Goofy's Kitchen question

[mickeyfanz]

Background - I'm in the group of newbies to DL but a seasoned WDW veteran.

We are arriving on a Friday and staying 3 nights at the HoJo. We are doing 2-days - Saturday and Sunday - hopping between the 2 parks.

We wanted to eat a dinner at Goofy's kitchen but I am not sure if that is a smart thing to do or not from the parks. Is it reasonable to go there on one of your park days - meaning is it close enough to the parks to take time away to do this dinner or should we do it as our Friday arrival dinner?

I guess I need to study some maps better but what would the easiest way to get into the DLH from the parks?

Thanks for any info!

 

[Mom2micayla]

You get to Goofy's through DTD, so it's a fairly short walk. I wouldn't worry about that as far as deciding on when to go.

The only thing about doing Sat or Sun is that you'll be taking about 3 hours away from your already short trip. About 2 or so hours to eat, another 1 for the walk to and from (likely less, just rounding up here a bit for security check points and such ). I'd personally do Goofy's on Friday when you're not doing the parks with such a tight schedule. But that's JMO.

 

[wvnative]

I concur. The walk is closer to 15 minutes (from the esplanade) or so but with security checkpoints (you can actually use the one at the DTD monorail station which should not be busy that time of night) it could potentially add another 5-10 minutes to your time if they are backed up.

Given the option, I'd probably do it on Friday night so I didn't have to take time away from the parks. Plus, it would be a good way to kick off your trip.

 

[Sherry E]

I think it will work fine either way. I mean, if it is just as easy to do the dinner when you arrive, then that may be better. But if your only option is to do it on one of the nights you are in the parks, it will be fine.

I understand Mom2micayla is rounding up, but that may be rounding up a bit generously. You only get a 90-minute time limit at all the character meals, so 2 hours isn't even an option, and most folks find that they don't even use or need the whole 90 minutes (though you might as well use it to your full advantage). If you are walking to and from the Esplanade (between the 2 parks), from and to Goofy's Kitchen, unless you stop in stores in DTD along the way and if you walk at a decent pace, it should take maximum 20 minutes each way, including the Security check. I have never been through the Security checkpoints where they have been so backed up and had us waiting for 10 minutes, but I suppose it could happen. I may have been lucky, though! I mean we usually have people in front of us, but it has not taken 10 minutes to get through. I think that it will most likely take you about 15 minutes total to walk from the Esplanade to Goofy's (and that may even be generous if you are fast walkers) and 15-20 minutes back to the Esplanade, including Security, unless you stop.

So, more than likely, with walk time and eating time, it will be about 2 hours out of your day, possibly 2 hours, 15 minutes or so. That's not too bad if you have been in the parks all day and need to take a break for dinner anyway. That's why I said - either way, if you go to Goofy's on arrival night or on one of the nights you are in the parks, it will be fine!

 

[Talldewy]

You can also ride the monorail from DL Tomorrowland and have a very short walk from the edge of Downtown. Doing this, you can avoid the temptation to "shop" your way back and forth.

 

[PHXscuba]

We did Goofy's on our arrival (non-park) night and thought it was the perfect kickoff for our visit. I didn't feel rushed to get somewhere, and our kids got to see about 7 characters that I didn't have to wait in line to see the next few days -- Minnie, Goofy, Jasmine, Aladdin, Chip and Dale, Pluto, etc. And Goofy, of course -- we saw him everywhere that trip!

We had an early reservation (5 p.m.) because we had a large group that I wanted to be sure could sit together (we persuaded them to put two tables together and squished). Afterward, we spent time strolling through DTD. I think you get 3 hours of free DTD parking, so you could park there for your meal and a little shopping time.

PHXscuba

 

[ceezers]

We have a day with nothing booked. Can we do Goofy's kitchen that day and not use one of our Disney days? (we are staying at a good neighbour hotel)

 

[mrswh]

I agree with PPs - Goofy's is a great way to start your trip, and it won't take any time out from your days in the parks. Eat dinner, do a little shopping in the World of Disney store, dance to the live music in DTD . . . you can even go through security and get a great view of the DLR fireworks from the Esplanade. A great Disney night without needing a park ticket!

 

[mickeyfanz]

So with staying at the HoJo and having a rental car, if we plan this for the Friday non-park day, would you walk to the DLH or drive? If we drive, is there parking at the DLH for dinner guests or do we have to park at Downtown Disney?

So now that I think I agree to eat at GK on Friday night, should I make any other resrvations for meals in the park? I know we plan to hop back and forth some so I guess it does not matter which park we eat in. I don't think we need any other character meals but would like some good sit-down options as well as counter service options.

Blue Bayou sounds neat but I checked out the menu and it is pretty pricey, so I am wondering if it needs to be a must-do for us. I now have a 10 year-old so I am not looking forward to having to pay for him to eat adult meals when he hardly finishes a child's meal!

 

[Queenbillabong]

We have a day with nothing booked. Can we do Goofy's kitchen that day and not use one of our Disney days? (we are staying at a good neighbour hotel)

Absolutely, you can It's at the Disneyland Hotel, in DTD, so you do not need a park ticket to get there.

 

[mrswh]

I don't know exactly where HoJo is, but I see no reason not to drive to DLH for dinner. You can valet park for free for 3 (or is it 5?) hours if you are eating at Goofy's.

You could make a reservation for La Brea (in DTD) for a lunch or dinner. They have good salads, sandwiches, burgers, etc. The food is really far superior to anything you'll find in the parks, about the same price, and the patio provides a nice break from the craziness of the parks. Plus, it's right outside security so it's easy even if you're going to go right back into DLR or DCA.

There is also an Italian restaurant in DTD called Naples that has table service as well as counter service (that portion is called Napolini). Decent food. Storytellers at GCH isn't bad for dinner. (GCH is right in DTD, so super convenient!)