After having a great breakfast the day before at Storytellers we were amped and ready to try out PCH Grill and see what changes had been made since Mickey handed it over to Donald. First this breakfast is a bit further out of the way then the rest that are in one of the hotels. It is located in the Paradise Pier hotel. It has its own entrance that takes you down a short hallway to entrance of the restaurant, you can get to it though other entrances in the hotel. The hallway was a bit dark but it did have a beach vibe to it. We walked up to the check-in and they quickly found the reservation and verified that we had someone in our party with an gluten allergy. We were told it would be a few minutes so us girls headed to the restroom. We had just gotten out as the Mister was heading to have his turn and we were called to be seated.
When we walked into the restaurant there was the buffet right in front of us and to the right was a cute beach façade where there was a photographer and Donald Duck waiting to take photos and sign autograph books. There was no warning that we were going to be walking right up to Donald and to be ready. So I handed some stuff I was carrying off to the Mister while E went to take her photos and I clumsily searched for the autograph book and pen and then tried to look as little like a mother who is overwhelmed with far too many things happening at once to find the next blank page to be signed.
After that was done I spoke with the photographer about the photos we would be buying and to get one of E and her friend who was traveling with us and one of each of them alone with Donald. She very coldly stated that she could only take three photos and if we were sure that is what we wanted. I walked into this breakfast knowing there was this extra purchase and had already decided what kind of photos I wanted to buy. We have bought the photo package at every character meal we have eaten at and I like the big photo to be of just E with whom ever is there. I think it is a great way to flip back and see how excited she was at that time. I went though all the photos recently and it was wonderful to see how she has changed standing next to Goofy.
Once that was over we were shown to our table. Here is where things took a turn to the dark side – literally: our table was in a very dark spot. They restaurant was far from busy and the room with all the windows had only a few tabled occupied so it was very confusing to me why we were being ushered to such a dark spot where my photos I was going to be taken would not turn out. We are paying a pretty penny for this breakfast and as a part of the experience I would expect more from Disney to not have such dark spots in a restaurant where people well be interacting with characters. After some doing (and being told some very un-Disney like things), we were moved to another table with better lighting – just not seated in the room with all the windows… but right next to it within the main room.
We moved on to get some food in hopes that would change the sour taste that was begging to creep into breakfast. Per normal I took a seat knowing everyone’s drink orders and waited for the server to come and take my waffle order and let me know what was and was not safe for someone who can not eat gluten. Our server came and took the drink order and was thrown off by my request for the chef and what they gluten free options were. Somewhere in the move our tag was lost and she was never informed of the allergy. So after a few minutes the chef came out and… went to the table behind us. As I went to turn to say I was the one who needed him he quickly walked away – but then came back to the right table. He said that they have gluten free waffles and that was it from the back, and that the items on the buffet were labeled. I am not sure why our server didn’t tell me that, that would have just been easier.
So while all this was happening everyone had returned from the buffet not looking super thrilled. They informed me that there were not that many options and the choices were really limited. After walking through and reading the labels there was very little that didn’t contain gluten. I was left with an omelet, scrambled eggs, the frittata, potatoes and bacon. I was unsure with the sausage because the only thing written on the label was that it was made with animal casing but did not specify gluten free so I stayed away.
There was a parfait bar which had a couple of items that were gluten free but it was a mess and I was worried about cross- contamination so that took that off the list for me. So I had some eggs, bacon, and mickey waffles. I was really missing something fresh to eat here. There was a few fruits but they were pretty much gone each time I went up so I ended up with a couple of pieces of watermelon. The gluten free options were really slim, and the rest of the buffet was equally limited (and were really tired of eggs and bacon).
At the location there was of course Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Stitch and Minnie Mouse. By far this was the fewest characters we have ever had at any character dining location at both Disneyland and Disney World. When Donald takes a break they do a dance party in the photo area with the other characters. The first dance party for the time we were there was not up to par. There were no characters and all the kids were at there tables looking ready to go up but was unsure of what was happening since there were no characters up there. Each subsequent dance party after the first was much better.
Donald was fun for the kids, even though he was only up at the photo location he still had a lot of personality and was playing and having fun with the kids.
Daisy Duck was fabulous and enjoyed the Daisy and Donald Lego mini figures. She had personality and did some cute poses with the girls.
Minnie Mouse was very lacking, especially since we saw her the day before and she was much more lively and fun. she signed the books took a photo and was off to the next table.
Stitch by far was our favorite. He had so much personality and really took the time to engage with the kids. The day before baby Pua and Bambi were bought so they joined us for breakfast. Stitch took his time and held each baby and rocked them and kissed them. It was adorable. During one of the dance parties he was even down on the floor with a little one who was dressed like Lilo and was dancing and playing with her, but he was able to not let the other children feel left out and danced with them also.
When we were done we were looking around for our server to get the check. She was no where to be seen. Finally she showed up and we got the check and were really surprised to see the tip already added to the bill. This made everything come into focus for us. It made sense why our drinks were constantly empty and were thirsty a lot and the lack of attention she gave to any of the tables that we could see that were in her section. I really dislike a tip to already be included because it does affect the service one receives. I have been server at one point in my life and I know how demanding it can be and part of what we look at in deciding a tip amount is the quality of service, are our drinks being filled, are we waiting a long time for something or a question to be asked and how busy it the restaurant. We gave a very nice tip to our server the day prior because of the level of service we received.
There is a photo pass person and they sell a photo package that includes one 8×10 and four 4x6s and a digital copy of all the photos taken for $37.66 with tax (if you have an annual pass you get a discount). We bought the package like we do at all the breakfasts that offer them. Since we were 
driving home right after I didn’t link the photo to MDE (my Disney experience) account until after we got home that day. The photos were taken around 9:40am I linked them around 6pm. They didn’t come though until the next day but had the water mark on them even though they were included in the photo package. After waiting another day I contacted Disney to get it straightened out – which was something of a bummer more for something of a bummer breakfast.
Overall we would not return or even recommend this meal to anyone, unless you really want the photo op with Stitch – AND you aren’t a Disney Visa cardholder (there’s a card member photo spot in California Adventure that features Stitch as one of the characters).
When I asked E what her opinion was on this one she said she would not return even if the meal was free and she was being paid to eat there. So lesson learned if we do two out of the parks in one trip we will be going to Goofy’s Kitchen and Storytellers.
Quick Facts ‘n Figures
- Breakfast: $39 adults (and children 10+), $23 children (ages 3-9) (as of August 2018)
- Gratuity automatically added to your check (about 16.5%)
- PhotoPass services offered
- OVERALL – 1 Mickey (on a scale of 1-5)
- Food
- Selection: 1 Mickey
- Yumminess: 2 Mickeys
- Characters
- Frequency: 3 Mickeys
- Variety: 1 Mickey
- Ambiance
- Service: 1 Mickey
- Theme: 1 Mickey
- Food