Disneyland Observations from a WDW Regular

[hjgaus]

I wish I knew what those were. At AK I can only think of Flame Tree BBQ which we like and always do. We did Pizzafari once and that was enough.

At Epcot, I can't even think of one good CS option. The ones at the American and Mexican pavilions are pretty blah.

I just wanted to know which ones you are thinking about.

YAK & YETI
- Sit down AND Counter Service !!!
Very good ..... ate counter service this past holiday time!! Very good...compares IF NOT better than the Chinese @ California Adventure!!!

 

[elaine amj]

I wish I knew what those were. At AK I can only think of Flame Tree BBQ which we like and always do. We did Pizzafari once and that was enough.

At Epcot, I can't even think of one good CS option. The ones at the American and Mexican pavilions are pretty blah.

I just wanted to know which ones you are thinking about.

I can't imagine Mexican food in WDW being anywhere near as good as anything you could get in SoCal. From what I have seen, Mexican food is way more popular in California and surrounding states (probably because of proximity?)

WDW has good CS food. But yes, you have to know where to look.

I'm looking forward to trying stuff in DLR but since there is less food discussion, I am having a hard time getting as excited about food as I do at WDW. I think a Monte Cristo is in my future and probably one of the cones in Carsland. The breadbowl soups at PWC sound good too. Not quite sure what else yet... lots more research to go

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Funny. I couldn't DISAGREE more. My family loves Heimlich's ChewChew train. In fact, it's my 2yo (soon to be 3yo) favorite ride at all of Disneyland. Ever since our November trip, it's all she can talk about. And honestly, I like it a lot too. The character himself is cute and funny and it's a pleasant story of what Heimlich likes to do best...eat. Plus all the smells of the foods as you pass by makes it fun.

As for Bug's Land, this used to be the only part of the park I liked. It was the only theming worth anything until they put in Cars Land.

And I agree on the counter service comment. At least, that goes for MK and DHS which the Disneyland resort is similar to. You can get better CS food at Epcot and AK, but not the other two. At Disneyland, the menus definitely have some good variety for quick service meals.

My kiddos love Heimlich's Chew Chew too - and they are 10 and 7 and too cool for so much, but not for that ride! That is about the only Bug's Land ride they'll go on willingly as we zoom through nowadays.

Thank you, OP, for the insight! I just put your observations in reverse to learn more about how WDW works!

 

[nunzia]

Prior to the opening of Carsland, they used to have a small Food & Wine Festival over at DCA. It was much more limited in scope, but it was a chance to have some new items added to the menus at DCA. There were even seminars and such. However, with the opening (and popularity) of Carsland, they haven't brought back the F&W Festival and there really aren't any rumors that might resurface.

I read somewhere it is because the California regulations make it so hard to have the little pop up food booths. The last F&W DCA did I went to and the food options were all in one location. They had the liquor tasting places in a couple. I WISH they'd find a way to bring it back, since I love it! Why couldn't they find a way to make the booths like food trucks..those are all over the place in CA so they find a way to be temporary. I'd make it a Food & Wine Food Truck festival.

 

[HydroGuy]

I can't imagine Mexican food in WDW being anywhere near as good as anything you could get in SoCal. From what I have seen, Mexican food is way more popular in California and surrounding states (probably because of proximity?)

I think the San Angel Inn food and margaritas are really good.

I'm looking forward to trying stuff in DLR but since there is less food discussion, I am having a hard time getting as excited about food as I do at WDW. I think a Monte Cristo is in my future and probably one of the cones in Carsland. The breadbowl soups at PWC sound good too. Not quite sure what else yet... lots more research to go

OK, I will take it as a challenge to help you get excited.

Let me tell you our plans for DLR next month...

Sunday, arrival day...

My family has a thing for RainForest Cafe and we always hit this at DLR and WDW - usually at DLR on arrival day for dinner. I am usually a burger guy with guacamole at RFC. If we have any room left for dessert then we get a Volcanooooooo!

Late evening - Trader Sam's and Tangaroa Terrace for drinks and snacks at the DL Hotel.


Monday at DCA

Lunch Flo's Diner in CarsLand - surprisingly good for a CS. I like their turkey and gravy.

Dinner Ariel's Grotto - outside on the water is awesome in the summer. This is a prix fixe for the WOC show. We have done this 3 times before. I like their tri-tip if they still have it. Their pasta plate is pretty good too.


Tuesday at DL

Lunch at Blue Bayou - we always shoot for a waterside table. I usually get their tesoro chicken plate. My kids usually opt for jumbalaya. Gumbo is standard for a starter.

Dinner at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ - outside dining, all you can eat, similar to Whispering Canyon at the WL in a lot of ways - chicken, ribs, sausage, corn, beans...but without the Whispering Canyon attitude from the servers. Usually there is someone performing live cowboy music on the stage.


Wednesday at DCA

Lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant - have eaten there a few times but only once off their regular menu. No idea what I am going to get. I just know their bar has pisco sours - the only place I have found in the USA that serves this classic drink from Peru - although I am sure there must be others. The ambiance at the CCR is nice and elegant.

Dinner at Tortilla Jo's in DTD - on our last trip we got some guacamole (we consider ourselves guacamole experts) and my oldest son stopped in the middle and said "this is the best guacamole I have ever had". Then everyone chimed in they were thinking the same thing. Margaritas are pretty decent. I can't wait to have their Flautas Platter which I ordered last year for the first time after my DS18 tried it.


Thursday at DL

Lunch at Cafe Orleans - nice place to sit outside in New Orleans Square. I usually get their French Onion soup as a starter and their chicken sandwich for an entree.

Dinner at Napa Rose at the GCH - my first time there. Just me and my sweetie. No idea what I am going to get but I will order some wine!


P.S. I tried the Monte Cristo once and it did not impress me. The breadbowls at PWC are awesome. I wish we could fit that in this trip but we do not have enough days! I also wish we had time to try Steakhouse 55. Never been there. And I have never tried any of the cones in CL.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm looking forward to trying stuff in DLR but since there is less food discussion, I am having a hard time getting as excited about food as I do at WDW.

The Disneyland Dining Review and Pictures thread has lots of photos of food from DLR. I'd start from the last page and work backwards.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888&page=238

I read somewhere it is because the California regulations make it so hard to have the little pop up food booths.

Maybe, but I also think it was a matter of logistics. With all the crowds coming into DCA for Carsland (and the Buena Vista Street re-do), they don't "need" the extra guests that would come for F&W.

 

[GatorChris]

I think the San Angel Inn food and margaritas are really good.

I'll let you slide because you're from Colorado. But as a resident central-Californian where there's a Mexican restaurant on every other corner, I can tell you that San Angel is Blah at best. I'll go by the cantina to get some nachos or quesadillas for the kids, but that's it. The seasoning is weak and the packets of sauce are terrible. I'd rather eat at TacoBell than San Angel. But again, distance from CA is a factor. All my friends from TN and AL think San Angel is great. But then again, my buddy from NJ thinks I'm crazy for liking Tony's Town Square in the MK. Italian is a lot different in NY/NJ than it is everywhere else.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'll let you slide because you're from Colorado. But as a resident central-Californian where there's a Mexican restaurant on every other corner, I can tell you that San Angel is Blah at best. I'll go by the cantina to get some nachos or quesadillas for the kids, but that's it. The seasoning is weak and the packets of sauce are terrible. I'd rather eat at TacoBell than San Angel. But again, distance from CA is a factor. All my friends from TN and AL think San Angel is great. But then again, my buddy from NJ thinks I'm crazy for liking Tony's Town Square in the MK. Italian is a lot different in NY/NJ than it is everywhere else.

How many years have you been in California? I was born there and lived there for 28 years. Third generation. And I visit there 3-4 times a year now. Among the places I lived was San Diego for 5 years when I was in my 20's. Best Mexican food in San Diego? Easy. Tio Leo's.

If you think San Angel is blah, great. The reason I like it is not because I am ignorant. I have been consistently surprised by San Angel. I had low expectations my first time there but whatever I ordered - can't remember - has been pretty good. Not as good as the best of California - I am not saying that - but pretty good by California standards.

 

[nunzia]

I think the San Angel Inn food and margaritas are really good.



OK, I will take it as a challenge to help you get excited.

Let me tell you our plans for DLR next month...

Sunday, arrival day...

My family has a thing for RainForest Cafe and we always hit this at DLR and WDW - usually at DLR on arrival day for dinner. I am usually a burger guy with guacamole at RFC. If we have any room left for dessert then we get a Volcanooooooo!

Late evening - Trader Sam's and Tangaroa Terrace for drinks and snacks at the DL Hotel.


Monday at DCA

Lunch Flo's Diner in CarsLand - surprisingly good for a CS. I like their turkey and gravy.

Dinner Ariel's Grotto - outside on the water is awesome in the summer. This is a prix fixe for the WOC show. We have done this 3 times before. I like their tri-tip if they still have it. Their pasta plate is pretty good too.


Tuesday at DL

Lunch at Blue Bayou - we always shoot for a waterside table. I usually get their tesoro chicken plate. My kids usually opt for jumbalaya. Gumbo is standard for a starter.

Dinner at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ - outside dining, all you can eat, similar to Whispering Canyon at the WL in a lot of ways - chicken, ribs, sausage, corn, beans...but without the Whispering Canyon attitude from the servers. Usually there is someone performing live cowboy music on the stage.


Wednesday at DCA

Lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant - have eaten there a few times but only once off their regular menu. No idea what I am going to get. I just know their bar has pisco sours - the only place I have found in the USA that serves this classic drink from Peru - although I am sure there must be others. The ambiance at the CCR is nice and elegant.

Dinner at Tortilla Jo's in DTD - on our last trip we got some guacamole (we consider ourselves guacamole experts) and my oldest son stopped in the middle and said "this is the best guacamole I have ever had". Then everyone chimed in they were thinking the same thing. Margaritas are pretty decent. I can't wait to have their Flautas Platter which I ordered last year for the first time after my DS18 tried it.


Thursday at DL

Lunch at Cafe Orleans - nice place to sit outside in New Orleans Square. I usually get their French Onion soup as a starter and their chicken sandwich for an entree.

Dinner at Napa Rose at the GCH - my first time there. Just me and my sweetie. No idea what I am going to get but I will order some wine!


P.S. I tried the Monte Cristo once and it did not impress me. The breadbowls at PWC are awesome. I wish we could fit that in this trip but we do not have enough days! I also wish we had time to try Steakhouse 55. Never been there. And I have never tried any of the cones in CL.

I would be happy to join you and carry your doggie bags...

 

[plethera1]

My kiddos love Heimlich's Chew Chew too - and they are 10 and 7 and too cool for so much, but not for that ride! That is about the only Bug's Land ride they'll go on willingly as we zoom through nowadays.

Thank you, OP, for the insight! I just put your observations in reverse to learn more about how WDW works!

I have to commend the people on this site. There have been a couple disagreements on this thread including my assessment of the Chew Chew ride but everyone has been completely respectful of each other's opinion.

I have to say, I'm part of another forum that I pay to be apart of for a popular sports team and if anyone just partially disagrees with someone's post you'd think we started WWIII.

Great people on this board!!!

@AliceinDisneyland -- Feel free to PM me any questions about WDW that you want. I'm not an expert by any means but end up there a lot and do enjoy discussing it.

 

[elaine amj]

I think the San Angel Inn food and margaritas are really good.



OK, I will take it as a challenge to help you get excited.

Let me tell you our plans for DLR next month...

Sunday, arrival day...

My family has a thing for RainForest Cafe and we always hit this at DLR and WDW - usually at DLR on arrival day for dinner. I am usually a burger guy with guacamole at RFC. If we have any room left for dessert then we get a Volcanooooooo!

Late evening - Trader Sam's and Tangaroa Terrace for drinks and snacks at the DL Hotel.


Monday at DCA

Lunch Flo's Diner in CarsLand - surprisingly good for a CS. I like their turkey and gravy.

Dinner Ariel's Grotto - outside on the water is awesome in the summer. This is a prix fixe for the WOC show. We have done this 3 times before. I like their tri-tip if they still have it. Their pasta plate is pretty good too.


Tuesday at DL

Lunch at Blue Bayou - we always shoot for a waterside table. I usually get their tesoro chicken plate. My kids usually opt for jumbalaya. Gumbo is standard for a starter.

Dinner at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ - outside dining, all you can eat, similar to Whispering Canyon at the WL in a lot of ways - chicken, ribs, sausage, corn, beans...but without the Whispering Canyon attitude from the servers. Usually there is someone performing live cowboy music on the stage.


Wednesday at DCA

Lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant - have eaten there a few times but only once off their regular menu. No idea what I am going to get. I just know their bar has pisco sours - the only place I have found in the USA that serves this classic drink from Peru - although I am sure there must be others. The ambiance at the CCR is nice and elegant.

Dinner at Tortilla Jo's in DTD - on our last trip we got some guacamole (we consider ourselves guacamole experts) and my oldest son stopped in the middle and said "this is the best guacamole I have ever had". Then everyone chimed in they were thinking the same thing. Margaritas are pretty decent. I can't wait to have their Flautas Platter which I ordered last year for the first time after my DS18 tried it.


Thursday at DL

Lunch at Cafe Orleans - nice place to sit outside in New Orleans Square. I usually get their French Onion soup as a starter and their chicken sandwich for an entree.

Dinner at Napa Rose at the GCH - my first time there. Just me and my sweetie. No idea what I am going to get but I will order some wine!


P.S. I tried the Monte Cristo once and it did not impress me. The breadbowls at PWC are awesome. I wish we could fit that in this trip but we do not have enough days! I also wish we had time to try Steakhouse 55. Never been there. And I have never tried any of the cones in CL.

Now you're talking!!!

I've been reading the dining thread as well as various Disney food blogs too.

We have to decide just how much we want to spend on food - a TS-centric WDW type food extravaganza (We got spoilt by free dining) or a more budget friendly CS style. We do enjoy the food extravagance when we are at WDW so i am thinking indulgence for this upcoming trip, just so we don't shortchange DLR. I will admit it is going to be really hard for us frugal-minded folks to pay OOP. Good thing we are only at DLR for 5 days!

On my list now is Flo's Diner, the breadbowls, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, Trader Sam's, and Tortilla Joe's and some cones from Carsland. Really debating Ariel's Grotto. My DD and I are huge Ariel fans. I was looking at the WOC dining package and the price point is a bit high for me so we will see.

For a PP that talked about Heimlich's Chew Chew - it looks super adorable!! I spent last night watching videos on Youtube of DLR and it looks absolutely fantastic. So excited to see it next year!

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

@figment_jii -- I do think I need to try a little harder to find some more options next time I'm at WDW. I suspect I just haven't been looking lately as you get caught up in doing things the same way every time you go when you go often. I will definitely look into the suggestions you made. Thanks!!

We tried very hard at WDW over five days last year to find consistently good CS options and it really only boils down to one good option in each park. How many times can you eat at SS in Epcot or CHH in MK? The neat thing about DLR is you don't really have to look for good CS at all because it's basically all good and very varied.

And nowhere will you find a hot dog bun three times as large as the hot dog it's holding, either