Eating cheap at Disneyland

[Quest4fun]

When dining at the French Market be sure to avoid an odd looking female cast member. She's a little squirly and very chatty. If she's ringing you up expect it to take a little while if you try to make conversation. It's best to just be quiet, pay and run. I'm not encouraging you to be mean to the poor girl. It's just that the AC in there blows pretty hard and once your food leaves the safety of the heat lamps it gets cold very fast.

Also beware of the attitude you may encounter at Pizza Port when they're closing off the dining area near the entrance to Space Mountain. They'll scold you harshly if you try to enter from the other side after they lock the sliding doors. They will then demand that you go to the tomorrow land terrace to eat if the dining room is full. Many of the restaurants close up before the park closes so they can do what they need to do. I think some of the restaurants close a little early which doesn't accomodate guests that choose to dine after the dinner rush. This is happens more during the slower months since they don't want to make too much food and have it go to waste.
If seating is a problem ask for a lid to cover your meal and that will keep it warm until you can go to another less crowded dining area. Then of course visit city hall and report the employee that was a jerk. Be sure to keep track of when you were there because cast members are known to switch name tags. The managers do their best to catch them but they're not always in the area they should be.

I'm rambling now I know. I can't give short and sweet pointers. I have to go on and on.

 

[Quest4fun]

At Cafe Orleans the server "filled" my cup twice (there was at least a 1/4 cup still in my cup each time) and on the third (not really third b/c of the incomplete refills) she felt the need to comment on my coffee consumption. I made a little "oh I live near Seattle" joke, but come on, are servers *really* supposed to make negative comments about what their customers are having?

This is how some servers try to make the experience more personal but some "rookies" to food service don't understand that a sarcastic comment, no matter how funny it may be to most people, may not be funny to other people. I've learned it's best to just keep the jokes to a lull and focus on their needs as a customer to ensure they get that big tip. Some people just don't have a very good sense of humor.

It's a sophmoric mistake and I wouldn't be too hard on the guy. The more time he spends dealing with all types of people he'll learn that there's better ways to be funny and memorable without doing it at the expense of the customer.

/Not an attack
//Please don't flame me
///I love everybody on the DISboards

 

[Mrs. Bee]

At Cafe Orleans the server "filled" my cup twice (there was at least a 1/4 cup still in my cup each time) and on the third (not really third b/c of the incomplete refills) she felt the need to comment on my coffee consumption. I made a little "oh I live near Seattle" joke, but come on, are servers *really* supposed to make negative comments about what their customers are having?


OP, I've been thinking more about your question and the reason behind it. And I think that quite a bit will depend on your eating style while pregnant. Many of my friends just wolfed food all day long. I found myself with more aversions than cravings, and then what I did eat gave me heinous heartburn so I was miserable. For me, tiny little meals quite often would have been good, so eating a kid's meal (or even half a kid's meal) here and there would be my style if going to DLR while pregnant. But for others, ordering huge meals all day might be best. So it's all going to depend on how YOU are while pg.

But for the saving money aspect, it's really very likely going to be all about going offsite, especially if you're like my voracious-eater-when-pg friends.


Now if you'd like to talk in a few months about how to eat when nursing a voracious newborn, THEN we'll have quite a bit to talk about!

I don't think commenting on your coffee consumption seemed at all like a "negative"' comment but I guess I didn't hear the tone or what was said. What did she say exactly, I'm curious. She was probably just trying to make conversation.

 

[got2travel]

For water, I bring in my own bottle, once it's empty I refill at the First Aid Station. They have a water fountain that is cold and filtered. Tastes better than the water you can refill with at the restaurants.

For coffee, I buy my first cup at the Market House. It's real brewed coffee, not Nescafe. Save your receipt and you can get free refills all day long.

I agree with ordering kids meals and the cost vs portions at White Water Snacks.

 

[Corpsebride]

I would personally like to thank all of you for your generous sacrafice to not drink coffee, there for more for me!!
Anyway, if you are going to eat in the park and I suggest Rancho del Zocolo. I think it has the best food in the park. and on the cheap side, I think those Chimichangas in the cart right at the hub on mainstreet are pretty good, very filling and you can get them on the go so you dont miss any rides. I think they are about 5bucks. And when its cold, they are warm and yummy!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

For water, I bring in my own bottle, once it's empty I refill at the First Aid Station. They have a water fountain that is cold and filtered. Tastes better than the water you can refill with at the restaurants.

For coffee, I buy my first cup at the Market House. It's real brewed coffee, not Nescafe. Save your receipt and you can get free refills all day long.

I agree with ordering kids meals and the cost vs portions at White Water Snacks.

I never knew that about the water at the first aid station. Thanks for sharing!

I would personally like to thank all of you for your generous sacrafice to not drink coffee, there for more for me!!
Anyway, if you are going to eat in the park and I suggest Rancho del Zocolo. I think it has the best food in the park. and on the cheap side, I think those Chimichangas in the cart right at the hub on mainstreet are pretty good, very filling and you can get them on the go so you dont miss any rides. I think they are about 5bucks. And when its cold, they are warm and yummy!

See...I just can't handle the mexican place. It made me sick once and I can't bear to try it again...haha. But I did get a plate of fruit once while everyone else in my group was eating the main course food. And the fruit was fantastic!

 

[Quest4fun]

Please do not buy turkey legs. As good as they smell and taste they're still disgusting. If you're going to take part in the barbaric ritual, please don't take it in line with you. It's gross when you bump into people with it. I don't want another grease stain on my shirt.

 

[Corpsebride]

I never knew that about the water at the first aid station. Thanks for sharing!



See...I just can't handle the mexican place. It made me sick once and I can't bear to try it again...haha. But I did get a plate of fruit once while everyone else in my group was eating the main course food. And the fruit was fantastic!

that is such a bummer. I am so sorry. It must have been awful to be sick at the park.
I only think it is the best place because it to me is actually edible. The rest of the places think that Salt is a flavor not a seasoning i.e. TOOO SALTY!!!
We ate at the Plaza Inn twice and it made me sick both times. Such a bummer.

 

[DangerMouse]

There is also a cold filtered water fountain with large spout for filling bottles at the Baby Center in DLR. I always refill my water bottles there, and I don't have a baby.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

that is such a bummer. I am so sorry. It must have been awful to be sick at the park.
I only think it is the best place because it to me is actually edible. The rest of the places think that Salt is a flavor not a seasoning i.e. TOOO SALTY!!!
We ate at the Plaza Inn twice and it made me sick both times. Such a bummer.

Luckily at the time I was an AP holder so it wasn't a big deal being sick. I just went home...haha.

I like a lot of food at Disneyland but I agree...a lot of of things have a lot of salt.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh I don't remember what she said now exactly, but it was definitely negative, went along with a look, and it made me mentally tally up her good serving skills vs that, to see if she needed a tip reduction in response to the comment. Ultimately it did not result in a tip reduction (which is pretty amazing, b/c I REALLY hate tipping), but it resulted in my still thinking about it over 2 months later!

 

[Quest4fun]

Oh I don't remember what she said now exactly, but it was definitely negative, went along with a look, and it made me mentally tally up her good serving skills vs that, to see if she needed a tip reduction in response to the comment. Ultimately it did not result in a tip reduction (which is pretty amazing, b/c I REALLY hate tipping), but it resulted in my still thinking about it over 2 months later!

I think this must be an Orange County thing. I know the "look" that goes along with the sarcastic comments. It's part of the gag. I know because I used to do it all the time until I started working in customer service. After years of face to face time with customers I've learned that the wrong look combined with the cranky cadence of my voice left people feeling like I was being angry towards them which of course wasn't the case. Everybody's a comedian but not everybody is in the mood for comedy.

I'm really sorry about your experience. I can totally see how it is hard to interpret things like this as anything but friendly.
I've found that in these instances it's best not to play it off as you don't mind because you'll likely get more of the same as the meal progresses. Let them know that you don't appreciate it right away but do so in as friendly a manner as possible. These people are handling your food. Rest assured your kind request will be met with a sincere apology and will be followed up by stellar service.

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

Thanks so much, there are so many great ideas, and some good conversation to go along with it.

Just some clarification, I plan on eating in the park or DTD area due to the amount of walking I am already planning I can not see myself and fetus making the trek outside the area.
Right now I do not have any serious cravings or aversions, and I am not ravenous, but who know what a month with bring.

As an aside I am also off coffee, so you all can have a cup or two on me!

 

[bumbershoot]

You're so lucky you don't have any aversions. None of my friends or family had them, they all had cravings, so I was completely unprepared for the *feeling* of having nothing to eat, nor was I prepared for as many crying jags I went on b/c there was something "wrong" with my food!


Oh, remember that there are many carts with fresh fruit. They are expensive little bits of fruit, but it's good to remember that a cookie is about the same cost as a, say, spear of pineapple. Some have even mentioned a little box with mango and lime, which sounds odd but very good.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Thanks so much, there are so many great ideas, and some good conversation to go along with it.

Just some clarification, I plan on eating in the park or DTD area due to the amount of walking I am already planning I can not see myself and fetus making the trek outside the area.
Right now I do not have any serious cravings or aversions, and I am not ravenous, but who know what a month with bring.

As an aside I am also off coffee, so you all can have a cup or two on me!

I figured you were off the coffee...haha. That's why I mentioned bringing a water bottle in. Other than the occasional hot chocolate/chocolate milk/mocha....I mostly drink water or apple juice in the parks. Most places just have tiny apple juice boxes. They are super expensive but I still get them when I want something other than water with my food.

You're so lucky you don't have any aversions. None of my friends or family had them, they all had cravings, so I was completely unprepared for the *feeling* of having nothing to eat, nor was I prepared for as many crying jags I went on b/c there was something "wrong" with my food!


Oh, remember that there are many carts with fresh fruit. They are expensive little bits of fruit, but it's good to remember that a cookie is about the same cost as a, say, spear of pineapple. Some have even mentioned a little box with mango and lime, which sounds odd but very good.

The fresh fruit and veggies are gooood. And so are the huge dill pickles.

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh, have the Simply Lime....OMG!!! It's so good!!!! I don't normally like Limeaids but this one is simply amazing!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

For water, I bring in my own bottle, once it's empty I refill at the First Aid Station. They have a water fountain that is cold and filtered. Tastes better than the water you can refill with at the restaurants.

For coffee, I buy my first cup at the Market House. It's real brewed coffee, not Nescafe. Save your receipt and you can get free refills all day long.

I agree with ordering kids meals and the cost vs portions at White Water Snacks.

Coffee info appreciated!! Where is the Market House?
And where else do you recommend for a great cup of coffee at DLR?

 

[jemilah]

The mango and lime is awsome.........had to get 2 last tripand I perfer junk food and DL , it was DH's idea.

Gosh you would only know my 1000 post would be on food!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

The mango and lime is awsome.........had to get 2 last tripand I perfer junk food and DL , it was DH's idea.

Gosh you would only know my 1000 post would be on food!

yay 1,000th post!!!

 

[got2travel]

Coffee info appreciated!! Where is the Market House?
And where else do you recommend for a great cup of coffee at DLR?

Market House is on Main Street, on the right side as you are walking from the entrance to the castle. About midway down.

A great cup of coffee is difficult to find at DL so I usually just stick to the Market House for the free refills. The Coffee House at the Disneyland Hotel offers esspresso and lattes but I haven't tried the coffee there.