1st Visit to Disneyland

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Hi everyone!

I'm a World vet but have never been to Disneyland before. We are planning a trip for next year (prob early Feb or early March) - I've been reading reviews about the HoJo so we are interested in that (since official Disneyland hotels are a bit pricey) but don't know where else to go from here. We love food - what are the good restaurants in Disneyland? Anything amazing we should def try? We are two adults but LOVE being kids while at Disney.

Thanks in advance for any info/input

 

[Lissame]

Go to the stickies at the top of this page and read all of the hints, tips, etc. There's a link to the food thread with photos and peoples' dining preferences.

That's an excellent place to start to see all of the logistics of everything!

 

[CrazyDuck]

Don't worry... Hydroguy will be along shortly with his links!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Here is one of Hydroguy's links, he is at the parks today.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Jack

 

[theprettydisneynerd]

well, for one thing theres the blue bayou. you have to bookthe reservations 3 months early (or so i have heard.) they have some pricey dishes, but the food in my opinion is delicious, and the experience is worth it! there is the pizza port outside of space mountain, and it has very yummy pizza, pasta, and salad. its cheaper than alot of the other places at disneyland.

 

[CrazyDuck]

well, for one thing theres the blue bayou. you have to bookthe reservations 3 months early (or so i have heard.) they have some pricey dishes, but the food in my opinion is delicious, and the experience is worth it!

All true.... except you can only book reservations 2 months out!

 

[VictoriaAndMatt]

My two favorite places to eat in the park are Cafe Orleans (Monte Cristo, Pomme Frittes, and Gumbo) and Carnation Cafe (sandwiches and loaded baked potato soup). Make sure you check out the links pp posted... especially the food porn thread. Yumm...

 

[Lissame]

We love the Carnation Cafe too...it's pretty reasonably priced and has good food. During our recent trip we ate there for both breakfast and lunch (although not in the same day).

We also like Cafe Orleans, Rancho del Zocalo, Big thunder BBQ, Blue Bayou...there are good meals to be had throughout both DL and DCA.

 

[skiingfast]

I would lower your food expectations. Dining at DLR is not as big a deal as in WDW. The main reason is there is offsite food that is quicker to get to walking than it is from MK to the world showcase. Though I would say that the onsite dining is the same to better than WDW. Don't forget the places in the hotels since they are really close too.

Also regarding the Hojo, it gets pushed pretty hard on the DISboards but I don't think anything great of it. Depending on your needs there are closer hotels that may offer you more.

 

[Lissame]

I wasn't thinking about hotels when I made my last post, but I'd suggest to check out the Candy Cane Inn. It's a very short walk, and if you don't want to walk they have a free shuttle. They also have free parking if you have a car, and a free decent breakfast.

We have also stayed at the Embassy Suites south which we loved, but it's not really walking distance. We stopped staying there because we just don't like the ART shuttle system. But being a WDW regular you'd probably think nothing of it, because even that takes less time than the WDW transportation options.

 

[kim3339]

It's not in DL, but in Downtown Disney (right next to DL, not like WDW), but ESPN Zone is good. They have a bigger more diverse menu than the one one the Boardwalk at WDW and it's fun if you like sports. Also in Downtown, is Ralph Brennan's, from New Orleans. Next to restaurant is a little walk up counter, and you can get beignets. They're really good in the morning, or any time really. Not exactly Cafe du Monde, but still delicious. Ditto on the Blue Bayou. That is a fun experience and you get the whole POTC experience as well. Sweetwise, churros are my absolute favorite at the park, and in the candy stores, it's called Honeycomb. It comes in either dark or milk chocolate and it's got this honey/sugar flavored hard foam like substance. Hard to describe, but it's really good. We looked at WDW last year and they said they can't make it there b/c of the humidity.

 

[raftislander]

I wasn't thinking about hotels when I made my last post, but I'd suggest to check out the Candy Cane Inn. It's a very short walk, and if you don't want to walk they have a free shuttle. They also have free parking if you have a car, and a free decent breakfast.

I completely agree with the recommendation of CCI. I stay at HoJos if I can get the entertainment rate of $59 a night as this cannot be beat. But if no entertainment rate, then I am at CCI! It has a small pool area and they keep the spa hot. I like the walk better from the CCI , although the distance is roughly the same. Love having the free breakfast and especially love the designated shuttle. The rooms are not spacious, but very comfortable and clean. I think the grounds are lovely as well. The buildings are a typical California motel format, but the owners do alot with what they have to work with. If you have young children, HoJo's has a pirate themed waterpark area that is popular. There are also other hotels that are directly across the street and closer than either HoJos or CCI.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Thanks everyone for your replies. They are very helpful!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Here is one of Hydroguy's links, he is at the parks today.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Jack

Wow thanks so much for this link - it's amazing!