First Time At Topolino's Terrace... During a Pandemic

Let me set the scene. It was early March and I was heading back to my home in Miami for Spring Break. I was going to spend the first half of the week with family and then head to Disney World. I planned my park days; Hollywood Studios was first so I could ride the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. I also made reservations at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort, since I hadn’t been able to snag a reservation since its opening.

I was so excited and I had everything planned perfectly. The only thing I hadn’t planned for was a global pandemic. And, as a result of that pandemic, Disney World closed its doors on March 15, just four days before my trip.

I didn’t know how long it would be before I could go back to Disney, ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and dine at Topolino’s Terrace.

Now, fast forward about six months. It’s now September and Disney World has been open for almost two months. I was on my way back home from a road trip with my mom and we decided to stay the night in Orlando before driving back home to Miami. As I was scrolling through My Disney Experience to get a brunch reservation for the morning, the unimaginable happened: a reservation for Topolino’s. I didn’t have time to think or process it - since these reservations are few and far between - so I booked immediately.

This breakfast at Topolino’s was a lot of firsts. It was my first time eating there, it was my first time eating indoors at a restaurant since early March, and it was my first time back on Disney property since January.

Because I never went to Topolino’s pre-shutdown, I can’t really compare and contrast what’s new and what’s the same; all I can do is give my experience on a unique character dining experience in this Covid-era.

Given the circumstances, it is not what you might call a typical character dining experience. No character hugs, no autographs, and no playful kiss on Mickey’s nose for a picture. In fact, it’s one of the only character dining experiences being offered at the moment on property. So, if you want character dining, this is a good option.

The breakfast costs $42.00 per adult and $27.00 per child, which is the same price it has always been. I think some people expected the price to decrease due to the limited character experience, but the price point has stayed the same since the restaurant reopened, as has the majority of the menu.

We were started off with some complimentary pastries with butter and jam. It didn’t, however, come in the paint bucket as I’ve seen in previous pictures. Instead, it just came in a normal basket — similar to what you’d find dinner rolls in. It also didn’t include the chocolate hazelnut spread they had pre-shutdown or the epi bread. But still, the pastries — specifically the maple croissant — were great!

I ordered the sour cream French toast while my mom ordered the Gruyere quiche and both were SO delicious. If you have more of a sweet tooth, the French toast is definitely the way to go. The fruit that came on top was very fresh and there was the perfect amount of sweetness in each bite. For a savory option, the quiche with a side of potatoes and a side salad is perfect. The potatoes were probably the best I’ve ever tried on Disney property and the quiche was fantastic.

And you must, and I say MUST, order the POG juice. POG juice — which is also served at other breakfast spots on property — is a passionfruit, orange, and guava juice. My mom ordered a French press coffee — and I cannot attest to this one since I’m not a coffee drinker — but she said it was delicious. The POG juice is included in the price of the breakfast, but the French press is not. Other specialty drinks (such as Mimosas or Bellini’s) are also available to order, but also at an additional cost.

The characters come out one by one and make their way around the restaurant, occasionally stopping for socially-distanced pictures and selfies. Then, once they’ve all made their rounds, all four come out together for a parade and dance. While this experience is different, it’s still exciting to see the characters and interact with them from a distance.

Overall, the experience at Topolino’s was a wonderful one. While $42 is a bit of a steep price, you know you’re paying for a good meal and a good time. All the cast members had on masks — servers had masks and face shields for extra protection — and they cleaned the tables and seats after every party. The food was delicious and if you plan on going, make sure to stop by the outdoor terrace before you head out. You can get some great views of the rest of the resort and the Skyliner.