DL dining: Appearance over Appetizing

[LKing]

Nonsense. DL and WDW use the same suppliers; the lion’s share of what is consumed is literally the same. If you believe that the same chicken tenders and say fries cooked at WDW are way better, I have a $100 bill I’d like to offer you for $200. Even the terrible Joffrey’s has made its way into DL.

I haven't been to WDW in over a decade, but have read several people mention about how much better the churros and corn dogs are at DLR compared to WDW. Do you know if they are the same suppliers? I don't care for either at DLR so can only imagine what they are like at WDW.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

A friend and I had a very good dinner at Hearthstone Lounge recently.

Anything you recommend? Have this booked for Christmas dinner.

 

[irlandaise]

Anything you recommend? Have this booked for Christmas dinner.

My friend had the French Onion Soup and I think the Prime Rib. (It was some kind of beef but I don't think it was the steak.) He was very pleased with both.

I had the Buttermilk-Battered Chicken Sandwich (without the fried egg). It was very tasty.

We were too full for dessert.

 

[LKing]

The short rib lasagna is very good.

 

[MATTERHORN]

I haven't been to WDW in over a decade, but have read several people mention about how much better the churros and corn dogs are at DLR compared to WDW. Do you know if they are the same suppliers? I don't care for either at DLR so can only imagine what they are like at WDW.

The churros are terrible here at WDW because they pre-make the churros and wheel them over later instead of being made fresh at the cart like at DL. Not sure if that's the only difference, but they always taste stale here.

The corn dogs at Disneyland are also far superior. Not sure why on that one but I won't touch one here in WDW, but I get one every time I'm in DL.

 

[Smugpugmug]

As far as WDW, they have way better options for food in general, here's a list.

1. Citricos
2. Victoria and Alberts
3. Tiffins
4. Skipper Canteen (best addition to MK ever)
5. Topolinos (maybe the best Disney place ever)
6. Yachtsman
7. Saana
8. Teppen Edo
9. Kona Cafe
10. The Brown Derby

I guess this goes to show how subjective food is because at least to me, at least half of these restaurants range from meh to awful. I would 100% rather go to Jaleo than Topolino (which I found to be mid at best and yes I know Jaleo is not Disney owned. That's why it's actually good lol).

As for Disneyland food, yeah I don't remember anything being amazing during my last visit but do I really expect amazing, outstanding food in a Disney park though (referring to being physically inside Disneyland, not DTD)? I remember finding Blue Bayou to be especially awful and would never return, even if the atmosphere is really nice. Last time I went to DL I had a rental car and would just go to restaurants in the area if I wanted actually good food.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Well that's not much of a help for planning?
Lol! They should just list options!!!
Topolinos menu
View attachment 918713

Right away TOPs has 3 pasta dishes , 2 seafood and several meat options, that's at least 4 other options than Carthays .

I did say we are foodies, so no apologies for the point I am trying to make.

As far as quick service, nothing stand out that big of a difference between the two parks. I am taking about real sit down places that may justify the prices charged.

Sorry to hear about your experiences , the only restaurant on the list that has been hit or miss for us was Brown Derby.

The rest are very solid

Since I figured that any major restaurant in SoCal without a vegetarian / vegan option would quickly go out of business, I had a friend inquire at Cathay yesterday: their cooking is chef made, cooked to order & there are multiple daily chef specials including vegetarian / vegan options.

Yes, DL has limited fine dining options but I explained why earlier. That doesn’t make the food at DL terrible. I’ve long thought that the food between the two parks was similar, although the consensus on here and other Disney forums (especially Reddit) is that the food at DL is better. The overwhelming consensus is that DL has superior QS premium options.

One of the biggest money saving tips at WDW for decades has been that you can find most of the casual sit down restaurant entrees available as some variation of QS for less, and this remains true. One of my favorites is the Cobb salad available several places at the DLR is identical to that at Brown Derby - and less than half the price (including tip).

Disney fanatics tend to overrate Disney food. Don’t get me wrong, I think Disney food is often very good. But I ate locally at Eataly the night before Topolinos, and the meal at Earaly blew it away hands down. I thought Eataly was more overpriced than great, and yet it was cheaper than Topolinos - the place you decades the best in WDW.

If you’re a foodie, I suggest you venture away from Disney. You’ll discover what you’re missing out on! Just be warned that it’s common for many fine restaurants to have limited menus, since the food is chef prepared (scratch cooking). If you want a large menu, go to Chili’s or Olive Garden (where the food arrives mostly prepared).

I will end with - DTD will soon have Porto’s, recognized by many as one of the top bakeries in the country. But I bet the food will be terrible since it can’t compete with the extensive menu at Rainforest Cafe (worst restaurant chain ever) in DS .

 

[LAS2AMS]

I haven't been to WDW in over a decade, but have read several people mention about how much better the churros and corn dogs are at DLR compared to WDW. Do you know if they are the same suppliers? I don't care for either at DLR so can only imagine what they are like at WDW.

a couple years ago, a few Disney corporate employees posted on Reddit that with few exceptions, DLR & WDW have universal supplier contracts. This is why Joffrey’s Coffee products made it into DLR, despite rating unfavorably locally.

Obviously how the food is prepared, cooked, stored and served is going to impact quality, so I agree with the above poster that may account for some differences. But I do think a lot of it is perception - if you keep reading that X is better at DLR or WDW, you’ll likely go along with it. FOMO comes into play. Kinda like the gingerbread cookies… they’re very good but not worth fighting over for $10.

It’s amazing how consistent things have been historically between WDW and DL. The menu and presentation at the quick service restaurant in the Grand Californian was nearly identical to that of the Grand Floridian, until recently when Storyteller’s went all buffet and the QS was turned mostly into a fast casual joint feeding the sit down space outside.

 

[DonnerB]

I tend to agree with (what I thought was) the general consensus that DLR quick service beats WDW in quality, though WDW has more variety. With table service, I pretty much expect to be underwhelmed on each coast and am pleasantly surprised when I’m not (most recent Napa Rose was supremely meh, which caught me by surprise; first time at Narcoosee’s in September was superb).

I think the most beautiful desserts (colorful, layered with a bunch of stuff) are the most atrocious when it comes to flavor.

And this I wholeheartedly agree with. I’m a snob about dessert. Disney sucks at them. DLR, WDW, DCL. Almost always mediocre at best although they will look great on your Instagram. My rule has become stick to ice cream/Dole Whip to avoid disappointment. I’ve never been sad holding a Mickey bar

 

[LAS2AMS]

I tend to agree with (what I thought was) the general consensus that DLR quick service beats WDW in quality, though WDW has more variety. With table service, I pretty much expect to be underwhelmed on each coast and am pleasantly surprised when I’m not (most recent Napa Rose was supremely meh, which caught me by surprise; first time at Narcoosee’s in September was superb).

DLR seems to have far more QS variety than WDW. Chicken tenders/ sandwich, burgers, hot dogs and pizza (and sometimes pasta) account for the lion’s share of WDW offerings. Seems like a lot of unique items were dropped post-Covid. Even the hotels are moving toward standard menus, with a few unique items specific to the resort.

Even most of the basic QS at DLR include tasty Mexican food, given the visitor demographics. For the same reason, there’s an increasing number of Asian items as well.

 

[mlayton14]

DLR seems to have far more QS variety than WDW. Chicken tenders/ sandwich, burgers, hot dogs and pizza (and sometimes pasta) account for the lion’s share of WDW offerings. Seems like a lot of unique items were dropped post-Covid. Even the hotels are moving toward standard menus, with a few unique items specific to the resort.

Even most of the basic QS at DLR include tasty Mexican food, given the visitor demographics. For the same reason, there’s an increasing number of Asian items as well.

Disneyland per capita wins in the fast food category even though places like satuli canteen and multiple Epcot quick service locations are as good or better. Table service choices are far superior at the world , it’s not even close. Since Disneyland caters to locals and not vacationers , folks are leas likely to take a couple of hours to sit down and relax like they would on vacation

 

[Disney0010]

To go to a theme park and gripe about the available food is ridiculous. Disney makes it very easy to view menus and they’re not hiding the fact that the food is what it is. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. I used to live near WDW and the food there is overrated and underwhelming as well for the prices charged. I don’t go to theme parks and expect Michelin star dining. I keep my expectations in check.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The difference between DLR and WDW is that the best resultants in Los Angeles are a short drive away from DLR, whereas the best restaurants in Orlando are in WDW. And not because they’re exceptionally good, either.

DLR has tried numerous times to increase fine dining but they haven’t been successful. Who’s going to pay $40 for a fish dinner at a casual restaurant on Disney property when for the same price you can get a fresher meal scratch cook by a chef with a view of the ocean? People captive to the WDW resort, there’s who.

OP is also trying to say foodie and fine dining are the same thing. Meanwhile… foodies enjoy P&J wings and pickle milkshakes at the Food Festival. You won’t find those options at fine dining .

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

The churros are terrible here at WDW because they pre-make the churros and wheel them over later instead of being made fresh at the cart like at DL. Not sure if that's the only difference, but they always taste stale here.

The corn dogs at Disneyland are also far superior. Not sure why on that one but I won't touch one here in WDW, but I get one every time I'm in DL.

The churros are just Tio Pepe's churros. You can buy a box of them at Smart and Final and reheat them easily if you have an airfryer at home.

 

[joseph821]

I find Disneyland's food is far better than WDW's offerings. I am from New York and I think the LA/OC region has very good food when compared to the Orlando region. Disneyland caters to the locals and that is certainly reflected in the food offerings. Orlando caters to domestic and international tourists.

 

[DiznyDiva]

Except for the restaurants AT Disney Springs and most of those ar not Disney WDW has nothing on DL when it comes resrutants inside the parks with food and snacks. IMO.

Churros are far superior with taste and creativity.

Corn dogs, Beignets, Monte Cristo, bread bowls, ghirardelli ice cream offerings, Harbor Gallery cookies, potatoes .. you name it. all far move inventive and tasty at DL/ DCA

As far as sit down.... Carthy Circle, Blue Bayou, Storytellers, Tattoria, Carnation all are very good offerings and always packed with waiting lists.

Outside, the is plenty of fun choices. Din , Black Tap, Naples, Two New Mexican offers,

You can't compare the two and MY husband who is a foodie is VEY happy with what DL offers

 

[EagleRockTony]

Disneyland offerings to foodies are the various California Adventure food festivals. The sit downs focus on experience over food quality with a virtually unlimited demand. Lately, ‘premium’ sit downs with up charges for better show viewing are a big focus. It is what it is. If you don’t want to go there, no shortage of quick service options are available. Bring your credit card.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Friendly reminder that there’s a pair of In-N-Outs within two miles: one at Ball/State College and one that recently opened at the Block at Orange.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Friendly reminder that there’s a pair of In-N-Outs within two miles: one at Ball/State College and one that recently opened at the Block at Orange.

As an East coaster.........In N Out is mid at best *runs and ducks for cover*

 

[mlayton14]

You can't compare the two and MY husband who is a foodie is VEY happy with what DL offers

Well as long as your husband the foodie is happy then I guess this discussion is over LOL