Princess Dining at Disney World (Where to Eat with Princesses)

There’s something truly magical about a Disney World vacation, especially for families looking to create lasting memories. As parents of two, my wife Jaimie and I have been fortunate enough to visit the parks several times with our kids, Ava and Ben. Each trip has been special, but our experiences with princess dining at Disney World have always stood out as highlights.

Image © Disney

If you’ve ever dreamed of sharing a meal with Disney royalty, you’re in for a treat. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed quite a few character meals with Disney princesses, and each one has offered its own unique magic. From dining in Cinderella Castle to enjoying a royal banquet with Snow White, these experiences go beyond just eating – they’re opportunities to step into a fairy tale.

In this article, I’ll take you through some of our favorite princess dining adventures and share some tips we’ve picked up along the way. Whether you’re planning your first Disney trip or you’re a seasoned visitor, I hope our experiences will help you make the most of these special character meals with princesses.

Why Choose Princess Dining at Disney World?

Princess dining at Disney World is more than just a meal – it’s a special experience where you can create memories with your family. The joy on your child’s face when they meet their favorite Disney princess is truly priceless. Here’s why these experiences are so special:

• Immersive Environments: Each dining location offers a uniquely themed setting, from enchanted forests to medieval castles, transporting you into the world of Disney princesses.
• Personal Interactions: Unlike brief meet-and-greets in the parks, princess dining allows for more relaxed and extended character interactions.
• Exceptional Service: Disney’s commitment to magical experiences extends to the attentive and friendly staff at these dining locations.
• Themed Cuisine: Enjoy specially crafted menus that often tie into the princess themes, offering both familiar favorites and unique dishes.
• Photo Opportunities: Capture precious moments with multiple princesses in a single location, often with better lighting and backdrops than in the parks.
• Time-Saving: Combine meeting princesses with a necessary meal, freeing up more time for other park activities.

Whether you have a young princess or a brave knight, princess dining is an experience that the entire family will treasure. It creates enchanting moments that last long after your vacation ends.

Our Top Princess Dining Experiences at Disney World

My family has enjoyed several wonderful character meals at Disney World, with some of our favorites featuring princesses. Each dining experience has been unique, but those with princesses have always added an extra touch of magic for us. Here are our top three princess dining locations at Disney World, ranked in order of our favorites.

1. Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

For a truly enchanting experience, we visited Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This dining experience combines the charm of Snow White with the whimsical setting of an enchanted forest.

Highlights

• Enchanted Forest Theme: The dining room is intricately decorated to resemble a magical forest, with twinkling lights and woodland accents.
• Unique Character Lineup: Meet Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and The Evil Queen, offering a different mix of characters than other princess dining experiences.
• Themed Menu: Dishes and desserts creatively inspired by the Snow White story, with names and presentations that tie into the theme.
• Interactive Elements: Character performances throughout the meal, including The Evil Queen’s dramatic entrance and interactions with the dwarfs.
• Shared Dining Experience: Appetizers and desserts are served family-style, encouraging sharing and conversation among diners.

Current Pricing (2024)

• Dinner: $65 per adult, $39 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity

Menu Highlights

• Shared Appetizers: Wild mushroom bisque, hunter’s pie, wicked shrimp cocktail
• Entrées: “Cottage” beef stroganoff, royal prime rib roast, Brother’s Grimm herb chicken
• Shared Desserts: “Poison” apple (dark chocolate-apple mousse), Miner’s Treasures (cookies ‘n cream panna cotta)

Our Family’s Experience

The family-style appetizers were a great way to start our meal, allowing us to sample a variety of flavors. The wild mushroom bisque was rich and creamy, while the hunter’s pie was a savory delight. For our main course, the royal prime rib roast was cooked to perfection, and the kids were excited to try the “Cottage” beef stroganoff, which they said tasted great.

The dessert trio was the perfect end to our meal. The “Poison” apple was not only visually stunning but also delicious, with its combination of dark chocolate and tart apple. The Miner’s treasures were a hit with the kids, who loved digging through the “soil” to find chocolate gems.

What really set this experience apart was the immersive storytelling. From the moment we entered, we felt like we were part of Snow White’s world. The interactions with the characters were engaging and personal, making for lasting memories.

Story Book Dining with Snow White is definitely worth it, and we will definitely go back again!

Negatives

• Limited Availability: This dining experience is only available for dinner, which might not fit everyone’s schedule.
• The Evil Queen: Her dramatic entrance might be intimidating for very young children.

Pro Tip: Be sure to have your camera ready for The Queen’s dramatic entrance – it’s a great photo opportunity!

2. Cinderella’s Royal Table

Cinderella’s Royal Table, located in the iconic Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, is the epitome of Disney princess dining. As you enter the grand castle, you are transported into a fairy tale. The dining room is adorned with stunning medieval architecture, with soaring ceilings, ornate tapestries, and stained-glass windows that create a truly regal atmosphere.

Highlights

• Castle Dining: Located inside Cinderella Castle, offering a unique dining atmosphere with medieval decor, soaring ceilings, and stained-glass windows.
• Character Experiences: Meet Cinderella upon arrival in the castle’s grand foyer, with other Disney princesses visiting tables during the character meals.
• Themed Cuisine: Menu inspired by royal banquets, with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all elegantly presented.
• Magical Touches: Children receive wishing stars, and diners enjoy stunning views of Fantasyland from the restaurant’s windows.
• Special Celebrations: Staff can arrange special packages for birthdays, anniversaries, or other occasions.

Current Pricing (2024)

• Breakfast: $69 per adult, $42 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity
• Lunch/Dinner: $84 per adult, $49 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity

Menu Highlights

• Breakfast: Traditional breakfast with eggs and sausage, shrimp and grits, beef tenderloin and egg, plant-based options
• Lunch/Dinner: Chilled jumbo shrimp appetizer, roasted lamb chops, grilled filet mignon, crab-topped catch of the day
• Desserts: “The Clock Strikes Twelve” chocolate ganache tart, Jaq and Gus cheesecake

Our Family’s Experience

The breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table was a mix of classic favorites and unique dishes. The shrimp and grits were a standout, with perfectly cooked shrimp and creamy, flavorful grits. For the kids, the Mickey waffle with Nutella and fruit compote was a big hit.

At dinner, the atmosphere becomes even more enchanting with dimmed lighting and candlelit tables. The roasted lamb chops were cooked to perfection, and the crab-topped catch of the day was a delightful surprise with its fresh flavors and elegant presentation.

What sets Cinderella’s Royal Table apart is the immersive experience of dining inside the castle. The views of Fantasyland from the windows added to the magical ambiance, making us feel like we were truly dining in a fairy tale. I believe everyone should try this venue at least once for the classic Disney princess dining experience.

Negatives

• Price: The dining experience is quite expensive, which might not be ideal for all budgets.
• Availability: Reservations are hard to come by, and you need to book well in advance to secure a spot.

Insider Tip: The Vacationeer can assist you in securing those hard-to-get reservations. Contact them to help plan and book your trip at no additional cost to you.

3. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, located in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot, offers another fantastic princess dining experience. The medieval castle setting and the warm, welcoming atmosphere make it a must-visit for families.

Highlights

• Norwegian Setting: Dine in a replica of a medieval Norwegian castle, complete with stone walls, wooden beams, and traditional decor.
• Princess Processional: A unique feature where princesses parade through the dining hall, inviting young guests to join them.
• Cultural Cuisine: Buffet-style dining featuring a mix of American favorites and Norwegian-inspired dishes.
• Character Interactions: Meet and greet with various Disney princesses throughout the meal, with opportunities for autographs and photos.
• Educational Experience: The restaurant provides a glimpse into Norwegian culture, architecture, and cuisine.

Current Pricing (2024)

• Breakfast: $55 per adult, $35 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity
• Dinner: $67 per adult, $43 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity

Menu Highlights

• Breakfast: Norwegian waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potato casserole, mixed fruit
• Dinner: Norwegian meatballs (Kjøttkaker), seared salmon (Stekt Laks), chicken with apple and fennel preserves
• Desserts: An assortment of Norwegian-inspired desserts

Our Family’s Experience

The breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall was a delightful combination of American favorites and Norwegian specialties. Our entire family loved the Norwegian waffles, especially when topped with lingonberry sauce. For dinner, we were impressed by the variety of Norwegian dishes. The Kjøttkaker (Norwegian meatballs) were particularly flavorful, and the seared salmon was cooked to perfection.

We really enjoyed the cultural experience at Akershus. It was a great way to introduce our children to Norwegian culture and cuisine while still experiencing the magic of Disney princesses. The medieval castle setting, with its stone walls and wooden beams, made us feel like we were dining in a royal Norwegian banquet hall. Even though it’s ranked 3rd, it’s still one of our favorite character dining experiences at all of Disney World.

Negatives

• Buffet Style: The buffet setup can be less convenient for families with young children, as it requires multiple trips to the serving area.
• Noise Level: The dining hall can get quite noisy, which might be overwhelming for some guests.

Insider Tip: Try to schedule your visit during Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival for an even more diverse culinary experience in the park. Epcot offers a variety of dining experiences beyond princess dining.

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Tips for Disney Princess Dining

To ensure your princess dining experience is as magical as ours, here are some tips and tricks:

Book in Advance

Princess dining experiences are incredibly popular, and reservations can fill up quickly. Book your Disney dining reservations as early as possible, preferably 60 days in advance (or more, if applicable).

Plan Your Schedule

To make the most of your time at the park, plan your day around your dining reservation. Consider scheduling Cinderella’s Royal Table during a break from exploring Magic Kingdom.

Dress the Part

Encourage your little ones to dress up as their favorite Disney characters. Ava loved wearing her Belle dress to Akershus, and Ben enjoyed donning his knight costume.

Bring an Autograph Book

Don’t forget to bring an autograph book for your children. Meeting the princesses and collecting their autographs is a cherished part of the experience.

Capture the Moments

Take plenty of photos and videos to capture the magical moments. Disney PhotoPass photographers are often present, but having your camera ready ensures you don’t miss any special moments.

Consider Dietary Restrictions

Disney is known for accommodating dietary restrictions and preferences. Inform the staff when making your reservation and upon arrival, and they will ensure you have suitable meal options.

Where Else to Meet Disney Princesses in the Park

In addition to princess dining, there are several other places within Disney World where you can meet your favorite princesses:

Princess Fairytale Hall

Located in Magic Kingdom, Princess Fairytale Hall is a meet-and-greet location where you can meet Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, and other Disney princesses. The experience is wonderfully immersive, with beautifully themed rooms and plenty of opportunities for photos and autographs.

Enchanted Tales with Belle

Also located in Magic Kingdom, this interactive experience lets you participate in Belle’s story. Kids can join in the fun by playing roles in the story, making it a memorable and engaging way to meet Belle.

Epcot’s World Showcase

In Epcot, the countries of World Showcase often feature characters from their respective film. You can meet Mulan in China, Snow White in Germany, Belle in France, Anna and Elsa in the Royal Sommerhus in Norway, and Jasmine in Morocco. These meet-and-greets are a great way to experience the park’s cultural offerings while meeting your favorite characters.

For more detailed information on character meet and greets, check out our Top Character Meet and Greets at Disney World and Where Can You Meet Characters at Disney World?

Conclusion

Princess dining at Disney World is a truly magical experience that creates lifelong memories for the entire family. Whether it’s the regal ambiance of Cinderella’s Royal Table, the cultural charm of Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, or the enchanting forest setting of Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White, each venue offers a unique and enchanting dining adventure.

After each dining experience, Ava and Ben couldn’t stop talking about the princesses they had met and the delicious food they had enjoyed. These moments were filled with joy and wonder, making our Disney World vacation truly special.

To make your own Disney princess dining experience just as magical, be sure to book in advance, plan your schedule, and capture every moment. And don’t forget to explore other opportunities within the park to meet your favorite princesses. With a little planning and a lot of magic, your family will have a magical adventure at Disney World.

Related Articles

For more tips and information to enhance your Disney World experience, check out our related articles:

• Best Restaurants at Magic Kingdom
• Best Restaurants at Epcot
• Best Restaurants at Animal Kingdom
• Best Restaurants at Hollywood Studios
• Best Disney World Restaurants
• Disney World for Foodies
• Top Michelin Guide Restaurants at Disney World
• How Much Does Food Cost at Disney World
• Understanding the Disney Dining Plan

I hope this guide helps you plan a magical princess dining experience at Disney World. If you have any questions or need further assistance, let us know in the comments!