New to Disneyland-what places to eat are not to miss while visiting Disneyland?

[FairyDust2008]

When my family and I went to WDW last year, we ate at 1900 Park Fare, Pooh and Friends breakfast with Alice in Wonderland, breakfast with Cinderella at the Castle, my daughter and I went to the Princess Lunch at Norway in Epcot and Chef Mickey's. What places at Disneyland are similar not to miss places to eat while at Disneyland? I think the only meal we had to pay for upfront was the breakfast at Cinderella's castle. Is there any upfront meal you pay for at Disneyland or do you just make reservations and pay after you eat there? We loved everywhere we ate at WDW and have many memories from our trip there We are hoping to make more memories with our 1st trip to Disneyland. Any reviews and ESPECIALLY PICTURES of places @ Disneyland would be greatly appreciated. Have a great day THANKS!

 

[Jennifer03]

When I ate at Goofy's Kitchen (located at the Disneyland Hotel) I paid before I ate. I'm not sure about the other character meals, so hopefully someone else can tell you about those.

For pictures of Disneyland, I have a bunch in my trip report (link in my signature). You can also check out the POTD thread here.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Good food all over the parks & Downtown Disney area. There are lots of reviews & pics in different threads, take a look at them (especially the pics....it will make you hungry!!)

None of the character meals need to be paid for prior to your visit, you just need to make PS. When you arrive, you'll pay for the meal & get seated. There are some fun character meals at DL (Not as many as WDW, but we love what we have...):
Goofy's Kitchen - breakfast/lunch buffet or dinner buffet - lots of interaction, dancing with the characters (examples: Goofy, Max, Pluto, Baloo, Chip, Dale, Geppetto, Mad Hatter, Jasmine, Aladdin, Minnie)
Ariel's Grotto - lunch or dinner menu - The princesses are introduced, then they come by each table (only once). (examples: Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine, Belle, Cinderella)
Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn - breakfast buffet - more of the classic characters, balloons & fun (examples: Minnie, Pooh, Eeyore, Chip, Dale, Fairy Godmother, Max, Capt Hook)
Lilo n Stitch at the PCH Grill is a breakfast buffet or off the menu. I have not been to this one yet, but have heard some good things about it.
Storytellers with Chip n Dale is another breakfast off the menu & again,not one I've attended.

For places for other meals (non-character), try the Blue Bayou for the scenery (and I hear the food is excellent).

Best thing to do is go thru some of the food threads & read, drool, & enjoy!!
Have a great trip & have fun planning it!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Check out the main Dining Thread to get a good idea of what food is out there with lots of pictures. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888

Also, we have a few other favorite food-related threads currently active. Goofy's Kitchen is my favorite character meal and also my favorite restaurant in DLR.

If you want to see lots of pictures of various Goofy's visits and assorted characters at Goofy's spanning 1992 to 2008, check out my Trip Report (the link is in my signature below).

In addition to Goofy's yummy buffet, other good restaurants to eat at are: Carnation Cafe, Wine Country Trattoria, Storytellers Cafe, ESPN Zone, Naples, Rainforest Cafe, Taste Pilots Grill, Plaza Inn, Bengal BBQ, River Belle Terrace and Blue Ribbon Bakery.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Sherry, you took the Dining Thread words out of my mouth!

OP, check out the thread Sherry mentioned! It has mouth watering pictures of all the food. It's great!