DisneyLand Dining

[disneegrl4eva]

I like this link the best

http://www.mickeyxtreme.com/dlrdining.htm

 

[Harmony]

My family and I are WDW dining experts as well! We just came back from our *first* DL trip! We had a great time! Honestly, we expected it to be a downgrade from WDW (no offense to anyone) but we came home just as excited about DL as we are about WDW! Now it's going to be a tough choice every year...DL or WDW! Oy!

Still, as far as dining goes...WDW has *way* more options! And for the first time ever, we did "fast food" at a Disney park! lol Usually, at WDW we always do at least two table service meals per day and that keeps us full. Thing is, we never snack at WDW. Well, since DL doesn't have as many dining options...we got to snack, snack, snack! (not good for my calorie intake but hey...we were on vacation and calories don't count when one is on vacation...right? )

Since we travel with our 2y/o (he *has* to see Mickey!) we did all of the character meals DL has to offer! lol Yep, they offer 5 and we did 5! We also did Paradise Pier one evening (not the character meal) and it was relatively inexpensive and DH and I ordered some steak.

We stayed at the GC so we usually picked up some food at White Water Snacks. (by the pool area) It is a very nice, clean snack/fast food restaurant. The nachos there are good. They have combo meals that aren't too pricey and they also have salads and sandwiches. Good choice and variety. For something fast, I'd really recommend eating here 'cause when we went...it was a great place to cool down and relax in a quiet setting. Plus, the entrance to CA is close to it.

Have fun and remember...though DL is not WDW...it does have it's own magic to share! You will find some things you like better at WDW and some things you like better at DL. For us, the crowds (minimal) and the weather (70's) totally beat the crowds and weather at WDW. For that reason alone, we are thinking of doing it again next year!

BTW...do budget more for food at DL. Though you will be eating more fast food, it does cost more. For us, it's less expensive at WDW since we always use the dining plan.

Good luck planning and have a great time!

 

[mermaidlagoon]

Still, as far as dining goes...WDW has *way* more options! And for the first time ever, we did "fast food" at a Disney park! lol Usually, at WDW we always do at least two table service meals per day and that keeps us full. Thing is, we never snack at WDW. Well, since DL doesn't have as many dining options...we got to snack, snack, snack! (not good for my calorie intake but hey...we were on vacation and calories don't count when one is on vacation...right? )

Since we travel with our 2y/o (he *has* to see Mickey!) we did all of the character meals DL has to offer! lol Yep, they offer 5 and we did 5! We also did Paradise Pier one evening

We are in the same boat as you were. I know how to plan WDW meals but I am at a quandry for DL meal planning.
Did you get PS's for all your main meals at the 60 day mark? We usually do the same type of 2 meals a day planning at WDW that you do. Can you not do the same at DL? Why did it not work for you? Is it not necessary? Would I be trying to force something that doesn't work? Were your 5 character meals booked in advance? How hard is it to get the reservations?
BTW, what was your favorite character meal?

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

"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.

We've had both Domino's and Round Table delivered right to our room. That is nice when you don't feel like going out.

There is a lot of fast food places around the outside of the park, if you have a car. McDonald's I believe is on Harbor... I'm not sure though, I always get turned around! And they have McDonalds IN California Adventure too. There is also Jack in the Box, Carl's Jr., Taco Bell ect.. but I'd say you'd need a car to get to all of those.

 

[Harmony]

Did you get PS's for all your main meals at the 60 day mark? We usually do the same type of 2 meals a day planning at WDW that you do. Can you not do the same at DL? Why did it not work for you? Is it not necessary? Would I be trying to force something that doesn't work? Were your 5 character meals booked in advance? How hard is it to get the reservations?
BTW, what was your favorite character meal?

We made PS's for most every character meal. For Rainforest Cafe,Paradise Pier and ESPN, we just walked up to the front and there was no wait. Keep in mind, however, that we went during a time when crowds were low.

We decided to go to DL within 2mths before our vacation dates and we didn't make our PS's until one month before the vacation date.

You could do 2 meals a day at DL but there aren't that many choices to choose from so my kids thought doing fast food would be fun and different. Still, I'd much rather eat steak and roasted chicken and sit at an actual table!

Our character meals were booked in advance and it wasn't hard to get the reservations.

Our favorite was Goofy's Kitchen!

 

[teacherkaren]

I go to DL at least 3 times each year and I have 2 "gotta haves" when I go. I love the corn dogs at either the small cart (cash only) located between the Photo Shop and Carnation Plaza or in Calif. Adventure down near the Jumping Jellyfish (cash or credit) and have cheese sticks as well as other items.

My other love is the fried chicken dinner at the Carnation Plaza in DL right off the circle. It is 1/2 a chicken in 3 pieces fried perfectly, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh green and yellow beans and a buttermilk biscuit for $12.99. It can easily feed 2 adults. They also have great desserts, too. It is also a wonerful place to watch the Wishes fireworks so if you like a late dinner this is the perfect place, just be sure to sit at a table outside.

 

[ZoZo]

Just subscribing - thanks for the info, everyone!

 

[BEANTOWNDR7]

Does any one know if the DDP is available for purchase if you're not staying in a DL resort? I'm a Shell Vacation owner and we're staying at the Peacock Suites in Feb 08. I would like to purchase the DDP if I can just to off set buying chuoros left and right. Can anyone let me know, this is also my first time on a blog.

 

[scanmom]

DL does have a meal plan, but it is WAY different from WDW's dining plan. You don't have tpo stay at a Disney hotel, but you do have to book a package thru Disney, at any of the 3 Disney resort hotels, or at one of the MANY good neighbor hotels. And, waht you get is vouchers for food...like a couple of $10.00 , a couple of $5.00, and a voucher for a character meal. How many vouchers you get depends on how many days of the dining plan you purchase. And you can purchase more or less days than you have booked in the hotel. But, the value of the vouchers is pretty much the same as the price of the pkg. And, you don't get change back from the vouchers, so you have to spend a little more than the value of the voucher, or lose a little by not getting change back!!! I think that it is not a very good value, and a little difficult to use, if you want to use the full vale of your vouchers. Not worth it, in my opinion. But some people like the fact that you can essentially "prepay" for some or all of your food.