Mickey’s Autumn Adventures is Disney’s latest character eating expertise, providing a fall harvest theme and working for the Halloween season and past, ending simply earlier than Thanksgiving. For this new breakfast and brunch, Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Chip & Dale, and Pluto sport pumpkin-infused or plaid appears. This eating overview shares meals pictures, and ideas on the delicacies & character interactions.
Let’s start with fundamentals. Mickey’s Autumn Adventures is a personality breakfast or brunch at Storytellers Cafe, a restaurant in Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge. Disneyland invitations company to start out their day with Mickey Mouse and a few of his closest buddies at this cozy Craftsman-style eating room, which serves as a heat and pleasant backdrop to your buffet breakfast journey.
At Mickey’s Autumn Adventures breakfast or brunch, you may select from favorites similar to croissants, muffins, danishes, seasonal sliced fruits, contemporary berries, Mickey Waffles, Bananas Foster French Toast, pork carnitas chilaquiles, hand-carved meats, custom-made omelets and way more. You may as well ask your server for delights like metal minimize oatmeal and yogurt parfaits.
Let’s begin with the great. The arrival and check-in course of was easy and shockingly quick. That is notable, as our previous experiences with Storytellers Cafe have virtually at all times been chaotic and crowded. This character meal is notorious for being booked to capability, and having company ready within the walkway to be known as for his or her reservation. We all know this not simply from firsthand expertise, however as a result of Storytellers is in a pathway on the Grand Californian that we use ceaselessly to enter and exit Disney California Journey, and there are at all times lots of people ready, inflicting congestion.
Not so this time. We checked in by way of the Disneyland app as we walked into the Grand Californian, and as we approached the restaurant (~3 minutes later), acquired a notification that our desk was prepared. Solely a handful of individuals had been sitting within the ready space–nobody was outdoors–and we had been seated instantly.
We had been additionally happy to see that Storytellers was not stuffed to capability. Tables are nonetheless pretty tightly packed, which may make navigating round company and characters troublesome. It could actually additionally make pictures with clear backdrops a problem, however I’ve realized my lesson from previous meals right here and opted for a lens with shallow depth of discipline.
It had been some time since our final meal at Storytellers Cafe (dinner or breakfast–each of which I forgot to overview), so we had been desperate to return for Mickey’s Autumn Adventures character eating expertise. Particularly Sarah, who had been anxiously awaiting the opening of ADRs and even bought an outfit for Megatron that matched Minnie Mouse–proper all the way down to the lovable pumpkin beret!
I’m an enormous fan of the themed design at Storytellers Cafe, which is criminally under-appreciated. It incorporates nods to literary legends and California tales and folklore from the Golden State, all with a heavy craftsman affect. It’s detailed, attractive, and kooky…and I worry it’s solely a matter of time earlier than it will get modernized as a result of somebody finds it too dated. It’s not–it’s incredible. Areas like this are what make the Grand Californian particular, and in a completely totally different league than the opposite two inns at Disneyland.
Turning to meals on the buffet, I’m simply going to start out by sharing pictures of the unfold:
The buffet was chaotic all through our meal at Mickey’s Autumn Adventures, so I missed a few main issues.
First, there’s an omelet station the place cooks put together made-to-order omelets with the next elements: Entire Eggs or Egg Whites, and Bacon Bits, Breakfast Sausage, Inconceivable Meat, Spinach, Kale, Mushrooms, Roasted Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Onions, Cheddar Cheese, Asiago Cheese.
Above is the vegetable-centric omelet that Sarah ordered. She was even capable of request gentle oil and the chef was completely satisfied to oblige.
This omelet was wonderful, per Sarah. Not as wonderful because it may’ve been with a heavy serving to of meats and cheese, however she disagrees.
Talking of meats, there’s additionally a carving station that I couldn’t handle to {photograph} because it’s the most well-liked cease on the buffet.
The choices right here rotate; once we did Mickey’s Autumn Adventures breakfast/brunch, Prime Sirloin and Roasted Turkey. The Mickey waffle shouldn’t be a part of the carving scene, though that will be fairly superior if the chef carved Mickey Mouse out of regular waffles–sorta like mop artwork, however with meals. I’ll make sure you submit this nice suggestion.
Each the Prime Sirloin and Roasted Turkey had been incredible.
The sirloin, specifically, was wonderful. Completely ready, tender, flavorful–simply every thing you could possibly need. The creamy horseradish wasn’t essential for taste, however it did elevate the already-excellent meat to the following degree. The turkey was likewise tasty–tender and never dry. Ok that I bought it repeatedly.
The opposite chef particular of the day was salmon. Not the smoked salmon above (which was served with capers cream–superb stuff), however the one subsequent to it. This was additionally incredible.
I’m unsure what precise distinction exists between breakfast and brunch, however perhaps it was this salmon? It didn’t seem till the midway level in our meal, by which level I had already had a couple of dozen (no joke) cuts of high sirloin. Most likely would’ve been higher to steadiness between beef and salmon.
Right here’s one in all Sarah’s plates. She took a really totally different strategy than me, which is why I used to be pressured to eat meats for 2. I had no different selection.
We subscribe to the Joey’s Philosophy on Buffets: “right here’s the place I win all my a refund!” Simply our most quoted line from Mates. Extra precisely, I subscribe to the philosophy…Sarah likes the road. As costly as fruit has gotten, it’s not sufficient for us to win something again with the above kind of plate.
By way of different gadgets we appreciated on the buffet, the French Toast and Bread Pudding had been each incredible within the dessert unfold, as had been the beignets. They had been additionally loaded with sugar, and ended up being my knock-out punch. (I’m positive the pound of beef earlier than that didn’t assist, however I used to be feeling good till dessert. Like a prizefighting aggressive eater in his prime.)
We additionally each love the chilaquiles, which had simply the best kick, and had been contemporary, flavorful, and addictively scrumptious. They don’t {photograph} nicely, however they’re incredible. Apart from what you see above, I didn’t strive the rest–simply actually the identical plates of scrumptious meats again and again. Sorry, however I’m not making an attempt hen tenders or fries or no matter low-cost meals are on a buffet to easily affirm what I already know.
One delicate disappointment was that the flatbreads appeared unambitious and underwhelming. I kinda hoped for one thing seasonal and a bit extra envelope-pushing, however these had been very primary. Talking of seasonal, there wasn’t actually something that mentioned autumn or fall harvest. A number of pumpkin dishes (and even cream sauce for the french toast or bread pudding) would’ve been a pleasant contact.
Now let’s flip to characters, beginning with pictures:
The costumes in all probability converse for themselves, however I wish to underscore simply how incredible they’re. Apart from Pluto, who at all times appears to get shafted with a brand new collar or scarf, they’re incredible. Nice layer, particulars, and simply typically lovable.
Minnie Mouse, specifically, is the star of the present. Her outfit has a powerful pumpkin motif, from the beret to the buttons. Enormous kudos to the Disneyland costuming workforce as a result of, as soon as once more, they’ve crushed it. This shouldn’t be any shock, as they’ve accomplished incredible work with the brand new Halloween and Christmas character costumes over the previous few years–however it’s price giving reward the place it’s due. (Partially within the hopes that maybe ultimately, Walt Disney World will observe swimsuit.) I can’t wait to see what they give you for Christmas!
It’s barely amusing to me that Chip and Dale are dressed for an precise autumn journey–perhaps they’re going climbing in Yosemite? Whereas the mice seem dressed to move for an “journey” in Haight-Ashbury at a swanky espresso store. I nonetheless love all of them, it’s simply humorous what journey outfits imply to totally different characters.
Interactions with the characters had been fairly good. Most of them took time with Megatron and did one thing to catch her consideration and curiosity. Mickey gave her excessive fives and put his always-enticing nostril inside attain (purposefully, I would add). Pluto teased his whiskers in her attain and was completely satisfied to supply snuggles; he was additionally oddly okay along with her need to discover the within of his mouth along with her head. Chip and Dale had been good, and one of many two–plus Pluto–really paid us a number of visits. No complaints about these interactions–they had been all meaty and memorable.
With that mentioned, not one of the characters actually went above and past, for us or the tables in our basic neighborhood. I really wouldn’t anticipate this with our household–we now have a small child and it’s troublesome to deviate from the tried and true interactions. All she needed was to seize noses and whiskers, anyway, so mission completed. (If something, I’d say we bought the most effective interactions of the tables round us.) However I nonetheless get pleasure from watching the characters with different company, notably these with small youngsters, and seeing the performers do enjoyable and goofy (decrease case “g”) issues. There wasn’t a lot of that. In some instances, the characters appeared hurried.
And I do know this as a result of I used to be watching diligently, because it took the ultimate two characters eternally to get to us. Our first two interactions occurred virtually instantly upon being seated, which is how we like character meals. The opposite characters had been all close by, and it appeared like they’d arrive shortly thereafter. However then they simply vanished. One did seem out of nowhere not lengthy after, however it was almost an hour between the third and fourth characters coming to our desk.
I’m unsure if we had been by chance skipped or what, however no massive deal, that occurs. It’s occurred loads of instances at Walt Disney World, and normally what occurs is a personality attendant or supervisor comes by at a sure level and asks who we now have or haven’t seen. Then, these characters materialize pretty rapidly. I by no means noticed a supervisor and attendants solely appeared whereas racing round to provide 5-minute warnings to the characters.
I don’t really feel prefer it’s truthful to penalize Mickey’s Autumn Adventures for this as a result of, once more, this sort of factor does occur. And for each expertise like ours, there’s in all probability a dozen-plus totally different events who noticed the entire characters inside the span of half-hour. That’s nice for them!
However that is our overview and I can solely converse to our expertise. That was a 2-hour lengthy marathon meal, which is a number of time to be in a restaurant with a stressed toddler. I don’t know what about infants, however they’re not typically identified for the endurance and tolerance for sitting nonetheless for prolonged durations. Fortunately, her favourite pastime is “cup” and he or she loves watching characters and other people…however we however would’ve most popular the meal final round an hour–perhaps a bit extra.
Our larger criticism is the associated fee. After we first booked Mickey’s Autumn Adventures, the value was $55 per grownup (ages 10 and older) and $33 per little one (ages 3 to 9). That elevated quickly after to $65 per grownup and $36 per little one.
Even when we paid the ‘earlier than’ value, it will’ve been the most costly character breakfast we’ve ever accomplished (albeit by a greenback as in comparison with the flamboyant Walt Disney World ones). However that whopping $10 value improve made it the most costly by $11 per individual. We knew the value had gone up, so it’s not like this caught us unexpectedly–we nonetheless voluntarily selected to do the meal.
Regardless, readers of our critiques will know that I routinely complain about the price of Disney breakfast (such a bit is a staple of our character breakfast critiques), and that’s for meals which can be at the very least $11 cheaper per individual. Out the door, we ended up paying over $140 for this meal after AP low cost, tax and gratuity.
Now why I felt compelled to eat a pound of high sirloin to win our a refund (mission not completed). Actually, I might’ve accomplished it regardless because it was scrumptious, however I felt “stress” to one way or the other justify the exorbitant value of this breakfast/bunch to myself. As a lot as we love Storytellers, we may’ve accomplished a baby-less date evening at Napa Rose and simply met the characters on Foremost Avenue for Megatron’s sake.
I suppose I shouldn’t be tremendous shocked by the $65 price ticket. As famous, Storytellers Cafe normally has an enormous crowd outdoors within the morning and is commonly cramped and chaotic on the within. Clearly this breakfast is in excessive demand. It’s additionally situated in Disneyland’s flagship Grand Californian Lodge, which is a dear resort that probably has a gentle stream of well-heeled vacationers who gained’t bat a watch at paying $65 a pop. Disneyland fees what the market bears, and it seems to bear a $65 breakfast.
With that mentioned, I additionally assume it’s essential for Disney to ship an expertise that’s commensurate with value with a view to meet or exceed the expectations of first-timers who are available in chilly with sure expectations of a $65 breakfast. With its cramped quarters and chaotic atmosphere, Storytellers merely shouldn’t be a setting that’s becoming for a $65 meal. The unfold can be (at the very least) a few increased high quality dishes away from justifying it.
In the end, Mickey’s Autumn Journey Breakfast and Brunch continues to be one of many higher character eating experiences anyplace. Within the curiosity of steadiness, the meat carving station, made-to-order omelets, salmon, and a handful of different high-quality dishes do display consideration to element–and that this meal is extra like an early lunch (or only a common lunch…our 10:30 am ADR lasted till 12:30 pm!) with gadgets you’d usually discover on a dinner buffet slightly than breakfast.
Maybe essentially the most pertinent portion of this overview–or at the very least our conclusion–is that we’re preserving our ADR for Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates Halloween, which additionally simply elevated in value to $65 per grownup. Partially as a result of that’s for Megatron’s first birthday (how has it been a yr?!) but additionally as a result of we did get pleasure from our expertise at Mickey’s Autumn Journey on steadiness. It wasn’t good, however it was enjoyable–and as we’ve already realized, time is fleeting and there’s solely so lengthy to seize these moments and reminiscences.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site inns in our Anaheim Lodge Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of different SoCal cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever accomplished Mickey’s Tales of Journey Breakfast at Storytellers Cafe? What concerning the particular ‘Autumn Adventures’ breakfast and brunch for Halloween/Thanksgiving? What did you consider the meal? Any standout meals from the buffet unfold? What concerning the character interactions? Do you agree or disagree with our overview of the restaurant? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
