Hello from across the pond, Amy! Welcome to planDisney! I'm so excited for your upcoming visit to the Happiest Place on Earth and that you're thinking about a
Character Dining experience. Meeting Disney Pals is so magical and always a highlight for our family.
Your question is a good one, Amy, so let's dive right in. Guests have the ability to
make advance dining reservations at Disneyland Resort completely separate from their park tickets or hotel reservation. Sometimes I make dining reservations before I even have a trip booked!
Advance dining reservations are highly recommended for any of the Character Dining experiences and should be made 60 days prior to your visit either
on the Disneyland website or in the Disneyland app. Hopefully you've got time to do some research on where you'd like to go, Amy, because that's my favorite part!
There are
a few Character Dining experiences currently at the Disneyland Resort, including some seasonal specials(!), and all are magical! Be aware that
Minnie & Friends at Plaza Inn is located inside Disneyland Park (with views of Sleeping Beauty Castle), so a theme park ticket is required only for this delightful breakfast. (However, you can still make a dining reservation separate from a park ticket purchase, as I mentioned before.)
My family's favorite Character Dining is
Goofy's Kitchen - located at the nostalgic Disneyland Hotel. We have the time of our lives swinging those napkins around and eating soft-serve ice cream (yogurt) for breakfast! We also always have to try Goofy's Famous Peanut Butter Pizza!
It's important to know, Amy, that if you're already within the 60-day booking window and you don't see availability for your particular dates and desired times, the reservation system is updated regularly as Guests modify or cancel plans, so keep checking as your visit approaches. I tend to have a few dining reservations in my pocket and then make my final decisions as the time gets closer. No harm in having options! Just make sure to
cancel any reservations you will not be using at least two hours prior to your reservation time or there will be a per person cancellation fee.
I hope this has been helpful to you in your planning, Amy, and that you have an incredible time immersed in the Disneyland magic, however that may be. If you have any additional questions or perhaps would like tips on how to make your character interactions more magical (like what to ask Chip and Dale when you meet them), please don't hesitate to reach out again.
You know where to find me!
Warmest wishes,
McCayla