disney at christmas

[ado121]

i changed my last minute travel posting.

 

[MinnieMama09]

I think you might be right. It sounds like he either just looked at the current off-peak rates and gave them to you, OR maybe he didn't realize that the "peak season rates" for December begin on December 10th this year.

I called the Dining number earlier today (and man, I wish they could shorten that long intro message - yikes!) and was told the December peak rates begin on 12/10 this year. In my experience with Goofy's in the past, the peak breakfast prices were $37+ (incl. tax and tip), while the off-peak rates were $32+ (incl. tax and tip). So I'm thinking that CM just didn't know that 12/10 was the day they increase at the time you asked him.

Thank you...bummer! Maybe we'll go with Minnie & Friends then...that just "sounds" a little better when trying to convince my DH!

 

[JiminetteCricket]

Just checking in and reading this thread so I can obsess over our trip that we're planning next Christmas .

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you...bummer! Maybe we'll go with Minnie & Friends then...that just "sounds" a little better when trying to convince my DH!

I just added in a paragraph to that last post I did - after I did the math!

I could dig up my Goofy's receipt from last December to tell you exactly how much it was for 2 of us (with no discounts) if you'd like me to.

 

[Sherry E]

Just checking in and reading this thread so I can obsess over our trip that we're planning next Christmas .

Did you read the Disneyland News wonderful press release and the great info on the DLR website? I put links to both in post #2059 above! Great info - check them out!!

 

[JiminetteCricket]

Did you read the Disneyland News wonderful press release and the great info on the DLR website? I put links to both in post #2059 above! Great info - check them out!!

I'm off to check them out! Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

i changed my last minute travel posting.

You have the voucher prices for Goofy's as being $37.58 with tax and tip, correct? What I'm saying is that the peak season Goofy's breakfast price with the tax and tip is $37 and some change. There is nothing added beyond that. So the vouchers would not help in that case if they are $37.58. And if you eat there before December 10, the price will be $32 and some change (and that includes everything already - nothing else is added on).

 

[MinnieMama09]

I think you might be right. It sounds like he either just looked at the current off-peak rates and gave them to you, OR maybe he didn't realize that the "peak season rates" for December begin on December 10th this year.

I called the Dining number earlier today (and man, I wish they could shorten that long intro message - yikes!) and was told the December peak rates begin on 12/10 this year. In my experience with Goofy's in the past, the peak breakfast prices were $37+ (incl. tax and tip), while the off-peak rates were $32+ (incl. tax and tip). So I'm thinking that CM just didn't know that 12/10 was the day they increase at the time you asked him.

ETA: Scratch what I just said! I just did the math using the $29 amount the CM gave you for Goofy's, and I added in tax and tip - and yes, I think he gave you the accurate total, because once you tack on the tax and tip to that $29, it comes in at around the $37 I mentioned for peak season breakfast!

Ok, great! Thank you so much! That helps...see, not so bad, if you just say "$29"! We'll see...I'm also trying to convince him to get APs! heehee

So, the biggest thing for us is seeing the characters, fun experience, etc. (DS4 and DDalmost 2...mostly for my son). Would you recommend one over the other?

 

[tdashgirl]

So, the biggest thing for us is seeing the characters, fun experience, etc. (DS4 and DDalmost 2...mostly for my son). Would you recommend one over the other?

I would vote for Goofy's over Christmas, just because the weather can be yucky - and Minnie's has a lot of outdoor seating and not-that-great indoor seating (IMO). Goofy's is all indoor, it's really spacious. Plus I like their food better I've heard some people who say Minnie has the better character experience, but I haven't experienced that. All my visits, I'd say they were even.

 

[Sherry E]

Ok, great! Thank you so much! That helps...see, not so bad, if you just say "$29"! We'll see...I'm also trying to convince him to get APs! heehee

So, the biggest thing for us is seeing the characters, fun experience, etc. (DS4 and DDalmost 2...mostly for my son). Would you recommend one over the other?

I think there is a lot of confusion among people regarding the character meal prices, because the Dining CM's often just give them the pre-tax and tip totals. And then those totals (like at Goofy's, for example) will vary based on whether it's peak season or off-peak season, whether it's breakfast or dinner, etc.

People then they come on the DIS and ask a character meal question and we may give them the post-tax and tip amount, or they go onto a site where they can pre-purchase vouchers, and some of those vouchers include tax and tip, while others only include the base amount and some sort of website service fee, but they don't include the tax and tip up front! So it can be very confusing!

But if you always keep in mind the basic character meals' prices (post-tax and tip), peak season and off-peak season, then it's easier to determine if the vouchers give you a good deal or not.

I prefer/love Goofy's Kitchen - it has a huge buffet (hence, the lofty price) with tons of choices for all ages. P,B&J pizza, worms and dirt, hot dogs and pizza, and all kinds of things for kids mixed in with a wide array of choices for the adults. You can even get an alcoholic beverage like a Bloody Mary or Mimosa at Goofy's for breakfast. I really like the food, but that's all subjective - some folks like it and some folks don't like it, and that's pretty much the case for any of the DLR restaurants!

However, many folks prefer Minnie & Friends. It has a much smaller food selection, but they like it because there are more characters there than at any of the other meals. So if you want the most characters in one spot, go to Minnie & Friends inside Disneyland.

If you want the largest food selection and about 5- 8 characters (including a couple of Princesses mixed in with furry characters), try Goofy's.

If you want to meet Mickey, go to Surf's Up.

If you want a buffet OR menu option, try the Critter Breakfast at Storytellers.

And if you want all Princesses, eat at Ariel's.

 

[MinnieMama09]

All good, helpful tips...yes, you're right, it can be confusing, but it makes sense the way you explained it. We are staying at the DLH and I personally have always wanted to try GK. Thank you much, Sherry!

And, tdashgirl...I didn't even think of weather, that's a good point. It'd definitely be more convenient for us, since we're staying there, to go to Goofy's.

 

[tdashgirl]

However, many folks prefer Minnie & Friends. It has a much smaller food selection, but they like it because there are more characters there than at any of the other meals. So if you want the most characters in one spot, go to Minnie & Friends inside Disneyland.

If you want the largest food selection and about 5- 8 characters (including a couple of Princesses mixed in with furry characters), try Goofy's.

If you want to meet Mickey, go to Surf's Up.

If you want a buffet OR menu option, try the Critter Breakfast at Storytellers.

And if you want all Princesses, eat at Ariel's.

Sherry, great recap of all the character meals! This should be in one of the sticky's

 

[Sherry E]

I just wanted to post this so everyone can see how it breaks down. I looked up my Goofy's breakfast receipt from last year (December 19th, to be exact), when the prices were peak rates. This is what the cost will be as of December 10 this year, and through the rest of the year.

This is based on 2 adults, no kids and, sadly, NO discounts of any kind.

2 Adult ADM Brunch - $59.98 ($29.99 x 2)

SUBTOTAL - $59.98
Gratuity - $9.00 (that's a 15% tip on the subtotal)
TAX - $6.04 (that's 8.75% tax on the Subtotal + gratuity)
AMOUNT DUE - $75.02 (that's $37.51 per adult x 2)

So if a voucher is costing $37.58 per adult, it will not save you any money.

But - I remembered one other thing to make the whole character meal pricing situation confusing (in addition to the pre- and post-tax/tip rates, on & off-peak seasons, and breakfast vs. dinner prices):

If you have a group of a certain number of people or larger (and I'm not sure what the number is, but it might be 5 people or more?), they will charge you 18% gratuity instead of 15%. We've never been charged 18% because we always have a small group, but other DIS'ers have been charged 18%.

15% tip is obviously for smaller parties - I'm thinking under 5 people.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Thanks for all the Disney info Sherry E. I just scanned it briefly and didn't read any back pages before I posted about the christmas info.

Getting excited and had to share imediatley and didn't know that someone already had keep up the good work

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for all the Disney info Sherry E. I just scanned it briefly and didn't read any back pages before I posted about the christmas info.

Getting excited and had to share imediatley and didn't know that someone already had keep up the good work

I'm excited too! Can't wait to get there!! You know the funny thing about that holiday demitasse dessert/peppermint pot cake (the Christmas one, not the Halloween one) is that, as I recall, people said it was not sold last year. But people definitely saw it sold (and ate it!) in 2007 and, I think, 2008. It used to be sold at the Plaza Inn, among other places.

So I wonder if the peppermint pot cake demitasse thingy was brought back by popular demand this year? It sounds way too good for me to pass up - I love me some pepperminty goodness!!

 

[Belle Ella]

I've never had either (the Holiday or the Halloween one). Heck, I don't even know what it is but I kind of want to try it.

 

[PHXscuba]

... did I hear someone mention peppermint? My alarm went off!

Is there a smiley for drooling? There should be!

PHXscuba

p.s. One month from RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE I will be wandering around DTD!

 

[billwendy]

Is there a list somewhere of the holiday goodies and where you can get them????

 

[Sherry E]

Is there a list somewhere of the holiday goodies and where you can get them????

There will be an updated list eventually, though it never pops up in the same spot. Sometimes Mouse Planet will have it. Sometimes one of the CM's will post it here.

BUT, below is a list of goodies from two years ago (most of it courtesy of CM glendalais, and some of it filled in by me last year). Some of the items have been discontinued, but most of them are still sold. So this will give you a good idea of what to look for. This list was pre-tamales, so now we have tamales on top of everything else.

(Holiday) Brownie
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Refreshment Corner, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Royal Street Veranda, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Tomorrowland Terrace, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
• Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Award Wieners, Hollywood Pictures Backlot,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Taste Pilots Grill, Golden State, Disney's California Adventure Park
• Pizza Oom Mow Mow, Paradise Pier,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Surfside Lounge, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
• Coffee House, Disneyland Hotel
• Whitewater Snacks, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
• Hearthstone Lounge, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

Brownie Funnel Cake With Sprinkles
• Hungry Bear Restaurant, Critter Country, Disneyland Park
• Stage Door Café, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• Mint Julep Bar, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Tomorrowland Terrace, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park

Caramel Apples – Snowman and Peppermint/Pumpkin Mickey
• Pooh’s Corner, Critter Country, Disneyland

Chicken Alfredo with Tomato & Basil Pizza
• Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
• Pizza Oom Mow Mow, Paradise Pier,
Disney's California Adventure Park

Christmas Demitasse Dessert (I think this might be the Peppermint Pot Cake!!)
• Plaza Inn Restaurant, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Blue Bayou Restaurant, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Café Orleans, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Wine Country Trattoria, Golden State,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Storytellers Café, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

(Holiday) Coffee/Hot Chocolate Mugs
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Bengal Barbeque, Adventureland, Disneyland Park
• Hungry Bear Restaurant, Critter Country, Disneyland Park
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• River Belle Terrace, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• Stage Door Café, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• The Golden Horseshoe, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• Village Haus, Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
• Clarabelle's, Mickey's Toontown, Disneyland Park
• Pluto's Dog House, Mickey's Toontown, Disneyland Park
• Daisy's Diner, Mickey's Toontown, Disneyland Park
• Tomorrowland Terrace, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
• Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Pacific Wharf Café, Golden State, Disney's California Adventure Park
• Surfside Lounge, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
• Crocks Bits 'n' Bites, Disneyland Hotel
• Coffee House, Disneyland Hotel
• Whitewater Snacks, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
• Hearthstone Lodge, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
• Market House, Main Street, Disneyland

Cranberry-Orange Bread
• Surfside Lounge, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
• Coffee House, Disneyland Hotel
• Whitewater Snacks, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
• Hearthstone Lodge, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

(Holiday) Cupcakes – Peppermint and Pumpkin
• Marceline’s Confectionery, Downtown Disney
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street, Disneyland

Eggnog
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Carnation Café, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Mint Julep Bar, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Royal Street Veranda, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park

Eggnog Latte
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Carnation Café, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Mint Julep Bar, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Royal Street Veranda, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park

Gingerbread Man Cookies with Mickey Ears
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Pacific Wharf Café, Golden State, Disney's California Adventure Park
• Coffee House, Disneyland Hotel
• Whitewater Snacks, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
• Hearthstone Lodge, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
• Candy Palace, Main Street, Disneyland
• Marceline’s Confectionery, Downtown Disney

Haunted Mansion Holiday Coffee/Hot Chocolate Mug
• French Market, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Mint Julep Bar, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Royal Street Veranda, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park

Jack Skellington Cheese Cake/Death by Chocolate cake
• French Market, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park

Marshmallow Snowmen
• Candy Palace, Main Street, Disneyland
• Marceline’s Confectionery, Downtown Disney
• Greetings from California, Disney’s California Adventure

Peppermint Fudge/Pumpkin Fudge
• Candy Palace, Main Street, Disneyland
• Marceline’s Confectionery, Downtown Disney
• Pooh Corner, Critter Country, Disneyland
• Market House, Main Street, Disneyland
• Greetings from California, Disney’s California Adventure

Peppermint Ice Cream/Peppermint Coated Waffle Cone/Holiday Sprinkles
• Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Bur-r-bank Ice Cream, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park

Peppermint Mocha
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Carnation Café, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Mint Julep Bar, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Royal Street Veranda, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park

Pumpkin Bread
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Pacific Wharf Café, Golden State, Disney's California Adventure Park
• Surfside Lounge, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
• Coffee House, Disneyland Hotel
• Whitewater Snacks, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
• Hearthstone Lodge, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Plaza Inn Restaurant, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Carnation Café, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park

Pumpkin Muffin
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Pacific Wharf Café, Golden State,
Disney's California Adventure Park

Pumpkin Pie
• Plaza Inn Restaurant, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park

Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Carnation Café, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Mint Julep Bar, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Royal Street Veranda, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park

Snowflake Rice Krispy Treat
• Refreshment Corner, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Bengal Barbeque, Adventureland, Disneyland Park
• Hungry Bear Restaurant, Critter Country, Disneyland Park
• Stage Door Café, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• The Golden Horseshoe, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• Village Haus, Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
• Clarabelle's, Mickey's Toontown, Disneyland Park
• Pluto's Dog House, Mickey's Toontown, Disneyland Park
• Daisy's Diner, Mickey's Toontown, Disneyland Park
• Tomorrowland Terrace, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
• Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
• Woody's Round-Up, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• Award Wieners, Hollywood Pictures Backlot,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Schmoozies, Hollywood Pictures Backlot,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Taste Pilots Grill, Golden State, Disney's California Adventure Park
• Catch a Flave, Paradise Pier, Disney's California Adventure Park
• Pizza Oom Mow Mow, Paradise Pier,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Farmer's Market, a bug's land, Disney's California Adventure Park
• Surfside Lounge, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
• Coffee House, Disneyland Hotel
• Whitewater Snacks, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
• Hearthstone Lodge, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

Snowman & Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Pacific Wharf Café, Golden State,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Marceline's Conectionery

(Holiday) Sourdough Bread (Snowman and Candy Cane Shapes)
• Farmer's Market Fruit Cart, a bug's land,
Disney's California Adventure Park
• Pacific Wharf Café, Golden State, Disney's California Adventure Park

Spiced Caramel Apple Cider
• Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Carnation Café, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park
• Mint Julep Bar, New Orleans Square, Disneyland Park
• Baker's Field Bakery, Sunshine Plaza,
Disney's California Adventure Park

(Holiday) Tres Leches Cake
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Golden State, Disneyland Park

Yule Logs
• Plaza Inn Restaurant, Main Street USA, Disneyland Park

 

[Sherry E]

This list was originally posted by Tdashgirl in our Halloween thread (Part 1). I think it came from Mouse Planet this year? It mainly highlights the Halloween treats, BUT most of these things (perhaps, minus the bat cookies, the Fall-specific demitasse desserts and some other stuff) are still available through the holidays:

Fall Cupcake - available at: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Baker’s Field Bakery, Pacific Wharf Café, Disneyland Hotel Coffee House, and Whitewater Snacks

Gingerbread Beignets with Eggnog Anglaise - available at: Café Orléans

Caramel Apple Cider - available at: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Carnation Café, Mint Julep Bar, Royal Street Veranda, Baker’s Field Bakery, Disneyland Hotel Coffee House

Halloween Mickey Mouse inspired Bat Cookie - available at: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Stage Door Café, The Golden Horseshoe, Baker’s Field Bakery, Pacific Wharf Café, Surfside Lounge, Disneyland Hotel Coffee House, Whitewater Snacks

Demitasse Dessert Cup (Mini Caramel Apple Muffin with Pumpkin Mousse) - available at: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Plaza Inn, Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, Baker’s Field Bakery

Demitasse Dessert Cup (Hazelnut Tiramisu topped with Pumpkin Mousse) - available at: Carnation Café, Big Thunder Ranch, Blue Bayou, Café Orleans, Golden Vine Winery Trattoria, Storyteller’s Café

Pumpkin Muffin - available at: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street Cappo Cart, Baker’s Field Bakery, Pacific Wharf Caf, Golden State Cappo Cart, Disneyland Hotel Coffee House, Surfside Lounge, and Whitewater Snacks

Pumpkin Pie - available at: Plaza Inn

Pumpkin Spice Latte - available at: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Carnation Café, Mint Julep Bar, Royal Street Veranda, Baker’s Field Bakery, Disneyland Hotel Coffee House

Coffin Dessert / Mexican Halloween Cookies celebrating Dia de los Muertos - available at: Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante

Haunted Mansion Holiday Jack’s Chocolate Mud Coffin - available at: French Market

Haunted Mansion Holiday Gift with Purchase - Halloween Town Pewter Figurines (available with each single purchase of $35 or more, after tax, and any applicable discount, while supplies last) - available at: French Market, Café Orleans (beginning Sept. 26)