Meet the Princesses…Without Ever Waiting in Line!

Meeting Jasmine at Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus

Calling all princesses, princes and lovers of royalty! As a mom to a princess of my own (and a prince who tolerates his sister), I know that each magical Disney Parks vacation is not complete without some face time with the regal Disney princesses. But with all of the options for FastPass+ today, sometimes planning comes down to a choice between a spin on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride or visiting with princesses without having to wait for long periods of time.  What is a princess-loving family to do?  One option is to dine with the Disney princesses.

The Walt Disney World Resort offers Guests three venues that are practically perfect places to meet multiple princesses at one time, enjoy a tasty meal, and walk away with some photos of these lifelong memories…without ever waiting in line.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is the home of Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare Restaurant.  Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine and her daughters host this all-you-can eat buffet dinner, while circling the room to get up-close and personal with their fans.  The antics of Anastasia and Drizella are a highlight as they bicker their way around the room, while Cinderella and her swoon-worthy prince apologize for the sisters’ outlandish behavior. Dinner is the only princess meal at 1900 Park Fare (breakfast features Mary Poppins, Alice, the Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger) and characters are limited to the Cinderella story, but interaction is typically good.  In addition to salads, meat dishes and pastas, 1900 Park Fare caters to little ones’ taste buds better than other character meals with the addition of a kid’s buffet stocked with chicken fingers, pizza and other favorites.

Cinderella and Prince Charming at 1900 Park Fare

DIStracted Tip:  1900 Park Fare is open for dinner from 4:00pm-8:50pm and Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) are strongly suggested. Prices vary based on the time of year in which you visit, but prices range from $39.33-45.50 per adult and from $21.16-26.99 for children ages 3-9 (Prices subject to change). Children 2 and under may enjoy the buffet free of charge. The price includes dinner buffet, a non-alcoholic beverage and character interaction at your table. Tax and gratuity are not included in the price. A 20% discount applies to those with Tables in Wonderland, except during holidays and limited blackout dates. The Disney Dining Plan is accepted at 1900 Park Fare and will cost you 1 Table Service entitlement.

Cinderella and her twin at 1900 Park Fare

Looking for pictures with several princesses in one royal meal? Your family will be treated like royalty at Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Banquet Hall.  Located in the Norway Pavilion in the World Showcase at Disney’s Epcot Theme Park, Akershus is the place to meet several of your favorite princesses during breakfast, lunch or dinner. Typically, Belle greets Guests prior to the meal in a small alcove of the entryway, while several princesses circle the banquet hall, stopping at each table to chat and pose for pictures.  Princesses are subject to change, but will include several of the following favorites: Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White, Ariel, Mulan or even Mary Poppins (ok, she isn’t a princess, but is an added bonus!).  I have found the character interaction to be fairly brief here, but friends have reported the exact opposite.  A warm, tasty breakfast is served family style with unlimited trips to the koltbordt, basically a cold buffet. Lunch and dinner includes choice of entrée as well as a “Taste of Norway,” a smorgasbord of delicacies such as seafood, cheeses, cured meats and salads.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot-Picture by Lisa McBride

DIStracted Tip: Hours for dining are as follows: Breakfast-8:00am-11:10am; Lunch-11:55am-3:30pm; Dinner-4:55-8:35. Prices range from $40.46-55.37 per adult and from $24.49-29.81 for children ages 3-9 depending on the meal (breakfast is the most economical meal of the day) and on the time of year (Prices subject to change). Cost included tax but not gratuity. Non-alcoholic beverages are included, with beer, wine and signature cocktails offered for an additional cost.  A 20% discount applies to those with Tables in Wonderland, except during holidays and limited blackout dates. While ADRs are highly recommended, they are difficult to secure.  Be sure to book at 180 days prior to your visit if possible. 1 Table Service entitlement will be deducted per meal from your Disney Dining Plan.

Snow White at Cinderella’s Royal Table

The ultimate in princess dining without having to wait in a single line is found at Cinderella’s Royal Table, the Magic Kingdom’s one and only dining experience inside the iconic Cinderella Castle and it is the hottest royal ticket in town.  Cinderella herself greets her royal subjects in the regal lobby and then Guests are ushered upstairs to the hall.  With arched stained glass windows, cathedral ceiling and stately candelabras, you will feel like you have traveled back in time. Princesses are introduced individually to the room with a recording of their fairytale and then they make their way around to each of the tables to meet, greet and take pictures with Guests. Princesses, while subject to change, may include several of the following: Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, Jasmine or Belle. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all available; however, this restaurant is considered Signature Dining and is the most costly of the three princess options. It is, in my opinion, the most special.  Princesses and Princes receive a wand or sword and a keepsake Wishing Star to be used in the special wishing ceremony.  Our princess interaction has always been stellar here and you can’t beat the regal background for pictures.

DIStracted Tip: Hours for dining are as follows: Breakfast-8:00am-10:40am; Lunch-11:45am-2:40pm; Dinner-3:50pm-9:40pm. Again, prices depend on time of year and meal chosen, but are quite costly from $55.29-75.83 per adult and from $34.64-45.24 for children ages 3-9 (Prices subject to change).  Thankfully, tax and gratuity are included, along with an appetizer, entrée, dessert and a non-alcoholic beverages of choice. The Disney Dining Plan is accepted, but each meal will set you back 2 Table Service entitlements, as this is a Signature Dining Experience. ADRs should be booked 180 days prior to your visit, but if that is not possible, don’t despair.  Cancellations do occur. Unlike the other two princess meals which only need a credit card to hold your reservation, ADRs for Cinderella’s Royal Table require pre-payment in full by credit card.

Dining with the princesses is the very best worry-free way to interact with your royal favorites, to take some of the best pictures and witness your mini-prince-or-princess interacting with these iconic characters. Better yet, there are no lines to wait through, just a comfortable seat and a delicious meal.  Follow these simple tips to make the most of your royal experience.

Distracted Tips:

• Take lots of pictures, not just the posed ones.  Some of the more authentic interactions with princesses make for the best photos.
• Seat your main princess-loving kids (or adults!) closest to the aisle for easiest access to the royal ladies.
• Bring an autograph book and pen; princesses will be happy to add their regal John Hancock to your collection.
• Dress up!  You will see plenty of replica princesses at these character meals, many of whom come directly from the Bippidy Bobbity Boutique.
• Try to make Advanced Dining Reservations as early as possible (beginning at 180 days prior to your visit). Be as flexible as you can with dates and meal times. Didn’t snag a reservation?  Keep checking daily; Guests change plans often and cancellations do occur.
• Have a royally magical time knowing you can save your FastPass+ selections for the rides!

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