While people go to the theme parks for rides, others go for the food. It wouldn’t be an excellent visit to Disney if you didn’t try some of the gourmet selections they have or didn’t get to meet your favorite characters.
Come to a restaurant here, and you can see Mickey, Minnie, and your favorite princess while you eat! It makes for a great experience.
Check out the most magical meal guide below to see where you can find all of the characters you want to meet.
They Will Cost You A Pretty Penny
While the characters are fun and the dining experience will be unforgettable, the meal options at the parks will take some planning, and the character meals are not cheap. However, if you are traveling with little ones, it should cross your mind with that in mind. This generation of children are hardcore fans of the franchise, and meeting their favorite princess is something that will stay with them for a long time.
Unfortunately, some restrictions are still in place with the pandemic, and a few restaurants are closed for good. The PCH Grill, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast Buffet won’t be opening their doors again. In some dining areas, you’ll see that there aren’t as many characters and that you have to take photos instead of interacting with them. However, many characters will dance to music and walk around, so pictures or videos aren’t hard to get.
Don’t Forget To Book A Reservation For Disneyland Character Dining
Reservations are necessary to ensure that you get the best availability. Although the Disneyland character dining options aren’t the cheapest, they fill up fast because everyone wants to meet the princesses and other characters. Spots are also limited, and you shouldn’t count on same-day availability. To avoid disappointment, take advantage of that you can book at least two months in advance as early as six in the morning.
Making use of the Disneyland app will grant you easier access as well. If something isn’t available, refresh and keep doing it. Cancellations and new openings can occur, and you don’t want to miss them. If the reservation is popular, try Mouse Dining. The service will notify you of any newly available reservations for the restaurant you wish to. There is a free option that you can use, but you only get half a dozen notifications. To stay on top of your vacation game, you can pay for an annual plan and never miss a new opening.
Which Character Is At The Top Of Your List?
Choosing which Disneyland character dining area you want can be tricky. Most places serve the same sorts of food, just a variety of it. That means you can focus on who you truly want to see. For example, if you would like to have a visit with Minnie Mouse, you are more likely to see her at either Goofy’s Kitchen or the Storyteller’s Cafe. However, she is only promised to appear at the Minnie & Friends Breakfast in the Park. That is located at the Plaza Inn in Disneyland Park.
That same idea is accurate for Mickey and Goofy as well. If you want to see them, you will have to go to Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel or Mickey’s Tales Of Adventure Breakfast & Brunch Buffet at the Storytellers Cafe in the Californian Hotel and Spa. To locate the princesses, or at least a few, you will need to book the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures. Remember, however, no princesses are definite here.
Minnie’s get-together with her ‘friends’ is a good option if you have any other favorites. You get a diverse group that could include characters like Daisy, Winnie the Pooh and his friends, or Goofy’s son Max who is a rare character to see.
Think Carefully About When You Want To Eat
When you want to eat, believe it or not, is more critical here than you think. Disneyland character dining tends to be more affordable at breakfast. That means that a morning reservation will save you money. However, in the morning the park has shorter lines, so you’ll have to decide what’s more important. If you choose to wait until the end of a period, you should remember that your favorites will make their last appearances after closing time for a limited amount of time.
You need to schedule your day accordingly to get your money’s worth of dining and characters. You should also know that the food can run out quickly if you’re going to a buffet, and you may be left hungry. Considering your eating habits is a great idea here. If you get hungry in the morning, more so than at night, fill up in the morning and have a light lunch or dinner. You know your body, and you can plan your meals much better. In addition to that, you may be able to get a better time and reservation as a result.
Disney Princess Breakfast
Choose the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures if you want to dine in style. It takes dining to a new level, and it has a price tag to go with it. It is a three-course royal feast served family-style and with buffet touts for your dining pleasure. They have the most impressive menu of any of the Disneyland character options. This is a fantastic option, from princess-inspired desserts to tableside sprinklings of pixie dust.
You’ll see a variety of princesses coming through and that are present during the meal. They will pose for photos or dance through the dining room. Your little ones can participate in regal fun like reading with Belle or getting their warrior on with Mulan! The best part? A PhotoPass photo is included in your meal as a parting gift. You can also have your children pick a tiara necklace or a sword and shield. The last thing you receive is a gift bag.
You should see at least eight different princesses here, though your favorite is not guaranteed to show up. You can see characters like the following for $125 per person (adults and children).
- Belle
- Ariel
- Aurora
- Mulan
- Rapunzel
- Tiana
- Pocahontas
- Jasmine
As you can see, the cost is high, but Disney has made it worth it with the best food and gifts for your children.
Let’s Get Goofy!
Goofy’s Kitchen is the only restaurant with characters showing up at dinnertime. It is considered at the top of the list of popular meals. Like Minnie’s party that she does at breakfast, Goofy will bring great guests to the kitchen, where you will have a complimentary PhotoPass photo. Since the pandemic started, however, things have been a little different now. Instead, you can catch him when he walks through the dining area. He is friendly and always offers a smile to his guests as he loves seeing all of your friendly faces.
Here, you can find typical breakfast items and fried shrimp, and a carving station in the evening. However, as this is Goofy we’re talking about, you can expect to see things like pizza with macaroni and cheese on it!
Of course, you are guaranteed to see Goofy, but you can also see Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Chip N Dale. Keep in mind; however, that can change. Cheaper than other options at fifty-six dollars for adults and thirty-three for children, it can be a great experience when your kids want to see the lovable yet slightly clumsy character.
Breakfast With Minnie And Friends
This option is considered the best option for what you’ll spend on seeing characters. You see both familiar and rare characters, and Minnie is deemed a fabulous hostess. You have seating available inside and out, welcoming you and posing for pictures. Like the other options, one photo is complimentary.
With buffet items that mirror other spots, you can have things that can be made when ordered and sometimes fried chicken. You will need a ticket from the park to get in, as it is located at the Plaza Inn. However, it is worth it as Minnie is guaranteed to show up, and when possible, these characters have shown up.
- Daisy
- Pluto
- Chip N Dale
- Winnie the Pooh
- Piglet
- Tigger
- Rabbit
- Eeyore
- Max
- Geppetto
- Pinocchio
- Fairy Godmother
- Rafiki
- Captain Hook
That doesn’t include all of the other characters that have shown up too! This list scratches the surface.
See Your Favorite Disneyland Character Dining Options
Consider the list above when you want to see your favorite Disneyland character dining options. Remember that you will need a reservation and you should never go without one. You’ll get to see the best of your favorite characters and have a trip that you won’t forget. Try something new at Goofy’s Kitchen or meet your favorite princess as you dine on a fantastic dessert. The options are endless and offer tons of fun for families. Just don’t forget to snap a picture of your favorite princess!
