Fantasmic Dragon is here and he is AMAZING!

I had the opportunity to catch Fantasmic and the much anticipated new dragon this weekend. Let me just say this- He is absolutely amazing! The crowd went wild with excitement as the dragon made his grand appearance and he did not disappoint. The new dragon who was originally set to appear in the summer nightastic shows has had some pretty major technical difficulties. He is absolutely worth the wait. The addition of the dragon takes Fantasmic to a new dragon. I wanted to include my pictures of the dragon and a video courtesy of the Disneyland Resort. Catching the Dragon is a great reason to head to Disneyland. You will not be disappointed!

Disney Sunday- A little bit of Pixie Dust- Guest Blog

This week's installment of Disney Sunday comes from Katie, from the fun blog OCMomactivities. She is a Disney Fanatic like me and had some great tips on your next visit to Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure. She writes... One of the things I love most about Disneyland is the amount of layers of magic the Imagineers work to create. It leaves people wondering if all things are intentional or just plain coincidence. I’m sure it’s intentional, but I love to think it is coincidence with a sprinkle of pixie dust magic! Pay close attention to everything and explore, but in the meantime here are a few of my favorite elements that are often missed by first time visitors (or sometimes even regulars) to the parks: Did you know that Disneyland and California Adventure are home to a number of resident cats? If you look closely you can see the little cat houses while riding the Disneyland Railroad after going past the Hungry Bear. We’ve been greeted by several of the cats as we sat on the bottom level of the Hungry Bear in the back corner. I’ve been told there is also a cat house behind the train that Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream is in and on the right as you head towards Soarin’ over California. The cats are reported by castmembers to have Disney themed names. I think it’s safe to say that the cats are there to cut down on rodent problems. Those sure are lucky cats that get to call Disneyland and California Adventure home! Did you know that if you eat something at one of the restaurants at the Disney theme parks, that you can ask for the recipe and they will bring it to you? How cool is that! There are some great salad dressings at the Pizza Port and some great sandwiches over in New Orleans Square. Imagine bringing a dish to a pot luck and being able to call it “Pizza Port Salad” or “New Orleans Square Po Boy Sandwiches”, talk about a conversation starter! Have you ever noticed the hidden Mickey Mouse on the face of the golf ball that comes flying at you in Soarin’ Over California? I bet once you do, you’ll never - not see it again! Have you ever wondered what the room is above the Fire Station on Main Street in Disneyland? Walt Disney had an apartment built for himself above the Fire Station for him to stay in. There is even a private veranda for him to wander where he could quietly see guests wandering the park. The apartment is exactly the same as the way he left it years ago (cleaned and refurbished!). A light is left on for him in the front window and hasn’t gone out since he passed away. So the next time you pass by, take a minute to remember Walt and all that he built. Did you know that all of the plants in Tomorrowland are edible? Well, in theory they are, but the actual ones planted aren’t meant to be actually eaten! But I have personally seen rosemary bushes, chili pepper plants, cabbage plants, lettuce plants, bell pepper plans among others as we wait in the lines. Did you know that you can get a “Death Certificate” at the Haunted Mansion? I didn’t know this one until recently. Be aware that not all the castmembers working the ride will know what you are talking about, so you many have to ask a couple of different ones, but ask as you are entering the buggies and one will be waiting for you at the end of the ride. That’s pretty funny. And last but not least, my personal favorite… Are you in on the Goat Trick on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? If you’ve done the trick right, you know it. If not, it’s actually pretty simple. The next time you’re on the ride ask for the back rows (rows 11- 15 are ideal). On the second climb up (the one with the turtles and snakes on the left), position yourself at a right looking angle so you are looking out the right side of the train comfortably. As you begin to crest the hill, notice the billy goat on the right hand side in the center of the curve. Stare at the goat and DON’T STOP until you literally can’t look anymore. You’ll find yourself dizzy and disoriented and it makes the rest of the ride just a bit more fun. If you didn’t get it right, ride the ride again because it’s just plain fun!

Katie is a working mother of two active boys and lives in South Orange County. She’s made it her passion to fill her children’s lives with fun adventures . She chronicles their adventures at OCMomActivities.com in hopes of inspiring other parents to do the same.

A late edition of Disney Sunday- All you ever wanted to know about FASTPASS!

I know I'm a little late with my Disney Sunday post but I still wanted to squeeze in a Disney post before the end of the week. In this week's installment I wanted to write about Disneyland/Disney's California Adventure FASTPASS. Basically a Disney FASTPASS allows you to cut your wait time at certain attractions by standing in line for you electronically. The FASTPASS system is included with your admission/annual pass and one that you will want to use whenever you are heading over to the Disneyland resort. Here is how it works- You head over to one of the rides(I included a list at the end of the post) that uses the FASTPASS system. Once you are there look for the distribution area near the entrance of the attraction. Check the return time (be sure to get your passes early because on very busy days they run out!) and insert your ticket or annual pass into the FASTPASS machine. Once you insert your ticket/annual pass a ticket will print out with your return time. When it's time to return to the attraction enter through the FASTPASS line/queue and you will avoid the long wait. It's simple, painless and will save you time!Once you have your ticket in hand head out to enjoy the other attractions. We usually grab a FASTPASS and catch a show or ride an attraction with a minimal wait line. Here are two things that you should also know about FASTPASS.

• You can only have one FASTPASS ticket to one attraction at a time. This means you can't head over to Splash Mountain and pick up a FASTPASS then walk over to Big Tunder Railroad and pick up another while you wait. You can grab another FASTPASS as soon as your return time comes up.
• Your FASTPASS tickets don't expire. I met my sisters at the park a little late last week only to find them complaining about their FASTPASS tickets expiring. There is no such thing. Your recommended time is printed on your ticket but you are always welcome to come after that time on the day of your visit.

Here is the list of attractions at both parks that utilize the FASTPASS system.

Disneyland Autopia Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters Indiana Jones Haunted Mansion(holidays) Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin Splash Mountain Space Mountain Disney's California Adventure California Screamin Grizzly River Run Mulholland Madness Soarin Over California The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Have a terrific rest of the day and use a FASTPASS next time you are heading over to the parks!

Disney Sunday - Part 2- Parking at the Happiest Place on Earth

I spent the entire day at both parks yesterday(and a few evenings last week) and it inspired a couple of posts. I hope you don't mind two Disney posts in one week. I love going to Disneyland and DCA, as you have probably figured out. The one thing that I do not like is having to deal with parking. I usually don't mind parking in the Mickey and Friends parking lot(the big structure) unless it is a busy day. On busy days parking and then riding the tram to the entrance of the resort can feel like a bad nightmare. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people almost scuffle over their place in the "stroller line". The stroller line is found on the very first car of the tram and the very last car. It allows you to ride without having to fold your stroller. It is very popular and the wait for a spot in the first or last car is usually long. In fact the wait on a busy days for a tram can take a long long time. It is definitely not what you want to be doing when you have tired and cranky kids and have to be around other cranky people. It's just not a good combination. Here are a couple of alternatives to parking in the Mickey and Friends parking lot and taking the tram. My favorite option for parking on nights when I know that I will be spending less than 3 hours is to park in Downtown Disney. If I'm heading over for the evening- I will usually park in the Downtown Disney lot. Parking is free for the first 3 hours. When I park in the DD parking lot I either take the monorail to Disneyland or walk through the Grand Californian Hotel to the DCA hotel entrance. It's easy, painless and only a short walk. My second option would be to park in the Mickey and Friends parking structure. Take the tram in but on the way out, only have the driver in your party head on the tram(they will usually be able to squeeze right on to a tram). The rest of the party will head over to the 15 minute parking on Harbor blvd(just follow the walkway to Harbor Blvd- it's the parking lot on the right hand side) and be picked up from there. This is what we usually do on a busy day. The last option is to park in the Mickey and Friends parking structure. Take the tram on your way in and at the end of the night, walk the path back to the structure. It's a nice walk and on a busy night you will get to your car faster walking, then waiting and loading for the tram.

Disney Sunday Part 1 - Disney's Electrical Parade

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you are all having a fantastic Sunday with plenty of fun and relaxation. For this week's installment of Disney Sunday I wanted to write about my favorite parade - Disney's Electrical Parade in Disney's California Adventure. The parade is back this summer big and better than ever. Among the new surprises is the new lead float featuring Tinkerbell. She sprinkles her pixie dust along the parade path and it can be seen sparkling along the sides of many of the floats. Another fabulous feature is the return of the Pinocchio floats and the Seven Dwarf's mine float. Both of these went MIA after the parade's visit to Tokyo Disneyland. If you are a fan of the Parade you will also notice that the music has a new layer on the background and I think it's better than ever. We found some terrific seats just outside the Golden Vine Winery facing the Fisherman's Wharf area, just 30 minutes before showtime. I've usually caught it at the entrance of California Adventure and it usually one of the busiest locations to catch a glimpse. If you head further down the parade route there are plenty of seats and in my opinion a better view. We sat down and waited for a few minutes for the parade and as we waited you could feel the anticipation and excitement in the crowd. There is nothing quite like experiencing the parade up close with the kiddos. My family loved every single minute of it. I want to hear from you. Do you love the parade? If you do what is your favorite part of it? Where do you usually sit? Would you love to see it return to Disneyland? The parade is running nightly through August 23, 2009. It's the perfect excuse to head over to California Adventure. It then will go on a hiatus for a time. Rumor has it that it could wind up back at Disneyland next year as part of the 55th park anniversary. We'll have to wait and see.

Disney Sunday's Guest Post- Disney Dollars

This week's installment of Disney Sunday comes to us from Lisa, founder of the wonderful blog and website Babes in Disneyland. Lisa is a former Disneyland tour guide, teacher and mother of two little ones. Her website is a must read if you love Disneyland or are heading to the park for the first time with the tiny tots. It's a wonderful resource and filled with fun facts about the park. Lisa writes ... Disney Dollars save the day Disney Dollars can easily save the day when visiting the Disneyland Resort. You don’t have to get stuck paying ATM when you need cash for items like popcorn, churros, and balloons from the outdoor vendors. Instead, stop by City Hall (located on the west side of Main Street) or the Guests Services lobby (located right inside California Adventure to the east) and purchase Disney Dollars with your credit card, check, or Visa/Mastercard ATM card. Disney Dollars are bills that come in ones, fives, and tens and can be used as cash (the same dollar for dollar exchange) at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Disney Stores, or on Disney cruise ships. At the end of your visit, you can cash in any unused dollars for regular cash or save a few for souvenirs. I have found that Disney Dollars can save the day in one more fun way that I call the “Disney Dollar Budget.” Purchase an inexpensive Disney-themed wallet before your next trip and fill it with Disney Dollars. (Such wallets can often be found at dollar discount stores.) Kids who want to spend, spend, spend at Disneyland will (hopefully) think twice before parting with their Disney bucks and once they are gone from their wallet, they are gone. Disneyland does sell gift cards, but as an elementary school teacher, I feel that Disney Dollars offer a far more teachable moment for you and your child to discuss budgeting and having to make correct change when purchasing items from store cashiers.

Disney Sunday- What to pack for a day at Disneyland/California Adventure

I look forward to sharing with you my Disney tips . I decided to move them up by one day to Sundays because it has a nice ring to it. Here is my third installment in the weekly series. What to pack when heading to the Disney Resort. I try to head over to one of the parks at least twice a week during the summer. Through much trial and error I have learned what to pack with me to be able to enjoy a day at the park and not shell out much money. Here is my essential list- What do I bring with me?? 1.Make sure to pack a couple of snacks. Some good ideas are - cut up fruit, individual baggies of cookies/chips, grapes(a big favorite of ours)goldfish and fruit snacks. I try to avoid buying snacks at the park at all costs. It can get pretty expensive!! You will also need a good backpack - I'm usually prepared with a great backpack- I never leave home without one . 2. Bring a stroller if you have small children. If you can, make sure to bring a light or umbrella stroller. They are easier to fold up and store. Make sure to have some kind of labeling on you stroller to help yours stand out in the sea of strollers. If you really don't want to hassle with bringing one (although I strongly recommend it)- rent one at the front of the park. I usually avoid this at costs but if you can't bring a stroller and want one this is a good alternative and trust me a stroller is indispensable if you have kids under 5. 3. Make sure to pack a jacket /sweater/blanket. - The nights cool off and I've had to leave once or twice because I had a cold kiddo- I've also had to drop $50 on sweatshirts because mommy didn't prepare efficiently. Learn from my mistakes and pack a sweatshirt or two. 4.Bring a bottle or two of water per person- I usually freeze mine the night before and throw them in a Ziploc bag- I pack them in at the bottom of my bag and they have been a lifesaver!! You can also bring your own insulated water bottles and refill them at the park. 5. Bring your own soda- I usually bring a can for each of us and then head to one of the local restaurants and ask for cups of ice. This has saved us so much money!! 6. Bring baby wipes. I always carry them even if I don't have my youngest with me. They are great for sticky hands and clean ups. I think they are a necessity !! 7. Bring some sandwiches-If you are planning on staying for more than a couple of hours- they are a must. Cheap and easy to transport!! 8. Bring a dollar or two to the park. My kids are used to one tradition when we head over to the park. On the way out we always stop by at the last souvenir kiosk and buy a 50 cent Minnie Mouse heart sucker. I only spend $1.00 and the kids absolutely are happy as clams on the way out. A little sticky but happy- and that's what it's all about!!

Disney Mondays- My love affair with Disney's California Adventure

Disneyland is a classic and untouchable. There is no debating that. However, when looking at California Adventure- it's important to not compare it to its iconic next door neighbor. When you look at DCA as a whole, by itself - it is a really impressive little theme park and one that I just happen to be in love with. Here are the top ten reasons why I think Disney's California Adventure is a fantastic place for the kiddos and why I am madly in love with DCA.

1. The kiddos can get wet-We love the Irrigation Station and Princess Dot Splash Pad in the Flick's Fun Fair Area. It is the perfect spot on a hot spring/summer day.
2. I hate waiting in line. I mean really who does?? I love that the attractions in Flick's Fun Fair have minimal waiting lines and are a big hit with my kiddos. They love every single ride - especially Flick's Fun Flyers.
3. If your kids love the Disney Channel's cartoons then they will absolutely love The Playhouse Disney Show- my kids LOVE it!!
4. Who loves Free stuff? I do- I do!! I love that you can get a fresh warm tortilla from the Mission Tortilla Factory tour and a sourdough taste from Boudin Bakery.My kids love the fresh tortillas and I'm not going to lie, so do I. Here's a little tip- on your birthday pick up a dozen free tortillas from the Mission Tortilla Factory. Just show them your birthday pin and you are set!
5. They have an amazing baby center. Not as big as Disneyland's but still great.
6. DCA is home to Disney's Electrical Parade. Love it. It's new and improved and a must see!!
7. They are home to three amazing shows that your kiddos will love-MuppetVison 3D, It's tough to be a bug and Aladdin.
8. In my opinion, DCA is home to one of the BEST(if not the best!!) attractions in the Disneyland Resort, Toy Story Mania.
9. They have a pretty spiffy Ferris Wheel. You can either pick a gondola that moves or is stationary.
10. I love that I can park in the Downtown Disney lot ( free for 3 hours)- walk over to the DCA entrance at the Grand Californian Hotel in Downtown Disney(next to Sephora) , spend a couple of hours there and then I don't have to deal with taking a tram back to the parking lot. I love love that I can do this, especially on a crowded day.

DCA is in the middle of a major expansion - which includes a new water show, a Little Mermaid Ride and sure to be a big hit with my son- A thrill ride- featuring the characters from CARS!! The expansion should be complete by 2012.

There are so many other things I love about DCA but I tried to limit myself to my favorite 10. Next time that you are heading over to the Disneyland Resort make sure to show DCA some love ! It deserves it!

Disney Monday: Enjoying Disneyland/DCA on hot summer days

My family loves to visit Disneyland/DCA often and yes we are a bit crazy, even in the busy summer season. I've picked up a thing or two from my many visits to the parks on hot summer days. Here are some of the things I've learned to stay cool at the parks on sweltering days.

1. During peak times I try to avoid waiting in line for any attraction. This is the time when we usually head to catch a show. A favorite of our family is the Enchanted Tiki Room- Nice and cool and a great way to sit back and relax. Other great ones- Honey I shrunk the audience, Bug's life @ DCA.
2. We always take a ride on the Disneyland Train to check out how busy the park is and judge from there. It's also a great way to cool down and I've been known to take it two or three times around the park on a hot summer day. If you have heavy sleepers like I do- great place to let them take a nap.
3. Pack a swimsuit for the kids and head over to the irrigation station at Disney's California Adventure. Let the kids run around at Princess Dot Puddle Station. Make sure to pack towels and an extra set of clothes because the kiddos will get soaked!!
4. Keep hydrated- If you can ,bring a bottle or two of water. I usually freeze mine the night before and throw them in a Ziploc bag- I pack them in at the bottom of my bag and they have been a lifesaver!!
5. If your tots are tired and need a nap- head over to the seating area in the Hungry Bear Restaurant. It's located in Critter Country. I always head towards the back, grab a little something to eat and enjoy the shade while watching the Mark Twain go by. It's always nice and cool. Usually my youngest falls asleep in the stroller. It's a perfect spot and way relaxing.
6. Make sure to pack a jacket /sweater/blanket. - I've left home without one thinking that there was no possible way that I would be cold on a summer day. Boy was I wrong!! The nights cool off and there is nothing worse than shelling out $50.00 for a sweatshirt because your four year old is cold. Trust me on this one!!
7. Take advantage of the Baby Center if you have little ones. It's a great place to feed the teeny ones and I have even rocked both of my babies to sleep here. Best part- super cool in there!!
8. Peak times are from 2-4pm at both parks. This is the best time to grab a bite to eat and not have to fight for a table.
9. Head to rides that have the least waiting time. Top of our list-all in Adventureland/New Orleans Square- Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, taking a stroll on the Mark Twain and of course a ride on the Disneyland train.
10. Enjoy yourself and remember to take it easy and have fun!!

Summer Nightastic at The Disneyland Resort

I want to start out a new feature every Monday called Disney Mondays. It will be a tip or something new I've learned from my weekly visit to Disneyland Resort. Here is the first installment in my soon to be weekly series (sounds fancy- haha!!).

I was invited last Thursday to attend the media preview of the Summer Nightastic at Disneyland and DCA . It was seriously so much fun!! Disney's new offerings this week are quite a treat. The new fireworks show, "Magical" features a new song sung by Orange County's own Eden Espinosa from Wicked and the real flying elephant, Dumbo. Tinkerbell also makes two appearances. The new show is very entertaining and I absolutely love the music. The shining star of the show in my opinion is Dumbo. He makes an appearance that will have your family oohing and ahhing. You will have to see for yourself. Dumbo is not to be missed!!

Fantasmic is back for its 17th year. It now features new digital video projectors which provide a much sharper picture on the water screens. There is also an appearance of the all new Flotsam and Jetsam floats from The Little Mermaid, who are quite scary but a fantastic addition! Later this summer, the evil Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty" will transform into the new fully animated, 40-foot-tall dragon. In my opinion, the best thing about this summer is Disney's Electrical Parade at DCA (what can I say - I'm an absolute fanatic of the Electrical Parade). The show now features a new Tinkerbell float who leads the parade, taking the place of the Blue Fairy. Also back are new versions of the lost seven dwarfs mine float and the Pinocchio floats. The soundtrack has also been slightly updated for the better. There is plenty to see at both parks, so take the kiddos. These shows will be played nightly through August 23rd and then weekends through Labor Day. A big thank you to Disney for making my dreams come true!!

Lilo & Stitch Aloha Breakfast at the PCH Grill in the Disneyland Resort.

My daughter Lauren celebrated her 4th birthday this past Saturday and we decided to start off the day by enjoying the Lilo and Stitch Aloha Breakfast at the PCH Grill inside the Paradise Pier Hotel. I can't begin to describe what an amazing time we had.

We were greeted by Minnie Mouse (in Hawaiian attire of course) and had the opportunity to take quite a few pictures with her and the kids . We were also able to take a few as a family and of course given leis to wear around our neck. We were giddy with excitement. After we finished taking pictures we headed over to our seats and our fantastic server took our drink orders. We then headed over to the breakfast buffet. The food was fantastic!! There was a good selection which included the most delicous salmon I've ever had, breakfast pastries, a special section just for the kiddos and an unbelievable made to order omelet bar. My kids are usually very picky with their food but you would have never guessed it. They munched on Mickey Mouse shaped waffles, pancakes , fresh fruit and muffins.

The food was exceptionaly good, however,what really made this a magical experience was the character interaction. My kiddos love Lilo and Stitch and were beyond excited to spend one on one time with them. Minnie and Goofy were a plus!! The atmosphere was really laid back and the characters were really able to spend time one on one with each of my kids. The characters posed for endless pictures with the family and interacted with each of the kids. My son loved high fiving Stitch and my daughter loved dancing with Lilo. The highlight of the breakfast for my kids would hands down be spending time with their favorite characters and learning how to hula. Every half hour there are hula lessons given by Lilo and a cast member . The Hula dancing was a HUGE hit with the kiddos. They loved learning the steps and loved participating in the conga line through the restaurant. The experience was finished off with cast members and Lilo singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl.

We had a fantastic time and I would hands down recommend this to Everyone!! It is definitely worth the price and perfect for a birthday celebration, an out of town visit or a special occasion. This year we decided to skip a pricey birthday party and instead opted for what turned out to be a memorable time for the entire family. My daughter and son were grinning from ear to ear the whole time. It was a truly magical experience and one that won't soon be forgotten. It was priceless. Now down to the nitty gritty. The grand total for our magical experience was $60.00 and that included tip!!! Our son who is two was free and we received a 15% discount with our annual pass. The best part is the parking. Just drive up to the entrance and valet- you receive complimentary valet if you dine at the PCH grill for 5 hours! I believe the price for ages 10+ is $27.00 and $15.00 for children 3-9. This includes tax and gratuity. The Aloha Breakfast is a great alternative to a traditional birthday party and one that your family won't soon forget. For additional information click here.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique @ Disneyland

I was at Disneyland/California Adventure celebrating a friends birthday when I ran across what is sure to be a favorite of my daughter. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. What is it? Well if you have a daughter it is the stuff that little girls dream of- think Libby Lu- Disney Style!! This is not something that you would do just because- it's definitely pricey- but it would be great as an amazing Birthday Treat. We usually do birthday parties but this year my daughter has requested to lunch at Ariels Grotto in California Adventure and I'm probably going to let her do a package from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. It's located in Sleeping Beauty's Castle and it's a salon where your little girls are transformed into princesses. Your child will feel like royalty with the help of her Fairy Godmother and Fairy Godmothers-in-training, who will put magical touches on everything from hair and make-up to princess gowns and accessories. Girls 3 years old and above can choose from three hair styles — Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva and Pop Princess — available in three packages: The Coach Package includes hairstyle, shimmering make-up, princess sash, princess cinch sac and body jewels — $44.95, plus tax. The Crown Package includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, princess sash, princess cinch sac, body jewels and nail polish — $49.95, plus tax. The Castle Package includes hairstyle, shimmering makeup, princess sash, princess cinch sac, body jewels, nail polish, princess gown of choice, wand, shoes and portrait package courtesy of Disney's PhotoPass® Service (assorted prints in themed folder). Determined by the choice of princess gown and shoes, price ranges from $195.85 to $205.85. For reservations, please call (714) 781-STYLE or (714) 781-7895. Like I said definitely not cheap but a great birthday party idea!!

Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Resort

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to celebrate my son Mikey's birthday at Goofy's Kitchen. What's Goofy's Kitchen you might ask?? It's Disney Character Dining at it's finest. It was fun from the very first moment. We checked in with a very friendly hostess and while we waited to be seated we were able to take a family picture with Pluto. The kids were in heaven. We proceeded to be seated and enjoyed a scrumptious buffet(we went for brunch). The food was fantastic. The hubby and I absolutely loved the waffles and well the kids loved every single morsel of food. After we sat down and started to eat the parade of characters kept coming by and giving our family individual attention. It's a pretty special experience because let's face it - meeting a favorite character at the park is usually not the most pleasant experience. There is always a pushy adult and the interaction is very limited. The experience at Goofy's Kitchen was the complete opposite. The characters interact with the little ones in a take your time kind of pace. It was so much fun. The look on the kiddos faces was priceless as they were able to have their picture taken with Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale and Minnie. My daughter was in princess heaven as she was able to meet Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Mulan. The best part is that she was able to have a conversation with them. They took their time and the interaction was priceless. The characters were warm and friendly and posed for many photos and of course signed a million autographs. The buffet servers were fantastic. They kept our drinks refilled and the quality of the food was amazing. As parents we were in heaven. Our children cleaned out their plates and they actually hit the buffet line for seconds. It was almost a miracle. I loved their made to order omelettes. Make sure you order one if you go for brunch or breakfast. Almost forgot-Two times an hour there is a little show and the children were able to participate with the Goofy and Pluto. Make sure to bring a camera to capture all of the wonderful memories your little ones will make. Would I recommend this to anyone and everyone? You bet. It was a very special experience and it was worth every penny. If you are visiting Disneyland for the first time and you are visiting from out of town- This is a must. If you are a local- I would save this place for a special event. It can actually be a good alternative to a pricey birthday party. It can be a little expensive but trust me on this - Your family will be enjoy a truly magical experience. Goofy's Kitchen is located inside the Disneyland Hotel. If you are planning on taking your family Make sure to call ahead for reservations. You can call (714) 781-DINE. You don't want to just show up because you will probably have to wait for some time to find a spot. Oh almost forgot.. Kids under 3 are free. Kids 3-11 - 18.00 for lunch ( I believe)and adults $32.00. I know.. I know.. kind of a silly review since I can't remember the exact price. Oh and by the way if you are an Annual Passholder you will receive either a 10 percent or 15 percent off if you are a Premium Annual Passholder. P.S. I know I'm a biased mom but my little boy is such a cutie pie!!! Don't forget to enter the giveaway. You have until Sunday to enter. Good luck!!! For additional information click here