Character Breakfast Pricing...

[BoiseToDisneyland]

I'm interested in a Character Breakfast for my 3 boys (ages 3, 5 and 7). Does anyone know how much I'll be charged for a family of 7 (my family plus grandma and grandpa). I'm thinking Goofy's Kitchen or Surf's Up.

thank you.

 

[sonnyjane]

Hopefully someone that has actually gone will chime in, but maybe this will at least bump it up. This is according to allears.net, so it may have changed since those dates:

Surf's Up Breakfast (updated 9/2010): Adults: $25.99, Children (3-9): $13.99
plus 15% gratuity and tax

Goofy's Kitchen Brunch (updated 5/2010): Adult: $29.99, Children (3-9): $15.99
plus gratuity and tax

Anaheim tax is 8.75%

In other words, after tax and 15% tip, Goofy's will run you about $210 and Surf's Up will be $182.50 (if those prices are still accurate).

 

[skiingfast]

Goofy's Adult $29.99 Child $15.99
Surf's Up Adults $29.99 Child $13.99

Age 3-9 are children.

I just took the prices from this site. http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm#res

 

[BoiseToDisneyland]

I'm beginning to not believe in this Disney magic thing. It all seems like a scam for people to capitalize on the Disney name. I'm wondering if old Walt himself would roll in his grave at the notion of what people are being charged. I can not honestly see my self spending $210 for breakfast for my immediate family when I can cruise down to Perkins and have the same type of meal for $75. I think I'll skip the breakfast and the boys can see the Disney characters at the entrance gate - all for the ridiculously priced entrance fee for a 2 or 3 day park hopper that some people like me have to pay full amount and others get deeply discounted tickets because they live in Southern California. I don't know if out of staters like me should be the ones to help California out of their economic turmoil.

There, I feel better now.

Goofy's Adult $29.99 Child $15.99
Surf's Up Adults $29.99 Child $13.99

Age 3-9 are children.

I just took the prices from this site. http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm#res

 

[gapoochi]

I think the Minnie one is somewhere around 23/adult and 12/child.
I have the prices written down somewhere, i called them last week.
As soon as I find them, I'll post

 

[Bungle]

I'm beginning to not believe in this Disney magic thing. It all seems like a scam for people to capitalize on the Disney name. I'm wondering if old Walt himself would roll in his grave at the notion of what people are being charged. I can not honestly see my self spending $210 for breakfast for my immediate family when I can cruise down to Perkins and have the same type of meal for $75. I think I'll skip the breakfast and the boys can see the Disney characters at the entrance gate - all for the ridiculously priced entrance fee for a 2 or 3 day park hopper that some people like me have to pay full amount and others get deeply discounted tickets because they live in Southern California. I don't know if out of staters like me should be the ones to help California out of their economic turmoil.

There, I feel better now.

I understand that this is expensive. BUT you are not only paying for the food you are paying for the experience. In order to have all those characters there they have to pay people to be in those costumes.

 

[Funball]

the boards have a link at the top labeled dining, i think you can find info on character breakfast and dining there!

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm beginning to not believe in this Disney magic thing. It all seems like a scam for people to capitalize on the Disney name. I'm wondering if old Walt himself would roll in his grave at the notion of what people are being charged. I can not honestly see my self spending $210 for breakfast for my immediate family when I can cruise down to Perkins and have the same type of meal for $75. I think I'll skip the breakfast and the boys can see the Disney characters at the entrance gate - all for the ridiculously priced entrance fee for a 2 or 3 day park hopper that some people like me have to pay full amount and others get deeply discounted tickets because they live in Southern California. I don't know if out of staters like me should be the ones to help California out of their economic turmoil.

There, I feel better now.

I can't say that I disagree about the price of those character meals. Sure, for one person $30 seems feasible when you get to meet some characters up close, but once you have a family of 7, that cost quickly adds up.

As far as the price of admission and the "magic" being lost - you have to go into the experience knowing that, frankly, Disneyland is expensive. I am not one of those people that feels that I have to stay on-site and eat all three meals at the park in order to "feel the magic". I cut corners by staying cheaply off-site, eating breakfast at the room or bringing a granola bar to the parks, and bringing my own bottle of water that I refill at water fountains throughout the day.

If you're already angry over the cost, there is virtually no way you can come out of the trip happy. My best advice is to save up as much as you can, use tricks like I mentioned above, and just embrace that sometimes in life, we have to a pay a premium. For example, Knott's is about half the cost of Disneyland, but doesn't even come close to touching it as far as quality is concerned in my opinion. You get what you pay for. Admission isn't cheap, but for what you pay, I think you get a lot. Make sure you take advantage of all the FREE entertainment (Fantasmic!, Aladdin, World of Color, etc.). Those shows are great and, yes, FREE!

I hope you find the Disney magic again

 

[BoiseToDisneyland]

I get that, however they are essentially charging at least twice the price of a meal then paying some high school kids minimum wage to wear the costume. I think I can get the same benefit inside the park for $210 they would profit from me. Am I being stingy, certainly. Will my boys experience at Disneyland be any different because of it? Most certainly not.

I understand that this is expensive. BUT you are not only paying for the food you are paying for the experience. In order to have all those characters there they have to pay people to be in those costumes.

 

[BoiseToDisneyland]

Just because I'm being frugal doesn't mean I lost the Disney "magic". You shouldn't have to spend money to make the "majic" happen. By all accounts, I'll be spending more money on entrance fees than I will be spending on accomodations. When I see and hear So. California residents saving $50 a ticket because of their zip code, I have a problem with that. The California economy feeds off the tourists and this is probably one of the reasons why I have not set foot in the State in 10 years. This is coming from someone who was born in Orange County many years ago.

I can't say that I disagree about the price of those character meals. Sure, for one person $30 seems feasible when you get to meet some characters up close, but once you have a family of 7, that cost quickly adds up.

As far as the price of admission and the "magic" being lost - you have to go into the experience knowing that, frankly, Disneyland is expensive. I am not one of those people that feels that I have to stay on-site and eat all three meals at the park in order to "feel the magic". I cut corners by staying cheaply off-site, eating breakfast at the room or bringing a granola bar to the parks, and bringing my own bottle of water that I refill at water fountains throughout the day.

If you're already angry over the cost, there is virtually no way you can come out of the trip happy. My best advice is to save up as much as you can, use tricks like I mentioned above, and just embrace that sometimes in life, we have to a pay a premium. For example, Knott's is about half the cost of Disneyland, but doesn't even come close to touching it as far as quality is concerned in my opinion. You get what you pay for. Admission isn't cheap, but for what you pay, I think you get a lot. Make sure you take advantage of all the FREE entertainment (Fantasmic!, Aladdin, World of Color, etc.). Those shows are great and, yes, FREE!

I hope you find the Disney magic again

 

[ConnieB]

With all due respect....reading your other posts as well as this thread....you may want to reconsider taking a vacation at Disneyland. The anger your posts show are only going to grow worse when you actually have to pay those high prices and feel those crowds. I'm sure to get slammed by a few for saying that, but I've seen enough unhappy folks on these boards like this to know that there ain't enough pixie dust to overcome that type of unhappiness before you've even arrived. And the fact that your kids are probably too young/too short to ride many of the thrill rides hasn't even been mentioned yet, lol....but typically those angry over the prices get even more angry when they arrive and find that junior can't ride quite a few things because they aren't tall enough.

Again, this is said with all due respect...but you may find that your kids (and you) will enjoy a different vacation that isn't as expensive or crowded.

 

[skiingfast]

Everyone before you read this please take note that my post is not to inflame anger or incite argument. Its not to take the thread on a different route. Just a friendly and possibly useful and realistic alternative for the OP or others in a similiar situation.

I know some people who took trips to DL in a special way that didn't make it economically difficult. They went one parent and one child at a time. One kid per year got to go. Sure it takes away from a family trip but make it a very special parent and child trip. It was the only way they got to go and thus what they did.

Granparents could take a kid. Mom take a kid. Dad take a Kid.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

OP, I understand that Disney is expensive, and that you may be stressed about spending so much money for one vacation experience. Like previous posters have expressed, if you feel distressed or bitter about the expense now, you may have a hard time overcoming that mindset and enjoying your vacation experience.

My family lives in northern California. We also cannot benefit from the tickets for the special zip codes. Nevertheless, we spend the biggest chunk of our entertainment budget at Disney each year. We are grateful that we can afford to go, and we find ways that make it enjoyable and comfortable for us. Part of that is figuring out which things to splurge on and which things to let go. We drive rather than fly. We take a lot of our own food. We set a souvenir budget suitable for whatever disposable income we have available at that time. There's no getting around the ticket prices, so that's that. We remind ourselves that in comparison to other forms of entertainment we may choose to indulge in (but generally don't) such as movies, sports events, theater shows, other theme parks, and so on, the price per hour of entertainment isn't so terrible. It's just that all those entertainment hours are compressed into a short time span. So when we're not at Disney our forms of entertainment are much more modest.

We recognize that a lot of what Disney has to offer are high priced extras, but they are extras and we don't have to choose to partake. We have never done a tour or Fantasmic dessert. We can't bring ourselves to pay for WoC dining options when it's completely doable to just spend some time and pick up the fastpasses ourselves. We didn't do a character meal the first time we went and have done them only occasionally through the years. We prefer to get whatever value we can out of the tickets we have already paid for. It sounds to me like that would be the best way for you to approach your vacation as well. You are perfectly correct that your kids will have the opportunity to meet characters in the parks, and cheaper food is available. As for their ages and what rides they can do, a concern expressed by a PP, there are more than enough. Just check the height guidelines in advance so you have reasonable expectations.

The only times we have ever not had fun during our Disney vacations have been when we worried about the expenses overly much, when we had expectations that didn't mesh with reality, when we pushed too hard and overextended ourselves, and when we let the disappointing behavior of others get to us. I know we hear all the time that Disneyland is a "magical place" because that's how it was billed. I think a big chunk of that "magic" really has to come from ourselves. Disneyland can be fun, exciting, and an adventure, or it can be expensive, crowded, and overwhelming. A big part of the experience is really what you bring to it. My first trip I was too hung up about the logistics and the crowds and the expense and the exhaustion. I never wanted to go back again. But I got over it. My second trip a year later was all about enjoying the rides and the shows and the looks on my kids faces and the cute things they said and tasting different foods and taking time for the things that we were too rushed to do the first time. That's when I realized that so much of the experience depended on the attitude and expectations I brought to it. I've been hooked ever since.

 

[Funball]

I'm beginning to not believe in this Disney magic thing. It all seems like a scam for people to capitalize on the Disney name. I'm wondering if old Walt himself would roll in his grave at the notion of what people are being charged. I can not honestly see my self spending $210 for breakfast for my immediate family when I can cruise down to Perkins and have the same type of meal for $75. I think I'll skip the breakfast and the boys can see the Disney characters at the entrance gate - all for the ridiculously priced entrance fee for a 2 or 3 day park hopper that some people like me have to pay full amount and others get deeply discounted tickets because they live in Southern California. I don't know if out of staters like me should be the ones to help California out of their economic turmoil.

There, I feel better now.

as a southern california residant, even thought i have an ap, i feel a bit offended by what you said in this paragraph. i suggest you look at tips and and stuff at mousesavers.com, sometimes they have good suggestions to cutting costs.

I understand that this is expensive. BUT you are not only paying for the food you are paying for the experience. In order to have all those characters there they have to pay people to be in those costumes.

i agree 100%, it's not just a high school kid in the costume, it could be a 60 year old man, who knows, but bungle is right, it's not the meal , it's the experience and the whole magic of it.. the first look of awesomeness on your kids face...

Just because I'm being frugal doesn't mean I lost the Disney "magic". You shouldn't have to spend money to make the "magic" happen. By all accounts, I'll be spending more money on entrance fees than I will be spending on accommodations. When I see and hear So. California residents saving $50 a ticket because of their zip code, I have a problem with that. The California economy feeds off the tourists and this is probably one of the reasons why I have not set foot in the State in 10 years. This is coming from someone who was born in Orange County many years ago.

.

With all due respect....reading your other posts as well as this thread....you may want to reconsider taking a vacation at Disneyland. The anger your posts show are only going to grow worse when you actually have to pay those high prices and feel those crowds. I'm sure to get slammed by a few for saying that, but I've seen enough unhappy folks on these boards like this to know that there ain't enough pixie dust to overcome that type of unhappiness before you've even arrived. And the fact that your kids are probably too young/too short to ride many of the thrill rides hasn't even been mentioned yet, lol....but typically those angry over the prices get even more angry when they arrive and find that junior can't ride quite a few things because they aren't tall enough.

Again, this is said with all due respect...but you may find that your kids (and you) will enjoy a different vacation that isn't as expensive or crowded.

no i agree connie, i agree with your whole statement, i have seen the anger in other peoples vacation planning spill into there actual vacation and they have come home unhappy..


i suggest the same thing that connie does op...

again also try mousesavers.com, we are just trying to help you here..

 

[wvnative]

I have to agree with the others. I consider us blessed to be able to go when so many cannot afford to. We make a budget for every trip, decide what we can't miss out on and go from there. Being in AZ, we don't benefit from the reduced ticket prices either. Still doesn't put a damper on our trip, it's in the budget and I feel like we get a good amount out of my investment.

That said, allears.net is a good resource for pricing and menus. While I agree that the prices of character meals is a bit much, I really enjoy not having to worry about whether or not everyone in my group can find something on the menu they like. Buffets are a wonderful thing. lol. I have some really picky eaters in my group.

 

[Funball]

disney is expensive i pay close to $500 dollars for my pass every year so i can half fun and play in the park whenever i want.. some families op pay that price but X4..

here is a nice tip

http://www.mousesavers.com/dlmeals.html#tips

 

[BoiseToDisneyland]

Ouch! Do you feel better, now? With all due respect, when you contribute to the cost of my vacation then perhaps I would listen to you to your opinion. I seriously doubt you know my financial situation and what I deem to be fair and what I deem to be outrageously overpriced. I'm simply stating the obvious and if you are offended by my observations, then I'm sorry.

Like I have said before, I'll pass on the $210 overpriced breakfast and save MY money for something the family will enjoy and be just as memorable for one hours time.

With all due respect....reading your other posts as well as this thread....you may want to reconsider taking a vacation at Disneyland. The anger your posts show are only going to grow worse when you actually have to pay those high prices and feel those crowds. I'm sure to get slammed by a few for saying that, but I've seen enough unhappy folks on these boards like this to know that there ain't enough pixie dust to overcome that type of unhappiness before you've even arrived. And the fact that your kids are probably too young/too short to ride many of the thrill rides hasn't even been mentioned yet, lol....but typically those angry over the prices get even more angry when they arrive and find that junior can't ride quite a few things because they aren't tall enough.

Again, this is said with all due respect...but you may find that your kids (and you) will enjoy a different vacation that isn't as expensive or crowded.

 

[ConnieB]

Ouch! Do you feel better, now? With all due respect, when you contribute to the cost of my vacation then perhaps I would listen to you to your opinion. I seriously doubt you know my financial situation and what I deem to be fair and what I deem to be outrageously overpriced. I'm simply stating the obvious and if you are offended by my observations, then I'm sorry.

Like I have said before, I'll pass on the $210 overpriced breakfast and save MY money for something the family will enjoy and be just as memorable for one hours time.

Hmmm, I don't think anyone here is going to contribute to the cost of your vacation. Sorry, thought you were looking for help, suggestions, advice...that's what these boards are typically for....not for whining and then getting angry or offended or whatever when someone doesn't whine with you.

I don't know your financial situation...and don't care. The cost is the same for all of us. I live in Arizona and have to pay full price for my APs too. Oh well....I probably go almost as many days a year as some Southern California APs, AND unlike many of them, I have to pay for hotels and loads more gas to get here. Yes, it's expensive, and yeah, we have to penny pinch quite often, but hey, eating breakfast in our room and knowing which places have large portions so we can share and not be hungry.....doing all kinds of crazy things to raise money to go back....it's all worth it to us the moment we walk down Main Street and see that Castle. I could stop right there, sit down and never move and have the greatest vacation ever. But I go with a happy heart....I moan a little about the costs but I certainly don't bash others who suggest ways to save money or even that maybe you're not ready for this.

So...don't listen....you're apparently more offended by my suggestion than I'll ever be by something you can say.......but don't come back and whine after your trip unless you're willing to see responses that say "I told you so."

 

[aribelle]

Oh good heavens. This guy doesn't want help understanding the pricing structure or even how to save money. Like ConniB said he just wants someone to gripe and whine with him. Not going to find a lot of that on these boards dude. DISboards are for people who LOVE Disney. We sigh over the ever rising prices then we whip out the credit card and pay it because there is NO DOLLAR AMOUNT that can compare to the memories (and photos) of your child hugging Mickey or Goofy or whoever for the first time. Especially little kids like yours. But the PP was right. If you're already complaining and haven't even made a reservation yet, you're not going to see the sparkle in their eye or the ear to ear grin on their face because you'll be looking at the bill.

Yes, you can find most of the characters in the park, stand in line to get autographs and photos, but it's not quite the same as when an unsuspecting child looks up from his breakfast plate and sees Mickey standing at HIS table, wanting to greet HIM. But really no one can adequately describe that, you have to experience it to understand.

And yes, you can save money by eating at Perkins. But Mickey won't be there. And no Mickey waffles either. AND you can do that at home.

I personally think of the character meals in the same way I think of Dinner Theatre. We do Dinner Theatre shows several times a year. If you look at the price (about $50 per person) and realize that you paid that for either the nice but nothing spectacular buffet at one theatre or the sit down but it's almost like convention food because all 500 meals are cooked at once meal at another theatre, you will most definitely think you have been ripped off. I choose to look at is as a REALLY great show that I pay for and dinner is thrown in. Character breakfasts are about the characters greeting your child, leading all the children (of ANY age) in a congo line around the restaurant, and have everyone singing and clapping along.....and in between you swallow down a few bites of food. Many parents have complained that their kids are so excited over the characters that they barely touch their plate at all!

Not sure that I would have actually said you shouldn't go (though in many ways I agree), as I do see her point. With the anger and frustration you are already showing you aren't going to have as much fun so I hope that you can shed that and accept that a Disney vacation is expensive, budget for it, and come to terms about it so that you too can smile ear to ear when Mickey hugs YOU. Kinda like gas prices. Now THERE is something I'll join you in whining about. I have to fill my tank tomorrow morning and I feel like I may need a second mortgage to do it. But I will, because it's a necessary evil so that I can go do all the fun things on my to-do list for tomorrow.

 

[ArchOwl]

Well, it takes money to make the magic. Lots of money. And so yes, you do have to pay to experience at least some of the magic. If you feel like it isn't worth it, you are entitled to that opinion. You don't have to shell out any money at all. If you feel as though the character breakfast isn't worth it, then by all means don't go. But to think that you will be able to experience the magic of Disneyland without paying for it is naive.

Yes of course you can enter Disneyland and interact with the characters there, but you will be in a long line and have only a minute or two. The point of the breakfast is to have multiple characters come and visit you. For some people, it is worth it to pay to have that happen. Others decide it is not within their budget or comfort zone. Either way, it is silly to be mad at Disneyland, California, or Southern Californian residents for the prices. You are either ok with paying them or not.

Disneyland is not in some vast conspiracy with the Californian government to pull them out of a recession. Disneyland is a corporation that must answer to its shareholders and turn a profit. So yes, the prices are high, but that is because Disney is committed to turning out a consistent and high quality product (the "magic"). There are other corporations that are not as committed, but that are much cheaper. If you feel other theme park experiences are a better value for you, then you are welcome to vote with your dollars and take your business elsewhere. But you can't go on a message board full of Disney fans and start accusing Disney of malfeasance and expect that everyone is going to agree with you. I honestly believe you won't have very much fun at Disneyland if you feel as though you are getting ripped off. Better to plan a different trip than go through with something that will only make you upset.