When planning a trip to Disneyland adding at least one Character Dining experience to your vacation is a must in my opinion. There are four (soon to be five) Character Dining locations for you to choose from when planning your trip to Disneyland. The Character dining experiences are the perfect way to meet a number of characters all at once and enjoy a nice sit down meal. Our most recent trip we decided to book our Character Dining at the Plaza Inn location.
Disneyland: Plaza Inn “Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park”
Charge up for your adventures at Disneyland Park with a hearty buffet breakfast and memorable visits with Disney pals.
Rise and shine for “Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park,” an all-you-care-to-enjoy spread of all your morning favorites: made-to-order omelets and Mickey waffles, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, breakfast potatoes, fresh-baked pastries and breads, fruit, and hot and cold cereals.
Help yourself to as much as you’d like, but don’t forget to keep a lookout for a motley crew of beloved Disney Characters. Make your wishes come true at the only Character Dining experience at Disneyland Park, with views of Sleeping Beauty Castle beyond. Collect autographs, take fun souvenir photos and spend some quality time with Minnie and the gang as they stop by to say hi.
What We Loved About Plaza Inn Breakfast with Minnie & Friends
When we went to Disneyland a few years ago we decided to visit Goofy’s Kitchen for our character dining experience. It was a lot of fun and we knew that when we visited Disneyland again we would be booking a character experience but we wanted it to be a different one. There are four (soon to be five) options when booking and the reason Plaza Inn stood out to us was because it is the only experience that is in the actual Disneyland park.
We decided to start our morning at The Plaza Inn with Minnie and Friends. It was a great way to start our day by seeing a number of really unique characters and enjoy a nice breakfast. As you can see, the sun was out and it was a beautiful Saturday morning and we knew that after two days of rain that Disneyland would be super packed so having this fun experience made our most crowded day perfect!
After checking in at the desk we were able to meet Minnie Mouse! This experience was fantastic because the kids had a good amount of time with her to chat, get autographs and lots of hugs. Once we were done meeting Minnie we were taken into The Plaza Inn for our breakfast. As we walked in we saw about five characters out already, it was hoping and we were excited.
Characters At The Plaza Inn:
While some of the other character dining experiences have certain themes this one does not. 10+ characters at this meal is pretty standard and they usually have nothing to do with one another. While this might seem random to some, I loved it and so did the kids. We were able to see a wide range of characters that you wouldn’t normally see out in the parks.
Captain Hook, The Fairy Godmother, Max and Rafiki really stood out for us. What a special treat to meet these wonderful characters.
The Food At The Plaza Inn:
I have to be honest here, when we travel to Disneyland we go pretty cheap when it comes to our food budget. So, when we walked in and we saw the wide variety of choices we were all ready to dig in. Our favorites included the Mickey Waffles, chocolate croissants and the made-to-order omelets.
I have heard that people said that they were not impressed with the food at The Plaza Inn but for us it was great and super filling. We made sure that we all ate some big portions to keep us nice and satisfied through out the afternoon so we didn’t have to stop for lunch. See, I told you, budget eating! HA!
Atmosphere of The Plaza Inn:
I absolutely loved the atmosphere of The Plaza Inn. It was elegant but not too fancy. We also felt like the characters were super friendly and silly. They spent a good amount of time with the kids and really made us laugh. All of them took time to chat, play and sign autograph books and knew exactly how to get the kids to smile for pictures.
Something To Consider:
Before heading to Disneyland I was planning out our experiences and schedule. Some of the information I was reading said that there was a separate entrance to use for Character Dining at The Plaza Inn and if you make your reservation before the park opens to the public you can still get in. Well, we found out that wasn’t true and ended up having to use our Magic Hour to get to the park for our character dining. I have no idea if this is normal but as you plan your trip please make sure you have your times correct and a magic pass available if needed.
Tips For Character Dining Experiences:
- Always book ahead of time. Having a reservation is key to making sure your character dining experience is pleasant.
- A lot of guests underestimate the time that these meals last. It can take 60-90 minutes for you to see all of the characters the experience offers. Remember that when planning fast passes or anything else after a meal.
- Be sure to arrive to your reservation 15-20 minutes early to be seated on time.
- Be camera ready! Have your phone or camera on and charged – you never know when those characters will show up at your table!
- Bring an autograph book. Here is our favorite.
- Since you are spending a good part of your day at the character dining experience make sure you and your family actually eat! This helps save you another time of sitting down to eat later on in the day.
- Do not forget your manners. Making sure to share the characters, thank the characters and be aware of the other guests around you.
Other Character Dining Options At Disneyland
Disney Princess Adventures Breakfast (COMING SOON!):
Experience a magical morning of food and fun while forging new friendships with beloved Disney Princesses. Immerse yourself in a world where princesses share their passions and stories of adventure with the young and young at heart!
Along with a sumptuous three-course breakfast in the luxurious Napa Rose, you’ll be charmed as Disney Princesses stop by your table for a personal visit. Then, as adults savor delightful amenities like specialty coffees, girls and boys will let their imaginations soar as they delight in enchanting activities that highlight what makes the Disney Princesses unique. Guests will share a final fond farewell with a personal Princess portrait moment and enjoy a special keepsake to remember their unique Disney Princess experience.
Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast:
Exclusive to breakfast—catch a wave with Donald and some of his BFFs as they serve up a delectable buffet in your favorite beach setting.
Say cowabunga to your hunger! Start your day right with a variety of enticing breakfast items, including our build-your-own-parfait stations, eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, chilaquiles, chicken and waffles, smoked salmon and accompaniments. Little dudes and dudettes will love the Mickey waffles, Minnie pancakes, Banana Foster French toast and a selection of hot and cold cereals, sausage, bacon and seasonal fresh fruit.
Don’t forget to save some room on your plate for a heaping helping of fun with Donald and the gang. You’ll want to take lots of pics and collect autographs for a calorie-free pièce de résistance, so pack your camera!
Goofy’s Kitchen:
At this breakfast buffet, choose from an array of eye-opening favorites and be surprised by who drops by… it’ll be a blast! Be welcomed by your Disney Character host as you enter the eatery where boisterous fun is the perfect way to start your day! Then, get set for an unforgettable meal with Goofy and friends as you create an oh-so-perfect meal from the wide selection of delicious, all-you-care-to-enjoy dishes.
Many favorite Disney friends have been known to pay a visit, so come strike a pose in front of Goofy’s zany kitchen backdrop, join in the fun and dancing, and collect a few autographs as Characters stop by to visit you at your table!
At breakfast, 5 food stations offer choices galore from made-to-order omelets to cheese blintzes. Munch on Mickey Mouse waffles and pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, eggs Benedict, frittata, glazed ham, smoked salmon, pastries and fresh fruit, as well as chicken and fresh vegetables. And don’t forget to try Goofy’s very own peanut butter and jelly pizza!
Mickey’s Tales of Adventures at Storyteller Cafe:
Join Mickey as he welcomes Guests to an immersive culinary adventure with some of his closest friends! Discover the fun and wonder of his latest escapades while enjoying a bountiful breakfast prepared especially for you. Some of our delectable selections include made-to-order omelets, Mickey-shaped waffles, baked goods and fresh fruit. Start your day in the most scrumptious way—and bring a camera to capture the memories forever!
Now adventurers of all ages can enjoy a super-fun brunch with Mickey and the gang! Hear about his globe-trotting travels while dining on a smorgasbord of pleasing plates that includes all the same breakfast menu choices, plus a rotating menu of daily lunch specials. Each delish dish is served with a heaping helping of pixie dust to make family meals a bit more magical!
Other Disneyland Posts You Might Enjoy:
How To Survive Disneyland With Kids
Visiting Disneyland In February
Tips For Visiting Disneyland When It Rains
15 Disneyland Travel Tips
Which of the character dining experiences is your favorite to enjoy?
WE ARE A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES
