 | Advent Calendar - 4th December |
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| DisneyDan
Wednesday, December 4, 2013 11:33:29 AM |
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Today is the 4th December, which means it is time to open the fourth door of our special Character Central advent calendar!
Click to see who it is today!
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 | Advent Calendar - 3rd December | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 12:52:05 PM |
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Today is the 3rd December, which means it is time to open the next door of our Character Central advent calendar!
Click to find out who is behind today's door!
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 | Advent Calendar - 2nd December | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, December 2, 2013 10:29:58 AM |
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Today is the 2nd December, which means it is time to open the next door of our Character Central advent calendar!
Click to find out who is behind today's door!
[ Read More... ] |
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 | Advent Calendar - 1st December | |
| DisneyDan
Sunday, December 1, 2013 7:38:51 AM |
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Today is the first day of December, which means it is time to open the very first door of our very special Character Central Advent Calendar for 2013!
Click to see who is behind today's door!
[ Read More... ] |
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Hello everyone,
Today's dining review is of the 'Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends' at the PCH Grill in Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, at the Disneyland Resort in California.
We most recently dined here in September 2013, having not been here for a while. In the past we had always been put off because the price had been higher, the restaurant really lacked something, and it was too far out of the way to warrant paying over the odds for.
We had dined here twice previously, and despite those negative factors, we decided it was about time we returned to see if things had improved.
The overall feel of the restaurant is much like the rest of the Paradise Pier Hotel; dated with a tired 1990's feel to it.
Having said that, the price had now been lowered to come more in line with the other character dining experiences around the resort, which makes it more worth while. One of the biggest problems is the fact it's so far out of the way from anywhere else at the resort. I guess it's through sheer laziness, which on a hectic Disney trip I think we're allowed to feel that way (I don't want to walk miles for breakfast before we've even started the day!), but the Paradise Pier always seems like an epic journey to get to. It's not really that much further than the Disneyland hotel is from the parks, but it is further nonetheless.
The food is actually pretty good. They have a really good, wide variety of options, from hot breakfast items, fruit, waffles and much more.
I recall that on a previous trip here a couple of years ago, I had been suffering from stomach issues, and asked for gluten free waffles and pancakes. I was personally attended to by the chef, and was served excellent gluten free items, made to order. I didn't ask this time, but I presume the same service is still available - why wouldn't it be?
So with that, I do highly recommend the location for the service and food.
Of course, it's a character dining experience, and some of our favourite Disney friends are in regular attendance.
There are six characters which rotate regularly, but of course the only one that is pretty much guaranteed is Mickey.
Joining Mickey, wearing cute beach wear you will find, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Daisy. Stitch is there quite often too, and in the past Lilo made appearances, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that she still does appear in quite a long time.
During the course of your meal the characters will all get up and teach the kids some surf moves at an interactive dance party at the front part of the restaurant. It's cute and makes for some nice photo opportunities for your children.
Having dined here again, and refreshed my experience of it, I would definitely recommend the breakfast. The food and service are good, the price is no more than the other character dining experiences, and the characters wear some fun outfits. The biggest problem really is the dated feel of the restaurant, but then that's something that is a problem with the entire hotel, not just the PCH Grill.
Prices start from $27.99 per person for adults, and $14.99 for children aged 3 through 9 inclusive. All prices are plus tax, and plus gratuity.
Annual Passholders receive a maximum of 15% discount no matter what pass they hold.
Reservations are recommended, and can be made at any guest service location at the two theme parks, any Disney Hotel concierge, on the official Disneyland Resort website, or by calling the Disney Dining line up to 60 days in advance on (714) 781-3463.
You can leave your comments by clicking here, where you will be magically transported to our forum.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 5th Birthday Bolt! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, November 21, 2013 2:25:56 PM |
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Today, 21st November, is the 5th anniversary of the release of Disney's Bolt.
Bolt stars the title character, Bolt, along with new friends Mittens and Rhino.
Let's celebrate their big day with some photos of our adventures with the at the Disney Parks.
Happy 5th Birthday Bolt, Mittens and Rhino!
Dan. |
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Hello everyone,
This week's restaurant review is of Chip 'n' Dale Critter Breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe, at the Disneyland Resort in California.
The restaurant is located inside Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, and can be accessed either via the hotel main entrance, the private entrance from Disney California Adventure, or by the entrance from Downtown Disney.
The Chip 'n' Dale Critter Breakfast is one of our favourite character dining experiences at any resort, and is a must-do on any trip to California, for us.
The food is served buffet style, but there are menu options available, if you wish. The buffet though has an excellent variety, and includes fruit, waffles, hot food (sausages, eggs etc), and made-to-order omelettes. It should be noted that the Mickey waffles are not on the buffet, but can be ordered through your server at no extra cost.
The food is always fresh and the hot food is always hot, which may sound like a strange thing to say, but you'd be surprised at how many buffets I've eaten at where the food is left to go cold.
The setting and theme of the restaurant is really quite nice. There are two large dining areas, separated by the buffet in the centre.
The restaurant is designed to depict the great tales told by wise folk, and represents their stories and journeys. The restaurant continues the great American mountain lodge theme, has a very natural, earthy feel to it, and is decorated with pictures of great storytellers and adventurers.
The Characters will rotate between both dining areas, and are usually on alternating half hour sets. Seeing as it is Chip 'n' Dale's Critter Breakfast, you can nearly always guarantee that the naughty duo will be there. We have always seen them, and the breakfast is of course presented by them, but I do have good friends who ate there one time and Chip and Dale were not present! I think that is most definitely odd, and an exception to the norm.
Other characters you will find regularly include Koda, Kenai, Br'er Bear, Br'er Fox, Meeko - all of whom fit the theme nicely - and bizarrely, Terk. I'm not exactly sure how an African gorilla fits with a Northern Californian themed critter breakfast, but nonetheless, Terk is in attendance nearly every time we visit!
The excellent variety of food, the great food quality and the character interactions really make for a truly wonderful breakfast to start your day in Disneyland. A magical experience that I definitely recommend.
Breakfast hours are nearly always 7am-11.25am daily. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling (714) 781-3463 up to 60 days prior to your visit, by clicking on the official Disneyland Resort website, by visiting guest relations at either theme park, or directly at the restaurant itself.
Prices start at $27.99 plus tax for an adult buffet, or $13.99 plus tax for children aged nine and under. All other options and drinks are extra. The full menu is available on the Disneyland Resort website. Annual Passholders receive a maximum of 15% off the total, depending on which AP they have.
It should be noted that Storyteller's Cafe does offer lunch and dinner, but these are not character dining experiences, and we have not experienced them, as of yet.
You can leave your comments and ask questions by clicking here and being magically transported to our forums.
Dan.
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 | Happy 85th Birthday Mickey and Minnie Mouse! | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, November 18, 2013 10:53:28 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is the 85th birthday of the two most famous mice in the world, Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
On 18th November 1928, Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie debuted to the public, and stars were born.
Without Mickey and Minnie, we wouldn't have the Disney company that we have today. For that we are eternally grateful to Walt Disney, and of course Mickey and Minnie, and look forward to many more decades of fun and laughter with them.
Happy 85th Birthday Mickey and Minnie!
In our usual style, here's a photo cavalcade of some of the magical adventures we've had with Mickey and Minnie at the Disney Parks and Resorts over the years.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 67th Birthday Song of the South! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 2:22:03 PM |
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Today, November 12th, is the 67th anniversary of the premier of Walt Disney's Song of the South. It was shown at the Fox Theater in Atlanta in the presence of Walt Disney himself.
Telling the fables of old Uncle Remus, Song of the South brought to life colourful world of Br'er Rabbit and his Briar patch.
Song of the South is a much loved Disney Classic, but has sadly never been released on DVD, and was only ever on VHS for a short time in the UK, many years ago (I am fortunate enough to own a copy, and retain my video player for the sole purpose of being able to watch this rare tape!).
Fortunately, the Disney Parks around the world have welcomed Br'er Rabbit and his friends, and they have appeared in numerous parades and events throughout the years. Of course, we cannot forget that the beloved Disney attraction, Splash Mountain, is based on Song of the South, at Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland.
So, in our usual Character Central style, here are those fuzzy critters in a photo cavalcade, to celebrate their big day!
Happy Birthday Song of the South!
Dan. |
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This week's restaurant review is for Auberge de Cendrillon, in Disneyland Paris' Fantasyland.
Auberge de Cendrillon (or simply Auberge as we'll call it, for easiness sake) is an expensive character dining location, that offers lunch and dinner in the company of Suzy, Perla and the Disney Princesses.
Auberge is designed after the Tremaine's stately French home, and the theme throughout tells the story of Cinderella.
There are murals, glass engravings, stained glass windows, and pumpkin chandeliers that all add to the ambience and mood of the restaurant.
The restaurant is beautifully designed, and comes complete with Cinderella's pumpkin coach in the courtyard.
The setting is quite formal, and the experience is a table service one.
You have to chose from a set menu, of which there are fairly limited options for such an expensive experience, I think.
The menu is, for the want of a better phrase, "very French". We have dined here several times, and I have to say it's not my most favourite place in the world! The food has improved over the years, but it's definitely an acquired taste.
For example, to most people, roasted vegetables would be served hot. Not in Auberge. They are cold, on purpose. If you're not expecting it, it's quite a shock!
France is notorious too for under-cooking meat. If you are a "well done" person, you need to ask for the food to be cremated, and even then it'll be more like medium-well.
For starters, I actually think the soup is pretty good, but I haven't seen it on the menu recently. I'm not sure if it has been removed completely, or if you can still ask for it.
Dessert is a set trio of items all served together, and again, is pretty good.
I think the biggest problem really, is if you order a starter that is particularly French, and then the mains are not anything to write home about anyway, you could have a pretty dire experience. But, on the other hand, if you order the right starter (I'd definitely say the soup is the safest option, if available), and you order the goose option, or potentially a dark meat but ensuring it is cremated, then along with dessert, you could end up with thinking Auberge is not bad.
You get one drink included, called the Prince's Cocktail. It's a non-alcoholic mixed fruit drink, and it's quite nice.
Of course, one of the primary reasons for wanting to dine here is that it is the Resort's only dedicated Princess dining venue.
At every meal you are pretty much guaranteed Suzy, Perla and Cinderella. Quite often Prince Charming is in attendance too, and on rare occasions the Fairy Godmother.
Other Princesses and Princes join Cinderella, but these can vary day to day. You might find here any random combination of Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, Snow White and the Prince, Belle and Prince Adam, Ariel and Prince Eric, Rapunzel, or Princess Tiana.
Disneyland Paris is the only place in the world you can meet Princess Aurora in her blue dress, and where you can meet the Beast in his human form of Prince Adam! Though it should be noted that Princess Aurora's dress colour may change - sadly - once she receives her new dress design from the US Parks. It is unknown at present if they have designed a new blue one for her, or if it'll become the new standard pink one.
As with any character meal, the characters will walk around the dining room, greeting each family at their table as they dine.
Overall, I would say that if you are a big character fan, then meeting Princess Aurora in her blue dress and meeting Beast in human form could make the expense worthwhile - but of course they aren't guaranteed at any given meal, as the characters rotate depending on which member of royalty is available that day.
If you're a fan of trying new food styles, or not much phases you, again, you might not care so much, but I would definitely err on the side of caution for most non-French guests.
Before we look at the prices, let's take a look at some more interior photos we have taken over the years, detailing some of the exquisite details and superb theming that this restaurant has to offer.
Lunch and dinner both offer the same menu, and prices start from €65 (about US$88!) per person for adults, and €29 for children aged 3 through 11 inclusive.
Annual Passholders receive a maximum of 10% discount no matter what pass they hold, and Shareholder Club members receive 15% on presentation of a valid Shareholder's Club card and ID.
Reservations are recommended, and can be made at any guest service location at the two theme parks, any Disney Hotel concierge, or by calling the Disney Dining line up to 30 days in advance on +33 1 60 30 40 50.
You can leave your comments by clicking here, where you will be magically transported to our forum.
Dan.
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