Recently, I did the typical Southern Californian thing by taking my toddler to Goofy’s Kitchen for their birthday! She just turned two, and whenever we take her to Disneyland she can’t get enough of hugging characters like Goofy, Pooh, Pluto, Mickey, Minnie…Goofy is her absolute favorite!
Although she loves seeing her friends at Disneyland, and they are always so sweet to her, I always feel like I need to rush her experience so that I don’t hold up the line behind me. I thought Goofy’s Kitchen would be the perfect birthday experience to give my daughter, so that way she could have so much interaction with them, like she’s never experience before! So for other parents curious about the experience, here is my Goofy’s Kitchen review!
When you are going to Goofy’s Kitchen and not the parks, you can park at the Disneyland Hotel’s parking lot, just mention you are eating there and you get three hours of valet parking for free. We arrived early, as there is typically a long line to check in. Although there was a line that formed quickly, the cast members seated everyone incredibly fast, and checked people in swiftly. When you check in, you pay for your meal ahead of time. The restaurant is buffet-style, so it’s all you can eat and drink for one set price. It is $49.95 per adult, and $29.95 per child (You can get a discount with an annual pass). This price also includes your tip as well. Although it may seem a little pricey, I thought it was a great value, since the food was incredible and the amount of one-on-one time with the characters is priceless. After you check in, while you’re waiting to be seated, you get to have a photo opportunity with Chef Goofy in his kitchen!
My daughter playing in Goofy’s Kitchen, before Goofy arrived.
Chef Goofy!
A Photopass cast member is there to take a photo for you, which is available for purchase. You are also allowed to have them take photos with your own camera if you choose, which is a nice alternative!
While we were waiting to have our drinks delivered, the characters started coming by. Since my daughter can get antsy sitting in a restaurant, this was perfect for her. Before we went to the buffet to get her food, she was entertained by Pastry Chef Minnie Mouse coming to play Peek-a-boo!
After Minnie played peek-a-boo, I ordered a cocktail, which are available for an additional cost. After beverages were ordered, we headed to the buffet! I was astounded by the array of food choices they had. Being a vegetarian, typically buffet options are slim. However, both my sister and I were able to find lots of amazing vegetarian goodies: vegetarian pot stickers, corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, steamed veggies, salad, pizza! My husband who isn’t a vegetarian was loving the options too – he said the ribs were delicious! We went back for seconds many times, with my favorite item being the potstickers. My daughter’s favorite was the popcorn shrimp. The salad dressings and toppings were superb, and I loved that the frozen yogurt bar had dessert toppings and plenty of fresh fruit topping choices.
Dessert Bar
Fruit toppings for frozen yogurt
Entrees
Salad toppings
The dessert bar was probably the biggest area, having two rows. There were cookies, puddings, cakes, jello, pie, pretty much anything you can think of! I didn’t try many of the desserts, however, because I was saving room for the birthday cake we ordered when we made our reservation.
Throughout our visit, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Goofy, and Minnie came by to say hello. What surprised me the most, aside from how much time they spent at each table, was that they each came around more than once! There was hardly anytime spent at the restaurant without a character around, they really treat your littles like they are a guest of honor! Periodically, music comes on and everyone waves their napkins in the air while the characters run around the restaurant and dance – my daughter got a huge kick out of that everytime it happened. I truly felt like the characters cared that it was y daughter’s special day.
Then my daughter’s birthday cake came! It was a white cake with whipped cream frosting, with Goofy on top. I am normally a chocolate person, but let me tell you this cake blew me away! I am being 100% honest in saying it was the best cake I’ve ever had in my life. It was so moist, and just the right amount of sweet. I am tempted to go back just to order the cake, even when it isn’t a birthday!
Right before we left, we got to snag another photo with Chef Goofy!
The staff and the characters were very attentive and friendly, despite the restaurant being full to capacity. I can’t thank the Disneyland Resort, Goofy’s Kitchen, and Goofy and all his pals enough for giving my daughter a second birthday we will all remember for years to come! And there you have it, my Goofy’s Kitchen review. For more ideas of what to do for a kid’s birthday at Disneyland Resort, visit my post here.
You can make a reservation at Goofy’s Kitchen by calling 714-781-DINE or by visiting online here.
