If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Paris and looking for a character dining experience, then you may be wondering if Royal Banquet is worth the hefty price tag. In this guide, we share our Royal Banquet review and let you know if it is worth it.
What is Royal Banquet?
Disneyland Hotel
The Royal Banquet is located inside the Disneyland Hotel, right at the entrance to the park.
The price tag firmly places this experience in the “special occasion” category. The experience costs around €100 per adult and €50 per child (ages 3–11). The price includes the buffet and one drink (soft drink or water). Booking ahead is essential, as it’s one of the most in-demand dining experiences at the resort.
In this experience, you meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse, plus 2 other classic characters. This is either Pluto and Goofy or Daisy and Donald. The characters are dressed in their regal attire as princes and princesses, or as jesters, etc. The outfits are really special. But is the experience worth the price tag?
Our experience
Royal Banquet Review
At Royal Banquet, we had the chance to meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto. Each character came to our table at least once, and the interactions overall were great. Goofy and Pluto were real highlights for our kids — fun, engaging, and full of energy. Minnie’s visit felt a little more rushed, but she still made time for photos and autographs. All the characters signed the autograph book, which made for a lovely keepsake.
The restaurant itself is divided into several themed rooms. The main dining hall, where the buffet is located, felt very busy and noisy, and I think eating in there might have taken away from the overall experience. We were instead seated in a smaller side room with about six tables, decorated with portraits of Disney villains. While this was an interesting touch, it unfortunately lacked warmth or atmosphere — the space felt sterile and not particularly royal or luxurious. For a restaurant themed around a royal banquet, the ambience didn’t quite deliver on the promise of grandeur.
Moving on to the food. Unfortunately, this is where the experience took a downturn. The food offerings were quite inconsistent and, at times, bizarre. Even as a group of fairly adventurous eaters, we found several of the choices confusing.
The starter section included cheese and charcuterie, which were fine but unremarkable. There was also a Middle Eastern selection featuring tabbouleh and hummus — but having lived in the Middle East, we found this section particularly underwhelming in authenticity and flavour. Overall, the starters were acceptable but lacked any real excitement.
Food at Royal Banquet
Moving on to the main courses, expectations were high, but the results were disappointing. The food was generally bland yet oddly salty, and the much-anticipated duck en croûte fell flat. I personally don’t eat veal, which further limited the options. The cheese pasta was decent and worked well for the kids, but other dishes — such as the octopus pasta (polpo pasta) and some of the Asian-inspired items — were underwhelming both in taste and execution.
Food for fussy eaters at Royal Banquet
It was surprising that there wasn’t a dedicated kids’ buffet section. Child-friendly or fussy-eater options were very limited, consisting mainly of Mickey-shaped hash browns, nuggets, and cheese pasta. While our fussy eater managed to find something to eat, truly selective eaters might struggle here.
Is royal banquet worth it
There was also a large fish and shellfish section, which looked impressive at first glance but ultimately didn’t deliver on flavour or freshness. Note: Lobster only available at dinner.
Desserts
Desserts at Royal Banquet
When we entered, the dessert display instantly caught the kids’ attention — beautifully presented and colourful, it looked like a showstopper. Sadly, the taste didn’t match the appearance. Most desserts were mousse-based and lacked depth or distinction. While they looked elegant, they were largely forgettable in flavour, and none stood out as particularly tasty.
Overall, is the Royal Banquet Worth a Visit?
First, the good bits:
High-Calibre Characters
Characters at Royal Banquet
The characters are the undeniable stars of the show. You’ll usually meet Mickey and Minnie, joined by Donald and Daisy or Goofy and Pluto, all dressed in stunning royal costumes you won’t see anywhere else in the park.
These are the classic Disney icons, and their regal outfits make the interactions feel extra special. They take their time at each table, posing for photos and greeting guests warmly. For families and character lovers, it’s a magical, picture-perfect experience. Compared to the other head dining experience at Plaza Gardens, you are guaranteed more classic characters. My kids wouldn’t know characters from Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh or Pinocchio, so this definitely had better characters for our family.
Unique Outfits
Seeing the characters in exclusive royal attire adds a sense of occasion that makes the experience feel different from other character meals. Mickey in a velvet cape, Minnie in a glittering gown, is pure Disney theatre and undeniably charming.
Now for the not-so-good bits:
Limited Food Variety
For a “royal” buffet, the food selection can feel surprisingly limited. While the spread includes seafood platters, salads, meats and a few vegetarian dishes, it leans heavily towards fine-dining flavours rather than family favourites.
If you’re not into seafood, your options shrink quickly, and we found the dishes inconsistent. The quality isn’t awful, but it doesn’t live up to the grandeur or the price tag.
Not Great for Fussy Eaters or Kids
Families with picky eaters may struggle here. There aren’t many simple or familiar options like pasta, fries, or chicken nuggets. The menu clearly aims to be elegant and adult-friendly, but that can make it less appealing for younger diners or those who prefer plain food. In fact, we found the table service options at Auberge much more customisable to the fussier people in our group, and we would definitely recommend Auberge more.
Lack of Atmosphere
Despite the beautiful setting inside the hotel, the Royal Banquet lacks a distinct atmosphere. The dining room, while grand, feels more like a large, busy function hall than a truly magical royal feast. Tables are close together, and when the restaurant fills up, it can get noisy and feel rushed rather than relaxing.
Not a Premium Food Experience
Royal Banquet Review: Is it Worth it?
For a €100 buffet, you expect something that feels special. While the food presentation, especially the desserts, is lovely, the taste doesn’t follow through.
The characters bring the magic, but without them, the restaurant would struggle to justify its high cost.
Slow Service
Service can be hit or miss. Plates often sit on the table for too long before being cleared, and the staff appear somewhat disengaged from the experience. This again is in stark contrast to our experience in Auberge.
High Cost
There’s no denying it — the Royal Banquet is expensive. Even by Disney standards, €100 per adult is steep for a buffet, especially when the food doesn’t quite match the price. You’re paying mainly for the character experience and the setting, not the culinary excellence.
So, is it worth it?
Royal Banquet Review: Is it Worth it?
The Royal Banquet is, without question, a feast for the eyes. The costumes and the characters create wonderful photo opportunities and magical moments that families will cherish.
However, it’s not quite the premium dining experience its price suggests. The food is bland and uninspiring, and the atmosphere lacks the warmth and intimacy of a true royal celebration, while the service can feel a little under-polished.
If your goal is to meet Disney’s classic characters in their unique royal outfits and capture some unforgettable photos, this is the place to do it. But if you’re expecting a gourmet experience or a relaxed, atmospheric lunch, you might leave wishing for a bit more magic or at least a better dessert.
Would I come again – absolutely not! Do I regret going in the first place? Not entirely, but certainly the cost versus experience we had with the food is a hard pill to swallow, and I am left thinking we should have gone back to Auberge again.
In short: come for the characters, not the cuisine. If you can justify the cost for the characters you are going to meet, go ahead; however, you may find yourself popping to Casey’s for a hot dog after if you are a fussy eater.