Hey there, Tracie! Welcome to planDisney! Is there a more quintessential Disney experience than
Character Dining?! Your trip is coming up in just a few short weeks, so let’s get to planning!
Since you mentioned dining inside the park, I’m guessing you’re talking about the fabulous Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park at
Plaza Inn. You have excellent taste—I actually just enjoyed a breakfast there myself recently with an 8 AM reservation, so I can give you the inside scoop!
The short answer here is, yes, you can absolutely enter the park early in order to make it to your 8 AM reservation! In fact, I’m a big fan of arriving early for rope drop even on days when I don’t have dining reservations. In case you're not familiar with "rope drop", it's when Guests gather at the entrances of their chosen lands inside the park, ready to be among the first to experience an attraction in that area. The moment the park officially opens, the Cast Members magically "drop the ropes" (hence the name!), and the Guests are off on their magical Disneyland adventures! I share all of this to reassure you that you'll have plenty of time to head over to Plaza Inn before the breakfast festivities begin!
Once you’re near Plaza Inn, you’ll be greeted by a Cast Member who will ask you to wait in line for a few moments until the restaurant officially opens. This is so Minnie Mouse has enough time to ensure everything is just perfect for her guests! When the doors swing open, you'll be invited to strike a pose with Minnie herself at the entrance before heading inside for a buffet-style breakfast. Last time I was there, I was greeted by the always fashionable Daisy Duck and the ever-so-playful Pluto—but you never know which Disney friends might pop by for a visit! Keep those cameras and autograph books ready! I’m also very fond of all of the magical details that can be discovered around the Disneyland Resort. Did you know that some of the furnishings in the Plaza Inn were selected by Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian, herself? This is a fun fact, and I’ll bet the Cast Members at the restaurant will be happy to share more. All you have to do is ask!
Once you’ve finished breakfast, you’re just steps away from
Sleeping Beauty Castle. I went that direction after my recent Plaza Inn breakfast and found that it was an excellent time to take a photo in front of the castle. When I visited, it wasn’t too busy in that area since most guests were out and about exploring other parts of the park. This is a great chance to take a selfie with your party, or better yet, have a picture taken by a
Disney PhotoPass photographer! If you’re planning on purchasing
Lightning Lane Multi Pass to maximize your Disney day, you’ll be happy to know that unlimited PhotoPass digital downloads are included! And, here’s a pro tip: To find other PhotoPass photographers throughout the park, just open the
Disneyland mobile app, tap the map pin icon, and select the PhotoPass button above the map. This is a great way to capture magical memories without having to stretch out those selfie arms!
I hope this information helps you feel prepared and even more excited for your visit, Tracie! If you have any more questions as you plan your trip, we're here to help! And please, enjoy a Mickey waffle (or two!) for me!
Cody