Character dining has been an essential part of the Disney World experience for decades, with experiences like the buffet at Chef Mickey’s and breakfast at ‘Ohana, among many others, becoming somewhat legendary amongst many guests. We think there are several current Disney World restaurants that could become just as iconic character dining experiences.
The Beast at Be Our Guest Restaurant
Each of these restaurants already have heavily themed, immersive environments that would feel complete if there were some appropriate characters engaging with guests during their meals.
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Located across from the World Famous Jungle Cruise, Skipper Canteen has become a favorite among many Disney aficionados thanks to its heavily themed interior, which is designed to appear as a clubhouse of sorts for Jungle Cruise skippers. Each room is filled with easter eggs to both the classic attraction and the mythology associated with S.E.A. (AKA the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, the group that links several Disney attractions all over the world).
Skipper Canteen
So what could make it even better? How about characters! Maybe whacky Jungle Cruise Skippers going table to table delivering puns in the style of the ride? Or members of S.E.A. taking a respite from their journeys?
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Or even some resurrected characters from Pleasure Island’s legendary Adventurers Club, which has been retroactively added to the S.E.A. canon over the years.
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Beak and Barrel
Remaining in Adventureland, there’s Disney’s newest lounge: The Beak and Barrel. The lounge features a heavily detailed interior, as well as special effects and even an animatronic parrot.
Skull Bar at The Beak and Barrel
The only thing missing? Pirates! Think about how cool it would be to have a buccaneer or two — either original pirate characters or pre-established characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean films and attractions — walking the establishment, or perhaps sitting at its bar, regaling guests with their seafaring exploits.
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Be Our Guest
Our final Magic Kingdom entry is probably the one most casual Disney fans would expect to already feature Disney characters: The Beauty and the Beast-themed Be Our Guest restaurant. After all, the massive eatery recreates settings from the animated film, like the ballroom, library, and the Beast’s east wing, in intricate detail. And yet, there are full-blown character appearances to bring the place to life.
Be Our Guest ballroom
Now, of course, we have to note that The Beast has appeared at the restaurant at times over the years, occasionally with a meet & greet component. However, it definitely feels like there could be more here. Whether it be Beast and Belle appearing together, some enchanted objects from the cast, or even Gaston!
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Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Moving over to Hollywood Studios, there’s Toy Story Land’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ. Much like Be Our Guest, this heavily themed Toy Story eatery feels like it could be used for a full Toy Story character dining experience.
Roundup Rodeo
It would even fit in with the land’s theme of being in Andy’s backyard.
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Each of these Disney World restaurants could definitely use an infusion of character to really up their game! Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World dining.
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I’ll agree with Be Our Guest and the Round Up Rodeo, but as someone who still finds character interactions awkward and uncomfortable I’m thankful that there are great places to eat like Skippers Canteen without characters.