With so many exciting additions coming to the Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney this year it’s no surprise that the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are getting in on the action. The Disney Parks Blog announced today that beginning this summer new character dining experiences will be coming to Storyteller’s Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
At Storyteller’s Cafe guests will dine with Mickey Mouse and friends for “Mickey’s Tales of Adventure.” While dining Mickey will immerse guests of all ages in stories of adventure through the use of his Adventurer’s Journal. We’d venture a guess that this will be a breakfast only experience similar in format to Chip ‘n Dale’s Critter Breakfast, which is currently at Storyteller’s Cafe.
Over at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, the beachy fun continues with a newly re-imagined breakfast at Disney’s PCH Grill. What is currently Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends will become Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast. Here guests will dine and dance with Donald, Daisy, and everyone’s favorite beach alien Stitch!
Both breakfasts will remain all-you-can-eat buffets, and new menu items will likely be incorporated, but have not yet been announced. Also, as Summer is fast approaching reservations for these new offerings will undoubtedly be opening soon.
Make the Most of Your Disneyland Resort Character Dining Experience!
In addition to making a reservation here are a few other helpful character dining tips:
Bring an Autograph Book
Autograph books are a great ice breaker for children who might be a bit more cautious when meeting their favorite Disney characters. They are also a great way to capture your kiddo’s age, growth, and development, especially those that happen to have autograph books with a photo sleeve on one page, and the autograph page on the opposite side. My kids love it when characters write personal notes, draw personalized pictures, and intricately autograph or personalize their books which, to this day, we lovingly look back upon as amazing Disney moments we shared of the characters we met.
Know When to Go
During peak dining times, Disney restaurants tend to get a bit overcrowded. I recommend making a reservation earlier in the morning or later in the evening for less of a crowd factor and the opportunity to maximize interactions with the characters. This is also true for days of the week and/ or times of the year. Disney restaurants are generally more crowded on the weekends, so in my experience, booking on a weekday is a better option. I realize that it might be difficult to book during a non-peak travel season or on a weekday, but rest assured, no matter when you happen to book, all the characters at the restaurant on your chosen day will make it to your table and will do everything they can to make the experience as magical as possible, for your kids, and for you too!
Take Tons of Photos
I cannot stress enough the importance of bringing along a camera and taking as many photos as possible. As the lighting in each restaurant is different, I highly recommend taking a few test shots and adjusting your camera settings as necessary so you can capture the magical moments of your child’s first Disney character interaction! Taking video is also a good idea if you are able and many cameras these days have the option of allowing you to take photos while taking video. Lastly, if your camera has a continuous shutter option, this is a great way to capture the fast movements of toddlers and characters alike and ensures that you won’t miss the special hugs, games of peek-a-boo, and blown kisses.
Get Involved
Whether it’s waving your napkin in the air to the music or hanging loose on the dance floor with Donald and Daisy be sure to immerse yourself in the experiences, songs, and stories that are woven through your meal. It might take a bit of convincing to get your children up from the table and away from their Mickey-shaped waffles, but once they do, they’ll have a magical time and you’ll be able to capture some adorable photos and videos.
Be sure to stay tuned to the Babes in Disneyland Blog for the most up to date information on all of the amazing happenings around the Disneyland Resort and check back on this post for updates as more information regarding reservations, characters, menus, and pricing becomes available.
