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| Photo courtesy of the Disneyland Resort |
Mother’s Day is just a few weeks away on Sunday, May 12, so it’s time to make plans to honor the moms in our lives! What better place to do so than the Disneyland Resort, where she (or you!) can feel like a true Disney princess?
In Disneyland Park, three restaurants will be offering special meals to celebrate moms. At Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square, you’ll find prosciutto-wrapped halibut with forbidden rice and corn chowder for $39. Carnation Café will serve honey-mustard, lemon-roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and glazed baby carrots for $16.99, and Plaza Inn’s menu will include fruit-glazed salmon with mango-kiwi relish, rice pilaf and baby carrots for $16.99.
At Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the brunch buffet is being spruced up with even more treats for Mother’s Day, including made-to-order omelets, brioche French toast, beef au jus, and roasted salmon. The cost is $31.99 per person.
The most elaborate option is to attend Disney’s Royal Mother’s Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel. My family and I had the pleasure of surprising my mom with a meal there last year, and it was a magical way to celebrate. Being the Disney-loving family of “foodies” that we are, this sought-after brunch was the perfect way to honor my mom, and I’d secretly (or perhaps not-so-secretly) been waiting for years for the opportunity to attend!
When we entered the impeccably-decorated ballroom, Disney’s trademark attention to detail was apparent at every stunning glance. Colorful floral arrangements, custom light projections, and breathtaking food displays adorned the huge space. A live band played and several Disney characters were on hand for photo opportunities—including Cinderella (complete with her carriage!), Snow White, Belle, Aurora, Tiana, Minnie Mouse, and Chip and Dale. Moms could even pose on a royal throne for photos with their families! 
The buffet included a spread of hot main entrees, traditional breakfast fare (plus Mickey-shaped waffles, of course!), made-to-order omelet stations, fresh fruit, deli meats, a cold salad station, an artisan cheese display, and a seafood bar. Champagne mimosas were also offered as a refreshing treat for the adults. The dessert tables offered a variety of sweet treats, including flourless chocolate cake, gourmet cupcakes, fruit tarts, chocolate-dipped French macaroons and cake pops. Made-to-order strawberry or bananas foster crepes a la mode were served and there was a full-service five-tier chocolate fountain with fresh strawberries, cookies and more for dipping.
My son loved the children’s buffet, which offered a variety of kids’ favorites, like macaroni and cheese, mini corndogs personal-size pizzas, chicken strips, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and even Mickey-shaped soft pretzels. Desserts included fruit pizza, chocolate-dipped Mickey-shaped cereal treats, “worms and dirt” cups, cookies and cupcakes. He was thrilled to find a freezer cart with ice cream confections just like those offered in the parks!
The cost of Disney’s Mother’s Day Royal Buffet is $71.99 plus tax and gratuity for adults, $20.99 plus tax and gratuity for children ages 3-9, and children under 3 are free. Premium Annual Passholders get a 15-percent discount, and all other annual passports get a 10-percent discount. Four hours of parking is included, and then every hour after is $6. I think it’s a splurge worth making at least once when you consider the amazing food, service, entertainment and photo opportunities!
Reservations can be made now for any of these special Mother’s Day dining experiences by calling (714) 781-DINE.
In addition to being a Babes In Disneyland contributor, Courtney is a Disneyland Resort Specialist on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. You can also find her on Instagram and Twitter (@2Courtney).
