Meeting Disney characters has never been easier with Disneyland character dining. Every detail for dining with Mickey Mouse and his friends at Disneyland. 
Character breakfast, Mickey’s brunch, dining with Donald and cooking up some fun with Goofy are part of the routine around here. I love dining with Disney characters at Disneyland, but let me tell you how I got to that point.
At first I admit, I was a little skeptical of doing Disneyland Resort character dining because of the cost involved. It is much more than a standard Disneyland meal.
But let me tell you, after a handful of character meals, I am still going back. It’s a tradition during our family visits and even sometimes I go solo and dine with characters. Let me fill you in on all the details.
Disneyland Character Dining
Instead of thinking of it as a meal or breakfast with character visits, think of it as paying to see the characters, with food included.
It’s much easier for me to swallow the price tag when I see it that way. And truly, you are going there to experience the coveted one-on-one time with characters— otherwise you would have just dined anywhere at the Disneyland Resort.
Plaza Inn Disneyland Character Dining
Officially dubbed, Minnie & Friends — Breakfast in the Park, you’ll dine during breakfast hours at Disneyland park’s Plaza Inn.
Minnie and Friends breakfast buffet at Plaza Inn is one of my favorite dining experiences and is the only option available inside one of the them parks here at Disneyland Resort. Read my entire review on Minnie & Friends — Breakfast in the Park here.
Storytellers Cafe Disneyland Character Dining
When you want to meet Mickey Mouse, you’ll need to head over to Storytellers Cafe for breakfast or brunch.
Located inside the Grand Californian Hotel, anyone can reserve a character meal here. See my entire review of Mickey’s Tales of Adventure breakfast and brunch buffet at Storytellers Café here.
PCH Grill Disneyland Character Dining
Note: this character meal has been paused in 2021. Updates will follow as we receive word from Disneyland Resort.
Character meals really are all they’re quacked up to be with Donald Duck by your side.
Waddle over to Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel for a delicious breakfast with Donald and friends. See my full review and what to expect during Donald Duck’s seaside breakfast buffet at PCH Grill here.
Goofy’s Kitchen Disneyland Character Dining
Goofy shows off his cooking skills and sometimes crazy dance moves during the meal he hosts at the Disneyland Hotel.
This is the only character dinner option, but is also open for character breakfast. Read my full review of Goofy’s kitchen breakfast and dinner buffet at Disneyland Hotel.
Princess Breakfast Disneyland Character Dining
To cap off all the Disney character dining experiences, we have the premium Disney Princess breakfast at Napa Rose, inside the Grand Californian Hotel, anyone can reserve a character meal here.
This one is the fairest and priciest one of them all. See my full video and review of Disney Princess Breakfast Adventure here.
Where is Disneyland character dining?
Five Disneyland Resort restaurants host Disneyland character dining including Plaza Inn at Disneyland Park, Storytellers Cafe at Grand Californian Resort & Spa, Napa Rose also at Grand Californian Resort & Spa, PCH Grill at Paradise Pier Hotel and Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel.
Do I need reservations for Disneyland character dining?
Yes, you can make reservations beginning 60 days in advance. Reservations are recommended. Call (714) 781-3463 or book online.
What is the best Disneyland character dining experience?
I love Minnie & Friends—Breakfast in the Park simply because of the vast amount of characters you can meet in one location; I met 12 Disney characters on my last visit.
But it also depends on if you want to use park time for your character meal. Minnie and friends breakfast requires theme park admission, while the three other character meal options are outside of the Parks and do not require theme park admission.
If you’re like me and prefer to ride as many rides as possible during your Disneyland vacation, you’ll want to choose a character dining experience at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels.
This way you’re not wasting any prime time inside the parks. Another thing to consider when choosing the best Disneyland character dining experience is deciding which Disney characters are most important to your group.
Like I mentioned above, when you choose a Disneyland character dining option, you’re getting much more than a meal. You are getting one-on-one time with characters that you won’t get anywhere else.
Characters come to your table throughout the meal so you won’t miss a thing!
How Much is Disneyland Character Dining?
Disneyland character dining costs more than regular theme park dining. You’re paying a premium for the one-on-one time with Disney characters. Prices for Disneyland character dining start at around $30 for children and go up to $100+.
What Food is Served at Character Dining?
Much discussion is based around the food at Disneyland character dining experiences. You’ll find an assortment of food including your standard cold cereals, pastries, eggs, sausage, bacon and more.
But you’ll also find a wide selection of made to order food and Disney specialities like custom omelettes, Mickey shaped waffles (gluten-free available upon request), flat breads, specialty drinks and more. Milk, juice, soda, Coffee are all included in your meal price.
Where Can I Park for Disneyland Character Dining?
If you’re dining with Minnie and friends at Plaza Inn use regular theme park parking.
If you’re dining at one of the Disneyland resort hotels, you can park at that hotels parking lot and get parking validation during your meal. However, remember if you go to the parks after or before your meal you will need to use regular theme park parking.
Be sure to get your Disneyland discount tickets from our partner, Get Away Today before heading over to Disneyland Resort.Plus, enjoy an extra $10 off when booking a hotel stay of two nights or more along with your discount Disneyland tickets! Get my promo code delivered to your inbox now.
Which Disneyland character dining experiences have you tried?
