Dinner with Donald, with Disney Aulani Character Dining
“Today’s special moments are tomorrow’s memories.” — Genie, The Return of Jafar
Create your own special memories with an enchanting evening at Makahiki Character dining. On selected nights the Menehune get up to mischief with a delectable buffet feast and characters to meet at “Menehune mischief”.
Join Disney Aulani’s “Uncle” and some cheeky Disney characters for a fun, musical filled evening. The Menehune are the cheeky magical people of Hawaii, mischevious people. The shows are on three nights a week Sunday, Monday and Thursday (Check this hasn’t changed before booking). Instead of normal character Dinner, they have two shows, 5:15 – 6 pm, and 7:15-8pm. With seating times at 4:30, 4:45, and 5pm for the 5:15 show, and 6:30pm, 6:45pm, 7pm for the 7:30pm show. Before and during the show you will see some characters so make sure you have your camera and autograph book ready.
What to expect at Menehune mischief “Disney Aulani Character dining”
When you arrive similar to the breakfast Character Dining you will be met at the front by a greeter who will confirm all your party is there and get you to sit down and wait to meet Donald.
Similar to breakfast time, there is a professional photographer there ready to take photos of you whilst you are getting autographs, during hi-fives and a more formal photo. Later they come around to your table and you can purchase these for $35, they come with one photo and a disk of all the other photos. (These are not linked to your photopass card).
Once you have your photo taken you sit and wait until someone walks you through to your table. You can order a drink, and grab some great food from the buffet.
Food selection
There was a great variety of food on offer at the buffet, from a carvery, salads, plenty of seafood, Oysters, Prawns, Claws, Mussels, Sushi, Tuna, Salmon, etc. Bread, Crab legs, Pizza, fried rice, Pork Loin, Fish, Steak, pasta.
For the Keiki (children) there was macaroni cheese, potato gems (dinosaur eggs) and also beef sliders. (they could also choose any of the normal buffet.
But where they excelled where the desserts. They had a huge selection of desserts, Brownies, cheesecakes, Cookies, Bread pudding, Puddings, Tapioca Pudding, Berries, Seasonal fruit, Chocolate Mousse, Rice Krispies.
At $52 for adults and $25 for children, it is only $3 more than the non-character dinner, so worth booking into the experience.
Like the breakfast, this is different to your traditional Disney character dining at the parks as apart from Donald who you meet on entry you also only have two – three other characters. On our evening we had stitch and chip and dale. Chip and Dale came to our table multiple times, however, Stitch only came once just as we were leaving.
If character dining or buffets are not for you, there are other places to dine at Dinsey Aulani, from table service options at Ama Ama, casual dining at one of the bars, or grab it and go options check out our dining guide to find out more.
Have you been to a character dinner before?
What character would you like to see, make sure you let us know in the comments section below.
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