. Minnie’s Seasonal Dine will change throughout the year as follows: [Read more…]
Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster has some great character meal tips for your fam!
Goofy Poses at Chef Mickey's
I spent a recent weekend reminiscing over old photos, many of which featured family trips to the Disney Parks. While flipping through the albums, one of my girls commented that the photos were, to put it mildly, character meal intensive. So we started counting, going back to my oldest daughter’s first trip to Walt Disney World in May of 1998.
I have photographic evidence of having been to character meals with my family at least 93 times since then. These meals took place at Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and most predominantly at Walt Disney World, including each of the character meals currently available there, plus the now defunct meals at the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern, Animal Kingdom’s Restaurantosaurus and what is now Fulton’s Crab House at Downtown Disney.
Our single highest visit count is at the Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace, with 17 separate visits.
Liberty Tree Tavern character meal. Gone but not forgotten.
After all that eating, and eating, and eating, aaaand eating, we’ve picked up a few tips and tricks along the way that may make your character meal experience even better than it otherwise might be:
1. Decide Why You’re There and Plan Accordingly
While the obvious answer to, “Why are you going to a character meal?” may be, “to eat.” In reality there are a number of reasons why you might find yourself communing with Mickey and a heaping plate of breakfast lasagna. These may include: [Read more…]
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