characters at Minnie's Plaza breakfast?

[serendipity]

Can anyone tell me what characters are usually at Minnie's Plaza breakfast in Disneyland? Thanks!

 

[hlbtimes2]

When we went we saw: Minnie, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Hook, Chip and Dale, and the Fairy Godmother. It was the best character interaction we've evern had. Most of them came to our table more then once.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yeah, Plaza Inn has a very nice variety of characters. Last trip we saw: Minnie, Fairy Godmother, Pooh, Tigger, Piglet (I think), Captain Hook, and Dale (no Chip he was off finding acorns they said).

And my favorite thing about the Plaza is that Walt's wife Lillian decorated that restaurant. It is very pretty in there, a really lovely setting.

 

[cmputerdazed]

that is interesting about Walts wife for some reason I thought he was a bachelor.

 

[hlbtimes2]

that is interesting about Walts wife for some reason I thought he was a bachelor.

Nope, husband and father of 2 daughters. He built the park so families would have a place to have fun together. It was something he wished was available for him and his own children. I know his daughter Diane was at some of the 50 year celebration opening ceremonies.

 

[tracer]

Yeah, Plaza Inn has a very nice variety of characters. Last trip we saw: Minnie, Fairy Godmother, Pooh, Tigger, Piglet (I think), Captain Hook, and Dale (no Chip he was off finding acorns they said).

And my favorite thing about the Plaza is that Walt's wife Lillian decorated that restaurant. It is very pretty in there, a really lovely setting.

Knowing that about Walt's wife makes me love PPI even more. A b-fast there is almost a must for me. I love the atmosphere...it's waht Disney is to me.

As for characters with Minnie, we had Hook, Fairy Godmother, Chip and Dale, Gepetto, Eeyore, the Fox from Pinochio and another while we were there...hmm, let me think.

Oh another cool thing to note: we had reservations at 10am. they stop letting people in shortly after that because they have to clear everyone out and get ready for the lunch menu after 12. It clears out and there is hardly anyone else eating in there and the character interaction is even better. Also we were able to collect 2 fast passes before hand and ride POTC, jungle and buzz. Yes we hurried but it was so cool!

 

[hrhlaurie]

I read some reviews that said as the characters walk around they are mobbed by kids and it isn't very organized. Can someone tell me how hectic they found it? We like the idea of the characters coming up to our table but not if they will be accompanied by 10 - 15 kids too! Are there CM's there to keep order?

We made reservations at Ariels' Grotto instead since it's a sit-down restaurant and not a buffet so we're hoping it's a bit more calm and organized but I had really wanted a late breakfast at PI instead. There's still time to change my mind...

 

[hlbtimes2]

Well, you are supposed to wait for the characters to come to your table at all the character meals. However, there are always kids that get up and run to the characters while the parents sit and do nothing about it. We dont typically find it a huge problem. The cm's and character escorts try to handle it the best they can, but can't catch it every time.

We had so much fun last time. Minnie and Tigger both took my sons Buzz gun, he had just bought, and played with it. Got some great pic's of Minnie doing "Bond girl" poses with the gun. It was a crack up. Tigger was more silly, and tried hard to get my son to play with him. The trip before Tigger had my daughter down on the floor and was rolling around with her. He also flew like an airplane to try to get my son to play with him. Chip and Dale danced with each other. The Fairy Godmother held my kids on her lap while she visited with them.

 

[tracer]

I read some reviews that said as the characters walk around they are mobbed by kids and it isn't very organized. Can someone tell me how hectic they found it? We like the idea of the characters coming up to our table but not if they will be accompanied by 10 - 15 kids too! Are there CM's there to keep order?

We made reservations at Ariels' Grotto instead since it's a sit-down restaurant and not a buffet so we're hoping it's a bit more calm and organized but I had really wanted a late breakfast at PI instead. There's still time to change my mind...

I have never had this problem and we go to PPI 1-2 times a year. Kids will stick with their families for the most part. I have noticed that if a new character comes out or one is about to leave, many kids will try to get to them fast. Most children are very respectful and take their turn and give others their space to have their turn as well. Again, we eat here often and it's never been the way you described it.

 

[jayally]

We stayed at the PP for my Son's 13th birthday and walked in for breakfast at the plaza about 9am without reservations. I asked at the podium if I could make reservations but she said we could be seated right away- and we got a great front table. We were going to do Lilo & stitch at PP but my son wasn't in the mood for it and I was not going to pay all that $ for something he would not enjoy. The Plaza was our best character experience ever and they made it so special for my kids. We had captain hook playing with my kids hats, fairy godmother sat down and had conversations with them plus chip, dale, pooh, tigger, alice, mad hatter. It was very organized and we stayed for about an hour to fill up. My kids were chosen as balloon handlers and got to give eveyone a balloon. It was very cool plus they got special tinkerbell pins that said give one away & keep one. My daughter gave one to a little girl who was thrilled. It was a very nice thing for Disney to encourage. I would choose this over other character breakfasts. My DD and I did go back and do the PP lilo one for her birthday a month later as she was upset we were not going to do it and it was disappointing.

 

[xmansmom]

I have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen next month because it sounded like the only one for boys but it sounds like Minnie's has a good mix. Which do you prefer? I have boys ages 4 and 10. Thanks.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I do have to say I have had some hectic experiences at the Plaza. Its a buffet and the lines can get long and that means people are sort of squashed together in the small area near the buffet. But I have also had some great experiences there. I have done breakfasts there for years, back when it was Pooh and friends and then when it was a princess thing (thats at Ariel's now) and now with Minnie. It always has a very wide variety of characters so its great for girls and boys as well as little and older kids. You can eat outside which I like. The food has always been very good. The best thing about this is that its inside the park. During times when the park opens early, you can go ride some rides, then eat breakfast without ever having to leave the park. Last year on an EE day, we got to the park at 7:00, had over two hours and then had breakfast around 9:30. I think at times this one can just feel a bit more crowded because this restaurant was not designed to be a character buffet so it doesn't have as much space. And really anda truly, all character meals are hectic with the possible exception of Storytellers in the GCH. So even with some hectic experiences, we keep going back for the good food and characters.

Tracer I read that about Lillian Disney decorating the Plaza in the Birnbaum's Guide to Disneyland. And a cast member who was chatting with us one day and figured out we love Walt Disney trivia confirmed that for me. I can also tell you that shortly before DL opened, Walt and Lillian celebrated their anniversary (25th I think) at the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland. So that one has some Walt and Lillian history behind it too! Oh, and Walt used to have coffee many mornings at the Riverbelle Terrace. He loved to sit outside and enjoy the Rivers of America. So do I!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen next month because it sounded like the only one for boys but it sounds like Minnie's has a good mix. Which do you prefer? I have boys ages 4 and 10. Thanks.

Really the only one not good for boys is Ariel's because its all princesses. Tons of little girls wearing their gowns so not a boy type place! Aurora kissed my son at a princess meal once and he will not go back now!

Goofy's is good, my son loves it (he's 12 now) because he loves Goofy. But he also enjoys Minnies and the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier. Storytellers has Chipa and Dale and Koda and Kenai from Brother Bear. So that one is nice for boys as well. You cannot go wrong with any of them. I probably like Goofy's the best. I like to go for dinner. But I love them all and so does my son (with the one exception).

 

[xmansmom]

Aurora kissed my son at a princess meal once and he will not go back now!

That's so funny! In a few years he may remember and beg to go back. Thanks for the help.