DisneyLand Dining

[zzotto]

All:

We are, what we consider, experts on Dining in WDW. We are, also in our opinions, complete novices in the area of Dining in DisneyLand! We have never been there before!!!

Can anyone help?

What are your favorite places to eat? Cheap to middle of the road? Buffets? Sandwiches? etc..

We will be there for two days - three nights. We are going to Knotts Berry Farm Park one day.

Thanks in advance. If you need any suggestions for WDW Dining, we are the ones to ask!

zzotto

 

[HydroGuy]

We are DL vets who just got back from first trip to WDW. One of the big differences IMO between WDW and DLR is that WDW beats the heck out of DLR in the quantity and quality of dining options. However, to be fair DLR beats WDW in some other areas.

At DL the signature restaurant is the Blue Bayou, which is just being re-opened and is being positioned as the best at DLR. We have eaten there twice.

There are some others in New Orleans Square that are being re-worked that I have never visited. Most of those at DL are counter-service and that works for us.

At DCA it is somewhat similar and I have to confess I have never eaten a meal there although we have spent a lot of time on the entertainment. The Pilot's Grill gets good feedback.

The Napa Rose at the GCH is an upscale DLR restaurant. And then there are lots of restaurants in DownTown Disney which at DLR means a 2-5 minute walk from the DLR entrance gates.

If eating at restaurants is a big part of your WDW experience, then DLR will be a bit of a disappointment. But as I said DLR exceeds WDW in some other areas so do not let that color your overall view of DLR. DLR is just an awesome place - full of magic - and I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[helenm29]

Hmmm, lets see.....we go quite often so we dine out a lot while we are there.
as far as "cheap" goes, this IS disneyand so there is no such thing as "cheap" not too expensive would be getting a Turkey Leg, or going to the main street bakery etc. If you like Mexican food you can go to Frontierland and eat at the Cantina...it's pretty good. For fairly expensive but good food you can eat at The Crystal Palace..they have a great character breakfast if you are interested in that or The Blue Byou by Pirates of the Caribbean is VERY NICE. If you go to California Adventure you can get some really decent food down at the Pier...Clam Chowder in a French Bread bowl and Yummy Nachos (they are actually very good!) or you can simply go to McDonalds right there. For a nice meal for two you can go to The Vinyard room restaurant...also in the same area. VERY good food but also kind of Expensive. If you go to The Grand California hotel you can eat at the Napa Rose for a wonderful dining experience...also fairly expensive and not recomended for kids. The choices are endless...check 'em out and have a Great time! Helen

 

[scanmom]

WDW is alot nicer for dining, but DLR is nicer for other things.... if you can, be sure to see Fantasmic! The DL version is 100 times better then the WDW one. I wanted to say that from what I understand you will only be a DLR for 1 day, maybe 2. That is not alot of time, so I would eat at counter service, or pick up a turkey leg or something on the fly. The dining at DLR is not so good that it is worth losing time in the parks seeing things. If you had 4 days, then it would be ok, but not with1-2 days. Spend your time wisely!!! And have a great time!!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

. For fairly expensive but good food you can eat at The Crystal Palace..they have a great character breakfast

There is no Crystal Palace at DL...are you referring to Plaza Inn?

 

[lulubelle]

Some of our inexpensive favorites are:
White Water Snacks just outside DCA (a kids meal is enough for me and I am a pretty big eater) by the Grand Ca pool, Red Rocketts in TL in DL (very good big salads and decent pasta and pizza), the giant yummy corn dogs (they are at both DL & DCA) and for a snack - Dole Whips ($2.50 I think?) just outside of the Tiki Room in Adventure Land.

DTD has several good restaurants to choose from. Naples pizza, Tortilla Jo's and Jazz Kitchen have "take out" windows where you can get a meal for $5-$7.

Good luck deciding and have a wonderful trip

 

[marlouwrig]

What are the options for eating in DLH?

We will be arriving around 8pm - very tired and not up for a full meal - just counter service or a snack before bed

 

[jonnyboyca]

I LOVE me some Disneyland food! Let's see if I can help here...

- Plaza Inn at the end of Main Street (on right) has some really yummy Chicken Alfredo PASTA w/ breadstick.. around $11 i believe.. big serving!

- Pizza Port in Tomorrowland has really large slices of PIZZA (pepperoni is good) for about $5-$6 bucks and just one slice will fill you up.

- Rancho del Zocalo (or as I call it.. the MEXICAN FOOD place haha) in Frontierland has a really great carne asada (steak) burrito for about $10 bucks.. plus it comes on a huge plate with rice, beans, and if I remember right a corn cake dessert. (*i'd say best deal since there's a LOT of food on the plate for $10 bucks)

- Carnation Cafe hidden away on the left side of Main Street is great for SANDWHICHES! Around $7-$8 but come with either a fruit cup or I believe potato salad (or chips can't remember). Nice outdoor seating and if you take one of the DLR tours ask guest relations about the priority seating so you don't have to wait!

- Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country has the best BURGERS in DLR! If you sit below the top floor you get shade and waterfront seating. You can feed the ducks and watch the ships go by while you eat. Here's a tip not many people know about... order one of the cheeseburgers and when you pick up your food ask them for the BBQ sauce (they have it behind the counter) and then smother your burger with it! So good! About $6-$8 and comes with fries.

- Over in DCA I only recommend one place. The BURGERS at Pilot's Grill next to Soarin'. I love the Wild Bleu Yonder burger which has crumbled bleu cheese and bbq sauce. The other burgers are great too and so is the chicken sandwhich. All burgers come with fries and are around $7-$9.

One last tip... if you're looking for a little peace and somewhat quiet from the crowds and screaming kids (ha!) head over to the Wine Country Trattoria in the middle of DCA. Even if you don't buy a glass of the many wines they offer it is always quieter up there (not many children) with nice outdoor seating.


Hope this helps on your trip! You guys are going to have a blast! Oh and DO NOT MISS the 'Remember...Dreams Come True' fireworks show! The best show ever! Best spot is by the Walt & Mickey statue.

~jon

 

[Zoemakes5]

The last time we were there, we were a bit rushed.
I like the Carnation on Main Street, the Plaza on Main Street, the Hungry Bear in Critter Country. I've had terrible times actually getting food in Tomorrowland due to terrible terrible lines everytime I've been there.
Oddly enough, was able to get through the lines VERY quickly in Toontown! Go figure.
DD and I went to the Ariel's Grotto for dinner and got to see all the princesses. We had a table inside the restaurant (there's extensive seating on the patio, I think equal to or even more than in the restaurant itself) and were the first or second table that the princesses came to. In one regular meal time we got two "rounds" of princesses because they started a round right after we got there and were beginning another round right as we were leaving. I enjoyed the chicken pot pie alot and my DD enjoyed her meal, too, but it was pretty much what you'd get with most fast food restaurants.

 

[AStamm]

We love dining at WDW (can't wait for free dining in August!), but just returned from our first DL trip. Cheap is not possible at DL, with counter service meals around $10 each, including a drink. No counter service meals stood out for me with the exception of the bread/soup bowls at Pacific Wharf--YUMMY and very filling.

Be prepared for lots of burgers and chicken strips if you do the regular counter service places. My DH had the fried chicken meal at French Market and really enjoyed it, although it was still chicken!

Just missed trying Blue Bayou--we stumbled upon it being open last Wednesday but the only reservations left were for 7:30+ (way too late for my DS7 to eat). Friday when we tried again they were only open for cast members. I really wanted to try that Monte Cristo everyone raves about.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

The Monte Cristo is not on the dinner menu at BB anymore.

We are foodies and at DL - the best food food is at Napa Rose in the hotel but we don't like to waste park time going all the way out to eat there. BB is like nowhere else and the food has improved so get a res for that. Come 15 min before your res and ask for a water table and be prepared to wait a little.

The beignets in the take out window in NO sq near POTC are not to be missed.

 

[AStamm]

But, the Monte Cristo is still on the lunch menu for Blue Bayou

 

[smcbaker]

Rancho Del Zocalo is always a favorite. Good food, fair prices (for DL), lots of seating. This is a regular stop for us. Carnation Cafe for breakfast - good food, fair prices, very nice atmosphere. Had a nice meal at Naples in DTD the last time we were there. Good food, good variety and not overly expensive.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Rancho Del Zocalo is always a favorite. Good food, fair prices (for DL), lots of seating. This is a regular stop for us.

You know, I have never eaten mexican ever while I was at DL.. maybe because I can get it here anytime...

 

[YoHo]

You know, I have never eaten mexican ever while I was at DL.. maybe because I can get it here anytime...

It's not really all that good compared to what you can get elsewhere in SoCal.

I mean, it's not bad food, but it's nothing to get excited about either.

 

[smcbaker]

Ha ha...those of us who aren't lucky enough to live in So CA have to take what we can get! With a child, I also don't want to waste $$ on something he won't eat. Rancho has so far fit the bill for a regular stop because you get a decent amount of food for the $$ and the food is decent. I've never had to wait for a table...plus it's right next to one of our favorite rides...Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

 

[disneyochem]

If you are coming in late to DLH, check to see if Croc Bites is still open when you arrive. You can get some good food there--burgers, nachos (steak, etc.), fries, chicken fingers, margaritas (!!!). I always get a kid's meal--lots of food and it really fills me up. Hook's Point is a great place to eat--consistently good food, prices not too bad, kid-friendly and good waitpeople.

In the park, we always eat at least once at Carnation Cafe--food is good, prices are reasonable (cheaper than most walk-up windows) and the atmosphere is unbeatable. You sit and eat on Main Street! Red Rocket Pizza Port is quick and good. We share a pasta dish and a salad. The portions are huge! Plaza Inn is another good place to share food--the chicken meal is enough for my hubby and I.

In DCA, hands down it is White Water Snack. You have to leave the park and go into the Grand California Hotel but it is well worth the walk. A quiet oasis for lunch and breakfast. I always order a kid's meal or share with my hubby. Also, you can buy a refillable mug at WWS and get free refills your whole trip! We have filled the mugs with iced tea, soda, coffee, water, etc. And, have used them a couple of trips.

We really enjoy eating at the Storyteller's Cafe. Have always had good service and food. It is Disney but understated. Nice entrees to split and a good wine list to boot!

I have found that with a little planning you can have an enjoyable stress-free and quality meal at the parks. Check out the websites that list the menus--my kids are a bit picky so I always know to take them someplace that has something they will eat! Sometimes it is just eating a 4:30 dinner or ordering off the kid's meal or splitting an entree to leave room for the Tigger's Tail! Wherever you end up eating, at least you are eating in DL!

 

[TwingleMum]

I have found that with a little planning you can have an enjoyable stress-free and quality meal at the parks. Check out the websites that list the menus--my kids are a bit picky so I always know to take them someplace that has something they will eat! Sometimes it is just eating a 4:30 dinner or ordering off the kid's meal or splitting an entree to leave room for the Tigger's Tail! Wherever you end up eating, at least you are eating in DL!

What website has the menus????

 

[Dis Ohana]

"or you can simply go to McDonalds right there."
Where is there a McDonalds??

Are there any good local pizza places that'll deliver to GCH? My kids are not big fans of Napoli, but love pizza. I was thinking of ordering something in on our first night there since we arrive so late and will probably be too tired to go out.

 

[disneyochem]

What website has the menus????

Look at dlresortinfo for the menus and prices at all the places to eat in the resort. It is a great site and pretty up-to-date!