Disneyland Food Opinions

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Hi all! So I am planning a 3 day trip to DLR. It's our first time! We're flying in, spending the day exploring the hotels and DD. Next day full day in DL, next day in DCA. I think our first day we're going to do drinks at Trader Sams and then possibly dinner at Catal. DL day: Cafe Orleans for lunch and then either corndogs or fried chicken at Plaza Inn (probably both to be honest or corn dogs and dole whips as snacks). DCA day: undecided for lunch (maybe Cove Bar?) and I think we're leaning to do the WOC dinner package at Carthay Circle. Any suggestions or anything i've missed? Thanks

 

[SMD]

If you only have 1 day in DCA you waste so much time waiting in line for Cove Bar. Carthay is probably a better choice. You can get corn dogs in DCA, too.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I'd do the chicken at the Plaza Inn because it's good and the experience is nice.
We choked down two bites of corn dog before we threw them away. Way too greasy for us.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

If you only have 1 day in DCA you waste so much time waiting in line for Cove Bar. Carthay is probably a better choice. You can get corn dogs in DCA, too.

I did read that the line at Cove Bar can be really long, so that's good to know about the corn dogs. Do you suggest any other quick service options in DCA?

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I'd do the chicken at the Plaza Inn because it's good and the experience is nice.
We choked down two bites of corn dog before we threw them away. Way too greasy for us.

Oh im sorry to hear about the corn dogs, maybe it was just a bad experience? The Plaza Inn just seems iconic, I think it's a must.

 

[allsaintsatx]

Have you thought about park hopping? Everything in DL is super close and very walkable. We also do small 2 1/2 to 3 day trips and I would highly recommend a park hopper just because it's not as segmented as WDW.

Another iconic restaurant to try is Carnation Cafe on Main Street. We've had breakfast lunch and dinner there and it's very tasty and surprisingly not too expensive for a sit down restaurant. Also, if you go early for, I think, breakfast and lunch you can meet Oscar who has been working at Disneyland since 1956 and has been at the Carnation since 1967. He will walk the restaurant and talk to customers and take pictures with you. He is a Disneyland treasure!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I think there is a hot link corn dog option which is only available in DCA. In DL, you will get potato chips with your corn dog at the Little Red Wagon and fries at the Stage Door Cafe.

 

[l4dyj8]

Those are great choices. Catal often gets overlooked but it's great.
For DCA, Carthay also has a lounge too if you don't want to deal with the Cove Bar.
For DL, we usually just do Cafe Orleans or the Bengal skewers place in front of Jungle Cruise for quick service. But seating/standing is limited.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Have you thought about park hopping? Everything in DL is super close and very walkable. We also do small 2 1/2 to 3 day trips and I would highly recommend a park hopper just because it's not as segmented as WDW.

Another iconic restaurant to try is Carnation Cafe on Main Street. We've had breakfast lunch and dinner there and it's very tasty and surprisingly not too expensive for a sit down restaurant. Also, if you go early for, I think, breakfast and lunch you can meet Oscar who has been working at Disneyland since 1956 and has been at the Carnation since 1967. He will walk the restaurant and talk to customers and take pictures with you. He is a Disneyland treasure!!

We have and we haven't decided if we want to spend the extra money for it. We do know it's VERY easy to park hop because of how close everything is, but we just think since it's our first time we want to really focus on one park on each day. I think ultimately I would want to do one full in DL, then the next day park hop between DL and DCA. I have looked at Carnation Cafe and the menu does look good. Wasn't Oscar at the Plaza Inn? Or did I read an article wrong? That's absolutely insane though, I think that's one of the reasons i'll love DL...the nostalgia and history! Thanks for your tips!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Those are great choices. Catal often gets overlooked but it's great.
For DCA, Carthay also has a lounge too if you don't want to deal with the Cove Bar.
For DL, we usually just do Cafe Orleans or the Bengal skewers place in front of Jungle Cruise for quick service. But seating/standing is limited.

I've read that Cafe Orleans is a lot better than Blue Bayou, have you eaten there before? I don't think we want an expenisve meal like that, but i just like to know for possible future trips!

 

[meggles]

The Alfresco wine tasting terrace could be a alternative to the cove bar for lunch in DCA. They have wine and appetizers. You could also try the cozy cones for snacks or the paradise garden grill for a lighter lunch. These places don't see the long lines the cove bar often has.

There is also white water snacks in the grand Californian (they have casual but tasty food and you can sit outside right adjacent to DCA and use the special exit from DCA as well). If you want something a little classier look into hearthstone lounge or Napa rose lounge, both are yummy and in the beautiful grand Californian.

 

[Kdbruin]

I just ate at café orleans and it was good. The portions are huge! The monte Cristo can easily feed two people and so can the fries. I personally would not suggest doing what I did which was a corn dog for lunch and Monte Cristo for dinner. It seems they use the same batter for both and I felt sick that night.

 

[KeKy4]

I did read that the line at Cove Bar can be really long, so that's good to know about the corn dogs. Do you suggest any other quick service options in DCA?

The sundried tomato pasta at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta is our families favorite.

 

[azdisneylover]

Oscar is at Carnation Café M-F. Our last trip in July, Oscar mentioned he was going to cut his hours back to 4 days a week. Carnation Café is a good choice. Food is yummy and the service has been very good.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I had compiled a list of snacks that I wanted to try for my last trip, I got to some of them but missed a lot of them:

1. Mickey Beignets - DLR Julep Bar or Cafe Orleans - didn't try
2. Everything at DLR Jolly Holiday Bakery - ended up getting the Matterhorn Macaroon (Italian), Mickey Raspberry (French) Macarons, Spice Bundt Cake, and the Chocolate Mousse Brownie. Surprisingly the Matterhorn Macaroon was my favorite of the bunch, but they were all quite good.
3. Cookies and Cream Churro (good!) and Salted Caramel Churro (meh) - DTD Churro Cart.
4. Bacon Mac and Cheese Cone - DCA Cozy Cone. It was OK, not as good as I thought it would be IMO. The Chili "Cone" Queso looked interesting though, want to try it next time.
5. Churro Funnel Cake with ice cream - DCA Cozy Cone. Didn't try.
6. Corn Dogs - esp. Hot link corn dog. Didn't try.
7. Pickle popcorn - Cozy Cone. Didn't try
8. Dole Whip of course
9. Pomme Frites with Cajun Remoulade - Cafe Orleans, didn't try.

I didn't go to Cafe Orleans, but did go to Blue Bayou which I thought was good. Can't beat the ambiance. I had the Slow Roasted Beef Strip Loin, which was pretty good, much better than expected. I really liked the potatoes it came with. Wife had the lamb chops, also good. Overall I liked it and would go again.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I really like the veggie sandwich at award wieners in DCA.

Good snack is at Bengal BBQ in DL.

I like plaza inn and French market in DL.

I like Boardwalk pizza & pasta in DCA.

With 2 days I wouldn't do any sit down meals myself.

I agree. Park hopping is really good at dlr.

 

[smartlabelprint]

And we skip dole whip. The line is too long and you can get it at your neighborhood menchies! It doesn't melt at home!

 

[SMD]

You can get anything at Stage Door a la carte, without fries. I think you can at the wagon too. It's a little bit cheaper, and fries are a side with so many things, sometimes you've just had enough.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Consider the park hopper. You can add it later if you like, but then you have to wait in the line at the ticket booth again. I always end up regretting not having a park hopper when I don't have one. Yesterday, I went to DCA with plans of staying in that one park. When I did everything that I wanted to do (that didn't have a 45 min wait), I ended up at DL where I was able to get on very popular rides with very little wait time and had a good meal over there, too. You just never know what the crowds will be like or which rides will be down. It's nice to have the option to hop over to more choices.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Oscar is at Carnation Café M-F. Our last trip in July, Oscar mentioned he was going to cut his hours back to 4 days a week. Carnation Café is a good choice. Food is yummy and the service has been very good.

Does anyone know how early of a lunch you would need to have in order to catch a glimpse of Oscar? I would love to see him.

Consider the park hopper. You can add it later if you like, but then you have to wait in the line at the ticket booth again. I always end up regretting not having a park hopper when I don't have one. Yesterday, I went to DCA with plans of staying in that one park. When I did everything that I wanted to do (that didn't have a 45 min wait), I ended up at DL where I was able to get on very popular rides with very little wait time and had a good meal over there, too. You just never know what the crowds will be like or which rides will be down. It's nice to have the option to hop over to more choices.

Another plug for the park hopper - it's essential at DLR, IMHO.