Disneyland Resort Character Dining

At the Disneyland Resort, there are a lot of dining locations all over to choose from. But, did you know that you can dine at the resort and meet and greet Disney characters at the same time? You can! It can be so much fun and yet terrifying for some littles. Come find out where the Character dining locations are, what it is like, and some tips for your next trip!

Disneyland Resort Character Dining

When I was growing up and visiting the park, I don’t think that they offered character dining at the park. Or if they did, we didn’t know about it. I had to wait until I was an adult to experience it. Kids are so lucky nowadays!

My first experience was in 2000 when my cousin and I took a trip to California to Disneyland. (One of many fun Disneyland trips we have taken together.) During this trip, we went to Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. It was so much fun!!! Since that trip, I got my parents and brother to go on our next trip. We were hooked! It is a dining location staple each trip now!

Location, Location, Location

First of all, I would like to let you know where the character dining places are located.

At the Disneyland Hotel is Goofy’s Kitchen. Next is Paradise Pier Hotel at PCH Grill. The third is Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa at Storytellers Cafe. The last one is inside Disneyland at Plaza Inn.

Price

While character dining is one of the more expensive dining locations at the Disneyland Resort, however, it is an experience that you will take with you forever!

You see, character dining at Disneyland is so much fun! Plus the food is wonderful… In addition to being an all you can eat buffet, the characters come to your table while you are dining and you get a one on one experience with that character.

Tip: Make sure to bring your camera and your autograph books!

Reservations

Reservations are highly recommended and can be made 60 days in advance. I totally agree with making a reservation here. It gets very busy!

Goofy’s Kitchen

First on the list is Goofy’s Kitchen. Again, this character dining location is at the Disneyland Hotel. Goofy’s Kitchen is an all you care to eat buffet. Come hungry! Seriously. There are so many tasty items here.

Goofy’s Kitchen is open for breakfast and for dinner.

When you first arrive, go to the counter for Goofy’s Kitchen or the line if it is busy when you arrive. First, you pay for your character dining experience. Next, you get in line to take a picture with a Disney character chef (characters vary) in the “kitchen”.  Disney created a cute photo spot that you go into. A little room if you will, with a stove and pots and pans, etc.

During your meal, a Cast Member will come to your table and show you your photo in a photo book. If I remember correctly, you get a bigger photo and some wallets plus a digital download when you purchase it. (Last time they included recipes in there as well!)

Tip: You are not required to purchase the photo. Also, sometimes you can ask the photographer to take another photo with your camera/phone and they usually will help you out.

Finally, enjoy your food! So many choices, so little time! For this character dining experience, they have a salad bar, hot entree bar, kids bar (I have some of their options too. 😉 ) dessert bar, etc.

Lots of delicious options for both breakfast (scrambled eggs, potatoes, Mickey waffles, cereal, fresh fruit, etc.) and dinner (chicken nuggets, pizza, rolls, mashed potatoes, and gravy, etc).

Disney’s all you care to eat buffets have so many options, you can’t begin to list them all!

PCH Grill

Next on the list for character dining locations is in Paradise Pier Hotel at PCH Grill. Again, come hungry here too! This character dining spot is only open for breakfast.

Some of the options here are eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, Mickey waffles, chicken and waffles, Minnie pancakes, bananas Foster French toast, fresh fruit… The list goes on!

In the same way as Goofy’s Kitchen, the characters come to your table for some personal interaction. 

Storyteller’s Cafe

Another character dining location is at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa at Storyteller’s Cafe. This character dining location is only for breakfast as well. (Brunch on weekends with characters.)

Enjoy a wide selection of buffet food items here as well. For example, made to order omelets, Mickey waffles, fresh fruit, freshly baked items, etc.

Note: Starting July 10, 2018, there will be new items on the menu.

Don’t forget that camera! The characters come to your table here too.

Plaza Inn

The last character dining location is inside Disneyland at Plaza Inn. This location is my favorite place to enjoy Victorian architecture. (Dinner here has the best fried chicken! Just saying. Find out more about that here.)

In addition to the all you care to eat buffet, the characters come to your table here too! (Camera and an autograph book is a must!)

The food here is similar to the other dining locations (made to order omelets), in addition to biscuits and gravy, breakfast potatoes, and hot and cold cereals.

One perk of eating here for your character dining experience is that you are starting your day inside of Disneyland!

In Conclusion

Character dining is a unique experience with good food and great one on one character interaction right at your table! Don’t forget to make reservations in advance. Also, don’t forget your camera, autograph book, and your smile! Enjoy!

For more information on these character dining locations, visit Disneyland’s official website.

Questions or Comments?

I hope you enjoyed this post-Disneyland Resort Character Dining. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below!

Thanks for stopping by Life in Mouse Years!