A trip to Disneyland isn’t complete without indulging in the iconic and refreshing treat known as Dole Whip.

If you’re wondering where to find this tropical delight within the magical confines of Disneyland, look no further. I

n this article, we’ll guide you to the best spots where you can get your hands on a delicious Dole Whip, ensuring you don’t miss out on this delightful experience.

What is a Dole Whip?

This delectable soft-serve pineapple dessert has become a must-have for visitors of all ages.

A Dole Whip is a popular frozen dessert that originated at Disneyland in the 1980s. It is a soft-serve treat known for its creamy texture and refreshing, tropical flavor. The classic Dole Whip flavor is pineapple, made from a pineapple-flavored powder mix and water, creating a smooth and creamy pineapple-infused soft-serve.

Why are Dole Whips so popular?

Dole Whips have become an iconic treat at Disney parks and have gained a dedicated fan base. They are often enjoyed on their own, served in a cup or cone, or as a float, where the soft-serve is combined with pineapple juice or another beverage.

The combination of the sweet pineapple flavor and the creamy texture makes Dole Whips a favorite among visitors, especially on hot days.

Over the years, the popularity of Dole Whips has grown, leading to variations of the dessert, including different fruit flavors like orange, raspberry, and mango. However, the classic pineapple Dole Whip remains the most widely recognized and sought-after option.

Dole Whips can now be found not only at Disney parks but also at various other locations and events, often served in places with a tropical or Hawaiian theme.

The delightful taste and unique experience of enjoying a Dole Whip have made it a beloved treat for Disney enthusiasts and dessert lovers alike.

Where can you find a Dole Whip at Disneyland?

Aloha Isle (Adventureland)

Located in Adventureland, Aloha Isle is a popular destination for Dole Whip enthusiasts. This charming tropical-themed spot offers classic pineapple-flavored Dole Whip, served in a cup or as a float. Indulge in this delightful treat as you explore the nearby attractions and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Adventureland.

Tiki Juice Bar (Adventureland):

Adjacent to the enchanting Enchanted Tiki Room, the Tiki Juice Bar is another fantastic location to satisfy your Dole Whip cravings. T

his outdoor kiosk offers both pineapple and pineapple-orange swirl Dole Whip, allowing you to experience a delightful combination of flavors. Take your Dole Whip to-go or enjoy it at the nearby seating area while immersing yourself in the tropical vibes.

Tropical Hideaway (Adventureland)

For a unique twist on the classic Dole Whip experience, head to the Tropical Hideaway.

Nestled within Adventureland, this charming eatery offers an array of delectable treats, including the beloved Dole Whip.

Besides the traditional pineapple flavor, you can also find seasonal variations, such as raspberry or mango, adding a burst of fruity goodness to your Disneyland adventure.

Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill (Disneyland Hotel)

If you’re staying at the Disneyland Hotel or simply want to explore outside the park, Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill is the perfect destination.

This Polynesian-inspired restaurant serves up a variety of mouthwatering dishes and, of course, Dole Whip. Enjoy your Dole Whip by the poolside or relax in the cozy seating area while savoring the tropical flavors.

Disneyland Mobile Ordering

To save time and skip the lines, take advantage of Disneyland’s mobile ordering feature.

Through the official Disneyland app, you can browse menus and order Dole Whip from select locations, including Aloha Isle and Tiki Juice Bar.

Simply place your order, choose a convenient pickup time, and enjoy your Dole Whip without the wait.

Don’t forget to snap a photo of your Dole Whip creation and savor every spoonful of this iconic dessert.

Embrace the magic and enjoy the perfect blend of pineapple goodness as you create memories that will last a lifetime at Disneyland.

More Posts You May Enjoy:

• Disneyland Balloons: Everything You Need to Know
• The Best Places to Buy Disney Clothes for Your Disney Vacation
• Where Can You Buy Rain Ponchos at Disney World? Your Complete Guide

The post Where To Get a Dole Whip At disneyland appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

Best Disneyland Food

Food and Disneyland are like the high school sweethearts who are voted cutest couple in the yearbook every time. We love seeing them together, we envy what they have and we all want it for ourselves. Am I right?

I’m Jessica from The Happiest Blog on Earth where I write exclusively about The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. It’s great to be here talking about two things that are very dear to my heart: food and Disneyland.

I absolutely love exploring the various dining and delicious food options at The Disneyland Resort, but I also love my money. And I like keeping my money in my pocket. It’s one of the reasons why I authored Disneyland On Any Budget and why I’m sharing some dining on a budget secrets with you today.

My family of five consistently spends about $100 per day on food when we’re at Disneyland and I want to show you exactly how we do it. Our family consists of me, my husband, and three kids ages 12, 9 and 6. Hopefully, this gives you an even better idea of who we’re feeding, what we’re eating and how we’re able to spend about $100 per day on food at Disneyland.

Book your next magical family adventure through our friends at Get Away Today! They are truly the Disney experts and can make planning your trip a breeze for both Disneyland and Disney World. You can browse their website or call 1-855-GET-AWAY. Make sure you tell them Magical Family Travel Guide sent you or use the code MFTG for $10 off a Southern California

Eating at Disneyland on a Budget

Dining on a Budget at Disneyland: Breakfast

There are plenty of hotels nearby that offer complimentary breakfast to their guests. This ranges from cold cereal and yogurt to hot waffles, breakfast casseroles and more. We always book a hotel with free breakfast and eat there before walking over to Disneyland each morning.

But, let’s be realistic. It’s early and the kids are too excited to eat. Okay, maybe the adults too. You eat a bite of a bagel and call it good. By 9:00 am your whole crew is already starving. One of my favorite breakfast locations is Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land at California Adventure.

Here’s what we ordered on a recent visit to both Flo’s V8 Cafe and Cozy Cone Motel across the way. We shared these 3 dishes among us (a common way to save) and couldn’t finish it all. Maybe next time we’ll skip the pretzel bites.

• Brioche French Toast $7.99, baked and served with salted caramel sauce and bananas.
• American Breakfast $8.49, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon and biscuit.
• Pretzel Bites $5.39, with cheesy sauce.

Breakfast total: $21.37 ($4.27 per person)

Dining on a Budget at Disneyland: Lunch

Lunch for me only means one thing at Disneyland and it’s corn dogs. There’s something about those amazing hand battered corn dogs from Disneyland! You can get them at 3 locations: Corn Dog Castle at California Adventure, Little Red Wagon on Main Street, U.S.A. or Stage Door Cafe, both in Disneyland Park.

The corn dogs are huge! They also come with either chips, apple slices or fries, depending on where you go. You can also purchase the corn dog a la carte to cut costs a bit more.

We opt to order 4 corn dogs, 2 with fries and 2 with apple slices. The adults get their own corn dogs, and the remaining 2 are cut up and split between our 3 kids. We all share 2 orders of fries and save the apple slice for a quick snack later in the day.

• Hand-dipped Corn Dog $8.49, served with fries, chips or apple slices.

Lunch total: $33.96 ($6.79 per person)

Dining on a Budget at Disneyland: Dinner

By the time dinner rolls around, you’re likely very ready for a comfy place to sit and relax. There are two places I particularly like for a grand dinner with no reservations required and lots of good food.

Plaza Inn on Main Street with the pink umbrellas is my first choice. Why? Fried Chicken! Amazing! We buy two, 3 piece plates to split between us since my husband and I can easily share one plate, then the kids tackle the other. You can also buy fried chicken a la carte if you find you need a couple more pieces.

• Fried Chicken $17.49, three pieces of seasoned, fried chicken with mashed potatoes, vegetables and buttermilk biscuit.

Dinner total: $34.98 ($7 per person)

Another wonderful option with lots of seating and big portions to split is at Rancho Del Zocalo. My husband and I share a massive burrito plate, then we order 2 bean and cheese burrito kid meals, swapping one rice and beans out for an extra tortilla. Our youngest loves rice and beans so we use the side rice and beans with one kid meal to make her burrito without needing to buy a third kid meal.

• Burrito Sonora $12.99, served with rice and beans.
• Kids’ Bean and Cheese Burrito $6.99, served with rice and beans.

Dinner total: $26.97 ($5.40 per person)

Dining on a Budget at Disneyland: Snacks & Treats

My husband simply can’t resist treats at Disneyland. When we go together, I buy him a separate Disney gift card just for treats. It’s bad people! We tend to get one or two of several treats and split them throughout the day.

We also bring in plenty of snacks to munch on in line but on a typical Disneyland trip here’s what we snack on:

• Churro $4
• Mint Julep $3.59
• Dole Whip $4.49
• Mickey Pretzel $4.39

Snacks and Treats total: $16.57 ($3.35 per person)

Let’s take a quick look back at those costs, about $20 for breakfast, $30 for lunch and about $30 for dinner (depending on which option you choose). How many times have you taken your family for a simple trip to McDonald’s and spent more than $20? For me, plenty. Many people think Disneyland dining has to be expensive, and it certainly can be, but there are also ways to save.

While Disneyland dining prices can change at any time, it’s easy to see how a little advance planning can save you lots of money, just by checking prices beforehand. While most people spend considerably more while dining at Disneyland, a family of 5 can plan to spend about $100 per day on food inside The Disneyland Resort. Especially if you manage to eat a decent breakfast at your hotel, you can save about $20 right there to spend on more treats and snacks.

Would this Dining on a Budget at Disneyland plan work for your family? Tell us what you think about the menu and cost-saving options we shared. And of course, if you’ve been to Disneyland recently we’d love to hear your “Dining on a Budget at Disneyland” secrets.

The post Disneyland Dining on a Budget for Families appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

Thanksgiving week is popular at the Disney parks – so if you are planning a trip, you might be wondering if the park is even open!

The good news is – yes! It is open! But it’s going to be busy, so in this article, we are sharing everything you need to know about Disneyland and Thanksgiving – including where to find Thanksgiving dinner and other seasonal offerings!

Is Disneyland open on Thanksgiving Day?

Yes, Disneyland is open on Thanksgiving Day! So if you’re looking for a fun and festive way to spend Thanksgiving, Disneyland is the place to be. There are some fun meals and foods available during Thanksgiving week which can make it an even more unique event.

How Busy is Thanksgiving at Disneyland

Thanksgiving week is usually a busy day at the parks. Because many schools are off for most of the week, it has become a prime time for visiting the park.

With that said, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are like the busiest days during Thanksgiving week. You might get lucky and find some lower crowds throughout the day on the actual day of Thanksgiving – especially during typical Thanksgiving dinner times (early afternoon) as many people who are visiting may not want to eat dinner in the park.

Here are the predictions from various websites:

• Is it Packed? lists Thanksgiving as “Yup, it’s packed!” but it also marked it as a “best bet” for best crowds that week.
• Undercover Tourist has Thanksgiving listed as a 10/10 with the highest crowds
• Magic Guides has Thanksgiving listed as “above average crowds”, one level below their highest designation of “Heavy crowds”

California Adventure’s “Festival of Holidays” food fest is also in full swing, which is always certain to bring in crowds.

No matter what way you spin it, you are going to likely encounter crowds while you are visiting. It’s certainly not the end of the world, but it’s just something to be aware of while you plan your trip.

Book your next magical family adventure through our friends at Get Away Today! They are truly the Disney experts and can make planning your trip a breeze for both Disneyland and Disney World. You can browse their website or call 1-855-GET-AWAY. Make sure you tell them Magical Family Travel Guide sent you or use the code MFTG for $10 off a Southern California

When to book for Thanksgiving at Disneyland

Because Thanksgiving week is going to be busy, the sooner you book your tickets and hotel, the better!

As of right now, Disneyland and California Adventure are still using the reservation system. At the time of this writing, reservations are not currently available, but I am sure once the availability is released, they will fill up quickly.

Hotels – especially those closer to Disneyland – will be filling up quickly as well. We definitely recommend booking your trip as soon as possible through Get Away Today to take advantage of any savings you can.

Pro Tip: Even if single park ticket reservations are not available, they sometimes are available with the Park Hopper. You may need to purchase a park hopper ticket if this is the case.

Does Disneyland serve Thanksgiving dinner?

Yes! There are places that you can get Thanksgiving dinner (or Thanksgiving-esque foods) while you are at the parks during Thanksgiving week. Here are some of the different options that have traditional Thanksgiving meals available.

• Disneyland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom*
• Napa Rose*
• Storyteller’s Cafe*
• Goofy’s Kitchen*
• Carnation Cafe
• River Belle Terrace
• Wine Country Trattoria

Many of these restaurants require reservations, which are available 60 days before you arrive. These will definitely go fast, so grab them if you see them! You can cancel up to 72 hours beforehand to avoid cancellation fees.

*These are the restaurants that serve full Thanksgiving dinners and reservations will definitely be limited!

Other Thanksgiving-Themed Foods at Disneyland.

One of the most fun parts of Thanksgiving at Disneyland is the opportunity to try out some of their seasonal offerings.

Not looking for turkey and mashed potatoes? Well, there are still lots of fun Thanksgiving foods (savory and sweet!) available at the park. Here are a few places to check out for some yummy options, though be sure to check your app for random places around the park!

• Flo’s Cafe – Typically has turkey available but not a specific Thanksgiving dinner. They do serve a delicious “Day After Thanksgiving” sandwich
• Pacific Wharf Cafe
• Festival of Holiday Booths – there are always some holiday-themed foods at these booths! If you want little bites of a variety of fun foods, definitely take advantage of the food pass!
• Cafe Orleans
• French Market Restaurant
• Plaza Inn
• Rancho del Zocalo
• Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (their Holiday sandwich is to DIE for).
• Carthay Circle Lounge
• Candy Shops

And of course, you can get a smoked Turkey Leg ALL Year round at both parks. This a great option for those who are looking for a less traditional approach to Thanksgiving dinner!

Tips for Thanksgiving at Disneyland

Many of the tips for a successful Thanksgiving trip are the same ones we’d recommend for ANY busy time of year at Disneyland – but they are always worth reiterating!

Use Mobile Ordering

Download the Disneyland app to take advantage of mobile ordering at select quick-service restaurants. This will help you avoid long lines and enjoy your time in the parks more!

Take Advantage of Genie+

Disney Genie+ is definitely a necessity during peak season at Disneyland! Unless you really love standing in lines, having a holiday Disney Genie+ strategy can greatly limit the amount of time you spend waiting in line.

Arrive Early

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of your day! This will almost assuredly give you a couple hours of lower crowds. You should definitely rope drop some of the most popular rides as well.

Make Reservations Early

This is important for both park reservations and for restaurant reservations. I suspect that as soon as these disappear, it will be difficult to grab one. They are both available 60 days before Thanksgiving!

Stay Close By

Stay as close as you can to the park! It will make it easier to get to the parks early, take a break midday, and just take advantage of Disney magic for longer. There are quite a few affordable hotels nearby, so grab one while you ca.

Consider Staying On Site

If you are staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, you have the opportunity to enter the parks an hour early each morning of your stay. This is a great way to get some extra rides in before the parks get too busy later in the day.

Disneyland is a great place to spend Thanksgiving, and this guide has everything you need to know to make the most of your trip. From restaurants that are serving traditional Thanksgiving meals to tips on avoiding long lines, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to download the Disneyland app and take advantage of Genie+ so you can make the most of your time in the parks! We’d love to hear your experience at Disneyland during Thanksgiving – share below!

The post Is Disneyland open on Thanksgiving day? Tips for Thanksgiving Success appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

Disneyland is where magic is around every corner – but that magic can quickly disappear with a hangry child (or, if you’re like me, an adult).

When it comes to food, Disneyland offers a wide variety of options – much of which is geared towards adults. So what’s a parent to do when their child is begging for food and they don’t want to break the bank?

Fear not! We’ve put together a list of our favorite Disneyland meals that kids love. These are items that our kids have enjoyed and generally are pretty affordable.

PRO TIP – Take advantage of mobile ordering at most of these restaurants. You’ll probably want to secure a spot about an hour before you are ready to eat. It makes life so much easier with kids when you don’t have to wait forever in line. However, keep in mind that

Pizza at Pizza Planet

Honestly, you really can’t go wrong at Pizza Planet. We always go there at least once during our Disney trips. There are two main options for pizza:

• By the Slice – between $7.99 and $8.99 per slice
• Kid Size Cheese Pizza – $6.99 for the meal. It includes carrots, a Cutie Mandarin orange, and a choice of drink.

Personally, we like getting the kid-size cheese pizza. We have plenty of snacks in our backpack for the day if the kids don’t get filled up, but it usually ties them over for a while!

If your child doesn’t love pizza, they also have a great Kid’s Check Meal for $7.99 – Space-getti with Meatballs.

Chicken Tenders at The Golden Horseshoe

The Golden Horseshoe is a great spot for kids because they offer chicken tenders as one of the kids’ meals. This meal comes with a cutie mandarin orange and applesauce, as well as a drink. You usually can substitute in fries if you’d rather.

This will run you about $7.99, and it’s quite filling. If you have an older kid, you can get an adult entree for 10.99.

The Stage Door Cafe also has chicken tenders.

Corn Dog at Little Red Wagon

A trip to Disneyland is never complete without a corn dog – they are unlike anything else. If you have light eaters, they might even be able to split one.

You can find the corn dogs at The Little Red Wagon off on Main Street. One corn dog will run you about $10.

Sometimes Disneyland has Corn Dog Nuggets, which are absolutely delicious. I’m not sure when they have them, but it’s worth asking around about! They are a little more kid-friendly as well.

Baked Chicken Leg

Carnation Cafe is the first stop on Main Street to enjoy a meal, it is one of the table service dining locations. Most likely you pass by without a thought as you draw near the castle undeterred. Otherwise, you may regularly enjoy it as a traditional spot.

I actually had never been here until our most recent trip, when my friend, Hilary, suggested it as a good place to go that isn’t insanely crazy. 

The food and the atmosphere here are some of the best you will find in Disneyland and that extends to the Kids Menu. The best Disneyland Kids Meals offer something a little more.

That’s why the Chicken Fried Chicken is such an excellent choice. The recipe is exceptional and the dish is so unique

to other fried chicken meals in the park. This meal comes with Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli and Fresh Fruit as sides.

We actually got Jack the baked chicken leg, instead, which he loved!

Mac and Cheese

I usually try and steer our kids away from Mac and Cheese, simply because they can have it at home! However, Disneyland Mac and Cheese is actually quite delicious – I even enjoy it!

So if you have a kid that is just dying for some Mac and Cheese – you’re in luck. You can find it at several places in Disneyland:

• The Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland
• Cafe Orleans
• Pacific Wharf Cafe
• Harbour Galley
• River Belle Terrace

Chicken Taco at Rancho Del Zocalo

Rancho Del Zocalo Is another wonderful place for families. It is actually one of our favorite places in Disneyland!

They have two kid’s meal options – a chicken taco and a bean and rice burrito. We personally like the chicken taco. It is $7.99 and includes rice, applsuace, veggies, and a choice of drink.

We love mixing things up outside the traditional hamburger and fries, and this is a delightful place the whole family can enjoy.

Fried Chicken Tip-Yip Youngling Meal

Spending some time in Galaxy’s Edge? Make sure to stop by Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – they have a kid’s meal perfect for your little Star Wars fan.

The friend chicken tip-yip youngling meal includes crispy chicken, macaroni and cheese vegetables, and a choice of drink. It’s $9.99, but we think this is one of the best kid’s meals in the whole park!

Sauteed Shrimp at Cafe Orleans

Is your child a little more adventerous? Look no further than Cafe Orleans. One of their kid’s meals is sauteed shrimp two two side options – one of which happens to be cheesy grits.

The shrimp is sautéed and the grits are cheesy. Cafe Orleans is a table service restaurant in New Orleans Square.

But if your kids are a little less adventerous, their Mac and Cheese is fantastic here as well. 

Hamburger and Fries

Hamburgers are a classic choice for many children – it’s almost always what our kids choose! There are several dining locations within Disneyland where your child can get their burger fix, including:

• Smokejumpers Grill
• Galactic Grill
• Hungry Bear Restaurant

Sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich

Okay, okay, this isn’t exatly IN Disneyland, but it is in Downtown Disney. They have a large variety of sandwiches, including for children. They are also very affordable.

This is a great place to stop on your way out (or in!) to Disneyland – they have a Turkey & Swiss, Grilled Cheese, and Pizza Bread!

How to Find Kid-Friendly Food at Disneyland

Honestly, the best way to find what you are looking for is to download the Disneyland app and just search for the food your child is wanting.

You can easily type in the type of food, and it will show you places in Disneyland that currently serve that item. If you’re lucky, it will be a mobile ordering restaurant, so you can order it and pick it up with ease.

What is a Disney Mickey Check Meal?

I mentioned this previously, but you might be asking – what is this?! And you aren’t alone. 

Essentially, it’s a simple designation that helps you to find the nutritious choices for your family amongst all the grease and sugar (regardless of how delicious that is). Meals that have the Mickey Check meat strict Disney-set Nutrition Guidelines, which limit calories, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. 

Walt Disney World Resort, the expansion of the Mickey Check helps families easily find nutritious choices, part of an ongoing program that launched in 2006 with nutrition guidelines. The Mickey Check makes it even easier to identify healthier food options in all of the Disney theme parks and resorts.

If you’re looking for some kid-friendly meal ideas while you’re at Disneyland, we’ve got you covered. No matter what your child’s taste or dietary restrictions may be, there are plenty of options to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip and get ready to chow down on some delicious Disney cuisine! What is your child’s favorite meal at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below!

Other Disneyland Posts You May Enjoy:

• The Best Disney World Park for Toddlers (From a Toddler Mom)
• Galaxy’s Edge Dining: Overview of Food and Drink
• 20+ Airplane Snacks for Toddlers + Expert Tips for Success
• The Best Age for Disneyland: The Ultimate Guide to Help You Decide

The post Top 10 Disneyland Kids’ Meals Your Child Will LOVE appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

Over the past few years, we have attended three Disneyland Character Dining Experiences.

These are honestly one of the highlights of our trips, and even though, yes, it is really overpriced…what isn’t overpriced at Disneyland?!

We’ve tried three separate dining experiences, and since the one we attended most recently is pretty new to their lineup, I thought I would do a review of it.

We attended the “Mickey’s Tales of Adventures Breakfast Buffet” at the Grand Californian Hotel.

Why did we choose this one? Simple. I procrastinated in making a reservation, and it was the only one (besides Goofy’s Kitchen, which we didn’t love last time) available for the dates we were going to be there.

Sometimes it’s nice not to have to make a decision 🙂 We had initially thought about doing Minnie’s Breakfast at Plaza Inn, but I was totally fine with this one – especially since it was new.

Plus, I thought my boys would enjoy a more “adventure” themed breakfast, anyways. They are all about adventure these days!

I’ve written a post in the past about Disneyland Character Dining, which goes over LOTS of details on reservations, tips for success, as well as all of the different character dining options, so I recommend reading that if you haven’t decided for sure on what dining experience you wanted.

With that said, we really enjoyed this breakfast, so hopefully, our review will give you some good insight into deciding if it’s the right one for you 🙂

Mickey’s Tales of Adventures Breakfast Buffet Cost

Normally, it is $49 for people 10 and up, and $29 for children ages 3-9 – and that’s not including tax or tip. So it is a bit pricey!

Food

We attended the breakfast buffet, and it’s definitely one of the best breakfast buffets I’ve been to. With that said, the only breakfast buffets I usually go to are at 2.5 star hotels, so there’s not much to compare to 🙂

There was definitely something for everyone. Both of my boys got plates full of food that they liked – and Forrest and I also found lots of things we really enjoyed.

They have a variety of egg and potato dishes, tons of pastries, fruits, meats, and more. My boys especially loved the pancake and waffle station – I mean, can you really resist the Mickey shaped waffles?!

Although I didn’t try it, they hade a made-to-order omelet station, which is great for people who love omelets. I do enjoy a good omelet every now and then, but I set my sights on other foods.

To be honest, I have a hard time finding food at Disneyland that I just RAVE about (don’t hurt me. haha). And while this isn’t the best food I’ve ever eaten, it’s definitely some of the best I ate while at Disneyland. I do really like breakfast though, so I’m sure that plays a part in it.

Here are a few photos from the breakfast:

You can read other reviews on the food at the Storyteller Cafe here.

Experience

The experience is really what you are paying for when you come to a character dining experience at Disneyland. As I’ve said before, being able to have one-on-one time with lots of different characters is invaluable.

While we were at Disneyland this time, the lines to see characters were SO long. And to be honest – I don’t like waiting in lines for rides – much less for characters. So having the characters come right to your table while you eat is so much more enjoyable in my opinion – and it gives you more time for the rides (which heaven knows you spend plenty of time in line for).

Obviously, not all of the characters are at the breakfasts – at this one, there were a lot of classics; Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale, Goofy, etc.

At this particular breakfast, they were all dressed up in Adventure-type wear, which I thought was so fun. It’s unique because you won’t see these characters around the park, so you almost feel like you are getting a really exclusive experience (which, really, you are).

Anyways – now that I’ve rambled enough. The experience! We arrived and gave our name – although we had a reservation, we still had to wait about 15 minutes before we were seated.

We were brought back to our table eventually, and our waiter immediately appeared to take our drink orders. In my experience, the servers are always so friendly and try so hard to make it a fun experience for the family.

As soon as we ordered our drinks, we were able to go get our food. There are lots of food stations, so I didn’t feel like we had to ever wait in line to get food.

After we got our food, we just waited for the characters to come around. They come directly to your table, and you are able to interact with them there. You can get pictures taken and get autographs, which our boys loved doing. I felt like they were so good with my kids, and they really stayed in character. Oliver was a little timid, but they always tried to be really friendly and gentle with him – which I appreciated.

I’m not sure if it’s every 30 minutes or every hour, but at least twice while we were there they had a little show. They had music, and all of the characters paraded around the room with different musical instruments. Jack LOVED this, and he didn’t hesitate to jump in with it every time it came around. He was grinning from ear to ear.

I think we were there for a little over an hour, and we had a lot of fun. I would definitely say it was comparable to Surf’s Up! Mickey and Friends (which is now Donald’s Surfside breakfast- and is also now considered “Premium Character Dining).

One thing we didn’t get was a photo. I can’t say definitively that they didn’t offer pictures as part of the meal, but we were never told where to go for one or given any information on where to get one taken. This was kind of a bummer because I forgot about it until afterward. The picture we got taken while we were at the Surf’s Up! breakfast is still one of my favorite photos from our Disneyland trip.

Overall, I highly recommend this. Because it’s a standard character dining experience (at least at this writing), it is a little bit less expensive. We found it a little tricky to figure out how to get into the Grand Californian, and I think we actually snuck in a way we shouldn’t have gone. But it was an overall very positive experience. Our children had a great time!

Again, feel free to check out this post to learn more about other character dining experiences – The Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Character Dining.

And as always, if you are planning a vacation to Disneyland, make sure you book through the experts at Get Away Today. They are the only travel agent we trust with our vacations, and I know that they will make the process SO much easier for you. If you book a vacation for two nights or longer with a two-ticket minimum, you can get an additional $10 off with the code MFTG.

The post Mickey’s Tales of Adventures Breakfast Buffet Review appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

how to make sun-dried tomato pesto pasta

Pasta is a timeless classic. Variations to the classic spaghetti and marinara? Who doesn’t want that?

This recipe gives a flavorful twist to classic pasta dishes that will leave you wanting more. For a little added fun, I recommend listening to Disney music while making this recipe to make it feel like you are actually in the parks and add a little magic.

Which pasta is best for pesto pasta?

There are many types of pasta that work with this recipe. If you prefer longer pasta, I would go with a spaghetti or linguine noodle. If you like smaller pasta, I would go with farfalle, penne, cavatappi, or rotini.

Ultimately, anything you choose will go well with this recipe. It just depends on what kind of pasta you are in the mood for.

Where is pesto pasta from?

Both pasta and pesto sauce are known as Italian foods. Pesto sauce originated in northern Italy and is traditionally paired with garlic, basil, olive oil, and cheese.

Can pesto pasta be frozen?

Yes. You can freeze the pasta, pesto sauce, and chicken and save it for a later time. This timeless recipe will be delicious no matter when you serve it.

Ingredients

• 1 lb farfalle pasta (or pasta of your choosing)
• 2 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
• 6.25 oz sun-dried tomato pesto sauce
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz mascarpone cream
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot until tender, but still firm. Stir occasionally for about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, saving 1 cup of the liquid.
2. Cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces. While the pasta is boiling, fry the chicken in a saucepan. Use salt and pepper to season the chicken as desired. When the chicken is cooked thoroughly, or when it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees, remove it from the saucepan and set it to the side.
3. In a separate saucepan, mix the sun-dried tomato pesto sauce and heavy cream. When mixed, add the mascarpone cream and stir until melted and well combined.
4. Add the red pepper flakes, and additional salt and pepper, to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes on low heat, until the sauce has thickened slightly. Use the saved liquid as needed to thin the sauce to desired consistency.
5. When the pasta is ready, spoon a portion onto your dish. Add chicken pieces to the top, spoon some sauce over the top of the pasta. Top the dish with parmesan, if desired.

Recipe card

What goes with pesto pasta?

There are many sides that would go well with pesto pasta. Among them are green salad, asparagus, green beans, green peas, olives, or dinner rolls.

Because basil and garlic are popularly used, my family will often pair garlic rolls or garlic knots with the pasta to add a bit of flavor.

Can pesto pasta be reheated?

The pasta, the sauce, and the chicken can all be reheated as long as heat is applied evenly. I recommend covering an oven-safe dish with aluminum foil. Leave the pasta to warm in the oven for 20 minutes at 350°F.

Other Copycat Recipes

• Copycat Disneyland Corn Dogs Recipe

This easy-fo-follow recipe will bring the magic of Pixar Pier to your tastebuds. This sun-dried tomato pesto pasta will become a family favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

The post Copycat Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

Galaxy’s Edge transports you to a whole new galaxy – and we aren’t mad about it!

Besides all of the incredible details everywhere you look in Black Spire Outpost, there are dining experiences to match. The menus span from breakfast to dinner and there are no hold-ups to keep you from moving on and exploring more of the mysterious planet of Batuu. Here is a very brief overview of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge dining.

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Ronto Roasters

The first food location you’ll come across in Black Spire Outpost is Ronto Roasters a counter service restaurant where a droid roasts Ronto on a spit under a Pod Racer jet engine.

The primary food item here is the Ronto Wrap, which includes roasted pork, sausage, peppercorn sauce and slaw on a pita. There is also a breakfast wrap in the morning along with a cup of overnight oats. Ronto also serves jerky and non alcoholic teas.

Oga’s Cantina

Arguably the biggest draw among the Galaxy’s Edge dining experiences is Oga’s Cantina. There is very little to munch on here, but there are tons of drinks. The specialty drinks include a wide variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. The Cantina is not equipped to handle large crowds and most of the tables only allow standing. However, there is a lot to look at in this venue and some pretty intricate storytelling in the environment. The bar drinks are pre mixed and come from a tap and thee menu includes four craft beers exclusive to Galaxy’s Edge and two wines. There are also souvenir Porg and Endor cups, as well as a Rancor Tooth Flight Board for sampling the beer.

Docking Bay 7

Heading the other direction, toward the Millennium Falcon, you will find the primary eating establishment Docking Bay 7. This quick service restaurant has a menu that changes with every meal time. They offer strange looking but familiar tasting plates that range from fried chicken to meatless meatloaf. One of the most popular dishes is the Braised Kaatu Rib which comes with an out of this world blueberry cornbread muffin. You can also get a breakfast platter that includes a baked egg sausages and a mini version of a sweet pastry roll that is filled with chocolate mousse and topped with cookie crumble and raspberry glaze.

Docking Bay 7 also serves an assortment of non alcoholic specialty beverages, and a kids menu with a mix of safe and adventurous entrees.

Kat Saka’s Kettle

As you venture deeper into the Marketplace, you will find a kettle corn stall that serves Outpost Mix. This is a delicacy in Batuu and the sweet and spicy combination may take some getting used to. However, after a few bites, it will quickly become a favorite snack.

Milk Stand

As you swing around Oga’s cantina and head into First Order territory, you will find the Milk Stand where you can try a green, or blue plant based milky beverage. it’s a refreshing way to finish off your Galaxy’s Edge dining experience before you leave.

The post Galaxy’s Edge Dining: Overview of Food and Drink appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.