since disneyland has no dining plan

[theluckyrabbit]

Agree with the above suggestion to use Disney gift cards for food. Since DLR doesn't do a dining plan like WDW, it often works better for guests to budget their dining money on Disney gift cards. Then you can keep track of exactly how much you have budgeted for meals, how much you are spending as you go along, and how much you have left on each card. Disney gift cards in CA don't expire, so anything left over can either be spent on souvenirs to take home or kept on the card for a future trip. Also, if you find that you need more money for food expenses, just load more money on the card. Each person in your party can have their own gift card with a specified amount to be used throughout the trip for snacks and treats. We've found that this helps cut down on any whining or impulse buying when it comes to junk food and treats. The kids (and adults, too!) become a bit more aware about spending and eating when using a limited gift card for one trip. Restaurants outside the parks have gift cards, e.g Cheesecake Factory, Landry's, Starbucks (which are also located inside the parks), etc., so you can budget for those meals, too.

 

[FoxC63]

Earl of Sandwich, though it'll probably be closing soon,

Wait.. what?! We're planning on going Aug 12th - 17th to DL first time. I hope their still open then. The one at WDW I found was of great value $ wise.

Oh, while I'm here is there an August 2018 thread? So many pages to go through here: https://www.disboards.com/forums/disneyland-california.26/ which makes planning a bit challenging. Thanks for any help!

 

[FoxC63]

Agree with the above suggestion to use Disney gift cards for food. Since DLR doesn't do a dining plan like WDW, it often works better for guests to budget their dining money on Disney gift cards. Then you can keep track of exactly how much you have budgeted for meals, how much you are spending as you go along, and how much you have left on each card. Disney gift cards in CA don't expire, so anything left over can either be spent on souvenirs to take home or kept on the card for a future trip. Also, if you find that you need more money for food expenses, just load more money on the card. Each person in your party can have their own gift card with a specified amount to be used throughout the trip for snacks and treats. We've found that this helps cut down on any whining or impulse buying when it comes to junk food and treats. The kids (and adults, too!) become a bit more aware about spending and eating when using a limited gift card for one trip. Restaurants outside the parks have gift cards, e.g Cheesecake Factory, Landry's, Starbucks (which are also located inside the parks), etc., so you can budget for those meals, too.

Just out of curiosity, when using a travel agent like Dreams Umlimited can I use Disney Gift Cards to pay for "Good Neighbor Hotels'? Thank you!

 

[wingednike]

Agree with the above suggestion to use Disney gift cards for food. Since DLR doesn't do a dining plan like WDW, it often works better for guests to budget their dining money on Disney gift cards. Then you can keep track of exactly how much you have budgeted for meals, how much you are spending as you go along, and how much you have left on each card. Disney gift cards in CA don't expire, so anything left over can either be spent on souvenirs to take home or kept on the card for a future trip. Also, if you find that you need more money for food expenses, just load more money on the card. Each person in your party can have their own gift card with a specified amount to be used throughout the trip for snacks and treats. We've found that this helps cut down on any whining or impulse buying when it comes to junk food and treats. The kids (and adults, too!) become a bit more aware about spending and eating when using a limited gift card for one trip. Restaurants outside the parks have gift cards, e.g Cheesecake Factory, Landry's, Starbucks (which are also located inside the parks), etc., so you can budget for those meals, too.

Very good suggestion. Just keep in mind that not all places (especially the restaurants in DTD) take Disney gift cards.

 

[azdisneylover]

Just out of curiosity, when using a travel agent like Dreams Umlimited can I use Disney Gift Cards to pay for "Good Neighbor Hotels'? Thank you!

I don't know about Dreams Unlimited, but, if you use Costco to book your trip, you can use gift cards to pay for your trip, whether you stay onsite or at a good neighbor hotel. What is nice about Costco booking is you can pay as quickly and as often as you would like with gift cards.

 

[Malcon10t]

Just out of curiosity, when using a travel agent like Dreams Umlimited can I use Disney Gift Cards to pay for "Good Neighbor Hotels'? Thank you!

No, neither Dreams Unlimited nor Good Neighbor Hotels are Disney affiliates.

 

[FoxC63]

From Disneyland Website:
"You can use each of these payment methods: a Disney® Visa® Credit or Debit Card or another credit or debit card, a Disney Gift Card and a Disney Rewards Redemption Card." for "Good Neighbors Hotels"

This is good news I didn't know about.

 

[azdisneylover]

I don't know about Dreams Unlimited, but, if you use Costco to book your trip, you can use gift cards to pay for your trip, whether you stay onsite or at a good neighbor hotel. What is nice about Costco booking is you can pay as quickly and as often as you would like with gift cards.

I am talking about Disney gift cards. Costco links you to the Disney site, so, that is why you can use the Disney Gift cards there. It is nice to be able to make a payment at 2am when the house is quiet.

 

[FoxC63]

I am talking about Disney gift cards. Costco links you to the Disney site, so, that is why you can use the Disney Gift cards there. It is nice to be able to make a payment at 2am when the house is quiet.

Yep we're on the same page. I have acquired a few Disney Gift Cards that I'd like to use on hotel & tickets. I am a Costco member but didn't know they did vacations to Disney Calif.

Have you used them before? Are the discounts good or great?

 

[BrianL]

Wait.. what?! We're planning on going Aug 12th - 17th to DL first time. I hope their still open then. The one at WDW I found was of great value $ wise.

Oh, while I'm here is there an August 2018 thread? So many pages to go through here: https://www.disboards.com/forums/disneyland-california.26/ which makes planning a bit challenging. Thanks for any help!

Yeah, that whole section of DTD is going to become a new hotel. The Theater, Earl, and the other things right there past the Monorail station will be cleared. I don't know when they will start that and it may be possible for Earl to crop up in another location, but there are no details as of yet.

 

[Cabius]

Be sure to go to Trader Sam's. The outside terrace has great food options along with island music. Oh, and some good drinks I'd do Blue Bayou, Napa Rose lounge for dessert or pub menu (unless you want to go for a good but pricey meal), and Jazz Kitchen. The other restaurants are ok to very good and many have nice settings/views but the food is nothing special IMO.

TRADER SAMS!!!!

 

[FoxC63]

Yeah, that whole section of DTD is going to become a new hotel. The Theater, Earl, and the other things right there past the Monorail station will be cleared. I don't know when they will start that and it may be possible for Earl to crop up in another location, but there are no details as of yet.

I'll have to keep on top of this, thanks for the heads up!

 

[azdisneylover]

Yep we're on the same page. I have acquired a few Disney Gift Cards that I'd like to use on hotel & tickets. I am a Costco member but didn't know they did vacations to Disney Calif.

Have you used them before? Are the discounts good or great?

Costco is basically the same cost as the Disneyland site. The difference is a few extra goodies added on to the package. The gift card if staying on site, the lanyard for each person, the pin for each person, the premium character meal per person (one per person). If you have the Costco card that pays you 2% back, Costco now gives that to vacations. I don't know if it is for all vacations or just ones booked out of the country.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Just keep in mind that not all places (especially the restaurants in DTD) take Disney gift cards.

Good reminder!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...Oh, while I'm here is there an August 2018 thread?..

Take a look at the Disneyland Resort Meets thread in the stickies at the top of the page you linked. (It is the last sticky.) There is a list there of the monthly trip threads. If there isn't an August thread yet, go ahead and get it started!

 

[twoolle]

Costco is basically the same cost as the Disneyland site. The difference is a few extra goodies added on to the package. The gift card if staying on site, the lanyard for each person, the pin for each person, the premium character meal per person (one per person). If you have the Costco card that pays you 2% back, Costco now gives that to vacations. I don't know if it is for all vacations or just ones booked out of the country.

You are referring to the executive membership right? Not the Costco credit card? When I go to the Costco travel page it says effective 2017 that 2% rewards are earned if you have executive membership. It does not specify out of country. This is a great perk!

 

[azdisneylover]

You are referring to the executive membership right? Not the Costco credit card? When I go to the Costco travel page it says effective 2017 that 2% rewards are earned if you have executive membership. It does not specify out of country. This is a great perk!

Yes, that is what I was referring to! I hope you can save some $$$ while planning your trip.

 

[kristinebarboza]

thanks for the suggestions
we will have a car so we dont mind going off site if we have to
we havent been to disneyland since 2012

 

[VandVsmama]

I'm going to assume that nobody in your group has any food allergies or dietary restrictions since you didn't mention it. My thoughts & recommendations in terms of Disneyland food:

1. You can use Disney gift cards for any of the eateries in DL, DCA, the GCH, the DLH, or the PPH. But none of the non-Disney restaurants in DTD will take Disney gift cards. Plan accordingly.
2. Plaza Inn - we like eating here once during a trip for breakfast with Minnie. Preferably a late morning reservation on a day that you use EMH at DL (which will be on a Tues, Thurs, or Sat). Lunch or dinner here is good, too. It's counter service for lunch & dinner.
3. French Market - has THE best atmosphere. Good CS food. I love this spot.
4. Hungry Bear - basically a burger joint. Great location, especially if you can get a table with a view of the Rivers of America. It's so relaxing here.
5. Flo's V-8 Cafe - 1 of our favorites. Awesome location. Outside seating has wonderful views. But there's also some good seating indoors with wonderful views, too. My kids love the ribs here.
6. Carnation Cafe - we like the food here. Haven't tried breakfast here yet. Hated the fried pickles, but we probably are not fried pickle fans anyway. The chili was great!
7. Little Red Wagon on Main Street - the line goes fast. I hate corn dogs, but the corn dogs here are totally amazing. Seriously. They really are that good.
8. Tortilla Jo's - they have good tortillas here. Food is good. I don't think the table side guacamole is worth the $17 or so that you pay for it. If you want to eat here, get a reservation.

 

[goooof1]

I don't think the table side guacamole is worth the $17 or so that you pay for it.

YIKES!!! served on a take-home gold plate or something??