Wondering what the best Disney character dining for boys is? We’re sharing some of our favorite options to consider!

I hear your protests, and yes, I am making some generalizations here. The truth is that my son was a great sport about meeting many a Disney Princess, and pledged his allegiance upon his plastic sword at Cinderella’s Royal Table like a trouper. So this list of Best Disney World Character Dining for Boys is not to suggest your kids won’t enjoy a different experience. If you’re not sure who they would most like to meet, by all means ask them… kids love to plan! But here is a good place for Mom and Dad to start that conversation.

Disney Character Dining for Boys

Character dining is a great way to meet a variety of Disney pals all in one place, rather than waiting in lines over 4 different theme parks. Meeting characters skews a little bit younger as an activity, so we tended to focus our adventures on Character Breakfasts. Character dining is one of the most sought-after and therefore expensive activities, and booking a lunch or dinner puts you at the mercy of weather, crowds, motion sickness, lack of naps, and countless other little things that can put one or more of your kids out of the mood to enjoy the pricey character dining meal you have booked. Eventually, we grew into serious rope-droppers, but when the littles were at their littlest, everyone put their best foot forward at breakfast time. Your mileage may vary. 

Chef Mickey’s 

Located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, a short walk from the Magic Kingdom.

Who wants to meet Mickey Mouse? Everyone! Boys, girls, Dads… everybody! And of course you’d like to meet as many of his friends as possible… that’s just high-efficiency parenting at work. In our experience, Chef Mickey’s has the best Disney Pals to guest ratio to be found anywhere. Disney does not guarantee particular characters will appear, but experience suggests you can expect to visit with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck,as they move from room to room and from table to table (which makes things a little simpler if you have shy folk with you).

Chef Mickey’s is located inside the amazing Contemporary Resort, with monorails whooshing overhead, which is especially awesome if your little guy loves trains. I know I just recommended character dining as a breakfast buffet affair, but if you were going to break that rule anywhere, Chef Mickey’s is a great place to do it, as many guests swear by the dinner buffet, pricey though it may be. There are a number of other Character Dining options at restaurants around Walt Disney World  that offer a chance to meet a similar, if smaller line-up of friends, but if it’s Mickey and pals you’re after, Chef Mickey’s may be the Best Walt Disney World Character Dining for Boys.  

• Pricing:
  • Breakfast: $58/adult, $37/child aged 3-9 (plus tax and gratuity)
  • Dinner: $69/adult, $44/child aged 3-9 (plus tax and gratuity)

Does Chef Mickey’s Accept the Disney Dining Plan?

Chef Mickey’s does accept the Disney Dining Plan, but only the Disney Dining Plan is accepted there; the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is not. Chef Mickey’s only costs one table-service meal credit per person to dine there, for either breakfast or dinner. 

Crystal Palace 

Located in the Main Street U.S.A. area of the Magic Kingdom.

There is no thrill ride at Disney World that can match the raw, unbridled excitement of the crowd of guests at Crystal Palace when Winnie The Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore make their entrance. The friends welcome you to a friendship day celebration to accompany your breakfast, lunch or dinner. The guest cheer like they are rock stars. I stand by my breakfast recommendation, though if you were planning more than one character dining experience on the same trip, you might find the breakfast buffets a little too similar, and may prefer to try the lunch or dinner menu at Crystal Palace. Experience suggests that your kids won’t mind as long as they get a chance to hug Winnie The Pooh, bounce with Tigger and whisper secrets to Piglet and Eeyore. Plus, when your meal is over, you find yourself steps away from Adventureland! What boy could ask for more?  

• Pricing:
  • Breakfast: $52/adult, $33/child aged 3-9 (plus tax and gratuity)
  • Lunch: $62/adult, $42/child aged 3-9 (plus tax and gratuity)
  • Dinner: $62/adult, $42/child aged 3-9 (plus tax and gratuity)

Does Crystal Palace Accept the Disney Dining Plan?

Crystal Palace does accept the Disney Dining Plan, but only the Disney Dining Plan is accepted there; the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is not. Crystal Palace only costs one table-service meal credit per person to dine there, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

‘Ohana

Located in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, a short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom

There is a little bit of duplication with the ‘Ohana character dining, as Mickey Mouse and Pluto typically visit, but the real stars of the show are Lilo and Stich, and if you want to meet these favorites, this is the place to do it! ‘Ohana character dining is exclusively a breakfast affair, dinner at ‘Ohana is entirely different (though still wonderful) Boys who have been very patient while meeting Princesses deserve a chance to encounter the legendary Experiment 626, whose badness levels are still high for someone his size and enjoy some Stitch waffles and more deliciousness served family-style. Character Dining at ‘Ohana is fun and memorable, and definitely on the shortlist for Best Disney World Character Dining for Boys.

Pricing:

• Breakfast (with characters): $53/adult, $33/child aged 3-9 (plus tax and gratuity)

Does ‘Ohana Accept the Disney Dining Plan?

‘Ohana does accept the Disney Dining Plan, but only the Disney Dining Plan is accepted there; the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is not. ‘Ohana only costs one table-service meal credit per person to dine there, for either breakfast or dinner (Characters do not appear at dinner). 

Don’t Forget to Make Character Dining Reservations Before Your Visit

Disney recommends guests make advance dining reservations (ADRs) for every table-service restaurant. Demand for these restaurants is generally high, and it’s often difficult to get a walk-up table. 

In our experience, reservations are especially important if you’re hoping to enjoy a character dining meal. You’ll want to make your ADRs right when the 60-day booking window opens up.

Learn more about Advance Dining Reservations here. Use our preferred travel agent partner for free help booking ADRs and more, follow this link for more. They can help you keep track of your wish lists and help you score those dining reservations you’ve been dreaming about. Get your free vacation estimate today to get started!