Disney World is well known for its character meals.
It might be one of the best reasons to take a trip to Walt Disney World. Where else in the world can you interact with your favorite characters or dine among fairytale royalty?
I mean aside from another Disney park somewhere else in the world, pretty much no where!
When you’re dining with said characters, it’s always nice to have a photo to capture the memory.
Which character meals, then, provide you with an opportunity to capture your memories with Disney’s PhotoPass photographers? A few, actually!
Before we dive into the specific meals that offer PhotoPass photos, let’s make sure a few things are understood.
Where are PhotoPass Opportunities at Character Meals Located?
First, at most locations, the PhotoPass photos take place outside of the actual eating areas.
Normally the photos occur in some type of staging area. Plus, the area can sometimes include a special character specific to the meal. (i.e. Cinderella at Cinderella’s castle.)
This means that the PhotoPass photographers do not follow the characters around from table to table grabbing photos.
The characters themselves still move from table to table to interact with guests, but the PhotoPass photos usually take place before or after the meal.
The characters will also still stop at your table and pose for a picture with you if you’d like to use your own camera.
If your server is nearby they, most likely, would love to help snag a character photo for you.
We’ve never had a server turn us down, but try to stay mindful if they are helping out other guests when asking for assistance.
No PhotoPass Photographers at Your Table During Character Meals
You read it here, the PhotoPass opportunities at Character meals are not where you’d probably originally expect. While at first, this might seem like a bummer, but trust me it’s actually good!
Not having the characters come to the table with the PhotoPass photographers, has proven to be beneficial in keeping the flow of the meal moving.
If every single character stopped with the PhotoPass photographer, odds are the interactions would be more able taking photos and less about meeting the characters. Being able to meet the characters and get to know them is one of the best parts about having a character meal.
Now that we have some background information cleared up, let’s learn where the character meals with PhotoPass opportunities are held and where they are located.
Remember though, as with all things Disney, these locations are subject to change and might not be available at the time of your meal. If this happens to be the case for you, no worries! Just ask a cast member to grab a photo with your own personal camera and you’ll be able to preserve the memory of your meal!
If you know one of these spots no longer exists or a character dining location was missed, be sure to leave a comment!
1. 1900 Park Fare
Located in the beautiful Grand Floridian, 1900 Park Fare offers a delicious buffet meal.
At 1900 Park Fare you are able to dine with characters such as Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, and Pooh Bear for breakfast! No character is always guaranteed, and others are also on an ever rotating rooster.
At dinner time you can dine with Cinderella and Prince Charming for their Happily Ever After dinner.
One of the best parts of enjoying a meal at 1900 Park Fare is the ability to explore the grounds of the Grand Floridian after your meal is complete.
The Grand Floridian really is one of Disney’s ‘featured’ resorts and certainly makes you feel as though you were transported back into a different time period.
One of class, grace and elegance!
PhotoPass photographers are located in the back of the restaurant next to a mural of Cinderella Castle.
Characters are not typically present for this PhotoPass opportunity, but as with a lot of things, this could be subject to change!
How to Get to 1900 Park Fare
If you’re staying at a resort along the monorail line, the easiest way to get to the Grand Floridian is to hop on the monorail.
Alternatively, if you still want to take a ride on the monorail but aren’t staying at a resort on the monorail track, head over to the Magic Kingdom. Before you enter the park, hop on the monorail designated for the resorts.
Don’t take the monorail over to the ticket and transportation center. This monorail doesn’t stop at the resorts.
Alternatively, you could hop in a cab, Lyft or hire a Minnie Van to take you over to the Grand Floridian from your resort.
Whatever mode of transportation you decide on be sure to give yourself enough of a buffer to make your reservation in time.
2.’Ohana
After your trip the 1900 Park Fare, if you still find yourself hungry. Hop back on the monorail and take a (almost) round trip to the Polynesian Resort.
Here you can enjoy breakfast with Stitch and Lilo (plus a few other Disney friends)!
The only meal to offer PhotoPass photos is breakfast, so be sure to make reservations for breakfast if this is what you’re desiring.
Previously, photos were offered with the Spirit of Aloha dinner show, but this does not seem to be the case at this time. Be sure to check with Disney to determine if the status has changed.
How Do You Get to ‘Ohana?
Much like the directions listed above on how to get to 1900 Park Fare, getting to ‘Ohana is fairly easy. Just make sure you stop at the monorail stop for the Polynesian instead of for the Grand Floridian.
While you’re at the Polynesian be sure to soak up the Hawaiian vibe. It’s amazing how Disney can transport you to an island. Even though you are next to the Grand Floridian and a hop, skip and a jump away from the Magic Kingdom, if you immerse yourself in the grounds of the Polynesian, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away.
3. Chef Mickey’s
Chef Mickey’s is probably one of the most popular table service character meals offered by Disney World. At Chef Mickey’s you are able to dine with the fab 5 while enjoying some of life’s finer offerings, such as Mickey waffles!
While the characters are subject to change, rumor has it there is a really cool dancing Goofy present for the meals to entertain you with his sweet moves.
Personally, I have not seen the dancing Goofy at Chef Mickey, but I have seen a dancing Goofy at Disneyland. Let me be the first to say, Goofy has definitely got the moves!!!!
How Do You Get to Chef Mickey’s?
Chef Mickey’s is located inside of the Walt Disney World Resort Contemporary Hotel.
The easiest ‘free’ way to get to the Contemporary from a different (non-Magic Kingdom) Disney World resort is to take the bus over to the Magic Kingdom. Hop on the monorail and head over to the Contemporary!
4. Cinderella’s Royal Table
Cinderella’s Royal Table provides you and your family with the chance to dine in Cinderella Castle!!!
I mean, can it get more amazing than this??? I think not!! Not only is this the coolest spot to eat in all of the Magic Kingdom, in my opinion, but you also get to enjoy dinner with Princesses! While the characters in rotation are always subject to change, Cinderella will most likely be there!
Plus, before the meal you are able to snap a picture with Cinderella herself. Disney PhotoPass photographers are on hand to capture this moment for you.
Where is Cinderella’s Royal Table Located?
Cinderella’s Royal is located in the most wonderful place in the entire world. It is located inside of the Magic Kingdom!!! INSIDE THE CASTLE!!!
You can’t miss it. Walk into the park, head straight. You’ll see it. If you get lost, ask a friendly cast member. They will help you!
5. Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue
Disney World is known for being high energy, right?
Well, the closest thing to eating on a parade float probably would be eating at the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. I’m relating this in a totally good way. Everyone wants to eat on a parade float, right?
It’s an upbeat show you get to enjoy, participate in and fill your belly with tons of food during!
Where is the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review Located?
Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review is located on Disney’s Fort Wilderness. The easiest way to get to Disney’s Fort Wilderness is by first heading to the Magic Kingdom or the Ticket and Transportation center.
The Ticket and Transportation center will have a Disney bus you can hop on that can take you to Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
If you start from the Magic Kingdom, hop on a ferry boat and head on over!
The Hoop Dee Doo Musical review is located inside of Pioneer Hall once you reach Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
Word of Advice: Fort Wilderness is different from Fort Wilderness Lodge. Fort Wilderness is where you want to be for the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review.
6. Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
After your princess seeking little one dines at Cinderella’s Royal Table, be sure to take them over to experience Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.
Do you or anyone else in your house love princesses?
If so, you DON’T want miss out on dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall to experience even more princesses. As with all dining locations, the princesses appear at the dinner are subject to change.
Where is Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall located?
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is located inside of Epcot! Located inside of Norway pavilion in World Showcase. A park admission ticket is required for entry and reservations are suggested!
The best way to get to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is by means of Disney transportation. Hop on a bus from your resort and off you go!!
7. Be Our Guest Restaurant
The PhotoPass opportunity at Be Our Guest restaurant is only available for dinner. While it is not always guaranteed, when it is you might find yourself snagging pictures with the Beast over in the west wing.
If the Beast doesn’t happen to make an appearance on the night you rare dining, don’t fret. You are, in fact, still having dinner in one of the coolest locations the Magic Kingdom has to offer.
You’ll be eating inside of the Beast’s castle afterall!!
Where is Be Our Guest Restaurant Located?
Be Our Guest Restaurant is also located inside of the Magic Kingdom. Head past Cinderella Castle and into Fantasyland. You’ll see the Beast’s castle high above the ‘land’ and you’ll know you made it to the right spot.
Conclusion for 7 Hidden PhotoPass Opportunities at Character Meals
There ya go!
7 hidden PhotoPass opportunities at character meals where you can snag some more memorable photos for your trip.
As mentioned, not all of the above photos feature characters. A lot include a neat photography background instead and still make fun keepsake photos from your trip. Plus, Disney always reserves the right to remove any of their PhotoPass locations at anytime.
Please let me know if you notice a change has been made!
Either way, especially if you are using the Memory Maker, you will want to participate in these photos!
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