Dining in park when staying at Disneyland Hotel

[Ozbeach]

Hi

We are staying at Disneyland Hotel (2 adults and 2 kids 5 and 8) in September for 6 nights. How practical is it to go back into the park each night for dinner reservations? We will probably go back to hotel in afternoon each day for a swim. Is it too complicated to get back into the park? Ie queuing up for security etc? Or do plenty of people do this.

Thanks
(Sorry if wrong forum or silly question!)

 

[mdmost]

It's a 10-15 minute walk but you do hit security right outside the hotel before you go to Downtown Disney. That should be fairly light. Wife and I went from California Adventure to Trader Sam's and back and it wasn't too difficult. It's more where do you want to eat and how easy is that to get to? New Orleans Square is a bit of trudge with that bottleneck around Pirates. If you're talking Carnation Cafe or Plaza Inn, that would be super easy to get to. You could duck into the shops and walk to either if Main Street is packed.

 

[shosh1530]

It is very common for families to take a hotel break and then come back into the parks for dinner, a few more rides, and nighttime entertainment (fireworks, Fantasmic, World of Color when they are happening).

My family does this every day we are there. We usually break by about 2 pm and then head back into the park by 5. Re-entry is pretty quick. Since you are going in September, check to see if any of your reserved days have Ooggie Boogie Bash happening. On those days, California Adventure will close early (6 pm I believe).

 

[SeaDis]

Hi

We are staying at Disneyland Hotel (2 adults and 2 kids 5 and 8) in September for 6 nights. How practical is it to go back into the park each night for dinner reservations? We will probably go back to hotel in afternoon each day for a swim. Is it too complicated to get back into the park? Ie queuing up for security etc? Or do plenty of people do this.

Thanks
(Sorry if wrong forum or silly question!)

We take a break every day for naps and pool. We can't imagine not doing that, especially with kiddos your ages. It's one of the major benefits of staying onsite, or walking distance from the Parks. When you start to hear meltdowns (children and adults) mixed in with park music loops around 12:30 or 1:00, you know it's about time to head for a break.

Also, assuming it's running during your stay, you can make great use of the monorail for this purpose. It's *not* a safe bet to get to DL in the morning for rope drop due to possible delays, missing the first train, etc. But, for going between DLH and DL during the day, it can be a step saver and a fun/nostalgic ride as well. It's jut not worth taking if you are headed to DCA for dinner, however (with Parkhoppers). If you are using a stroller for the little one, you just need to fold it up to board. Have fun

 

[Ozbeach]

Thanks for the replies, that is all very helpful.

In particular, very useful to know re Oogie Boogie Bash! We are actually at California Adventure during the day when that is on which I didn't realise, but glad we have the park hopper tickets, so can mix it up in the afternoons/evenings if need be.

 

[DLgal]

It's not hard to do, but if you weren't going to be doing rides or shows in the parks, it's a lot to go all the way in JUST for dinner. There are plenty of better places to grab food outside the parks.

 

[Ozbeach]

It's not hard to do, but if you weren't going to be doing rides or shows in the parks, it's a lot to go all the way in JUST for dinner. There are plenty of better places to grab food outside the parks.

Thanks for the info. Our issue is there doesn't seem to be anything within walking distance from Disneyland Hotel (outside of the parks) from my look at things, and we won't have a car while at the resort whch limits things. Potentially we can get ubers and the like, but that is also a bit of a hassle with young kids. We will though aim to head out of Disney for a night or two!

 

[brentm77]

Thanks for the info. Our issue is there doesn't seem to be anything within walking distance from Disneyland Hotel (outside of the parks) from my look at things, and we won't have a car while at the resort whch limits things. Potentially we can get ubers and the like, but that is also a bit of a hassle with young kids. We will though aim to head out of Disney for a night or two!

Downtown Disney has dozens of options, which is closer to DH than the parks. Many don't require reservations either. It's just outside the hotel property. That would be a much easier option and shorter walk with young kids.

 

[Version 6]

In a nutshell:

1. If you're planning some evening rides as well as dinner, go for it.

2. If it's just for dinner, don't bother. The food in the parks across the board isn't good enough for it to be worthwhile.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Not only doable but recommend IMO if you wanna enjoy the parks at nighttime even just for dinner and check out the evening atmosphere. Go back to the hotel, take a nap. take a shower, kick back by the pool for whatever for a few hours...a mid day break is a must IMO then you can hit the evening fresh. Very few people have the physical stamina to make it a FULL day in the parks without that break and night time is some of the best times in the parks IMO but most are physically and mentally spent by time the sun goes down.

 

[elenex]

In a nutshell:

1. If you're planning some evening rides as well as dinner, go for it.

2. If it's just for dinner, don't bother. The food in the parks across the board isn't good enough for it to be worthwhile.

This. Food at DLR is the exact opposite of WDW... Some really outstanding quick service, but lackluster table service. We are sit down diners (plus epcot festival food) in Florida and quick service diners in Anaheim.

If you want to sit down to eat, especially if you're staying at DLH, downtown is the way to go and that's both closer to your hotel and on your way to the parks if you're heading that way.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks for the info. Our issue is there doesn't seem to be anything within walking distance from Disneyland Hotel (outside of the parks) from my look at things, and we won't have a car while at the resort whch limits things. Potentially we can get ubers and the like, but that is also a bit of a hassle with young kids. We will though aim to head out of Disney for a night or two!

You have ALL the Downtown Disney sit down and QS places (at least 10 dining options that I can think of) PLUS all the dining at the Grand Californian (3 options there) as well as what is offered at DLH.

You already have to walk through Downtown Disney just to GET to the parks, so you will see all the options as you walk through. In addition, there is a cool option for hotel guests to order take out from several Downtown Disney restaurants and they deliver it to the lobby (this is being offered in lieu of room service).

There is no need to leave Disneyland Resort property. There is plenty of food available outside the parks.

 

[Pluto468]

It isn't hard to get into Disneyland from DLH, especially if you take the Monorail. That drops you off in Tomorrowland. We always take a big break and then go back for dinner/rides. Even if you don't want to do rides the park looks pretty at night with the lights etc. If you walk it's about 15 minutes. Security going into DTD from DLH is SO easy. We never had a wait at all, even in the morning.

If you end up going to DCA for dinner, you go in the front entrance (15 minute walk) but when you leave you can take the Paradise Pier hotel exit, which is open to all resort hotel guests. We walked from DCA to the DLH lobby in 8 minutes, which was way better than walking all the way back through DCA then going through crowded Downtown Disney. The walk leaving from that back entrance is really quiet and peaceful too.

If you don't want to bother going back into the park, you could do Goofy's or Trader Sam's right at DLH or go into Downtown Disney for dinner. Grand Californian has nice restaurants, too.

 

[DLgal]

It isn't hard to get into Disneyland from DLH, especially if you take the Monorail. That drops you off in Tomorrowland.

The monorail closes at 7pm. Something to keep in mind.