Goofy's Kitchen - Brunch with Disney Characters!!
Written: May 16 '06 (Updated May 23 '06)
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Pros: Decent food, good opportunity to meet characters, free valet parking
Cons: Expensive
The Bottom Line: A relaxed environment to see Disney Characters.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Goofy's Kitchen |
We have gone to Disneyland about six times over the last few years. Each time, we book a brunch at Goofy's Kitchen. I usually book the brunch for the last day, after we check out of the hotel. It is easier for my kids to say goodbye to Disney when they feel they have met a lot of characters. Plus, it is a good way to top off their autograph books.
LOCATION
Goofy's Kitchen is located outside of the parks in the Disneyland hotel and is about a 20 minute walk from either Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure. The most scenic route for walking is through Downtown Disney.
If you are driving and visiting Goofy's Kitchen, tell the guard at the gate to the Disneyland hotel that you are just there to eat and you can valet park for free for a few hours.
GETTING SEATED
I highly recommend that you make a reservation through Disney to eat at this restaurant. Even in slow periods, it is often booked at least a week in advance. You can make a reservation up to 60 days in advance by calling the main Disney reservation line at (714) 781-dine.
Disney does not give precise reservations - instead they give priority seating. What this means is that you show up at your designated time and you will get the next available table. We have always waited about 10-15 minutes to get seated at Goofy's Kitchen.
While you are waiting, you can take a picture with a character. When we visit, it has always been Pluto which kind of sucks since most little kids don't know who Pluto is. A Disney photographer will take the photos and you can buy them. We usually take a couple of photos with our own cameras.
There are a few benches outside the restaurant to wait but this area is usually crowded. Just outside the main restaurant area is a small room with a tv that you can also wait in. The area isn't obvious but if you stroll around the lobby you will find it. There is also a pretty good Disney shop with lots of things to choose from. This is a good place to pick up items you don't feel like dragging around the park. You might also consider picking up an autograph book if your child wants to collect autographs from the characters they will meet.
FOOD
We have eaten in this restaurant several times - always around noon. The food is served buffet style but they bring coffee and juice to your table. There is milk available in cartons on the buffet.
There are wide, wide selections for food. For kids, there is every favorite possible: chicken nuggets shaped like Mickey Mouse's head, tater tots, mini hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly pizza (my peanut butter-loving son thought this was gross), waffles shaped like Mickey Mouse's head, eggs and other assorted goodies. For dessert, there was soft-serve ice cream with lots of toppings, lots of cakes, and those pudding, crushed up oreo cookie and gummy worm combinations meant to look like dirt. There is also a lot of fresh fruit and cereal although the kids weren't interested given the other options.
For adults, there was also a wide variety of breakfast and lunch specials. They carved roast beef and ham. There was also fish and some other entrees plus vegetables. For breakfast, there were egges, waffles, breakfast burritos (which were very good) and other assortments.
I thought the food was better than average quality. They kept the buffet area full and clean. Everything was hot and tasted fresh. Overall, I thought we got good value for our money and this was some of the better food I have gotten in the Disney parks.
CHARACTERS
We have eaten at this restaurant several times and generally see the same characters. We always see Minnie Mouse, Chip and Dale and Donald Duck. We also see Goofy in a chef outfit. In addition to these classic characters, we also sometimes see Alice, the Mad Hatter and Aladdin. Oddly, we have never seen Mickey Mouse.
For the most part, you sit at your table and the characters come over to each table to say hello, pose for pictures and sign autographs. You are strongly encouraged to remain in your seats and wait for the characters to come to you. If you miss a character because you were getting food, the staff is pretty good about fetching the character and bringing them back to your table. The staff is also great at taking photos if you want everyone in your party in the same shot.
About every 20-30 minutes, Goofy puts on a 3 minute show. In one show, he brings out plastic pots, pans and spoons and invites the little kids to make music with him. In another show, Goofy does the macarena with kids. If you stay for an hour, you will see both shows. These shows are best for the 2-6 year old set. Older kids and teems will find them juvenile.
One other thought - at some point during the day - the characters stop coming through the restaurant. We always eat around noon and there has never been a problem. However, I think the characters stop coming in around 2pm. If you plan to eat after noon - be sure to confirm that characters will be there. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner so this can get confusing.
SERVICE
Considering that the tip is included in the bill, the service is really excellent. The staff seems to genuinely like kids. They are great about dealing with special requests and are generally smiley and determined to make sure you have a good time.
The other thing I really like about this restaurant is that they don't rush you out. You can sit and eat as long as you want to.
BIRTHDAYS
We went to this restaurant for my daughter's birthday. We paid for a birthday bag that had a foam puzzle, a shaker, a pen and a birthday button. Overall, I would say it wasn't worth the money.
They also brought a cupcake with a candle out for her. The staff sang happy birthday. It was cute but it was about what any other restaurant would do.
OTHER THOUGHTS
Everything is all on one level is it is handicapped accessible.
Considering the amount of kids and toddlers, the place was very clean.
They don't serve liquor.
Vegetarians will have choices.
The price is $20-30 per person and I think the price varies by meal. We paid about $85 for two adults, two kids and one toddler. The price includes the tip.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
I think Goofy's kitchen is a great choice for a non-park day when you are at Disney. It is far enough out of the parks, that it doesn't make sense to walk. Plus, you don't need to pay the park admission price to interact with the characters.
MY REVIEWS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARKS IN CALIFORNIA
Disneyland
Disney's California Adventure
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK HOTELS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney’s Grand Californian
Mariott Suites Anaheim
Residence Inn Anaheim
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK RESTAURANTS
Storyteller’s Cafe
Blue Bayou
Wine Country Trattoria
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Soarin’ Over California
Grizzly River Run
The Sun Wheel
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Misson Tortilla Factory Tour
Boudin Bakery Factory Tour
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEYLAND
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Peter Pan’s Flight
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s a Small World
Tarzan’s Tree House
Aladdin’s Oasis
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Autotopia
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3D
Astro Orbitor
MY REVIEWS OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Legoland
SeaWorld San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Wild Animal Park
Balboa Park
Cabrillo National Monument
San Diego’s Old Town
The Museum of Making Music
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The buffet food is pretty good - better than what you get in the parks. Go hungry.
Best Suited For: Friends
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modernmarvel
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Can anyone recommend a western family dude ranch for a vacation this summer?
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