More than the rides and the shows, Disney characters are what make Walt Disney World a special family travel destination. Whether you’re hoping to meet the mouse that started it all or the princesses that captivate little girls everywhere, character dining is a great way to collect autographs and pictures of Disney friends without waiting in long lines for in park meeting spots.
Epcot offers two unique character meals in memorable settings, one at the Garden Grill and the other at Restaurant Akershus. Like all Disney restaurants, advanced reservations are accepted up to 180 days in advance, and because of the popularity of character dining experiences, reservations are strongly recommended for all three locations.
Garden Grill
Located in the Land pavilion in the FutureWorld section of Epcot, the Garden Grill is a revolving restaurant that overlooks the ecologically themed attraction ‘Living With the Land’. Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale, all clad in farmer’s attire, visit with diners at their tables, posing for pictures and interacting playfully with guests.
The menu at the Garden Grill reflects the farm theme of the meal offering a selection of fresh foods. From the vegetables in the salad to the catfish entrée, many of the dishes are created from foods grown in Disney’s own greenhouses and aquaculture program. Entrée choices include flank steak with au jus, rotisserie turkey, and fried catfish.
The Garden Grill is open for both lunch and dinner. Pricing is $20.99 for adults and $11.99 for children at lunch, and $27.99 for adults and $12.99 for children at dinner. Lunch is served from 11:00 to 3:00, and dinner is offered from 4:30 until the restaurant closes. Closing time varies with Epcot park hours, but is generally around 9:00.
Restaurant Akershus
Located in the Norway section of the World Showcase, Restaurant Akershus is located inside a castle and derives its name from the 14th century castle in Oslo that inspired the building’s design. In keeping with the castle’s atmosphere, the character meals here feature a collection of Disney Princesses. Four or five princesses appear at each meal, but the exact cast rotates among Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Snow White, Pocahontas and Mulan.
The menu at Restaurant Akershus is Norwegian-influenced but also features American fare for the pickier eater. Breakfast is served family style and includes fruit, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, potato casserole and a selection of breads. Lunch and dinner offer a buffet of cold appetizers followed by a hot entrée served to the table. The restaurant’s signature dish, traditional kjottkaker, is a beef and gravy that has been compared to Salisbury steak. Other menu selections include braised lamb, salmon, and venison stew.
Restaurant Akershus serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served from 8:00 to 10:10 and costs $22.99 for adults and $12.99 for children. Lunch hours are 11:40 to 2:50, and lunch prices are $24.99 for adults and $13.99 for children. Dinner is $28.99 for adults and $13.99 for children, and is served from 4:20 to 8:40.
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