Disney Character Dining: Do's and Don'ts

Do's and Don'ts of Disney Character Dining

Tips from a Character Performer

One of the most magical times of a Disney World vacation is the Character Dining experience. How cool is it that you get to meet up to 5 characters in a hour and a half?! Like any part of your Disney vacation, it's good to have a strategy to ensure efficiency and optimal magical memory making. There are a surprising amount of factors that go into your Character Dining experience, so here are my best tips from a former character performer on how to make the most out of Character Dining. If you'd prefer to see this in video form, check out this YouTube video.

1. Sit the Kids on the Aisle  

The first piece of strategy happens long before you meet the characters: choosing where to sit. Once the Seater leads you to your table, place whoever wants to meet the characters most on the aisle seats - aka the easiest access to characters. Interaction time is precious during a Character Dining experience, and the last thing you want to do is waste it waiting for your child to shimmy out of the booth. This also ensures you'll children will get a picture with the characters! Believe it or not, sometimes your children don't want to stand up in the middle of their meal and would rather eat ice cream than hug Mickey. By sitting them on the aisle, they can focus on their ice cream while Mickey leans behind them for a picture. 

2. Learn the Rotation 

Each Character Dining restaurant has a specific rotation that the characters follow: i.e. they start at one point in the restaurant and then follow the same path over and over again meeting all of the guests. Right away you'll want to try and figure out which way the character will be coming from so you can be ready when they do. CM tip: Ask your seater or waitress which direction the characters will be coming from so you're not caught off guard! 

Now this is very important: if you see a character coming, DO NOT LEAVE to get food or use the restroom! The character WILL NOT WAIT for you to come back and you'll have missed your chance at an interaction. Here's the thing, even if Eeyore is 4 tables down from you, it's possible Eeyore has already met those families and is going to wave as he passes them, causing your table to be the next interaction. Don't miss out on a character interaction because you couldn't wait 90 more seconds for Mickey waffles.

3. Have your Supplies Ready

One of the first things you should do when you sit down is set the autograph books open and on the edge of the table, with the pen beside it. Also be sure to pull your camera out and have it all set up and ready to go. While it's possible you won't be meeting any characters for 40 minutes, it's also possible that they're 2 tables away! 

4. Tell you Kids what to Expect 

Explain to your children that their time with each character is going to be brief. Because you're meeting up to 5 characters in a 90 minute window, the character is first going sign autograph books, possibly point out a birthday pin, and then take up to 3 pictures before waving goodbye. Unfortunately, this is not the time for every person to stand up and give Tigger a hug, get individual shots, group shots, pictures of the boys then the girls then the blondes then the brunettes... you get the idea. Feel free to ask Tigger a question while he's signing autographs and get the most out of your interaction, but don't be disappointed when he quickly bounces to the next table.

5. Make the Most out of the Short Interaction Time 

What not to do: Bring 15 autographs, request 15 pictures, and ask for a video message in order to try and get the character to stay at your table longer. The character has a specific range of time he's allowed to stay at each table, and if you waste it on 15 autograph books then you will not have time for pictures. Likewise, if you know each member of your party wants a picture, jump up and be efficient about it! As long as you have a plan and don't dilly dally wasting time, the character will be happy to take multiple pictures or have a full on interaction conversation. Make the most out of your time by planning ahead and knowing what you want out of the experience. 

6. Clean Your Children 

You know what's disgusting? When a child covered in macaroni and cheese wants to hug and kiss you. Parents, I know that meeting characters is very exciting, but please please remember to wipe off your kid's mouth and hands when you see a character approaching! (Another reason to pay attention to the rotation!) A lot of times characters will motion for the child's mouth to be wiped if it's dirty - how embarrassing! Save time during your interaction by getting cleaned up beforehand. 

7. Tell the Character if You've Already Seen Them

One of the most awkward things to ever happen to me while working a dining shift was when I would approach a table, and all they would do is stare at me and continue eating! If you've already seen Piglet, tell him you've already seen him! If you don't want any more pictures say, "Hey Piglet, we've already seen you and we don't need any more pictures. Have a nice day!" or conversely, "Hey Piglet, we already saw you but we want a few more selfies if that's okay," and then immediately jump up and take the pictures. If the character has already seen you, he is allowed to wave as he passes by, so if you want another picture, be vocal about it! 

8. Make Sure Your Children Behave 

I get it, you're on vacation and all you want to do is relax a little bit. But you know what isn't relaxing? When your child hits characters. Or screams at them. Or crawls on the ground, causing the character to trip and face plant the ground (yep, that happened.) In fact, it's incredibly disrespectful and not cute at all. Performers have the most direct contact with guests out of any other Cast Members on property, and while it's really fun getting hugs and high fives all day, it hurts when guests are rough. Like I literally had to go on Modified Duty for a week after two guests in a row decided to crush Mickey Mouse's hand during a handshake. If you wouldn't want your child doing an action towards you, don't encourage your child to do it to a character.

Conclusion 

Overall, a little bit of strategy, planning, and knowing what you want and what to expect out of a dining experience, will help ensure both you and the characters have a magical time! A few side notes: Not every character dining experience is the same! Some are buffet style while at others, waiters serve you a meal. Certain restaurants have 4 characters, some have 5. You might meet Disney princesses or Disney Jr. characters. Check out Disney World's official website for up to date information on character dining locations, and which characters will be at each! [although keep in mind, entertainment is subject to change] 

CM Tip: You can book dining reservations 6 months in advance! For more Disney World vacation tips, check out this post: Top 10 Do's and Don'ts of your Disney Vacation

*This post is not sponsored by nor affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries.