Dining reservations: Have a rough list/plan. I still can't decide between Goofy's Kitchen or Plaza Inn for a character meal. I was all set on Plaza Inn on our first day, but now that we're coming in the night before and not going to a park, Goofy's Kitchen for dinner sounds like a good plan. I also can't decide if we need to do Ariel's Grotto (we have 5 year old twin girls).
We've done all the character meals with the exception of Ariel's and if your kids are into meeting characters I would definitely recommend at least one! Goofy vs Minnie is a tough call for me. On one hand, I think the experience is better at Minnie's but on the other hand, going to Goofy's would not only give you something to do the night you arrive but also does not take time away from enjoying the park.
The only characters that Goofy's has are Goofy, Chip & Dale, Pluto and Minnie, if I remember correctly. Minnie and Friends has a much more varied cast of characters. Some recent ones have been: Minnie, Tigger, Winnie, Eeyore, Capt Hook, Peter Pan, Rafiki, Dale. We have also seen Fairy Godmother as well as Mad Hatter and Alice.
If you are only going to do one character meal AND your girls are big princess fans, I would go for Ariel's. Otherwise, I would weigh more varied characters but less park time over just 5 characters and more park time.
Thanks! Both love princesses and Minnie. Ones really loves Pooh Bear. Their big brother enjoys everything. We aren't set on a certain number of character meals. We usually only do one table service a day though. We have 5 park days, but the grandparents are leaving a day early so we intend on winging it.
I just threw this together quickly. My plan keeps changing...
Monday-Check in, Goofy's dinner
Tuesday-Disneyland EMH, Blue Bayou lunch
Wednesday-CA EMH, Carthay Circle lunch (WOC package, maybe?)
Thursday-CA adventure morning, Ariel's Grotto lunch?
Friday-Plaza Inn breakfast maybe? or something better/non-character?
Saturday-winging it day
Edit-Ugh, that probably won't work. I'm guessing EMH will be 7 am. I doubt we'll be able to do CA EMH at 7 am and last all the way until WOC that night.
What about doing Carthay Circle WOC dinner and going back to the hotel after lunch for a mandatory rest period so the kids can last until WOC that night? Another idea instead of doing a WOC dining package is to do the WOC dessert party and have a light dinner. We have done the WOC dining package 3 times and the dessert party once and all of us preferred the dessert party. Not only do you get a plate of desserts and cheese but you get a table and chairs plus the adults get 2 drinks and our son got a WOC Made with Magic Sipper. I'm not 100% sure if they still have the cups for the kids but it can't hurt to ask a CM when you book it.
Other than that, if you are character meal'd out then instead of Plaza Inn on Friday you could always get a reservation at Carnation Cafe and have breakfast there. You might even be able to meet Oscar and wish him a happy 60 years with Disneyland!
For Tuesday's Blue Bayou lunch, I would recommend making a reservation at 11:30 or whatever the first reservation time is, get to BB around 20 or so minutes before your reservation and ask for a waterside table.
My flights are paid for. We have reservations at Camelot Inn, but I keep hoping I can get a deal at one of the Disney hotels. Fat chance, I know, but a girl can dream.
I still need to get a ticket for my husband. Our daughter and I have APs, so just need hoppers for him. I am probably going to go through LMT club, and like PP keeping fingers crossed that the price increase doesn't beat me to it.
We haven't finalized dining decisions yet. What is really cool is that my husband is getting excited for this trip. He is not a big Disney fan (yeah, I don't understand that either ) but he just started watching Disney you tube videos and has been making notes of all the foods he wants to try. It makes me smile.
I'm throwing my hat in the ring for an April visit, 21st-23rd. We've not been in spring time in about 10 years, but my sister is celebrating her 50th birthday that weekend so I am taking her to Dland so we can go crazy half-century style. As always, I am looking forward to being back at The Land.
Yes, that's one he's been watching.Has he checked out Fresh Baked Disney? His secrets and history videos are really fun!
Not boding well for meeting characters, major flip out at Costco just then where the Michelin Man was handing out balloons...
Not boding well for meeting characters, major flip out at Costco just then where the Michelin Man was handing out balloons...
3.5.
She was a bit over 2 last time and we did not get a single pic with ANY characters, not even Elsa! She at least got a wave from across the room. Ariel's lunch was not fun! Only went because our friend's dad was celebrating his 60th.