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Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween Brunch at Disneyland Review

October 9, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Last month, I was able to experience the limited time Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween Brunch character meal at Disneyland Hotel! Here’s a review of that experience to help others decide if this meal is worth the high cost.

Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween Brunch

Last year, I was lucky enough to visit this character buffet meal at Disneyland Hotel on two occasions. I first visited last year for breakfast and then again in the fall last year for dinner. You can click those links to see what the restaurant is like for regular dining. One of my complaints about last year’s fall trip to Disneyland was that they announced things too late and we missed doing any seasonal special dining. Thankfully, this year my trip was later and I was able to enjoy this one.

The Characters

This is the second year that Disneyland has hosted a special Halloween overlay at this restaurant. Last year, the characters wore their costumes from the previous year (2022). This year they are wearing last year’s (2023) costumes. I don’t know if they plan to continue rotating in the previous year’s costumes or not, but I like that I could finally get a photo with the characters with their special costumes. Last year, I managed to meet only Minnie in her costume. So, I was tickled to meet Chip, Dale, Goofy, Pluto, and Minnie in last year’s costumes!

I only wish they included Donald Duck at Disneyland character meals! Nonetheless, I enjoyed meeting the characters in their special Halloween costumes! They were adorable!

The Food

Having previously enjoyed breakfast here, I was excited to sample the brunch this time. I was happy to find a selection of typical breakfast foods (like Mickey waffles) as well as some more lunch time items. I was very happy to find some butternut squash ravioli! That’s the kind of food I was hoping to have over at Mickey’s Autumn Adventures Brunch. I was equally happy to see a selection of pumpkin and apple desserts here. I wish they had shared some of those treats with the other meal though. Also, many of the desserts had an artificial flavor to them. So, that was a tad disappointing but not overly surprising.

I have to say I was pretty impressed with the overall selection and quality of food available here. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Is Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween Brunch worth it?

Priced at $65/adult and $36/child, this is a pricey meal. Plus, they automatically added gratuity to my meal here. So, it’s definitely not a cheap experience. However, it was nice to get some seasonal foods and meet the characters in their Halloween costumes. I think it’s worth it if you have the budget for it and enjoy Halloween.

Mickey’s Autumn Adventures Brunch at Disneyland Review

October 1, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

I’ve just returned from another lovely solo Disneyland trip and this time I got to try the all new Mickey’s Autumn Adventures Brunch at Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel! So, if you are wondering if this pricey meal is worth it or not, keep reading!

Mickey’s Autumn Adventures Brunch

As I stated above, this is an all-new character meal offering at Disneyland. It’s a fall spin on the regular Storytellers Cafe character meal. Having previously done the regular Storytellers Cafe Character Breakfast last year and the Storytellers Cafe Character Brunch, I opted to do the brunch since I preferred that meal over breakfast last time. I also managed to book it on my Disney California Adventure day, since the hotel has its own entrance into the park.

The Characters

I’ll start with a look at the adorable new costumes the characters are wearing! Each one has a fall look that goes perfectly with the theme. I love how over the top with pumpkins Minnie’s outfit is! Mickey’s outfit is also amazing! It felt like the characters were ready to go to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard in their outfits. I liked that Pluto even got a new pumpkin shaped name tag on his collar. Overall, I was impressed with the costumes and it was a great way to kick off the fall season for me!

The Food

Last time I ate breakfast at this restaurant, I missed the additional options that eating brunch brings. So, I decided to return for brunch this time. Previously, when I ate brunch here, I was able to order some additional items from the kitchen in addition to visiting the buffet. This time, that wasn’t the case. Instead, the buffet was filled with both breakfast and lunch items.

Honestly, the food available was very similar to what I had last year at the regular meal. I was disappointed in the lack of seasonal items. Where’s the pumpkin or apple items? It seems like such a missed opportunity to do something special with the autumn theme and instead put out regular foods.

The food itself was fine. I know everyone says the food here is upgraded over Goofy’s Kitchen and it probably is. However, I also noticed a good bit of overlap between restaurants this time. The BBQ chicken tasted just like the BBQ chicken I had at Goofy’s Kitchen last year. Both restaurants had the beignets/donuts too. I enjoyed the fish and vegetables, but they were both available with slight variations at Goofy’s Kitchen this time too.

Overall, the food was fine. Nothing to get too excited over.

Is Mickey’s Autumn Adventures Brunch worth it?

This is a pricey meal. It’s $65/adult and $36/child. If you are looking for some fall foods, I’d say to look elsewhere. However, if you want to see the characters in some unique fall outfits, then this is the perfect meal for you. You are paying for the fall themed outfits here and not so much the food.

Epcot Biergarten Restaurant Review

September 18, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

October is quickly approaching and that means many people will celebrate Oktoberfest soon! Did you know that there is a buffet in Epcot where you can celebrate it all year long? I’m talking about Biergarten Restaurant! If you like lively entertainment and unique food, then keep reading for my review of this experience!

Biergarten Restaurant

For a long time, my husband and I talked about trying this place out. However, it never worked out. Last October, we finally decided to make it happen! Biergarten Restaurant is the table service restaurant in the Germany pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World. It would be one table service credit to eat here. It’s currently $49/adult and $27/child to eat here. However, that price includes an all you care to enjoy buffet and some entertainment!

The Food

This was a completely new experience for us both since neither of us had tried German cuisine. So, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect. The buffet featured a selection of sausages and other meats, making it a great option for meat lovers. There was also sauerkraut, as is mandatory for a German place. There was also a tasty beer cheese soup that paired well with pretzel rolls. I really liked the Nudel Gratin or macaroni and cheese! I also enjoyed the apple strudel! I tried the Black Forest Cake and discovered it wasn’t for me. My husband was thrilled to discover the fresh pineapple!

We aren’t big drinkers, but there appeared to be a good selection of alcoholic beverages to choose from. I thought it was a nice touch that our water was served in glass steins too.

The Entertainment

As I mentioned above, this place is always celebrating Oktoberfest! I really enjoyed the theme since it’s meant to look like you are eating in the middle of a Bavarian village! It was like being outside while enjoying the cool air conditioning (something that is vital in Orlando).

The tables surround a stage where a group of men come out periodically to perform! It was nice to have some live entertainment during our meal. We enjoyed seeing other people get up to dance. This is truly a lively meal. It’s not a quiet experience.

Is Biergarten Restaurant worth it?

Personally, this may have been a one and done for me. It wasn’t bad by any means. However, if I’m trying to get the most bang for my buck on the dining plan, I’m probably going to Garden Grill. Also, seeing as how we aren’t big drinkers, I think a quieter sit down meal would be more appropriate for me and my husband going forward. However, I think this place is perfect for lots of other folks.

Have you eaten here? Do you like it?

Magic Kingdom Resorts Guide

September 11, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Today I want to give everyone a look at the Magic Kingdom Resorts or places to stay on property that are located close to this park.

Magic Kingdom Resorts

Previously, I looked at each value resort and moderate resort option at Walt Disney World. However, now it’s time for the deluxe/DVC resorts. Unfortunately, I haven’t stayed at all of those resorts. Plus, the ones I have stayed at have been refurbished since my visit. It didn’t feel fair to write a review of a resort that may be different now.

I decided to cover the deluxe resorts by writing about the various options near the different parks. First up, is the most popular one: Magic Kingdom resorts!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the two original resorts at Walt Disney World, meaning it opened in 1971 along with the Magic Kingdom! It’s the iconic A-frame building that allows the monorail to travel through the building! There’s an additional garden wing and the DVC tower as well.

It has a plethora of dining options! My mom loves the Chef Mickey’s Character Dinner here. I enjoyed California Grill on my honeymoon and it was very nice! The views were spectacular! In fact, the picture for this post was taken from this restaurant. I’ve also heard great things about Steakhouse 71, but haven’t had a chance to visit it yet.

I stayed here once, back in 2016. I got a good deal by attending a blogging conference here. My husband and I loved our stay here. It was so nice to just walk over to the park! Plus, the views of the fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant were amazing! I would love to stay here again someday, but it’s often too pricey! If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend it. Plus, they have recently refurbished the rooms to have an Incredibles theme!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the other original resort at WDW. Featuring a laid back South Pacific theme, it’s a wonderful place to stay or visit! I love visiting this resort for the vibes alone! It smells amazing and everything is gorgeous! You can even watch the park fireworks from the beach here! This resort is a mix of deluxe and DVC rooms with a new DVC tower currently under construction.

The food here is amazing as well! Captain Cook’s is one of the best quick service resort options, in my opinion. I really liked the Tonga Toast here. There’s also Kona Cafe, which I sadly haven’t tried yet. There’s also the very popular Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which is a highly themed tiki bar! Lastly, there’s ‘Ohana! There’s a Lilo and Stitch character breakfast and a very unique all you care to enjoy dinner here! I have done the breakfast twice and the dinner several times. Unfortunately, all of those experiences were pre-pandemic. So, I haven’t posted a review of them. Whenever I return, I will be sure to post about it.

I have been fortunate enough to stay here once. My husband and I did a resort only stay here for two nights back in 2018 when we rented DVC. I loved it! I wish it was more affordable to stay here and I loved everything about it. It’s probably my favorite resort with the laid back vibe, beautiful theme, and delicious food! It’s just so expensive!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Opened in 1988, Disney’s Grand Floridian is a very luxurious resort and spa! It has a Victorian theme with little touches of elegance around every corner! It is also a mixture of deluxe hotel and DVC rooms. You can see the park fireworks from the beach here too. It also gives me nostalgia as I recall seeing this resort on “Full House” back in the 90’s!

If you are looking to stay somewhere with very nice dining options, this is the place for you. There’s the newly re-imagined character dining at 1900 Park Fare. I dined there pre-pandemic and enjoyed the strawberry soup! There’s also more adult dining at Narcoosse’s and Citrico’s. Let’s not forget the award winning Victoria and Albert’s is here as well! The quick service restaurant here is Grand Floridian Cafe. Having not eaten at any of those locations makes me think I need to eat here more often.

I was able to stay here for my honeymoon for a few nights back in 2016 using the blogging conference discount. I hope to someday stay here again, but it’s just too expensive. Just entering the lobby of this resort makes me feel fancy!

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Lastly, there’s Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, which opened in 1994. While it’s not on the monorail (unlike the others listed above) nor is it walking distance to the park, it’s technically considered a Magic Kingdom resort by Disney since it is located in the same area. It’s a beautiful, rustic American Northwest themed resort! Fort Wilderness is also located nearby, but is a bit far removed from everything.

Wilderness Lodge has several good dining options. There’s the uber popular Story Book Dining at Artist Point, which I was able to enjoy a few times pre-pandemic. There’s also Whispering Canyon Cafe with its fun antics that I ate at once in the before times. Quick service options here include Geyser Point and Roaring Fork.

Fort Wilderness has Trail’s End and the last remaining dinner show on property, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue!

Unfortunately, I’ve never stayed at either of these lodging options. I think the cabins are more affordable than the other things listed in this post though. I enjoy visiting these resorts with their natural theme and peaceful vibes.

Magic Kingdom Area Resorts

If you plan on spending lots of time at the Magic Kingdom or if MK is your favorite park, then staying at a nearby resort is a wonderful idea. My one and only complaint about all of these options is the price. Every one of these is so expensive! Have you ever stayed at one of these resorts?

Walt Disney World vs Disneyland

July 31, 2024 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Many people assume that the US Disney parks are the same, but there are many differences between Walt Disney World vs Disneyland. So, I thought I would do a post to help anyone starting to plan a trip to one of these destinations with experience visiting the other location.

Disney World vs Disneyland

While both are theme parks owned by Disney, they operate very differently. In fact, I sometimes struggle with planning for Land because I’m so used to visiting World. So, let’s jump into some basics.

Walt Disney World is located in Orlando, Florida. It consists of four theme parks and two water parks. There are 25+ resorts on property to choose from. This is a sprawling resort covering lots of land and there are several different free modes of transportation to travel across the property including: bus, boats, and Skyliner. It’s important to understand that the vast majority of people visiting WDW are traveling from somewhere else and not locals. So, the policies here tend to favor people staying on-site.

Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California. It’s the original Disney theme park and its construction was overseen by Walt Disney himself! It’s much more compact than World. In fact, there’s just two theme parks and they are across from each other. You can simply walk across the esplanade to visit the other park! There’s also three on-site resorts, but lots of off property ones nearby (as in walking distance). An important difference to know is that unlike in Florida, there are far more locals attending this park than people traveling to visit. So, their policies tend to favor passholders instead of hotel guests.

Advance Dining Reservation Differences

Disney World has an overwhelming number of dining options. However, one perk of staying on-site here is the ability to book advance dining reservations for the length of your trip 60 days out from the first day of your stay! Clearly, this policy favors people staying on-site instead of locals.

Disneyland, on the other hand, allows everyone to book dining reservations one day at a time, 60 days in advance. So, you will have to get up early multiple days in a row to get in demand restaurants. However, it also levels the playing field since everyone can make reservations beginning at the same time. This is the reverse of Disney World and allows the locals to grab in-demand reservations just as easily as people traveling to the resort.

Word of advice for both locations: keep checking for reservations to open up. Just because you don’t get a desired reservation 60 days out doesn’t mean you won’t get it. You can set up a reservation finder to notify you when something pops up and you can continue to check yourself up until the day of.

Hotel Differences

Walt Disney World has so many different resorts on property that they have different tiers: Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts and DVC (Disney’s timeshare or Disney Vacation Club). There are also off site properties, but those won’t come with free park transportation and you will need to account for that in your budget. However, the resort is so spread out that very few of the resorts are walking distance to a park. Also, you will have to get familiar with the various forms of transportation available at your specific resort.

Disneyland is much smaller. There’s only three official resorts: Pixar Place Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Grand Californian Hotel. All three are considered Deluxe or DVC Resorts. Additionally, all three are walking distance to the parks, but so are lots of other off-site hotels. The Grand Californian and Pixar Place have their own entrances to Disney’s California Adventure. Most people stay off-site when visiting Disneyland due to the high prices and compact layout.

Skip the Line Differences

Disney has struggled with their skip the line program since the pandemic. In fact, it just recently underwent some new changes in policies and naming, again. Suffice it to say, I encourage you to look up the most up to date policies when you plan your next trip. Currently, Walt Disney World allows you to book 3 experiences a week out but Disneyland does not.

Disney World vs Disneyland Special Events

Walt Disney World has a regular rotation of special events. There’s the festivals at Epcot, Halloween and Christmas parties at Magic Kingdom, and Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. There’s also the After Hours events. Besides Jollywood Nights, there hasn’t been a new ticketed event in several years at Disney World.

However, due to Disneyland’s reliance on locals, they tend to have new events pretty regularly. Their Disneyland After Dark events are massively popular and seem to have new themes every year. Disneyland also gets new seasonal costumes for the characters, unlike Disney World. Basically, you can expect new stuff at Disneyland pretty often.

Special Event Ticket Differences

Once again, their individual special event ticket policies favor different groups. Walt Disney World typically puts special event tickets on sale to resort guests first. Disneyland on the other hand often has passholder pre-sales that allows passholders to purchase tickets before the general public. Although, Disney World will often give a minimal (~$10) passholder discount on the special event tickets.

Disneyland vs Walt Disney World

Shew. This is a long post. I debated splitting it up into multiple posts, but I wanted an overall guide. So, what do you think? Is this helpful?