Are you thinking of staying in the Disney Contemporary Resort?  This is one of Walt Disney World’s deluxe hotel resorts and is very conveniently on the monorail system which will take you to Magic Kingdom in just minutes.  In fact you do not even have to leave the hotel to jump on the monorail – it runs right through the hotel!

  The Contemporary Resort is also  within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom – and gives you some of the very best views of the Disney fireworks from anywhere in the World outside of the park.

The Contemporary Resort was part of Walt Disney’s original vision for Disney World.  He planned this hotel, along with The Grand Floridian and The Polynesian.   For Walt Disney the Contemporary Resort was his vision of the ultimate hotel of the future.

Picture by kathika

Staying at a Walt Disney World hotel gives you many advantages.  Particularly if you choose a hotel which is located on the monorail system as this give you very easy access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios, the water parks and Downtown Disney can also be reached via the bus and water transportation systems.

 A Disney World hotel stay will also give you the benefits which only Disney resort guests enjoy, such as early and late park entry hours on selected days and the Disney Dining Plan.

But what is the Disney Contemporary Resort really like? To find out if The Contemporary Resort is right for you and your family take a tour around the hotel  to find out which are the best rooms, the finest restaurants, and explore just what is there to do in the hotel.

Disney Contemporary Resort Hotel Rooms

The location of the hotel may be excellent but what you really need to know is what are the rooms actually like?  For anyone who likes contemporary design then they will most definitely enjoy the Contemporary Resort.  A relatively recent renovation in 2008 of all the rooms at the resort brought the hotel very much back into the 21st century with sleek contemporary design.

Picture by udt007us

The standard rooms are a generous size at 394 square feet.  Each room will sleep up to 5 guests and also accommodate a child under 3 in a crib.

Each standard room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort  has 2 Queen beds and a day bed, or a King and a day bed.

 Each room has a wall mounted flat screen television and a computer with internet access and Contemporary Concierge which is free to use. There is wireless internet available for your own laptop for which there is a charge.  Since the rennovation the hotel decor is once again very contemporary with very modern design.

  The one thing which guests may find lacking in the rooms is that feel that you are in Disney World.  If you want upfront non stop Disney this probably is not the hotel for you.  No Mickey Mouse comforers here!  But of course that total Disney experience is just on your doorstep even if it is not really inside your room!

The Contemporary Resort has 2 distinct sections.  The main building with the monorial running through it, the main lobby and the restaurants.  This is the Tower building.  The second, separate building is The Garden Wing.

The views from The Tower can be of Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon, or Bay Lake. Many people prefer The Tower rooms, not only for the views, but also because they are close to the monorail and restaurants.  The Tower rooms all have a small balcony which has 2 chairs and a table.

The Garden View rooms have a view of the parking lot, the water or the garden. They Garden Rooms do not have a balcony – perhaps a bit of a downside when you are paying for a deluxe hotel.   You can choose a ground floor Garden View room as these do have a patio.

Picture by kathika

The Tower rooms are higher priced than the Garden rooms.  Indeed Disney now seems to put a much higher premium on Tower rooms as rates start at around $400 per night for the Tower and $285 for The Garden.  You may decide that the you would rather get the great location of The Contemporary Resort and save money by staying in a Garden room if the only sacrifice is the view and the lack of balcony.  For others the view is the key and is worth paying the extra.

Which are the best rooms in The Tower? Ask for a Magic Kingdom view room on the 9th floor or higher. These of course command a higher rate but if you want the best view then you may be prepared to pay the extra. The only downside to some of the lower floor Tower rooms is that they can be a little noisy as they are located directly above the Grand Canyon Concourse with the restaurants, shops and monorail.

In the Tower on the Bay Lake side all of the rooms have good views but of course the higher up you go the better the view gets.

Photo by Ben Dodson 

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Concierge Level

Is the concierge level worth the extra money at The Contemporary Resort?  Of course it really depends upon what you are looking for. What extra does it give you?

The Concierge rooms are located on the 12th and 14th floor of the Tower building. Standard rooms on the 12th floor are the same as any other standard room in the resort you are not getting anything different there. Suites and standard rooms are on the 14th floor. You will have a view either of the Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake depending on which side of the Tower you are located. You can request a particular view but as with all Disney resort hotel requests this is not guaranteed.

There are two concierge club lounges at the Contemporary Resort - both offer the same service. On the 12th floor it is the Atrium Club Concierge and on the 14th the Tower Club Concierge. Both lounges have a great view of the Magic Kingdom and of course you can use the Disney concierge service to help you plan your stay.

Photo by hz536n

The Concierge lounge also offers complimentary food and drinks. Depending upon how much you use this it can save you a significant amount of money. Breakfast offerings include tea, coffee, juice,pastries, hot and cold cereal, croissants and fruit. Afternoon snacks include cookies, Goldfish crackers, brownies, pretzels, rice crispy treats and beverages.

In the evening there is wine and cheese, beer, hot appetizers,crudite with dips. Then there is the wonderful dessert buffet where the selection changes every day.

Concierge includes nightly turn down service too. This is a nice perk but in my experience not really that much of a benefit.

Is concierge level worth the extra money at the Contemporary Resort? Guests opinions do differ quite a lot about this. I have stayed in many Disney resorts both in standard and concierge levels and I always check the price difference between the two very carefully. Sometimes the difference in rate can just be made up by eating some of the family meals in the lounge. Breakfast is a quick and easy option. But  when you are using the Disney Dining Plan as increasingly most guests are this is only a minimal  saving  as you have already paid for meals.

The view from the concierge lounges of the Magic Kingdom fireworks is one of the best in the whole of Walt  Disney World. Some will say it is worth the upgrade just for that. Really it just depends on how much of a price you personally put on experience – and of course just how deep your pockets are!

Disney Contemporary Resort Dining Options

If you want one of the finest restaurants with perhaps the best view of Magic Kingdom  in the whole of Disney World then head to the California Grill on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort. This is consistently one of the most highly regarded restaurants in Disney World and the view of the fireworks is spectacular.  It used to be that anyone could sneak a look from the 15th floor but Disney has long since got wise to that one.  Now a private access elevator is closed to all except those with a California Grill reservation.

Chef Mickey’s is one of the most popular Disney character meals and is located in the main concourse of the Contemporary Resort.  This is one of my favorite character dining locations as not only is the food of good quality for a buffet, but the easy access to Magic Kingdom on the monorail makes it a great place to start or end the day after a visit to the park.  If you want to share you meal experience with Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald then this is the place for you!

Photo by expressmonorail

 The all you can eat breakfast buffet is $26.62 for adults and $13.99 for children aged 3 to 9.  It has all the usual breakfast offerings, cereals, pancakes,Minnie’s breakfast pizza,omelet, Mickey waffles, Goofy’s corned beef hash.

 Dinner is served at Chef Mickey’s from 5.30 to 9.00. There is a good selection  at the buffet including prime rib, tamarind glazed salmon,salad bar, specials for the children including Mickey’s mac and cheese and of course some very tempting desserts. The price for dinner is $34.07 for adults and $17.03 for children. Grautity is not included.

Chef Mickey’s is one of the most popular of the character dining venues so be sure to make Advance Dining Reservations as soon as possible.

The Wave restaurant is an upscale restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Breakfast entrees start at around $10 and up and include waffles, omelets and French Toast.  Lunch offers a selction of entrees such as Seasonal Vegetable Stew, Classic Reuben Sandwich, and Italian Chef Salad all offered at around the $15 price range.  Dinner favorites include Braised Lamb Shank, Chicken Pot Pie, and Pan Seared Scallops for around $20 and upwards.

For a quick bite there is the Contempo Cafe where you can order breakfast, lunch and dinner from touch screen menus.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Recreation Facilities

One disappointing aspect of the Contemporary Resort hotel is the swimming pools – they just do not compare very well to the other monorail hotels The Grand Floridian and The Polynesian. There are two swimming pools but there is almost a complete lack of theme and really there is nothing particularly remarkable about them.  Hopefully one day Disney will address this and update them.

Picture by gelrodandjodie

But you won’t be short of things to do at the The Contemporary. There is a health club, video arcade, basketball hoops, beach volleyball, tennis courts, a playground and a sandbox

If water sports are your thing then you will be well catered for at the Contemporary. You can rent water craft from the marina and even try out water skiing.

Walt Disney World Free Dining is back again! Disney World is always a great place to stay but the free dining offer always makes it that much more tempting because of the excellent value it offers. The Disney World Free Dining Offer is now valid for stays most nights from 15th August 2010 to 21st December 2010.

So what do you need to do to qualify for Disney’s Free Dining Offer? Firstly you must book your Walt Disney World Vacation Package on or before 14th August 2010. Secondly the Disney Vacation Package must include at least a 5 night 6 day stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel and include a 6 day park ticket.

Walt Disney World has several different Dining Plans – which one you get free will depend upon the Disney Resort Hotel which you book.

If you book a Value Resort then you will get the Quick Service Dining Plan free. To get the Disney Regular Dining Plan Free you must book a Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villas Resort for your stay.

You can also upgrade your Dining Plan for the usual upgrade rate. Wine Packages are also available for an upgrade fee.

The Disney World Free Dining Discount Codes which you need are:

NF3 for Value Resorts with free Quick Service Dining
WG7 for Moderate and Deluxe Resorts with free Regular Dining

There are some block out dates and of course the Free Dining Offer is subject to availability. Free dining is available for Walt Disney World Resort Hotel stays August 15th to October 7th, October 22nd to 28th, November 12th to 18th, November 27th to December 2nd, and December 10th to December 21st.

Photo Courtesy of Samantha Decker

It may be the most magical time of the year but Christmas time is also one of the busiest times of the year at Walt Disney World. So should you even be considering a Disney vacation at Christmas? Many would say that the answer is a definite yes! Yes the lines may be long and the parks sometimes full to capacity but many guests feel that the magic of Disney at Christmas is worth joining the crowds.

There are so many special displays and events in Disney World at Holiday time that any visit is going to be extra special. Look out for special parades at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Or if you are there in the time before Christmas week consider if Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party would be a good choice.

Photo courtesy joe penniston

As always with a Disney vacation a little planning goes a long way. This is even more important at this special time of year. In particular if you want to dine at a Disney restaurant you may make Advance Dining Reservations. At the moment you can only do this 90 days in advance but this is set to chance on 27th October 2009 to as far in advance as 180 days. Disney resort guests have an advantage as they can make reservations for up to 10 days of their stay. To make an Advance Dining Reservation call 407 WDW DINE or book online with Disney. Gone seem to be the days when you could leave your dining plans to the last moment. Restaurants do get booked up well in advance so make your reservations as far ahead as you can.

Disney World operates Holiday Prices (that is of course increased pricing) for the season from 16th December until 3rd January. So you may find your meals costing a little more than usual. Always check when you make your Advance Dining Reservations.

Photo courtesy of amandaB3



The parking lots do reach capacity at Disney World at Christmas and New Year so you really do need to arrive early. If you can then arrive before opening time to be sure you will get in. They will also close the parks if they reach capacity – yes it really does happen. I know this from personal experience one Christmas time and it was not a magical moment! For this reason it is better not to consider park hopping at these busy times. You may leave one park and then find you can’t get into another! This applies to all Disney guests even those staying in the resorts. If they have reached capacity fire codes dictate that no more guests can get into the parks.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Photo Courtesy of steve-stevens

You may have heard of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and wondered if it was worth the extra expense.This is a separately ticketed Disney event held every year on select nights in the run up to Christmas. So you need to buy a separate ticket for this event specifically for the Very Merry Christmas Party.

Tickets go on sale early each year and many dates sell out. Whilst this is a wonderful and very popular event, guests should be aware that Mickey’s Christmas Party is very popular and it can get pretty crowded. So don’t go expecting lines to be shorter as more often than not the waits for the rides can be pretty long. But do go if you want the great Christmas events and atmosphere.

Most guests say that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a good bet if you are visiting before Christmas and want to get into the Holiday mood.

The 2009 tickets are now on sale – get them early as they do sell out. 

Dates for 2009 are:



November 10th

November 12th

November 13th

November 17th

November 19th

November 20th

November 29th


December 1st

December 4th

December 6th

December 8th

December 9th

December 10th

December 11th

December 13th

December 15th

December 17th

December 18th



 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starts at 7pm and closes at midnight. Officially you can’t enter Magic Kingdom prior to 7pm with just the party ticket but some guests have reported in previous years that they have got in earlier than that. But don’t plan on it!



ADVANCE PURCHASE: Adults: $55.38; Children 3-9 $48.99 (not available Nov 29, Dec 4, 11, 17-18)

DAY OF EVENT (IF AVAILABLE): Adults $62.84; Children 3-9 $56.45

ANNUAL PASSHOLDER AND DVC DISCOUNTS: Adults $52.19; Children 3-9 $45.80 available only for the following dates: Nov 10, 12, 13, 17, 19; Dec 6, 8



If you have a particular day in mind then buy your tickets as early as possible as some dates, particularly those closer to Christmas and at weekends, do sell out. Of course you can expect those dates to be pretty crowded too so perhaps it is best if you go expecting the party spirit but with long lines for the rides.



Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party worth it? Well most guests agree that it is as it gives you the chance to get that wonderful Holiday atmosphere in the build up to Christmas. Disney World is a very special place to be at Christmas.

But if you are going to be at Disney for the days just prior to Christmas right up to New Years Eve as well then you will get all of the benefits of the parade,fireworks, snow on Main Street as part of your regular Magic Kingdom Admission.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights

Photo Courtesy of dreamagicjp

The amazing Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights event is held every year at Disney Hollywood Studios. In 2009 it will run November 10 2009 to January 3 2010 which is slightly longer than in previous years.

This particular Disney Christmas tradition has an interesting story. Since 1995 the Osborne Family Lights have been lighting up the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The story begins with Jennings Osborne, a Little Rock, Arkansas, businessman who put up Christmas lights for his young daughter. Over the years the display got big. Well huge really. Mr Osborne bought the 2 homes next door for his amazing display which consisted of 3 million lights! The neighbors didn’t share his enthusiasm for the lights and took him to court. The Arkansas Supreme Court declared them a public nuisance and he was fined and given a suspended jail sentence.

Disney World stepped in to rescue the Osborne Family lights which have been displayed at Disney Hollywood Studios ever since.

The display now has 5 million lights, and 66 snow machines! They were renamed the Dancing Lights in 2006 – some of the lights are now animated and appear to ‘dance’ to the music!



The display is free as part of your admission to Disney Hollywood Studios. They are located in the Streets of America backlot and each night there is a lighting ceremony. The display will start on November 10th and run to Jan 3rd.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights have become a favorite Christmas tradition for Disney World and are well worth a visit. Be sure to check them out if you are visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Christmas and New Year.

Disney Christmas Decorations

Disney certainly knows how to decorate for Christmas! Each park has a huge Christmas tree with it’s own individual theme. The Christmas tree at EPCOT, just over the bridge of the entrance to World Showcase, has presents representing all the nations included in EPCOT.



Decorations usually start going up in the park by mid November at the time that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starts. So this year they should be starting around 10th November to appear in the parks. Much of the work is done at night so of course the results seem to magically appear in the morning when you arrive at the park.

It a great time to visit from this time onwards as the decorations for Christmas make Disney an even more magical place! If you can possibly visit the first 2 weeks of December, following Thanksgiving, then you will find crowds and relatively light. You get all the benefit of the Christmas decorations without the long lines of the Holiday Season.


There is a short Christmas tree lighting ceremony each day at 6pm in EPCOT. Christmas time at EPCOT is a particularly magical time.
Each of the World Showcase countries has it’s own Christmas celebration which runs from November 30th to December 30th. Each country has it’s own storyteller who will give you an insight into their heritage and Holiday celebrations. Make sure that you stop by the beautiful Christmas shop in the German pavillion which is full of amazing decorations for the Holidays.

Epcot Candlelight Processional

Photo Courtesy of amandaB3

A spectacular event of mass choir and orchestra held in EPCOT’s America Garden’s Theater just in front of the USA pavillion in the World Showcase.

The Candlelight Processional is free on a first come first served basis as there is limited seating in this undercover, but outdoor venue. If you can’t get a seat then it can be a good idea just to stand at the back for a while and listen to this spectacular event. It can get a little cold at that time of year so try a hot chocolate drink to get into the spirit of Christmas!

The Candlelight Processional begins on November 27th and ends on December 30th 2009. The scheduled guest narrators for this year are:

27th to 29th November – Isabella Rossellini
30th November to 2nd December – John O’Hurley
3rd December to 5th December – Steven Curtis Chapman
6th December to 8th December – Anika Noni Rose
9th December to 11th December – Andy Garcia
12th December to 14th December – Vanessa Williams
15th December to 17th December – Abigail Breslin
18th December to 20th December – Whoopi Goldberg
21st December to 23rd December – Briand Dennehy
24th December to 26th December – Edward James Olmos
27th December to 30th December – Angela Bassett and Courney Vance

If you do want to reserve seating then a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package is available by calling 407 WDW DINE or by booking online.

The Theater is small and it is often difficult to get a seat – so the only way to guarantee a seat is by booking the Package which also includes access to a preferred viewing area for Illuminations Reflections of Earth.



Seating in the Theater for the dining package is in 3 different tiers according to which restaurant you choose. You eat your dinner before the Candlelight Processional and reservations are available in all the World Showcase restaurants. Prices vary according to which one you choose. The prices range from $32.99 to $51.99 for lunch for adults or $44.99 to $58.99 for dinner. Child places are available at discounted rates. If you have the Disney Dining Plan you can use two of your credits for the Candlelight Processional Package.

Disney Resort Hotels at Christmas

Photo Courtesy of tcarter81

It can be a lot of fun to spend some time in a Disney resort hotel at Christmas – even if you are not a guest there. Every hotel has wonderful decorations. One of my favorite places to visit is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa which has a huge tree in the lobby which has to be seen to be believed. And look out for the Gingerbread House too – a Disney chef Holiday tradition.




Anyone who has tried to make Advance Dining Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table will know that sometimes it feels as though you have embarked on Mission Impossible! Unless you call right at the first minute of the first day you can make ADRs (90 days ahead for everyone, and up to 100 days ahead for Disney resort guests) then you will most likely be told that there are no tables left. So we know it is very popular!

What if you don’t manage to get Advance Dining Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table. Try again. Sometimes there are cancellations and you will strike it lucky.

Do remember though that there is a 24 hour cancellation policy. When you make your ADRs you will be asked for your credit card details – and they will be charged unless you cancel within the 24 hours before you are set to dine.

But does the Cinderella dining experience live up to the expectation? Of course it gives you a chance to actually get inside Cinderella’s Castle. And for this alone it is worth it for many Disney World visitors. The interior of the restaurant is very well done. Just as you would expect the inside of the castle to look – lots of stained glass,stone work and wood. It is also much smaller than most people imagine – another reason why it is so difficult to get in!

It is pretty pricey. At $42.99 for dinner for adults with tax and gratuity as extra this is not an inexpensive dining option.

Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant is what is known as a photo package experience. What does this mean? The price of the meal also includes a photo with one of the characters.

Many people love the fact that a photo is included with the meal. The photo package is four 4×6 prints and one 6×8 print of your photo, as well as one 6×8 print of Cinderella Castle in a Cinderella photo holder. Each party of 1 to 4 guests will get one photo package,5 to 8 guests will receive two packages.

For me and for many other guests though the feeling is that it would be better if the price was lower and the photograph was not included. Personally I do not like to have to wait in line to have a picture taken (and this is what often happens). This may be because I have hundreds of pictures already of myself and my family with Disney characters! But I would prefer to be able to skip this part.

The time with the characters is good for a Disney character dining experience. The restaurant is small so when I have been there we have had plenty of time with the characters. Who will be there? As with all Disney character dining restaurants the list can, and does, change so don’t promise your little ones (or yourself) a special character. But the ones you are likely to find are Cinderella, The Fairy Godmother, Princess Belle, Princess Aurora and Snow White.

So what is the food like at Cinderella’s Royal Table? Not great but not bad either. For that price I would expect a higher standard. But with this Disney restaurant you are going there for the experience of dining in Cinderella’s Castle. The food is fine, but nothing to get that excited about. There are plenty of choices including a Children’s menu. Some guests do report feeling rushed but I have never really found this to be so.

So is Cinderella’s Royal Table really worth it? I would certainly say it is somewhere you should experience at least once. The unique quality of being located inside Cinderella’s Castle really is a lot of fun.

Have an expectation that the food will be fine but nothing that special. If you want to dine with Cinderella and have great food then try out dinner at 1900 Park Fare in Disney’s Grand Floridian. Overall Cinderella’s Royal Table is a good Disney experience though – if you can get in then you should give it a try.

Want to know even more including finding out what exactly is on the menu and even get a peek inside to see what the restaurant looks like? I have written a free guide for you here:

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Photos used under Creative Commons from armadillo444

Which are the absolutely not to be missed rides at Walt Disney World? People do often ask me which rides they should go on first and which they should make sure they definitely experience. Which would make it into your Top 10 Disney World rides?

There are so many innovative and fun rides at Disney that it was so difficult to pick just my Top 10. Because of the size of Disney World a Top 25 would probably be an easier list!

I have just written the new EverythingMouse Top 10 Disney World Rides with great pictures, fun facts, videos and tips to get the most from each attraction. I chose all of the photos to show you a slightly different view of the rides than you usually get. So make sure you look out for Jack Sparrow, an unusual view of a Disney roller coaster classic and a spooky image of a spectacular elevator ride.

Photos used under Creative Commons by Joe Penniston.

When you are planning a trip to Disney World it is really important to get as much information as you can. Not only does it give you an idea of what to expect from the Happiest Place on Earth but it will also save you time and money once you get there. Planning your trip can be a lot of fun too – involve the whole family in looking forward to the trip and you will get so much more out of it.

But which is the best Disney World vacation guide book? If you want a very comprehensive guide then check out The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009. This is the most comprehensive guide book available. There is a good reason why it has sold so well. It is well written, well researched, and has a lot of reader input.

The Unofficial Guide is huge. If you like a lot of information then this is the one for you. But others feel it is actually too much information. Don’t get this for a quick overview. It covers a lot of ground such as where to stay and eat, and has a summary of each of the rides. Many readers find the touring plans very useful too. If you are looking for the most comprehensive Disney World guide book then this is the one for you.

My other favorite is The Complete Walt Disney World 2009. I like this book as it has a lot of information (not as much as the Unofficial Guide) but it really does have a lot of the basic things that you need to know about Disney World. Also I love the pictures. You really can’t fail but to get excited about your Disney vacation as soon as you open this book.

There are many other Disney World guide books out there too. Some are general guides, others concentrate on Disney World with kids, Disney World Dining, Healthy Eating at Disney World. You name it someone has written a Disney World book about it! So to help you sort through what is available check out my free guide:

Disney World Guide Books

Photos used under Creative Commons from joepennistone

This offer is open on most dates from 8/16/09 to 10/3/09. You must book by 6/21/09. Suites are excluded from this offer.

The Disney Free Dining Plan is one of the best offers available to resort guests as savings add up to $101.96 per day for a family of 2 adults and 2 children.

So with this offer you get the Disney Magic Your Way Plus Dining for the price of Disney Magic Your Way. Still confused? You need to book at least a 3 day stay at a Disney World resort hotel and in addition you must also purchase at least a One Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket.

What meals are included in the Free Dining Plan? This Disney Dining Plan option includes 1 table service meal, 1 counter service and 1 snack per person per day.

You can also upgrade the Free Dining Plan to a Deluxe Dining Plan for $32 per adult and $10 per child aged 3-9. This covers 3 table service meals,2 snacks and a resort refillable mug.

The Disney Free Dining Plan is always popular so as soon as you know that you want to book then go ahead as there are limited rooms available.

When you have booked your Disney resort room then be sure to make Advance Dining Reservations as soon as you can. The offer is popular and the restaurants do reach capacity. You can make Advance Dining Reservations by calling 407 WDW DINE up to 90 days ahead of the first night of your stay at a Disney hotel – and you can make up to 10 days reservations.

If you want to know more about the benefits and how to get the most value from the dining options for resort guest then you can check out my Free Disney World Dining Plan Guide

Photos used under Creative Commons from armadillo444

But how do you choose which Disney World character dining experience is for you? One of the most popular Disney dining experiences is Cinderella’s Royal Table. And many of the Disney guides will tell you just how difficult it is to get a table at this Disney World restaurant. Why is Cinderella’s Royal Table so popular? Because it is right inside Disney World’s Cinderella Castle and of course you meet the Princess herself – but it has to be said only briefly! So if you want to dine in the Disney World castle be sure to make Advance Dining Reservations way ahead of time.

There are many other Disney character dining choices both inside the theme parks and also in the Disney hotels. Buffet dining is the most popular type of dining for a character meal but some meals are also served ‘family style’ meaning that a selection of food is brought to your table.

So how do you decide which Disney World character dining experience to choose? Well, firstly ask yourself if there is any particular character that you would like to meet. Would you prefer to dine with a Disney Princess? Or perhaps you want to spend more time with Mickey Mouse, or Winnie the Pooh.
Then think about whether you would prefer to dine inside the theme park or if dining in a Disney World hotel would be a better use of your time. Then think about your budget. Breakfast is usually the best deal. With buffet breakfast style dining you usually skip lunch so in terms of value you may want to factor this in to your Disney dining choice.

What about the quality of the food? Well we are not talking gourmet dining here but the quality at some of the restaurants is pretty high. One of my own favorites is the buffets at 1900 Park Fayre at the Grand Floridian. Whether it is breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and Friends or dinner with Cinderella the food here is excellent. And a great value.

Will your child love the Disney character meal? Well you have to think about how they are going to react to the characters. Generally it is much easier to predict a child’s reaction to a Disney Princess than it is to think how they will react to a less ‘life like’ character such as Winnie the Pooh. Suddenly being confronted with a large ( and some of them seem huge to a small child) Disney character may be too much for your younger child. But the Disney characters are brilliant. They can win over all but the most reluctant of kids, and they know exactly when to walk away when it just isn’t going to work.

Disney World character dining really does bring the magic of Disney right into your vacation. If you would like even more information including reviews, prices and a comprehensive guide to all the Disney World character dining experiences then explore my Disney World Character Dining Guide