Dining recommendation

[MalkaR]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a picturesque, relaxing restaurant(or just seating) where we can eat a Mickey ice cream or a picnic lunch we brought? How hot is it usually in July? Will we need to eat indoors?

 

[limace]

I think Harbor Galley (I always get it confused with Hungry Bear) has lots of seating near the water in the shade. I’d feel fine eating my own food there as long as there were plenty of empty seats for folks buying lunch.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There is a picnic area with tables just outside the esplanade (west side) by the M&F tram stop. There are lockers there, too, to store your cooler and picnic things. There's even a Haagen Dazs stand nearby for ice cream treats! Inside the parks, most outdoor CS places have tables available, especially at off peak hours. If we bring something of our own to eat, we aim for off peak times so that we know we aren't taking away a table from paying patrons of that restaurant who might need that place to sit. There are some nice spots with benches on the Big Thunder Trail. Now that the trail has been redone it is quite scenic -- and fun when the train goes by!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Hungry Bear restaurant has seating upstairs and downstairs next to the river. You'll see the Mark Twain go by and also ducks in the water. There is shade there. It can be very hot in July, but often no humidity, so it won't be bad in the shade at all.

 

[limace]

Hungry Bear restaurant has seating upstairs and downstairs next to the river. You'll see the Mark Twain go by and also ducks in the water. There is shade there. It can be very hot in July, but often no humidity, so it won't be bad in the shade at all.

I think I was thinking of Hungry Bear when I said Harbor Galley above. Yes, this!

 

[Malcon10t]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a picturesque, relaxing restaurant(or just seating) where we can eat a Mickey ice cream or a picnic lunch we brought? How hot is it usually in July? Will we need to eat indoors?

In door restaurants generally will not allow picnic lunches or bringing in snacks. There are several bench areas around the New Orleans train station that are nice and shady. The outer edge of tables at Rancho are usually open as are the tables by Stage door cafe. There is a nice picnic area by the tram stop.

I'm hesitant to recommend taking up space at Hungry Bear as I have on more than one occasion been unable to find a table once we purchased food. It would be rude to take a table from paying guests.

 

[limace]

Of course, be sensitive to other guests, but last time we ate at Hungy Bear it was mid afternoon in August and there were a ton of empty tables.

 

[tarheelalum]

The golden horseshoe is indoors and has great air conditioning. We have eaten food there we purchased from other places so I don't think it would be an issue. Just go to the up stairs part to eat. It's usually a little less crowded up there and more peaceful. And yes it tends to get fairly hot in July. Also the downstairs covered part of the hungry bear restaurant is not bad either. No air conditioning but it's covered from the sun and you get to see the river and the train.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Another place we like to eat our packed lunch is while watching Mickey and the Magical Map. It’s not indoor but the theater is shaded and its decently cool.

 

[peterpanandwendy]

On some days when we are looking for a quiet, shady spot for lunch and a rest we head over to Pirate Lair Island. There are picnic tables and benches there, all in the shade, and fun caves for the kids to explore.

Oh, and we almost always go in the summer and very rarely sit inside to eat. I don't love the feeling of air conditioning, and while Disneyland can get very HOT there is usually some umbrellas or trees close by.

 

[agamble]

I think Harbor Galley (I always get it confused with Hungry Bear) has lots of seating near the water in the shade. I’d feel fine eating my own food there as long as there were plenty of empty seats for folks buying lunch.

Yes, Harbor Galley does have some nice shaded seating. It is just across from the Haunted Mansion exit. It is kind of hidden and a great place to eat food you brought in as there are not too many guests there. Not much of a view though, but you can hear the rafts splashing down on Splash Mountain.

Hungry Bear is the large eatery with the upstairs and downstairs seating that others mentioned. There is also a restroom at Hungry Bear.

Another somewhat hidden area that isn't too crowded is the old boat dock near Matterhorn. There are some tables there and no real restaurants.

We're more likely to bring food for the kids and buy for ourselves and just eat wherever we're buying food, but our favorite place to eat a brought in lunch is the seating area behind the Harbor Galley. Otherwise as people mentioned eat at a less busy time and you'll find plenty of tables outdoors near quick service restaurants.