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best walt disney world character meal in magic kingdom

Best Walt Disney World Character Meal in Magic Kingdom

Everyone loves a character meal at Disney. Even if you have teens, you know deep down they love it when a princess comes over to your table, regardless of the look on their face. A Disney World character meal can be one of the memories you are your kids may think back on for years. In the Magic Kingdom, you would think there would be a lot of character meal options, but there are only 2. Now, there are a places that used to have characters (Liberty Tree Tavern), places that should have characters (Tony’s Town Square) and places that people think have characters but do not (Be our Guest). So, of the 2 options, what is the best Walt Disney World character meal in Magic Kingdom?

Current Magic Kingdom Character Meals

  • Cinderella’s Royal Table (Fantasyland) – Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located inside of Cinderella’s Castle on the second floor, this is the ultimate Disney character meal if you have little (or big) princesses. Not only is the location perfect for a princess meal, but you also get to dine with Cinderella herself, as well as other Disney princesses such as Ariel, Aurora and Snow White, though her visiting friends can change. Watch out for Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother who hangs out in the lobby. Look around the restaurant and find some of Cinderella’s other friends such as Gus and Jaq.
  • The Crystal Palace (Main Street USA) – Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Basically the only place on property to find your favorite friends from the 100 acre woods. Pooh Bear, Eeyore, Tigger and Piglet visit your table while you dine on buffet selections in one of the most beautiful buildings in any Disney theme park.

That is it in the Magic Kingdom, 2 options!

The Dis/dom choice for best Character Meal in Magic Kingdom?

cinderellas royal table

While Cinderella’s Royal Table isn’t my favorite character meal at Walt Disney World, it does have quite a few special things you can’t get anywhere else on property, and it is definitely head and shoulders above the Crystal Palace. A great option for families, especially if you have any princesses in your family.

  1. You get to dine in Cinderella’s Castle!!!
  2. The restaurant is stunning inside, with huge windows looking out over Fantasyland. It really feels like you are dining in Cinderella’s Castle.
  3. Princesses come to your table! What could be better than having Snow White or Cinderella come to your table to talk to you? You get plenty of photo opportunities with all the princesses.
  4. I am not a fan of buffets, and Cinderella’s Royal Table is not a buffet. The food is for the most part very, very good. While there aren’t as many options on the menu as a normal Disney restaurant, the options they do have are quite good. I am a fan of the Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast at breakfast. Not quite Tonga Toast, but not a bad alternative.
  5. The one negative thing with Cinderella’s Royal Table is the cost. If you happen to be on the Disney dining plan, the cost is double every other character meal at Disney World, 2 table service credits. Paying for cash it can run you as much as $60 per person for a character meal. This is still one of the hardest Disney Dining reservations to get, so apparently the cost isn’t too big of a deal for quite a few people.

Bonus Best Character Meal in Magic Kingdom

  • Be Our Guest – Dinner only. While not considered a character meal, the Beast is in the house during dinner hours. Since he is so large, he does not go from table to table, so he has a designated area near the front of the restaurant where anyone can come and see him and take photos. This isn’t a bad option, as I love Be Our Guest, the building is fantastic as is the food, plus you get a bit of an added bonus of a Disney character.

What is your favorite Disney World character meal in Epcot?

 

disneys polynesian village resort

3 Reasons to stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Who really needs a reason to stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village resort? It is a deluxe resort after all, on the Magic Kingdom monorail and is one of the nicest places to stay on Disney property. But, it can be pretty expensive, and if you are going to splash the cash, you need some decent reasons to justify spending all those Disney dollars. While there are more than three reasons why you should stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, there are three big reasons you should consider this your Disney home.

3 Reasons to stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney's Polynesian Village

  1. Polynesian Vibe – All throughout the resort, from the lobby in the Great Ceremonial House to the tiki torches that light the walkways at night all the way to the individual guest rooms, the entire resort is full of that relaxing Polynesian feeling you get on the islands. There isn’t anything quite like it at Disney. You really feel you are on a Hawaiian vacation while at the resort. Personally, I want my resort to be opposite of the theme parks. In the parks you are overstimulated with sights, sounds and motion, and at the resort, I want it to be as restful and relaxing as possible, and the Polynesian Village Resort fits this perfectly.
  2. Polynesian Village Beach – While you won’t have access to the water, the beach is still available and fantastic. While I am not sure I would spend much time on the beach normally, at night it becomes the place you want to be. You have a perfect view of the Magic Kingdom over the Seven Seas Lagoon, and therefor a perfect view of the nightly fireworks. No need to bother with the crowds, just find yourself a hammock and relax. Plus, they even pipe in the music for the fireworks show right there onto the beach! Oh, and stick around for a bit after the fireworks (or possibly before, depending on the night) for the nightly Electrical Water Pageant that will float by around 9:00 every single night. While the effectiveness of the beach for viewing fireworks and the water parade have been reduced by the new Bora Bora Bungalows that have been built out into the water, there still are some viewing areas that are pretty decent.
  3. Lava Pool – Several years ago, Walt Disney World massively upgraded the main swimming pool at the Polynesian and themed it as a giant volcano. Well, the upgrade wasn’t enough, and the pool has been completely overhauled in the last year into what is now one of the best pools outside of Stormalong Bay at the Beach and Yacht Club resorts. The Lava Pool features a fantastic slide located inside the volcano, wonderful spas as well as a perfect view of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. Where else can you swim and have such a view? Oh, and don’t miss the Barefoot Bar where you can get your favorite Polynesian inspired drinks to help you relax just that much more.

Well, there you go, three fantastic reasons you should stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Want a few more? Here you go:

  • Dole Whips at your resort, without the line you find in the Magic Kingdom. Stop by the Pineapple Lanai in the lobby and grab yourself a Dole Whip or Pineapple Float and head out to the Lava Pool. While not quite as good as enjoying it in the Tiki Room, not a bad option at all.
  • Monorail – The Magic Kingdom monorail stops right at the Polynesian, allowing you quick access to both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Plus, there isn’t anything quite as special for kids (and adults) as riding the monorail.
  • Restaurants! – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort features two of the best resort restaurants in Walt Disney World, ‘Ohana and Kona Cafe. While nither fall under the “signature” restaurant label, both are fantastic and extremely popular. ‘Ohana features an all you can eat menu where the food is delivered to your table, and also features your favorite Polynesian Disney characters at breakfast (Lilo and Stich of course. Mickey and Pluto show up as well in their vacation attire). Kona Cafe is more of a standard restaurant, famous for Tonga Toast for breakfast. TONGA TOAST!!!

I am sure I could come up with plenty more. Why do you stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?

 

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – July 15, 2016

Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week, we feature news about Star Wars, Star Wars and some other stuff. OK, it isn’t all Star Wars, there is a new breakfast event in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Halloween parties announced for both Disneyland and Hollywood Studios, but mostly Star Wars.

Disney Early Morning Magic – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

disney early morning magic

Launched back in April, 2016, the very first Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland has been very popular. This week, a new version located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been announced. Early Morning Magic gives you access to the theme park 75 minutes before anyone else and exclusive access to a few rides and character meet and greets as well as breakfast. In Hollywood Studios, guests will have access to Star Tours as well as Toy Story Midway Mania, two of the most popular Walt Disney World attractions, as well as several new character meet and greets.

The party starts begin August 1, and prices are $69 per adult and $59 per child (ages 3 through 9) plus tax.

For more information: Disney Early Morning Magic – Hollywood Studios

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party

star wars dessert party

Staying with the Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme, Walt Disney World has announced a new Star Wars themed dessert party, located in the Star Wars Launch Bay. Guests will be served drinks and desserts and have time to enjoy the Star Wars Launch Bay without crowds, before heading over to a reserved area to watch the Star Wars: A Galactic Experience fireworks and show. Reservations are currently available.

For more information: Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party

Star Wars Land Sneak Peek

Disneyland Star Wars

Everything Star Wars related is happening this week apparently. Disneyland has released a sneak peek of the upcoming Star Wars Land opening soon in the Disneyland park. When I say soon, I really mean sometime probably in 2018, not that anyone knows. The new sneak peek features an overview of the 14 acre Star Wars Land, and a good idea where each previously announced attraction will be placed. Looks fantastic!

Club Villain Halloween Party

Club Villain

How does a halloween party with your favorite Disney villain sound? Awesome, right? On Friday and Saturday nights from September 2 – October 29, 2016 (and also on October 31), Sunset Showcase will host “Club Villain,” a special ticketed event filled with fabulous performances, delicious food, bewitching cocktails and enchanting encounters with some legendary Disney villains.

The mysterious Dr. Facilier will serve as host, welcoming his guests and “friends from the other side” into his parlor of mystical mishaps, with musical numbers and a wicked mix from his house DJ. Also stopping by to socialize will be several divas of evil: Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts, Cruella De Vil and the Evil Queen. Guests can also enjoy complimentary drinks from the Potions Bar, savor culinary delights from New Orleans and beyond, mingle with the villains and dance the night away.

Two “Club Villain” experiences will be held each Friday and Saturday night, with starting times at 5:15 and 8:30 p.m. 

Disneyland Halloween

Disneyland Halloween

Information for the Disneyland Halloween events have been announced this week, including a surprise additional of the headless horeseman!

Mickey’s Halloween Party guests can enjoy trick-or-treating, the exclusive “Halloween Screams” fireworks and more. And new this year, the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow will make his spooky ride through the heart of Disneyland park each night of the party!

Be sure to purchase your Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets early and mark your calendars for the following dates:

  • July 21, 2016: Tickets on sale to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Visa card holders and Disney Vacation Club members
  • July 28, 2016: Tickets on sale to general public
  • Mickey’s Halloween Party 2016 dates: Friday, September 23; Monday, September 26; Wednesday, September 28; Friday, September 30; Monday, October 3; Wednesday, October 5; Friday, October 7; Monday, October 10; Wednesday, October 12; Friday, October 14; Monday, October 17; Wednesday, October 19; Friday, October 21; Monday, October 24; Wednesday, October 26; Saturday, October 29; and Monday, October 31

Don’t forget that in addition the party, Disneyland comes alive during Halloween with changes to attractions such as Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday. I love Disneyland during Halloween.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?