Packing List

Need somewhere to start for your packing list?? Try the link below. You can view it as a PDF, ebook or word document. I opened it as a word document and then altered it to only have the things I need.

Packing List

Break-ins

Are you as paranoid about people breaking into your house as I am?? We've had several break-ins in the neighborhood. Crooks are looking for Rx drugs.

Check out this website.

Schedule...Again

This is my latest schedule. I am going to print it as a pocket size schedule for everyone--that's why it's so small. This is a tentative schedule. With as many people as we have in the group we have to have some kind of organization. I also added two pages to it: contact info and flight info. Please look over the schedule and let me know if I missed anything. I added all the kiddie rides in Fantasyland because I thought we might just make it through all of them if there aren't long waits. The little ones would probably like it and the newlyweds can sit in the back and smooch in the dark. Just a thought. There seems to be less on the California Adventure day because I wasn't sure what everyone wanted to see over there and it's spread out a lot more. We can definitely get other rides in if we see them and the lines are low. Let me know what you think. I promise there is a method to my organizational madness. I tried to group everything and keep us from traipsing all over the parks. You can look it all up on the map.

Final Schedule

Christmas @ Disneyland Food

I have some items I need to post about, but I'll do that later. Please remember to read comments to all the posts.

Nadine told me about this Food Network episode on Christmas @ Disneyland. I thought I would share the link. It's in four parts on youtube. Really tasty looking food! Just remember that we probably won't be able to afford most of the food there. ;) It looks like right now that we probably won't do character dining so we can save on the time and expense ($350-415 without tax and tip). I'll post more about dining ideas later. If I were you I wouldn't look at the youtube Unwrapped episode on Walt Disney World. Their food looks even better.

Guy Fieri Christmas @ Disneyland
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Maps

Disneyland Resort Maps

check out the maps of the parks if you're interested.

Character Dining Update

Okay, I just called the Disney Dining people and got a few questions answered. Can I suggest something? Put the five restaurants in order of preference and list them in the comments section of this post. I think that will be the most helpful.

1. The price for character dining is between $25.99-29.99 for adults and $12.99-18.99 for children (3-9). Children 2 and under eat off parents' plates and are therefore free. When we make our reservations we have to have an exact headcount. I believe we pay before we eat when we get there. There are going to be A LOT of people that want to eat at the character dining.

2. The characters are randomly selected that day and we will see 3 to 4 characters.

3. The lady I spoke to mentioned her favorite was Mickey's Surf's Up Breakfast in Paradise Pier because they have special food you can only get there. I believe she mentioned mini Mickey Mouse waffles.

4. I mentioned that most of the children in our party are younger and wouldn't know Chip 'n Dale and she said that their (Chip 'n Dale Critter Breakfast) dining experience would include characters from Brother Bear and possibly Baloo from Jungle Book, so the kids might not know them. She suggested that we go to Minnie's, Mickey's or Goofy's for recognizable characters. I mentioned that we know more of the Pixar characters. If we're flexible we may be able to get a reservation, but we have to decide soon so they can accommodate us.

I also found this online:

Tips for Meeting the Disneyland Characters

• Pick up the daily schedule at the gate when you enter the park. It lists where the characters will be and when. The most popular characters appear on a pre-published schedule, but others like the Queen of Hearts just show up, entering the park next to the Opera House or it's a small world.

• Be prepared with an autograph book and pen. The souvenir shops in the park sell special autograph books, but any book that's about 6 inches wide or larger will work just fine. Once you see the over-sized gloves these characters wear, you'll understand why a larger, felt-tipped pen works best. If you wonder why they hold the book up to their face, remember that they can only see straight ahead through the eye holes.

• A Disney photographer will usually be on hand to take pictures of the characters and their pals. You'd be surprised how many things can go wrong - people stepping in front of the lens, your own finger in the corner or even worse, equipment trouble - so it's a good precaution to pick up a free Photo Pass and even if you take your own photos, too, it's free and good insurance.

• Lots of kids come to Disneyland in costume, especially little girls. Not only do they seem to enjoy it, but pictures of them all dressed up and posing with a character are priceless. At Disneyland, children are classified as adults at a young age, and only those under 9 years old are permitted to wear costumes into the park.

Disney Character Dining

If you wait to reserve a character meal until you arrive at the park, you're likely to have a disappointed child on your hands. Call 714-781-3463 to make your reservations, up to 30 days and at least two weeks in advance. The least expensive of the Disneyland character dining options are inside the parks: Minnie and Friends at Disneyland and Ariel's Disney Princess Celebration at California Adventure. Character dining in any of the Disney hotels will cost you almost twice as much.

At any of these places, the characters will stop by your table, so have cameras and autograph books ready when you sit down.

• Minnie and Friends Breakfast in the Park: Served at Disneyland's Plaza Inn, this all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast ends at 11 a.m. Less expensive than the hotel breakfasts, it also has more characters, including Minnie Mouse.

• Ariel's Disney Princess Celebration: Head to California Adventure's Ariel's Grotto for lunch or dinner with the Disney princesses.

• Chip 'n Dale Critter Breakfast: An all-you-can-eat buffet and menu items served at the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel Storytellers Cafe. It's the most low-key of the character breakfasts, but we find the goofy ranger character more than annoying.

• Goofy's Kitchen Breakfast: The most fun, food wise (peanut butter pizza, mac'n'cheese - for breakfast!) with lots of dancing and quite a few characters on hand. It's located at the Disneyland Hotel.

• Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends: All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at the PCH Grill in Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. This is the only character breakfast outside the park where Mickey puts in an appearance.

Meeting the Characters in Disneyland

Eating with the characters is fun, but you'll find characters all over the park, too.

For a special treat (at extra cost), try the Discover the Magic Tour, a family-oriented tour where you all interact and work with Disney characters while hunting for hidden treasure and dodging dastardly villains. Recommended for kids between 5 and 9, it includes lunch and a souvenir gift. Strollers are not recommended and if the young'uns are under 18, an adult has to come along, too. To avoid disappointment, reserve up to 30 days in advance at 714-781-4400.

Most of the time, Minnie and Mickey are in their Toontown houses, but because you're guaranteed to find them there, lines can be nerve-wrackingly long, especially with an impatient little one holding your hand. Other places where the characters regularly hang out:

• Pixie Hollow: Tinker Bell and friends (next to Tomorrowland)
• Toontown: Minnie and Mickey
• Fantasyland: Disney Princess Faire
• Frontierland: Captain Jack Sparrow (on Tom Sawyer's Island)
• Critter Country: Winnie the Pooh and Friends

Meeting the Characters in California Adventure

• Condor Flats: Lightning McQueen and Mater from Cars
• Hollywood Pictures Backlot: An assortment of characters show up here on the main street, and Mickey often pops out just as this section opens in the morning, wearing his California beach attire.

More on Character Dining

**Remember to read comments to know what everyone else in the group thinks.**

Some of the concerns about Character Dining...
1. Is the food and dining experience (characters, service) worth the money? Keep in mind that character dining is especially pricey during the busy holiday season.
2. What characters are at each restaurant?
3. Is the food really that good because I don't have kids or mine won't care about the characters?

I found this list online. I'm not sure how old it is, but I thought it answered some of our questions. Click on links and it will take you to other pages (menu pages updated 11/10).

Plaza Inn

(Park admission required) - Located on Main Street in the Disneyland Park

Join ‘Minnie and Friends for a Breakfast in the Park’, Minnie is often joined by Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger and many others. Breakfast includes all you can eat buffet with omelets cooked to order, as well as other typical breakfast fare. Restaurant is located at the end of Main Street , at the entrance to Tomorrowland. This restaurant has seating inside and outside on the patio. Portions are generous. Characters are only at breakfast!
*Priority seating reservations recommended

• Lunch / Dinner Price: Adults: $35.00, Children (3-9) $20.00

Ariel's Grotto

(Park admission required) - Located at the entrance to Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure Park.

Join Ariel as she hosts a Princess celebration like no other. You may be surprised by a royal visit from Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and/or Sleeping Beauty. A must do for the ‘Princess’ in your family. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Typical dishes include battered fish, chicken biscuit pie, pastas, soups, salads, burgers, as well as kid’s menus. You can eat inside or outside. The décor is “under the sea.” The food is good and character interaction excellent. *Priority seating reservations recommended

• BREAKFAST PRICE: Adults: $32.00, Children (3-9) $18.00
• LUNCH/DINNER PRICE: Adults: $35.00, Children (3-9) $20.00

'World of Color Dining Package'

For that special 'Princess' dining experience followed by special reserved seating for Disney California Adventure Parks amazing new watershow 'World of Color', Ariel's now offers a special dining package that includes dinner and a show! After dinner, you are escorted to a special viewing area.

• World of Color Dining Package Price: Dinner at Ariel’s Grotto with reserved viewing is $36.99 for adults; $20.99 for children ages 3-9 .

Reservations can be made by calling Disneyland Dining at 714-781-DINE. No credit card is required

Goofy's Kitchen

Located at the Disneyland Hotel

This all you can eat ‘Buffet’ offers Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The Character breakfast features Goofy and his Friends. At the buffet, you can enjoy Mickey Mouse Waffles, made to order omelets and peanut butter and jelly pizza. Don’t forget your camera!
*Priority seating reservations recommended

• Breakfast & Lunch: Adults (ages 10 and up) $32.00, Children (ages 3 - 9) $18.00
• DINNER PRICE: Adults: $40, Children (3-9) $18
• Hours: Brunch: 7:00 AM– 1:00 PM (Mon. thru Fri.), 7:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Sat. and Sun.) Dinner: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Daily

PCH Grill

Disney's PCH Grill is located at Disneyland’s Paradise Pier Hotel

- The California beach-themed breakfast buffet features an omelet station, flatbreads, and signature chilaquiles with shredded beef, salsa verde and queso fresco.
*Priority seating reservations recommended

• BREAKFAST PRICE: Adults: $29.99, Children (3-9) $15.99
• Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM daily

Storyteller's Cafe

Storytellers Breakfast
Located at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

-The Storytellers Cafe serves an all you can eat buffet style breakfast with Chip & Dale and Pluto. Menu items also available.
*Priority seating reservations recommended

• BREAKFAST BUFFET PRICE: Adults: $32.00, Children (3-9) $18.00
• Breakfast Ala Carte Menu: Prices range from $16.99 - $22.99
• Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM

I found this reviewer online and thought it was useful:

9/2010

We went to all 4 of the Disney character breakfast buffets on consecutive days, which combined with the fact that I have a Yelp account, makes me an undisputed expert on the topic. On a five-star scale, here's how I'd rate them all on food quality/service/character interaction:

Goofy's Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel): food 4, service 3, characters 4, total 3.7
Plaza Inn (within Disneyland): food 1, service 5, characters 4, total 3.3
PCH Grill (Paradise Pier Hotel): food 2, service 1, characters 5, total 2.7
Storyteller Cafe (Grand Californian Hotel): food 3, service 3, characters 1, total 2.3
Reviewer didn't go to Ariel's Grotto, but some of you have experience there.

Plaza Inn is on the park grounds at Disneyland. So naturally, everything is happy and service is excellent. Just don't try the food.

FOOD - 1
Eggs are terrible. Sausage is terrible. Pastries are terrible. Everything tastes prepackaged. Even the made-to-order omelet despite the fact that I saw the really nice gentleman cook it in front of me. But who cares?! You're at The Happiest Place on Earth (TM)!

SERVICE - 5
Service with a smile, from *everyone* on the staff. Then again, all they need to do is clear out your used dishes, since even the drinks are self-service. But they cleared the tables quickly and frequently, and with the classic Disney smile each and every time. The place was remarkably clean for a buffet with so many kids running around.

CHARACTER INTERACTION - 4
Captain Hook was awesome, Tigger was bouncy, Minnie was terrific, and the Fairy Godmother was really convincing. Heck, even Eeyore seemed happy! Plenty of furries and they all seemed like they loved to be there. The only thing missing here was an interactive group session like they had at PCH Grill and Goofy's Kitchen.

TOTAL - 3.3
A great way to start your day at Disneyland! Funny how the food is borderline inedible, yet I gladly give the place 3-4 stars!

Oh, they have mini Mickey waffles here too. Drown them in syrup and Carnation Cafe has nothing on this place.

PCH Grill offers ridiculously poor service and sub-par food quality. But thankfully their furries are the best in the business!

FOOD - 2
Wow, what's that interesting flavor in the eggs? Oh, I know -- I'm tasting the bag that these eggs were poured from. For dessert, some cheap pastries that also came out of a bag, and nobody cared to make them look presentable on the counter. The flatbread pizzas are a great idea in theory, but how does a paper-thin crust get so soggy when there's nothing there to absorb any moisture?

SERVICE - 1
We had to flag down 3 separate waiters, the first two of whom pointed to some other dude and said he'll be over in just a minute. Good thing it's a buffet! But 15 minutes later, the guy finally showed up -- then he literally left us *in the middle of taking our drinks order* to go sing "zippity doo dah, my oh my it's your birthday today" at a table halfway across the restaurant! When he came back and we expressed our concern for his rudeness and incompetence, he looked annoyed. A different waitress ended up filling our glasses and clearing our used plates for the rest of the meal.

CHARACTER INTERACTION - 5
The redeeming quality -- Stitch and Mickey were absolute superstars. Every 20 minutes there's an interactive session, whether it's Stitch teaching the kiddos how to surf or Mickey leading a dance session. In between the fun, the furries are all readily available for pictures. In fact, I think Mickey came to our table much more frequently than all the waiters/waitresses combined.

TOTAL - 2.7
If you want character interaction and photo opportunities, come to the PCH Grill. Just don't expect much more.


Storyteller Cafe has potential but it really fell short of expectations for food and service, being that it's in the nicest of the Disney hotels. Without character interaction to fall back on, it scores really poorly on my scale.

FOOD - 3
Quality sausage is the cornerstone of a good breakfast buffet. Here the sausage was dreadful, chalky and grainy when I bit into it. But they did have two things that set it apart from the other restaurants: 1) made-to-order omelets with real eggs, not the from-a-bag mixture used at PCH Grill and 2) fluffy scrambled egg whites as well as the most delicious scrambled eggs of all the restaurants. I wanted to give it a 4 for food, but I just can't get over the terrible sausage, and the biscuits and gravy were practically inedible as well. Lack of dessert options sealed the deal -- a solid 3 for food here but it really isn't far from nailing 5 stars in my book.

SERVICE - 3
We first went here for dinner and had an awful experience. Waiter didn't take our drink orders until we were halfway through our first plate of food. But when we came back for the breakfast buffet our waiter was excellent. I might consider bumping up the score to a 4, since I'm really just rating the breakfast buffets, but the dinner experience left a sour taste in my mouth. Or maybe that was from the breakfast sausage.

CHARACTER INTERACTION - 1
They might as well kill off the furries and just make it a no-gimmicks all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Some dude dressed as a park ranger was harassing all the patrons at their tables, and it wasn't immediately clear that he was an employee. He was scary and annoying. Chip & Dale and Brother Bear lacked life and though they fit the woodsy motif, they really didn't add to our experience.

TOTAL - 2.3
So close but so far. This restaurant has some serious potential but instead it was just disappointing. I must say, I'll definitely give it another shot next time I'm down at Disneyland -- maybe it was just a bad week, but I really think for food quality and service this could become the premier breakfast buffet in the area.

Goofy's Kitchen was my favorite out of the 4 character breakfast buffets available at Disneyland. It was the most well-balanced and scored favorably in all areas.

FOOD - 4
Easily the best locale for food, with its trademark peanut butter & jelly pizza, good sausage and bacon, decent eggs, and a soft serve machine and jello among the many dessert options.

SERVICE - 3
For just a minute, our drink cups went empty and used plates cluttered the table, but other than that the waiter service was friendly and helpful.

CHARACTER INTERACTION - 4
Goofy and his crew of furries were excellent, there's always someone in your area and Jasmine even stopped by in the morning before heading to Ariel's Grotto for her lunch shift. Plus, every 30 minutes they have an interactive session, either the kids help Goofy bake a cake in the center of the restaurant or the furries get together with the kids for a Do The Twist dance session. My 3-year-old absolutely loved it.

TOTAL - 3.7
We liked this one the most, despite it being the furthest from where we were staying, at the Grand Californian. We even came back for the dinner buffet which I must admit was disappointing. Basically the same as the breakfast buffet but it lacked the sausage, bacon, and eggs that I enjoyed most.

One major ding for Goofy's kitchen: the closest restroom to this all-you-can-eat restaurant has ONE STALL! And boy, did someone use and abuse it before I went in there! But have no fear, you have a better option just 50 feet away. From the mini restroom, go left past the steak restaurant and down the stairs. You'll find a large clean restroom at the base of the stairway, to your left.