Disneyland dining/ Character meal advice

[Juleen]

I'm so excited because we're taking my 2 1/2 year old to Disneyland this weekend. We're driving down tomorrow from Northern California and will be staying off-site. It's hard to plan meals with a toddler, so I'm wondering if I need to try to make some reservations today, or if we can wing it when we're there. We definately want to do a character meal. My son loves characters - hugs and won't let go when he sees the Easter bunny or Barney at a birthday party while all the other toddlers are hiding. I know that will be his favorite part. He'd love to see Winnie/ Piglet or Mickey/ Minnie/ Goofy.

So what do you recommend for a character meal and do I need a reservation? Any other advice for theme dining. He loves the Rainforest Cafe in SF. I don't know what time we'll get there Friday, but I'd love to find somewhere Disney to do dinner if we have the energy (but without needing tickets into the park).

Thanks!!

 

[ADisneyPrincess]

I believe Goofy's Kitchen is the only restaurant with a character dinner. It is a great one to go to as there are always lots of characters and you'll definately see Goofy and maybe Minnie. I would make a priority seating as the dinners are usually pretty crowded and you're wait time will be less with a PS.

If you want to see Pooh and the gang you can have breakfast at the Plaza Inn which is inside DL. Again, I always go with a PS.

 

[iceskatejen]

There's Goofy's Kitchen in the DL Hotel (and no, you don't need to be a hotel guest to eat there). I would recommened getting PS's just to be on the safe side. There's a Rainforest Cafe in DTD. I've never eaten in that one. I've only eaten at the Ontario Mills location and there was so much garlic in my meal that it was completely disgusting (I like garlic but there's such a thing as too much of it).

 

[5infam]

I have eaten at the RFC in DD and have enjoyed it everytime...but it gets very crowded so you may have to wait.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Ariel's Grotto in DCA also has a character dinner. The food is pretty good but the service can be very slow as they always seem to be short handed. Definitely do reservations!