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best walt disney world character meal in magic kingdom

Best Walt Disney World Character Meal in Magic Kingdom

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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

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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

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – July 8, 2016

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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 from Disneyland, where we finally get a discount, new popcorn flavors abound in the Disney parks and a new home for Anna and Elsa in Epcot.

Late Summer Disneyland Discount

2016 disneyland discount

It has been a little while, but Disneyland has released a new discount. Disney VISA cardholders can save up to 25% at Disneyland between August 14 – September 29, 2016. This is a great way to stay in one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels and save a little money. While currently for Disney VISA cardholders only, this same discount will be released to everyone on July 19, 2016.

For more information: 2016 Disneyland Late Summer Savings – Disney VISA

Main Street Popcorn

disney popcorn

Who loves Disney popcorn? Me! Now, the Main Street Popcorn company is filling Disney parks with new flavored popcorn. Flavors include caramel, kettle corn, cheddar, confetti, Sriracha kettle corn, parmesan garlic, kettle corn with red alaea salt, truffle, churro and maple bacon. Churro popcorn? I am on my way Mickey, don’t eat it all without me!

Anna and Elsa Find a Home

Anna and Elsa, currently Disney’s two most popular princesses, have finally found a home in Epcot. The Royal Sommerhus in the Norway Pavilion is now the only place to find Anna and Elsa. Check out this awesome video that shows just how cool their new home is. Oh, they also have their very own ride next door, if you didn’t know.

Watch Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Live

Mickey freindship faire

The Magic Kingdom has a brand new stage show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. While it debuted a few weeks ago in the parks, you can now catch it live on July 11. The show will start at 4:10 PM EST on July 11, 2016. While a link has not been provided yet, check back with the Disney Parks Blog on July 11 for a link. BTW, I have seen it, it is wonderful!

For live link on July 11: Disney Parks Blog

‘Inside Disney Parks’ Newscast #4

There is a lot going on this Summer at Disney Parks around the world, and this new Inside Disney Parks Newscast features a look at all the new attractions at Disney Parks. The video looks at the new Shanghai Disneyland attractions (please bring the Tron Coaster to Disney World!), Frozen Ever After and the new Soarin’.

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