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Hey foodies today, I invite you to join me on a quest for meals beyond the mouse (character dining spots you didn’t know existed).
While Disney has long been synonymous with immersive character dining, there exists a tiny world beyond its borders (surprise!), that appeal to small children from shows and characters they may know and love.
While there aren’t many character dining events outside of the Disney bubble, I hope that by uncovering some of these non-Disney family-friendly dining experiences that they stand a chance of rivaling the charm of Disney with diverse character lineups. Plus, these events are lighter on the wallet. Enjoy!
P.S. this list is ever-evolving as I come across a new character dining event, so please check back often. : )
The Problem with Character Dining
I wanted to start off with this topic as it’s been really interesting searching for these character dining spots. There simply aren’t enough of the them. I truly believe that there is a market for this kind of dining depending on the character and its influence on pop culture.
A couple of character dining ideas I can call off the top of my head, that have a place at a park like Universal Studios, are Paw Patrol and Gabby’s Dollyhouse. They’re already in the parks now let’s compound on it for the kids! I’d love to take my niece to see Gabby at breakfast!
Of course, I don’t know how much it costs to put on a dining production of this caliber; it’s not a simple buffet or plated food thing, it’s hiring the actors to be in costume, and curating a purposefully delicious menu that kids will want to eat and not completely waste, and it’s also about making sure that there is a restaurant that can accommodate the demand (if there is one).
So, I kind of get it, but also, it’s another way to get children involved at the theme park and enjoy their time.
Going back to Universal, I wish that there were at least weekly sessions of children’s character dining at Seussville and oh man, imagine having a Death Eater character dining at Universal Studios! The possibilities really are endless for a place like Universal and they’re squandering it.
Anyway, if you had the option for a character dining experience outside of Disney, what would you want to see? Let me know in the comments.
Character Dining Outside of Disney
As I mentioned earlier, there’s not a lot of places that do character dining besides Disneyland and Disney World, and honestly it’s a real shame. However, these are the places that do.
Depending on the park (i.e., SeaWorld) there may not be actual characters, but the animals that make up the theme of the park in attendance.
Park Admission is not included in the prices of these events!
Dollywood’s The Imagination Playhouse Character Breakfast
Pigeon Forge, Tenneessee
Over at Dollywood, they have a buffet style character breakfast that is charged at roughly $19.99 plus tax, and must be purchased at least 24 hours ahead of the scheduled date. The Imagination Playhouse Character Breakfast runs throughout the summer on select days, but brings with it the characters from The Imagination Playhouse and a delicious breakfast.
This is exclusive to Gold and Platinum passholders as well as Pre-K Imagination passholders only during the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration.
(If you’re looking for festival dates at Dollywood, you can find a complete list of festivals at US parks here).
As far as I have been able to tell this breakfast is gluten-free friendly, but definitely not vegan friendly, and are held in Celebration Hall. The current dates for this breakfast are unavailable, but I will update as soon as I hear back.
Dorney Park’s Season Passholder Character Breakfast
Allentown, Pennsylvania
One of my favorite parks growing up, Dorney Park has a complimentary ticketed Season Passholder Character Breakfast. The breakfast allows passholders, and those with a Pre-K pass, to see the PEANUTS gang.
There are several times that this breakfast buffet occurs, but it’s not very often, and the tickets are first-come, first serve.
The tickets are claimed online (and printed out at home) and are not available the day of and the breakfast is held in Parkside Pavilion.
I’m unsure if they will be posting an extensive breakfast menu beforehand, but if they do post it, I’ll make a point to post it here.
Kings Dominion’s PEANUTS Character Breakfast
Doswell, Virginia
Happening only twice a year, Kings Dominion hosts a PEANUTS Character Breakfast buffet that costs roughly $13.99 for Season Passholders and $9.99 for children 12 and under. At first glance, there is no mention of this being a season passholder breakfast, however, it seems that this is the case.
With this breakfast, you can enter the park an hour early at 10 AM (the breakfast runs from 9:30 – 11 AM).
You can find this breakfast at Joe’s Cool’s Pit Stop Pavilion in Planet Snoopy.
Kings Island’s Lunch with the PEANUTS Gang
Mason, Ohio
I don’t have any information on Kings Island’s Lunch with the PEANUTS Gang at this time, but once the park updates, I’ll update.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Dine with Orcas
Orlando, Florida
Not exactly a character dining experience, but something a little unique, SeaWorld Orlando hosts a buffet Dine with Orcas event that allows you to dine and talk with trainers of the orcas, while seeing the orcas in their conservation tanks.
The prices start at around $22.00 for children 3-9 and $31.00 for anyone over 10 years old.
This is outdoor seating, so if you’re looking for something indoors, this isn’t going to be your cup of tea, but if it doesn’t bother you this seems like a beautiful opportunity to have you and your kids equally enamored.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast
Orlando, Florida
A Christmas-special, SeaWorld Orlando hosts a buffet Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast. It’s a great time for your kids to meet their favorite character like Elmo, Abby, and Cookie Monster.
At this time, I don’t have pricing for this particular event but the closer we get to the season I’m sure we’ll see the pricing updated.
Recommended Post: Ultimate Guide to Holiday Events in the USA
SeaWorld Orlando’s Birthday Breakfast Bash
Orlando, Florida
As Sesame Street Land turns five this year, they’re celebrating with an early year Birthday Breakfast Bash character dining opportunity for those down in sunny Florida (January 27-28, and Saturdays only from February 3 to April 28th).
The cost is roughly $34.99 for ages 10+ and $20.00 for any child 3-9 years old.
I’ve placed a picture below since this isn’t a separate linked page and I’m afraid it’ll disappear. Preventative measure.
Anyway, as you can see from the photo the menu has a regular American-style buffet breakfast. If you are need in gluten free options let them know in advance.
SeaWorld San Antonio Dine with Orcas
San Antonio, Texas
Not necessarily a character dining (but as close as you’re gonna get at a park centered around animal conservationism), SeaWorld San Antonio has an animal dining meal where you can Dine with Orcas.
It is a buffet meal that only happens on Saturday and Sunday at 12 PM on a weekly basis, with some weeks having full days of service — I’d check the calendar to see what dates work best for you as it seems that service is intermittent.
It’s unique and, if you’re a Passholder, can be a really great way to have dinner in a park without spending time in the park for rides.
This particular event is pretty cool as you can talk with the trainers about the orcas while you eat your meal. This is an outdoor meal.
Costs range from $19.00 for children 3-9 and $39.00 for anyone 10 and over. The menu is pictured below.
SeaWorld San Diego’s Dine with Orcas
San Diego, California
Unlike the San Antonio location, SeaWorld San Diego also has an outdoor buffet animal dining meal (also called Dine with Orcas). The biggest difference is that this meal happens on the daily at 1 PM (perfect lunch date!).
The cost is roughly $39.99 for anyone 10 and older and $29.99 for children 3-9.
It’s best to buy your tickets in advance, however, you are able to get them day-of if there is availability by heading over to Guest Services.
Their menu (seen below) is a plated dinner and has a pretty good selection to choose from (not a lot, but better than some of the buffet menus we’ve seen above).
The kids menu is not my favorite as it relegates children to chicken nuggets and mac & cheese all over again. I’m sure they can get a more interesting adult meal if the kitchen can make a smaller portion, though (just ask if you’re unsure).
Sesame Place, Dine with Elmo & Friends
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sesame Place is one of the first theme parks I ever went to as a kid. Growing up in the city (yerrrr!), it was one of the easiest places to get to outside of Rye Playland. Anyway, the park hosts Dine with Elmo & Friends buffet, which is not just one particular dining experience, but five.
The first four are specific to themes, whereas, the main Dine with Elmo & Friends happens once these special Elmo Birthday events are completed.
Your little one can meet Abby, Ernie, Cookie Monster, and of course, Elmo at their own separate brunch or lunch meals.
The only thing that gives me pause is why they have these particular events when the Northeast has a 50/50 chance of being showered in snow, but the park’s attractions are not opened when the below four are happening. So, this could be a great way to do something with the kids that a lot of people won’t be attending.
The dates for the above character dinings are noted below, alongside the brunch and lunch menus. Cost is $19.99 for children 2-9 and $39.99 for anyone 10 and over.
Abby’s Dine – January 21
Ernie’s Dine – January 27, 28
Elmo’s Dine – February 3, 4
Valentine Dine – February 10, 11
Now if you’re looking for something that happens more frequently, the Dine with Elmo & Friends happens practically every weekend until the regular summer season when it’s every day.
Prices range from $39.99 to $49.99 (depending on the season) for anyone 10 and over and $19.99 to $29.99 for children 2-9.
For all events advanced reservations are required!
Universal Orlando: Marvel Character Dinner
Orlando, Florida
While Disney owns rights to Marvel, over at Universal Orlando you’ll find the Marvel Character Dinner, a full service buffet that happens from Thursdays to Sunday after 5 PM. (Fun fact: Universal owns the theme park rights to Marvel).
Pricing ranges from $29.99 for children 3-9 years old and $52.99 for those over 10 years old. You must reserve dining at least 24 hours in advance.
You’ll meet the Marvel superhero characters of Spider Man, Captain America, Rogue, Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine.
You can find the menu here. I chose not to include a photo of it here as I know that Universal changes their menu constantly unlike the other parks and it would just be a pain to change it every time they make a change.
Have Fun!
As we wrap up this post on Character Dining Spots You Didn’t Know Existed I hope you’ve discovered new possibilities for exciting family experiences with your kids. The world beyond Disney’s iconic ears is rich with hidden gems and unique character dining adventures waiting to be explored.
Have you encountered your own magical meals outside the familiar theme park territory? We’d love to hear about your discoveries and memorable moments. Share your experiences, recommendations, or any hidden gems we might have missed in the comments below.
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