Character meal - which one?

[I Love Pluto]

We have been to WDW numerous times. We are going to Disneyland in July for the first time, and we're really excited about the trip.

Our friend has provided the room for us at the Grand Californian (DVC). She won't take any $$$ for it from us, so we want to do something special for her. What is a fantastic character meal - one that we shouldn't miss? We're going in July, so we're only a few months away with reservations.

Help, please. We want to make a special evening for her. What one character meal is the BEST in Disneyland California? THANK YOU for your help!!!!!

 

[coaches24]

I guess it kind of depends on what you want out of the character meal. If you want lunch then AG princess character meal would be good as I think thats the only lunch one.

The rest are all breakfast (and AG has breakfast as well).

Minnies is inside DL park so that is a nice perk as well (AG is the only other inside the parks character meal) as the rest are at the different hotels.

Ive only been to Minnies thus far and it was very fun. A lot of characters (from what I read on these boards Minnies consistently has the most characters) like Minnie (of coure) Capt Hook, Fairy Godmother, Gipetto, Chip and Dale, Eeyore, and thats all I remember off the top of my head. The characters (atleast when we were there) spent alot of time at each table and also danced with the kids for a while.

The food at Minnies is good (im not a huge breakfast person as it all tastes the same to me) but I have read some prefer the food at Goofys (also a buffet).

If you have an idea of certain characters or certain food you want that might help in deciding what meal you want to go to. If not they all seem to have their different perks that make them unique.

 

[disneydreamer74]

We really enjoyed the AG princess character meal. But, of course, my DD5 is a princess fanatic! If she likes the princesses this would be ideal because the food is good too!

 

[skiingfast]

For somone who has done character meals at WDW, I highly suggest Breakfast with Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn. The Plaza Inn is at the end of Mainstreet. The charcters area widely varied and some very rare to meet. Coaches gave some examples of some of the characters above.

I just want to mention if you are not interest in a breakfast. Ariel's Grotto has lunch too, in DCA. Goofy's Kitchen(similiar to Chef Mickey's) in the Disneyland Hotel serves all three meals.

 

[CamoMama]

I think that dinner at Goofy's Kitchen has the most diversity of characters. It's buffet style and so much fun. We saw Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale and most of the princesses at our dinner there a couple of years ago. And the food is good! We got pictures with Pluto before we went in to dinner, one of which is now hanging in my dining room. I see it every day and just love it.

 

[dchatelain3]

I love Goofys Kitchen! We saw a variety of characters and really enjoyed the food.

 

[ktlm]

We have been to tons of character meals at WDW. Based on that, here is my opinion of the DL character meals we have been to.

Ariel's Grotto (princesses only appear at breakfast and lunch) is exactly like a standard WDW princess/character meal. Snap a shot with Ariel, go sit at the table- 4 (or maybe sometimes 5?- seems like our first year there were 5 and our second were 4) additional princesses come around for a quick autograph and photograph. The food is okay. Not great, but not bad either. If we didn't have a princess loving DD(now 6) we would skip that one.

Minnies' Breakfast at the Plaza Inn- hands down the best character meal we have ever been too. The first time we went, I think we saw 9 characters. Last summer we saw 11 characters. We were having a hard time finding time to eat because there were always characters at the table. They also interact a lot more than just a quick photo. They were dancing with the kids, joking around with them, etc. This is our absolute can't miss at DL.

Goofy's Kitchen- You mentioned wanting to to dinner. This is the one character meal you can do at dinner at DL. Another one which is better than the WDW meals. We saw 7 characters both times we did this one. They also interacted with the kids more than just a quick photo. Not as good as Minnies, but still a really good character meal.

Unlike all the character meals at WDW, where there is pretty much no variety in what characters you might get. Minnie's and Goofy's you never know exactly who you will get. That is part of what makes them fun. Goofy's and Minnie's are both buffets. Ariels lunch is by menu.


If you are looking for a dinner, and want something special and don't care if it is a character meal, you might want to consider Blue Bayou. The atmosphere is comparable to the San Angel Inn at Epcot. There is a river/bayou with the POTC boats going by. Even if you don't get seated right by the river, it is still beautiful and defiitely keeps the "outdoor" feel. The food is pretty good too.

Have a great time!

 

[taaren]

Because you mentioned evening, all the others are breakfasts, so Goofy's Kitchen is fantastic. I'm not much of an eater but the buffet there was delicious, one of the few times I feel like we actually got our $$'s worth out of a buffet.

As a PP mentioned, I'll second the vote for considering Blue Bayou. The atmosphere is fantastic, the food has always been delicious, and even though its not a character meal its still an experience.

The last evening experience that's makes for an "incredible" night is Napa Rose. Its not so much about the fun there as it is high cuisine (though we had a ton of fun after the first glass of wine or two ). Phenomenal food, a foodie's delight. I've heard great things about the Chef's Counter experience though never had the opportunity myself for that one in particular.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

I heard that the meals at Goofy's are a bit loud and wild. Fun for families.

 

[I Love Pluto]

THANK YOU to all of you for your suggestions. It's hard to pick just from reading a book or advertisement.

Educated decisions - with your help - are easier to make. I know we'll have a great time!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I heard that the meals at Goofy's are a bit loud and wild. Fun for families.

At GK there is alot of dancing, singing, etc between the kids and characters and the last time we had breakfast there, there were 8 characters. We have always liked their buffet, but we go at 0700, no lines no wait and everything is fresh.

Jack