Dining Recommendations

[decker96]

After having been to Disney World multiple times over the years, we are taking our first trip to Disneyland in January! I am looking for dining recommendations, both table and counter service. There will be five of us, all adults, and no one is overly picky, although I would say that no one is super adventurous either. Not really looking to do any character meals. I am gluten-free, but that's the only restriction anyone has. As of now, we're planning one day at California Adventure and probably two at Magic Kingdom. Downtown Disney recs are also welcome of course! We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

 

[LKing]

In California, the two parks, three hotels, and Downtown Disney combined are referred to as the Disneyland Resort (DLR). The two parks are Disneyland (DL) and Disney California Adventure (DCA). There is no Magic Kingdom in California. When in January? DCA's Lunar New Year Festival will have food carts.

Everyone has their own preference for restaurants. Below is the order in which I would choose dining in each category. Note that I am in the parks often so I am probably more picky than others.

Disneyland

ADR
Blue Bayou
Cafe Orleans (Fantasmic dining package available)
Carnation Cafe
River Belle Terrace (Fantasmic dining package available)

Quick Serve - cafeteria style
Tiana's Palace
Plaza Inn
Rancho del Zocalo (Fantasmic dining package available)
Alien Pizza Planet

Quick Serve - order with cashier and go to window to pick up food
Bengal Barbecue
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree
Jolly Holiday
Red Rose Tavern

Most would strongly recommend trying to reserve dining at Blue Bayou. If you do, it is important to ask to sit near the waterfront. If you are interested in watching Fantasmic, most would recommend a dining package. The three dining packages are at Cafe Orleans, River Belle Terrace and Rancho del Zocalo

DCA

ADR
Carthay Circle Restaurant
Lamplight Lounge
Wine Country Trattoria (World of Color dining package available)

Quick Serve - order with cashier and go to window to pick up food
San Fransokyo has a variety of good options - Lucky Fortune Cookery, Cocina Cucamonga and Aunt Cass Cafe
Paradise Garden Grill & Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
Flos V8
Award Wieners
Pym Test Kitchen
Cozy Cone
Corn Dog Castle
Smokejumpers

Many recommend the World of Color dessert package. The package is not necessary in order to view WOC, but many enjoy having a chair to sit in at the end of a long day. It is a separate reservation process.

 

[LKing]

Oh, I just noticed that you posted your question on the Disneyland COMMUNITY Board which most people won't see. Try posting your question in the main Disneyland forum here. To start a new thread, look under the page numbers but above the yellow sticky that says, "Heads up when referring to other sites."

 

[decker96]

Thanks so much for your recommendations, I will definitely take a look at all of those. And thank you for the heads up on my post, I will repost there.