Disneyland advice (never been)

[nicurn]

hi, since we are going to also be going to dl, figured I might as well ask for advice on that as well.

We have never been to dl, we are staying at the grand californian, and we will be there for 3 nights. Where should we eat? We have a dd, age 8 who loves character meals, any ideas? what else should we do in the area? Thanks for any suggestions. (we will be there mon-thur). maggie

 

[Goofydiane]

Hi Maggie,

There are a few choices for character meals for your daughter depending on which character is her favorite. At Grand California, I believe Storyteller's Cafe features Chip/Dale. Goofy's Kitchen features the fabulous Goofy himself (ok, I'm a bit biased on my favorite character!) and Paradise Pier features Minnie and Daisy.

I'm partial to staying at The Disneyland Resort and doing nothing else! San Diego is about a 90 minute drive, or the beach is probably about 30 minutes away.

Enjoy your trip!
Diane

 

[din]

Other than the charater meals, downtown disney is right next door to Grand Californian. Lots of places to eat...

 

[IandGsmom]

Make sure you get your refillable mug and try the food at Whitewater snacks at the GC. Very yummy and not expensive.

 

[ADisneyPrincess]

Storyteller's Cafe at GCH has Chip and Dale, they are in the lobby and do not go table to table. They offer a buffet or you can order off the menu. Breakfast only.

Goofy's Kitchen at DLH is a buffet. Lots of different characters that go table to table (could be Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Chip, Dale, various princesses, various villans, Mad Hatter). They also have dancing in the center of the restaurant. Breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I don't know much about Paradise Pier. I think it's buffet or off the menu, characters are limited. Breakfast only.

Plaza Inn in DL is a buffet with Pooh and friends. Breakfast only.

Ariel's Grotto at DCA usually has Ariel (but not always), Goofy, Pluto, Minnie, Chip and Dale. They go from table to table and also have singing, dancing for the kids. This is lunch or dinner. It is a fixed price menu, two courses for lunch and three for dinner.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Since you are only going to be there for 3 days, I don't know if you would have time to see other things in the area - But what were you thinking about? Another Park, shopping, tourist sites? 3 Days is perfect to be able to see all the sites of DL and DCA with out feeling way overly exhausted -

My daughter is partial to the Minnie buffet at PP - But she really does enjoy Goofy's Kitchen and that is where we are going for her birthday.

You will LOVE the GC hotel - but the character meal is not so great there. Like someone mentioned before, the characters do not go to the tables like they do at the other character meals.

Make sure you get a park view room! You will love being able to look out and see the park - It really adds to the Disney experience!

Karen

 

[DonnettaR]

I will be visiting DL in July with my family. This will be our first trip out west so we are trying to do a lot in 5 days. We will be staying at the DL hotel. We have booked a Hollywood tour for one of our days and would like to squeeze in a trip to Knottsberry Farms and the Wild Bill dinner show. We are flying in and not renting a car. I would appreciate advice on how to get to other places in Anaheim? Has anyone ever done the Hollywood tour or Wild Bill show? Mind you, we will be arriving at DL after a 7-day Disney cruise and about an all-day airplane/airport travel itinerary.

 

[dsnylndmom]

Maggie I would agree with the others to spend your time at DLR, with a little one that's the perfect amount of time to do it all and then some!

I have an 8 year old DS and he loves Goofy's Kitchen(I have pictures of him dancing with Goofy)and Ariel's, he especially loves to sit outside at Ariels(as do I!)

He also likes doing Build a Bear at DTD, your daughter may like that also, and the have some cute disney costumes for the bears too!

Have fun!
Tina