C
haracter meals are a great way to not only enjoy a meal, but also get some one on one time with the characters. While you will not see Mickey Mouse at a character meal because he is too busy, often times you will see Minnie at Goofy's Kitchen, Ariel's Grotto and of course Breakfast with Minnie and Friends.
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For years we enjoyed character meals as a couple. Now we have a child, and the meals are even more fun than we could have thought possible. Character meals are not just for children though. If you enjoy being up close and personal with the characters be sure to try one of the places below for an experience you won't ever forget!
We highly recommend all the places we have had character meals. Different experiences yet both are totally enjoyable. Priority seating reservations are recommended for the character meals. These reservations can be made 60 days in advance, by calling 714- 781 – DINE (3463).
It is also important to note now that the Children’s age for character meals is from 3 – 9. What this means is that children under age 3 eat free of charge, and children aged 10 and up pay the adult price to eat at the character meals.
Please also note that the prices do not all include gratuity. That has been specified for the appropriate meals with the prices.
Goofy's Kitchen
Goofy's Kitchen is located in the Disneyland Hotel, and serves a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The offerings at each meal are wonderful, and plentiful. With several main dishes to choose from, a wide selection of side dishes, and a dessert bar, there is no reason for anyone to go hungry at this restaurant. Children love the peanut butter and jelly pizza at Goofy's Kitchen. Children under age 3 eat free at Goofy's Kitchen, which is great when you have a young toddler, and there are many food choices for a child that young.
During your meal, characters roam and visit each table, spending time for photographs, autographs, and just to chat if not wearing a mask. For this character dining experience, Goofy is always there, joined by anywhere from 2 - 5 other characters. Goofy's Kitchen tends to have the most varied set of characters.
If for some reason the characters seem to miss your table look for the character manager who will be dressed nicely and wearing a nametag. If you explain nicely to this person that the characters have not been to your table and show where your table is, the manager will do what he can to get them to visit was soon as possible.
We had to do this on our last trip when Minnie Mouse did not come to our table. As Alexander's favorite character, and since it was our last evening at the Disneyland Resort, it was important to us that she visit our table. We politely told the character manager, and within minutes Minnie was visiting our table and hugging our son.
Priority seating reservations are recommended for Goofy's Kitchen. While not required, the wait can be very long, over an hour without the reservation.
As of July 2007, Breakfast/Brunch prices are $27.25 per adult and $14.86 per child aged 3-9. Hours for the breakfast/brunch are 7:00am until 12 noon during the week and until 2pm on weekends. Dinner prices are $35.93 per adult and $14.86 per child aged 3-9. Dinner hours are from 5 to 9 daily. These prices do include tax and tip. Do also keep in mind that if you have an AAA card, you can get 10% off those prices!
Effective September 12, 2007, Goofy's Kitchen prices are going up. The new adult price for breakfast/brunch will be $32.21 and the child price will be $17.34. Dinner will be priced at $39.64 per adult and $17.34 per child.
We highly recommend Goofy's Kitchen as a must-do with or without children if you are a character fan. Goofy is always there to make you laugh, and is joined by many friends, for a wonderful experience.
Ariel's Grotto
Ariel's Grotto now has meal service with the Princesses. The dinner menu is served for both lunch and dinner, and in July 2007 the prices are $26.01 per adult (aged 10 and up) and $17.33 per child aged 3-9. This is not a buffet, but instead a 3 course meal which you select from a limited menu. Each meal also includes 1 complimentary drink per person. Alcoholic beverages are an additional charge.
(Effective September 12, 2007, Ariel's Grotto prices are going up. The new adult price for lunch or dinner will be $34.69 and the child price will be $19.82. )
Unlike Goofy's Kitchen, Ariel's Grotto does not have buffet service. You choose your meals off a set menu of home-style food that comes in large servings and is very good. Each meal includes a starter and an entrée and dinner includes a dessert. The meal choices include, meat, pasta, fish, and chicken; so there is something for everyone! Ariel's Grotto provides indoor or outdoor seating, and on cool nights there are heaters outside to keep you warm.
The Princesses also go through Ariel's Grotto differently that any other character meal. Here you will see them in assembly line fashion. All the Princesses come out one after the other just one time during your meal. Each one will spend a few minutes with your family before moving on. If they do this right after your meal is served, plan on not eating until each Princess has been by your table.
You will no longer find characters doing dances with the children. There is no more chicken dance or limbo with Mickey and friends. The meal with the Princesses is much more sedate, but is a great opportunity to see them all in one shot. Another important thing to note is that Ariel can now again be seen at Ariel's Grotto. This time though, Ariel is not a Mermaid. She will be walking from table to table. That may be a shock to many, so be forewarned!
As will all character meals, priority seating is recommended here. Hours are 11:00 to 5pm during the week, and until 7 pm on weekends, depending on the opening hours for Disney's California Adventure. Also important to note, if you plan on eating here when the Electric Parade is in season, you will want to consider lunch instead of Dinner. Both Snow White and Cinderella leave early to appear in the Electrical Parade.
Breakfast with Minnie and Friends
Breakfast with Minnie and Friends is now located inside Disneyland, at the Plaza Inn. Here you can enjoy breakfast with many of your favorite characters any day of the week.
Plaza Inn does serve food buffet style, but without the selection of Goofy's Kitchen. There are different lines for each type of food, so be prepared to wait in more than one line if you would like an omelet and hash browns or potatoes. The quality of the food here is usually better than both Goofy's Kitchen and Ariel's Grotto, so if the food is important to you during a character meal, you may want to try the Plaza Inn.
Minnie and Friends is open from Disneyland Opening until 11:00 am and the cost is $23.69 per adult, and $12.92 per child aged 3-9. These prices include tax, but not the gratuity and are the prices in July 2007.
(Effective September 12, 2007, Breakfast with Minnie and Friends prices are going up. The new adult price will be $32.21 and the child price will be $17.34.)
Characters you may see at Minnie and Friends include Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger and many others. There will also be a villain at this meal. Most times we see Captain Hook, but Foulfellow was there on our last visit. You will not ever see Mickey Mouse here, so please don't expect that when going to the Plaza Inn for breakfast.
One important note for those of you who attended the Princess breakfast here with bad results, this is a different character meal, and is run much more efficiently. The characters do make it to your table now, and spend time with each family. You can expect between 5 and 6 characters during your breakfast, and are guaranteed to see Minnie Mouse herself.
According to Disney Dining, the Minnie and Friends breakfast is now the most popular character meal. I definitely recommend making reservations.
Storyteller's Café
Characters are only here for breakfast in the Storyteller's Café at the Grand California Hotel. This character meal differs from the others because here, the characters do not frequently visit the tables. Chip and Dale are the main characters for this breakfast, and will lead the children around the restaurant in a parade, which it is recommended they join and frolic around for a bit. Buffet and menu service are both options at Storyteller's and for children menu service is recommended due to buffet selections.
Prices in July 2007 for the character buffet are $23.69 per adult and $12.92 per child aged 3-9 It is important to note that these prices include tax, but not the gratuity.
Effective September 12, 2007, the Storytellers character meal prices are going up. The new adult price will be $32.21 and the child price will be $17.34.
Lilo and Stitch
The Lilo and Stitch Breakfast is offered each morning at the Paradise Pier Hotel in the PCH Grill. Here you can order off the menu, or enjoy the buffet. Frequently seen (but not guaranteed) at this breakfast are Lilo and Stitch, Minnie, Pluto, and even Max and Daisy Duck. This character meal provides Daisy Duck fans with an opportunity to see the elusive lady. Breakfast is served from 7:00 until 12:00 daily.
The prices for Lilo and Stitch are 23.69 per adult, 12.92 per child aged 3 - 9. These prices include tax but not gratuity.
Effective September 12, 2007, Lilo and Stitch prices are going up. The new adult price will be $32.21 and the child price will be $17.34.
For all character meals, it is highly recommended that you make reservations in advance. Priority Seating can be obtained by calling 714-781-3463. Calls can be made 60 days in advance.