Few questions about DL

[Mom2micayla]

I'm taking my family (3 kids under 4) to Disneyland on Feb. 26-Mar 1st. I've been to Disneyland dozens of times, but the whole 50th Anniversary is really throwing me off. I'm wondering how busy I should expect it to be? We were there in Oct. and went MWF. I was shocked at how packed it was on Friday. You could hardly move. I'm worried it'll be like that again. My biggest concern is that we want to see the fireworks on Sunday. I'm afraid that the park will be at capacity or so close that we'll be miserable. Do you think that'll be the case? Sunday is the only day the fireworks will be showing according tho disneyland website. I'd hate to miss the show. It was fabulous.

Another question is has anyone stayed at the Anaheim Desert Inn? It was recommended by a friend who's stayed there before. We got the family suite (2 seperate bedrooms & a living area) for only $100/night so we couldn't hardly beat that. Plus we won't have to pay the $10 parking fee. Please tell me it's not awful! I'm not expecting the best of the best, just a place that's clean and service is decent. We stayed at the Annabella before and while the place was nice, the service was awful.

Lastly, can you tell me where we can get the most bang for our buck as far as meals? We're doing the Princess lunch one day and likely eating lunch in DTD at the Rainforest Cafe (have a $50 gift certificate there) another. I've been trying to decide if Goofy's kitchen is worth it. Seems awful expensive. Is it the same as Ariel's Grotto where kids under 3 eat free? I have 2 under 3 years old. In the past we've eaten at Zocalos and the little place of off New Orleans Square that serves gumbo in the bread bowls. Both were okay but nothing special. I'm looking for something that isn't outrageously expensive but you can still get full on.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I highly doubt your going to have that problem this time...The days you will be there are gonna be good especially since you will be there during the week...as far as the Desert Inn...I havent stayed there but my boss always stays there when her family goes with her...she loves that place...I have seen good reviews on trip advisor as well....

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Desert_Inn_and_Suites-Anaheim_California.html



As far as the food question, Goofys kitchen is very popular..personally Im not too thrilled with the food but others love it...and seeing as you have little kids I would definitely take them there and with the fact that they are under 3 that makes it even better...Carnation Cafe is good as well and reasonably priced...hope that helps

 

[jemilah]

I have stayed at the Desert Inn it is an older hotel but nice, the indoor pool is great. The room is a nice size and 2 tv's are a plus with little ones.
We love goofy's kitchen my sons are 8 and 6 , we live in vegas so we have seen many buffets and this one is far better then most are here! Get away today has a discount price voucher for meals well worth looking into.

 

[piecesNscraps]

Call Disney dining first for the character meals, we have ps for two character meals on our next trip and disney's prices were cheaper than what getaway is showing for pricing. The CM I got was very helpful and explained the pros and cons of each dining option and gave me a lot of information to help us decide which ones to do.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

The CM I got was very helpful and explained the pros and cons of each dining option and gave me a lot of information to help us decide which ones to do.

Can you share?

 

[piecesNscraps]

I wanted to do the Princess lunch for my dd and another meal for my ds. She compared the Chip N Dale to Goofy's Kitchen for me.
We will have a large party including 4 kids I wanted something the kids would enjoy but not be crazy. She suggested CnD over goofy because it is less chaotic and the kids will get more character interaction. Also if there are a couple of extra seats at the table you have more of a chance of a character sitting down with you and playing games/talking with the kids more. She also said she's noticed kids don't eat as much at Goofy's kitchen because of the atmosphere, energy etc. She based a lot of what she told me on her own experience visiting both of them so others may disagree. I wanted something nice but not hectic so I choose the Chip and Dale which also happens to be cheaper. I'll dig through my DL notes and see what else she gave me.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I've been charged for my children under 3 at every character meal, as has my sister and my cousin. So call and see what they say. Perhaps they've changed it since we didn't do one last year. I didn't think the breakfast at Goofy's was that great, but if you're going for the character interaction at these things then you'll put that aside. Crowds shouldn't be bad when you go. We went that time last year and it was DEAD. We're leaving Wed and it appears to be empty down there right now also. Have fun on your trip!

 

[Mom2micayla]

Thanks for all the responses! I hope you're right and that the park isn't packed. I don't expect it to be crazy busy on the weekdays, but I was (well still am) worried about Sunday. Of course I'm also worried about rain since it's sort of a crapshoot on weather in Feb in Cali.

I kind of figured that the ADI would be so-so. As long as it's clean I'm okay with it. We don't expect to spend much time there anyway.

We did the Princess lunch when we were there in Oct. of last year and they didn't charge my daughter (we had an infant too so of course he was free). She was 2y3m. The waiter said they didn't charge under 3. They just gave her what was more or less 1/2 a serving of the main entree. I'll have to call and check again then if they didn't do that for you.

I'm still on the fence about Goofy's Kitchen. I personally don't care for breakfast foods at all and that seems to be more of what it is, right? We were wanting to make it a late lunch (I think their latest seating is 2). Is it mostly the "main" Disney characters that are there (Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Pooh, etc?) When we went in Feb of last year we had no problem at all finding and getting pics with almost all the major characters. So I'm not sure that having that sort of interraction would be worth it if it's likely we'll see them in TT or CC.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

I've been charged for my children under 3 at every character meal, as has my sister and my cousin.

Wow, the only time one of our children was under 3 and went to a character meal (goofy's kitchen) was in March '04 and we were not charged for her. (does that statement even make sense?). We went in Oct '05 with a niece who's 2 at Storyteller's and she ate the buffet, I don't believe my sister had to pay for her then too. I know that when we went to the Princess meal at Ariel's grotto, they did have to pay for my niece since she ordered a meal. So, does anyone know if you have to pay for children under 2 at character meals?

 

[PattiPB]

We were at the Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites this past weekend. We had room 310, which was a newly refurbished room and was very nice. We had the 2 BR/2Bath sutie with the sitting room, as you describe. It was $159 a night for the 7 of us, and we were very happy with it. I've never seen it at $100 a night---you're getting a steal IMO! They've cut back on their cont. breakfast---strictly danish and some fruit. Used to be cereal. Next time I'll bring cereal for the room---my fam can't do a Disney day on danish alone!!

We have NEVER been charged at DL or WDW for our children when they were under 3 at buffets. That is absolutely ridiculous, and completely not worth it IMO!!! As for dining, I'd add Blue Bayou for ambience (LOVE it there!) and we eat at the Plaza Inn one night. A bit more expensive, but good, large, filling meals.

We go almost monthly, and were stunned this past weekend how empty the place was. Hopefully you'll have our experience as well. Do you have AP's?? In February, AP holders get a free dessert at Zocala's. Don't forget your Disney VISA for free strollers, and your free 5x7 photo at Ariel's grotto!

Have fun! We'll be checking into your hotel days after you leave!

 

[Pir8girl]

I take my kids to DL at least once a year. My husband rarely goes - spring is his busy time at work and he's not a big Disney fan - so I'm usually by myself with a now 6 ds & 10 dd.
My kids like Goofy's Kitchen because they do have a wide variety of food and not just breakfast offering. I'm not big on buffet's but Goofy's kitchen has the largest number of Disney characters and I'm there for the kids.
That said - it used to be a pain to try and get all three of us through the buffet line - and i waited tables in college!
I prefer Storytellers Cafe because I like to be waited on and I don't have to worry about leaving one child at the table while going through the buffet line with the other. However, Storytellers usually only has Chip & Dale and on occasion, Donald or another similar character.

We're going in April and I've booked a breakfast at Goofy's. We'll probably eat most of our other breakfasts at White Water since we're staying at the DGC.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

you know what was nice? when I went to storytellers breakfast last year a few days after christmas, I kept drinking the coffee..it was soooo good and the waiter brought me a fresh cup to go without me even asking...Ive never had anyone do that for me there...it was nice especially since it was sooooo cold outside

 

[Shelebeen]

At Ariel's they charge for your under 3 if they order their own meal. If you go to Storytellers or Goofy's or Lilo and Stitch the under 3 set can eat off the buffet for free.

 

[Mom2micayla]

My daughter was just under 2 last time and she got a meal for free. It was basically a half meal. She didn't get same size servings but she still got some of everything (meaning she didn't have to share off her sister's plate). We weren't charged anything at all. She even got the little plastic bucket and shovel.

 

[Alice28]

We went to Goofy's kitchen for breakfast in August 04; I don't think I will go again. First of all, the food selection was better than I thought it would be- it was more like a brunch than a breakfast- they had some meats, hot dogs,vegetable selections- more than just breakfast foods. That part was good; and the food was tasty too. Please be sure you have a reservation- we did not and waited quite some time!

We would not go back because I just didn't think the character interaction was great- we were done eating and needed to go to check out of the DL hotel and we had yet to see a character (after at least 45 minutes of dining). I found a couple milling around and got some pictures, and then they finally came to our table after our boys were practically bouncing off the walls.

And I guess, although I am quite familiar with Disney prices, thank you, I don't think that almost $75 for breakfast is worth it, no matter what the deal is......it was my DH, me and my 6 year old son. (my other son was under 3). You prepay before you even go in and they charge the 15% tip before you even get a chance to see what the service is like! I didn't care for that! I'm a good tipper, but I still wait to see if the service is good or not. Even my 6 year old told me he didn't really want to go back there.

 

[Pir8girl]

Alice28, that is a bummer to pay all that money & have no character interaction. I would have complained to the manager. We're obviously paying the big bucks for the characters not the food.
Fortunately for us, the two times we've been there have been wonderful. We had a string of characters come through. But we usually book for very early in the morning. My kids are early risers (ugh) and maybe that makes the difference.