Quick Breakfast ... Lunch

[cjsmom5]

We are staying at the DL Hotel. Am wondering where is your favorite place to grab a quick breakfast either in the parks or the hotel.

Also, what are your favorite spots for lunch?

We typically go to WDW and haven't been to DL in 4 years. I feel rather lost and since we are going during an August weekend (mid) I know it will be crowded ... so am wondering what the best strategy might be...suggestions?

 

[Amy&Dan]

For breakfast, there is a small coffee shop next to Goofy's Kitchen. They have muffins, danish and bagles. So we have often done that first thing. Also, we enjoy just waiting and eating at the Blue Ribbon Bakery inside the park (on Main Street), or at the Tomorrowland Terrace which has croissant sandwiches, muffins and some other things. And then no trip to DL is complete without at least one breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace in Frontierland. They have Mickey pancakes, egg and bacon platters, fruit plates and cinnamon rolls. We love to sit outside and look at the river. We also sometimes just get something at Blue Ribbon Bakery on our way out of the park for the next morning.

For lunch, we enjoyed Crocs Bits n Bites at the DLH. We love to take a midday pool break and its right near the Neverland pool. Great burgers, nachos and chicken strip baskets. Inside the parks we enjoy most every place. I think Disneyland/DCA have some great cs options. I love all the full service places at WDW but prefer DL's cs options. We also enjoy the Carnation Cafe for breakfast and lunch on Main Street. Its a full service but very reasonable, except for the tip its not much more than cs.

Have a great trip and enjoy the DLH!

Oh and for strategy, get their early, 30 minutes before opening, do Early Entry each day its offered (you can since you are an onsite guest) then take a midday break to escape the heat and crowds. Pretty much as you would at WDW. But I think Disneyland is even more important to get to the park at opening. Its smaller in size than MK, doesn't hold the crowds as well and fills up with locals, especially on the weekends.

 

[Adam&Alex's Mom]

Do you need to make PS arrangements for Riverbelle Terrace? or can you just walk up?

TIA!

 

[iceskatejen]

Riverbelle isn't a table service restaurant, therefore it doesn't take PS.

 

[Saavy?]

One suggestion...

Disneyland Hotel room service breakfast at the time you specify.
Just hang your card outside on your door the night before.

You can eat while getting ready, and everyone will be fed as you start your day.

 

[Amy&Dan]

One suggestion...

Disneyland Hotel room service breakfast at the time you specify.
Just hang your card outside on your door the night before.

You can eat while getting ready, and everyone will be fed as you start your day.

That is very nice but it gets very expensive! The last time I did that it was around $70 for the four of us with the tip and other room service fees they charge. I do have to say the food was wonderful and the portions pretty large.

 

[tlovesdis]

Our favorite quick breakfast is LaBrea Bakery. We do the self service side (or whatever they call it). They have pastries, muffins, bagels, quiche, etc... They have the most delicious yogurt and granola parfait! We get a quick bite and a coffee then sit right outside and eat, then just pop over to whichever park we are going to that day.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We usually stay at the Candy Cane Inn when we go to DL and get our free breakfast. This year we are splurging and staying at the DLH. I know this will probably sound cheap, but we are driving over and plan to take some muffins and individual juices with us to eat in the room before we hit the park.

Of course, one morning we will get our Mickey Mouse pancakes at the River Belle Terrace. Hopefully it will still be open as I understand it will be closed shortly for refurbishing and enlarging.

 

[KCSunshine60]

One of the closest places to the DL hotel in Downtown Disney is Compass Books Cafe. They sell coffee, juice, smoothies, muffins, yogurt, cereal, etc. I ran down there one morning and grabbed a light, quick breakfast that got the kids going! Fast and reasonable.

Another quick stop is right next to Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen - the Jazz Kitchen Express This link will show you it and you can see their menu too. http://www.rbjazzkitchen.com/jazzexpress.php

They have specialty coffees, beignets, french toast, sides like sausage and hashbrowns, cereals, etc etc. My kids love the beignets (small powdery donuts - totally unhealthy but nice for a one-day treat!!). They also have lunches.

And, there is always Jamba Juice.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I second the recommendation for the beignets at the JK Express. The put the fresh beignets into a bag with powdered sugar at the bottom and all you have to do is shake them to cover them with as much or as little sugar as you want. Great hand food that you can eat whille waiting in your first line without having to worry about plates or cutlery, just sort of grab and go.

 

[disneylandfreak]

Well we eat at Riverbelle a few times a visit, they have the best pancakes and I always get the cinnamon roll. If you wait until DCA opens try Baker's Field Bakery they have great quick muffins and such and you can sit outside and people watch. I tend to think LeBrea is expensive and Riverbelle is a much better deal.

For lunch my kids love to eat at the Hungry Bear and throw french fries to the ducks it's shady and makes a good memory. You should look at the website and let each of the kids pick a place they would like to eat.

One thing to definately do is USE THE FASTPASSES, you really can avoid waiting in lines longer than 1/2 hour even during peak if you use them and get there early you can get in so many rides in the morning hours.
Have a great holiday.
Jen