My experience today with the Princess Adventure Breakfast

[wendlle]

I read a LOT of reviews and even watched some videos on you Tube about this experience because of how expensive it is, I wanted to make sure it was something we should do.
I was very excited for it, I had my girls do BBB yesterday and the experience was so magical and amazing, we all loved it so much. we got the $199 package for two kids and I can't recommend it enough, it was worth every cent spent.

today we had a non park day and I decided to book the Princess Breakfast Adventure for 4 - 2 Adults and 2 Kids. My kids hair was still intact from the Boutique and they also wore the same dresses and looked amazing.

When we arrived we were greeted by a guitar player and all CM's were amazing, it looked like it was going to be a great start to the day.
We had a 9am appointment and were taken to a "lounge" area to see the first 2 princesses before being seated in the main dining.

Our server bought out the apps and to be honest, they weren't great - the kids ate nothing and we tried a couple of things and did not like them at all, it wasn't just the taste, the bread was stale, nothing tasted fresh.

Kids decided they wanted to see Belle, so we went out to the patio as they don't come to your table anymore - while we were gone our table was cleared - we weren't even asked if we were finished, even though we were - but if we weren't there was a heck of a lot of food left that would have gone to waste.

We were then directed to the buffet, there was very little to choose from - eggs, sausage, bacon, potato and some fruit and some sort of roast meat - as a vegetarian I ate some fruit - kids ate fruit and that was it - the mickey waffles were "pumpkin spiced" and none of us liked them - I wished they had regular ones and this was a huge disapointment for us.

Again, we got up to take the kids to the bathroom, came back - plates were cleared and our deserts arrived - we weren't ready for them. It was so rushed and we felt like we were being pushed out!
We were a party of 4 and there were only 3 of each desert on the trays - which was strange, they they gave our "gifts" which was a sinch bag and a cardboard tic tac toe game - which was a paper bit of square cardboard and some paper tokens - it was garbage! and a necklace. That was it! I was under the impression they got an autograph book and pen, and I was also under the impression from reviews that the adults got something as well - we got nothing.

It was honestly a HUGE mistake, yes the princesses were sweet, but there was no storytime with Belle which is advertised, and it was so rushed. Because you have to line up to see the princess you get a large line of people behind you so the pressure is on to keep it moving. It's not casual and my kids were being ushered out mid sentence to make way for backed up people.

I just wanted to post an updated review for anyone thinking of doing this.
After tax and tip we spent AU $950 (that is Australian Dollars) which was around $650 US dollars and OMG I could have spent that money on a lot of other things that would have been a lot better.

I really wanted to love this experience, but it fell WAY short of our expectations and reviews of other guests, I was almost "guaranteed" by so many people that we would have such a magical time and we didn't.
I feel that if they still came to our table it might be different as we wouldn't have been getting up and having our food cleared away before we were ready and also would have had a better princess experience with each one.

 

[Aurora0427]

I’m so sorry you had a poor experience.

We had a great experience back in July. Our server told us they will clear your table if you get up, but not to worry, they’d bring us seconds or thirds of whatever we wanted. We had an incredible CM… she’s worked at Napa Rose for years. She even brought my daughter one of those fancy glowing ice cubes. An excellent server can make or break that meal.

However, with as much as they’re charging for that breakfast, everyone should have a near perfect experience. There’s no room for error at those prices. I also don’t care for the way they do the princesses…. Although we got lucky and did have story time with Belle.

I agree the food can be tricky. I wouldn’t even bring my older daughter, because she is next level picky, and I don’t think she’d eat anything but fruit. It’s just too expensive. Taking her to eat there is akin to lighting money on fire.

I wish Disneyland would do something similar to what is offered at Akershus at Epcot or Cinderella’s Royal Table at WDW. You should be able to take your little girls to dine with the princesses and have easy food they’ll eat, without having to spend over $600 for a family of 4.

 

[wendlle]

I was ok with eating a small amount, I knew the menu before we went so it was more for the princess experience which just wasn’t there at all

I was extremely disappointed with this experience and I just can’t recommend it in the current form, it wasn’t good. The way we were taken thru the princesses was like we were cattle being herded, I wasn’t personal at all.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Hello Wendille,
Sorry to hear about your experience at the Princess Adventure Breakfast and I hope they can improve it better. I think Disneyland should improve this breakfast and give you more for the price they offer. For example the Princess Adventure Breakfast should have more activities with the princesses and have a variety of princesses to meet such as Tiana Rapunzel Snow White and Jasmine and Elena Of Avalor. But why they consider Belle the top princess of that breakfast is surprising to me and having Belle be the host of the storytime part of the breakfast is also a shock as well and why don't they have Cinderella host storytime once in a while there or any other princess? As for your food experience at the buffet I think it just might've been an off day for the chefs there and you could've asked for your food to be better and you should've asked the chef if they could've made plain Mickey waffles specially for your kids. Because I know that Disneyland really does care about children who are picky eaters or anyone who wants something different. As for the gifts given out during the breakfast I agree that Disneyland should improve the princess themed gifts such as giving out a Princess Nui-Mos doll with outfit a pretend wand and a princess dress up tiara and finally a Princess autograph book and special pen. Because I think for the price alone if you have little girls who dream of meeting their favorite princesses in person that actually can come to the table and visit you for a few minutes. What I think you should do is write an email to Disneyland Guest Relations and tell them all about your experience and you should've asked your server not to clear your table until you were finished eating and asked your server nicely to bring your desserts when you were finished eating and meeting the princesses. Because I too have witnessed this at other restaurants and I can't figure out why can't they just leave you alone to eat and then your plates after you eat. Because when I used to go to Hometown Buffet with Mom and Dad when Mom would get seconds at the buffet the servers would always ask me if we were done eating and I would always say no but they would take our plates anyway. I think you could've also complained to the manager about your experience and gotten a discount on your meal
Hope you email Disneyland Guest Relations about your experience and hopefully have a better experience next time
Dodger

 

[katyringo]

I am so bummed to hear your experience as it was the highlight of our trip in October. I would really consider an e-mail to Disney. Did you say anything at the experience to anyone about your experience? Our server had a list of the princesses in her book and helped us know when to go based on when they rotated. We never waited very long.

 

[drenha]

So bummed to hear the princesses don’t come to the tables. I was considering this meal for our January trip but am reconsidering. My kids LOVED the old Ariel princess breakfast in DCA. Great food and all the princesses came table side AND half the price…

 

[katyringo]

So bummed to hear the princesses don’t come to the tables. I was considering this meal for our January trip but am reconsidering. My kids LOVED the old Ariel princess breakfast in DCA. Great food and all the princesses came table side AND half the price…

So..I don't mean to hijack the thread.. but we did Ariel's before and this one.. and while I do believe the OP had a bad experience, our experience was amazing. The princesses while they don't go to the tables are in secluded areas and my daughter got some amazing 1:1 time with them. It was much much better than Ariel's with the crowds and navigating around the tables.

 

[kirstyfly]

Oh that is so sad that you guys didn't have a great experience.

How did the girls like it? sometimes we have to put aside our own expectations and see it through the eyes of the child.

We also did this experience in October for 2 adults and one child. With the New Zealand exchange rate and all I knew it was going to be expensive.

I know going in that if we wanted to see Princesses and save time instead of lining up at Royal hall for a long time and only seeing 2 Princesses this was they way to go.

I also experienced my plate being taken and cleared away while I was up with my girl seeing the Princesses. I just got another plate and helped myself. A bit hard seeing it was your set menu items that were taken away.

As for the desserts we had three of everything except the cake pop type things.

I think in regards to the autograph book an pen that was when they had run out of the necklace or doll that was given.

Only children are given the gift which I read about on all reviews so you didn't miss out.

Was there no mac and cheese on the buffet? my girl loved that I even tried it and it wasn't too bad. We went at Halloween time and the Mickey waffles weren't pumpkin spice then which is strange as you would think they would be that time of year more so than now?

In regards to being rushed through for the next person I was told that we could visit the Princesses as much as we wanted and just had to line up again if we wanted to. We didn't as we spent a good amount of time with them.

 

[kikismom]

I am so sorry that the experience wasn't good! I will say I've been stalking the website for an opening for our trip and this will save me time now that I've read this. Pumpkin spice waffles would have been such a let down and I expected a much better buffet for the price. My daughter and her friend are picky so this just wouldn't work. Thank you for posting your recent experience!

 

[Pluto468]

I'm sorry, that sounds so disappointing. We did the Ariel princess breakfast and it was amazing, and a big part of that was that you sit down and eat (very good food) while the princesses come to your table. Waiting in line, like you had to do, seems to really take away from the convenience factor. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Aurora0427]

So..I don't mean to hijack the thread.. but we did Ariel's before and this one.. and while I do believe the OP had a bad experience, our experience was amazing. The princesses while they don't go to the tables are in secluded areas and my daughter got some amazing 1:1 time with them. It was much much better than Ariel's with the crowds and navigating around the tables.

Same. My daughter had some incredible 1:1 time and Belle read her a story. I typically like the princesses coming to your table, but we got lucky and there was a lull, which meant my daughter went through multiple times and saw them.

I hate the the OP had such a disappointing experience.

 

[bluecruiser]

Sounds like Disney really dropped the ball OP. I agree with DodgerGirl - if you haven't already done so, please be sure to email Disney and let them know how bad your experience was. That's way too much money to spend on such a poor experience.

 

[evilmommie]

Yeah, not cool. Definitely write a letter to guest relations. Address it to GM of Napa Rose and GCH. Leave your phone number. Last time I did that, they called me about my experience.

 

[DodgerGirl]

What I can't figure is why at the Princess Adventure Breakfast they won't let the princesses go stop at each table like the other Disneyland restaurants do with the other characters during character breakfasts? Because I think ever since Napa Rose started the Princess Adventure Breakfast complete with princess interactions autographs and hugs I think they began a new rule change and they moved the princesses outside for safety reasons. But for the money and cost there should be more expansions to the buffet like having foods that kids actually like such as macaroni and cheese spaghetti and meatballs hot dogs corn dogs and cereal and for breakfast they should have an assortment of cereals and other foods such as muffins yogurt oatmeal and silver dollar pancakes and french toast. Because for the price they should expand the menu for more choices. And they should have the princesses come to each table rather than having people go outside to see them to meet and greet. Because what I think of outside meet and greets is that it is simply not worthy because not only will you have to wait in line depending on the weather and also watching out for insects such as bees and flies and kids really are famous for freaking out at insects outside. But I do agree that if people have their hearts set on reserving this breakfast Disneyland should put a disclaimer that says this " CERTAIN ACTIVITIES MIGHT NOT BE DONE AT PRINCESS ADVENTURE BREAKFAST FOR DETAILS ASK SERVER FOR MORE INFO" But if Disneyland could have a Princess themed breakfast in the parks it sure would become a huge hit

 

[wendlle]

Thanks guys, I’ve been MIA as we have been enjoying Disneyland for the past few days
I’m now at the airport waiting to go on my 20 hour travel home

I sent an email and explained the situation before I posted here and have yet to get a reply - so not sure if that will ever happen!!

I’m still really disappointed with it and it’s been days now.

 

[DizMe]

Thanks guys, I’ve been MIA as we have been enjoying Disneyland for the past few days
I’m now at the airport waiting to go on my 20 hour travel home

I sent an email and explained the situation before I posted here and have yet to get a reply - so not sure if that will ever happen!!

I’m still really disappointed with it and it’s been days now.

Good for you for letting them know all of the issues you faced.

And you're probably celebrating the news about Chapek out, Iger in! Fingers crossed that he can start to clean up the mess, and your next trip can be more magical.

 

[Astylla]

I sent an email and explained the situation before I posted here and have yet to get a reply - so not sure if that will ever happen!!

I’m still really disappointed with it and it’s been days now.

It will sometimes take months to get a response now , and I'm not saying that to trivialize your experience but to acknowledge that it may feel fruitless. I did a cast member compliment back in March and it wasnt until almost July that I got an email back .
I have sent at least a dozen emails over the last few years, many not positive and have always gotten an email and even a call back..it wasn't immediate but did happen.

Is the response time disappointing ? Of course and that's unfortunate. I do think a huge part of it is because much is now outsourced or unable/ unwilling to have more staffing.
In my job we have been understaffed for almost 3 years ( yay government work..) and one of the programs caseload is literally enough for 5 people and 1 person is responsible/assigned to it because literally no one wants to do it and we are stretched to the limit.

I hope you have a safe trip home

 

[Bruno33]

Thanks guys, I’ve been MIA as we have been enjoying Disneyland for the past few days
I’m now at the airport waiting to go on my 20 hour travel home

I sent an email and explained the situation before I posted here and have yet to get a reply - so not sure if that will ever happen!!

I’m still really disappointed with it and it’s been days now.

I’m glad you contacted them. I hate that you had a bad experience! It sounds like your server really dropped the ball on communication, for one thing. The adults should have gotten complimentary mimosas, you should have been told your table would be cleared if you left, but that you could ask for more food - did you get the French fries? Did they ask if you wanted an omelet?

I mention all this because we just did PBA a couple of weeks ago and it was AMAZING - we did it once in 2019 and I actually said I liked the current princess format better than when they came to your table. My daughter got about 5 solid minutes alone with Mulan, who taught her to dance, and we just loved it… when there were lines for a princess, we just waited a bit, but that’s because our server told us to! I would have been disappointed with pumpkin waffles, too! We loved the raspberry muffin in the bread basket and asked for more, and we really liked the French fries, but I agree that a lot of the food choices are weird.

It’s supposed to be a luxury experience and should have felt that way. They dropped the ball for you and that really sucks. I really hope they’ll do something to make it right. And I hope the rest of your trip was good!

For anyone else reading this who does PBA, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for more - the first time we did it, I had to ask for my complimentary champagne and had to ask (and wait 20 minutes) to meet Pocahontas. Also, just as an FYI to future visitors, I have a friend who is vegan and they bring her entirely different food and offer more choices beyond the buffet. They should definitely improve the consistency of this experience!

 

[RoseColored97]

I would call rather than email. We had an issue with our stay in October, nothing major, but I did want to bring it up to a general manager if not for us for other guests. I sent an email and didn't hear anything back after a couple days (actually still haven't at now 4 weeks later), so called the GCH and asked to be called back by the manager regarding our stay. We received a call back from the GM within a day and he was very kind and offered us a refund even though I didn't ask for one. I hate talking on the phone, but in this situation it's almost necessary.

 

[wendlle]

I’m glad you contacted them. I hate that you had a bad experience! It sounds like your server really dropped the ball on communication, for one thing. The adults should have gotten complimentary mimosas, you should have been told your table would be cleared if you left, but that you could ask for more food - did you get the French fries? Did they ask if you wanted an omelet?

I mention all this because we just did PBA a couple of weeks ago and it was AMAZING - we did it once in 2019 and I actually said I liked the current princess format better than when they came to your table. My daughter got about 5 solid minutes alone with Mulan, who taught her to dance, and we just loved it… when there were lines for a princess, we just waited a bit, but that’s because our server told us to! I would have been disappointed with pumpkin waffles, too! We loved the raspberry muffin in the bread basket and asked for more, and we really liked the French fries, but I agree that a lot of the food choices are weird.

It’s supposed to be a luxury experience and should have felt that way. They dropped the ball for you and that really sucks. I really hope they’ll do something to make it right. And I hope the rest of your trip was good!

For anyone else reading this who does PBA, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for more - the first time we did it, I had to ask for my complimentary champagne and had to ask (and wait 20 minutes) to meet Pocahontas. Also, just as an FYI to future visitors, I have a friend who is vegan and they bring her entirely different food and offer more choices beyond the buffet. They should definitely improve the consistency of this experience!

I never got asked about an omelet and that would have been great if I did! We did get a little basket of french fries yes.

I really did hate the way the Princess' were on the balcony, it was really rushed, I guess it depends on the day?? Because there were constantly lines of kids and parents waiting to see them that there was no personal interaction at all. We were ushered away while my 6yo was still trying to talk because kids were backing up into the dining room waiting to visit with them.
Again, I got nothing from any princess except a quick chat - not at all what was advertised about stories, dancing, warrior moves etc

I believe a lot of the issues were with the server, he was nice and all, but again as I stated we couldn't really ask for more when our next course was already on the table! We weren't ready for the dessert at all, but what can we do when it is already placed in front of us? I am not one to be rude, I work in the service industry so I just can't bring myself to have those conversations with servers when things aren't going well.

I guess I could call, I am back home in Australia now, not sure who I would call about it though?? And again, not sure if it would even make a difference?