Unique foods, experiences, and characters only found at Disneyland?

[morganms22]

I have been to Disney World several times a year for the last 30 years or so, but Disneyland only about three times in the last ten years.

I am excited to take my five year old daughter for her first time! I know of the attraction differences, but any food recommendations, experiences, and/or characters that are not found at Disney World?

Thanks in advance!

 

[irlandaise]

I mentioned in another thread that there's a restaurant at California Adventure run by Boudin, an historic sourdough company from San Francisco. The place is currently called Aunt Cass Café. You can get the sourdough in sandwiches or in bowl form with soups.

San Francisco's Ghirardelli is also at DCA but I remembered recently that they have a store at WDW, too, so that won't be new for you.

 

[got2travel]

The Disneyland corndog! WDW tried but it just wasn’t the same.
I also feel the like the dole whips taste different. I don’t care for them at WDW but they are a must do for us at DL.
Mint Juleps and Mickey beignets from the Mind Julep Bar. I really hope we don’t lose these as I’m hearing the new Tiana ones at WDW are not that great.
Can’t remember if they have it at WDW but the cherry syrup you can add to your soda at Refreshment Corner is made specifically for Disney. It doesn’t taste the same as any other cherry syrups like you get in the freestyle machines.

 

[LKing]

I'm by no means an expert at WDW, but I feel like most of San Fransokyo food is not offered at WDW.

As far as characters, there are the regulars and those that come out when the parks are crowded. Is Anger at WDW? Wade & Ember? Dug?

 

[foolish_mortals]

The churros.

Do not get me started on the pitiful excuse of a pastry that is labeled a churro at WDW. As they are not as popular there they sit and get soggy in the Florida humidity.

We also have limited time flavors, some are great, some are terrible, but that is usually up for debate.

 

[Lumpy1106]

The churros.

Do not get me started on the pitiful excuse of a pastry that is labeled a churro at WDW. As they are not as popular there they sit and get soggy in the Florida humidity.

We also have limited time flavors, some are great, some are terrible, but that is usually up for debate.

Agreed. If you have to dress it up with 1000 different flavor varieties, maybe the product you are selling just isn't all that good. Don't know why, but they are definitely better at DL.

Do they do "Pickle of the Day" in WDW? Because, that's a thing in DL/DCA.
https://www.sfgate.com/disneyland/article/disneyland-first-pickle-award-18254168.php

 

[JerrodDragon89]

If you want to make your way to the Pixar Hotel Bing Bong Meets in the Morning and Joe from Soul plays Music in the afternoon in the Lobby

 

[Tinkaboo]

Beignets at Mint Julep!

And of course, we have AVENGERS! More characters tend to be roaming than formal meet and greets (though there are some of those)…you never know who you might run into wandering around!

 

[JavaDuck]

Some of our favorite treats are the Raspberry Macaron from Jolly Holiday Bakery and churro toffee and peanut butter squares from Candy Palace or Trolley Treats. The corn dogs from Corn Dog Castle in DCA are delicious. We also love Bengal BBQ in Adventureland.

 

[irlandaise]

We also love Bengal BBQ in Adventureland.

Oh yeah, my favorite counter service place.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Blue Bayou restaurant for sure

 

[twodogs]

Churro toffee!! Churros (inside the park, not DTD)!! Cozy Cones bacon Mac and cheese cone and also the chili cone queso cone!

 

[achinforsomebacon]

We've only done one DL trip (WDW regulars) but the biggest surprise was how there were so many characters that were just out and about without a meet and greet line. They just roamed around taking pictures and signing autographs, on the move the whole time to not have too big of a crowd. So just always be ready for someone to randomly show up, especially if your daughter likes to take pictures with characters and/or get autographs.

Alice and the Mad Hatter are also in WDW but during our trip at DL multiple times we saw them hanging around the teacups and then they would take a group of random people (not just kids!) to a nearby table for a tea party. Definitely a unique experience and fun for the kids.

 

[LKing]

This was on the side of Galactic Grill (opposite side of the Matterhorn from the teacups).

 

[morganms22]

This was on the side of Galactic Grill (opposite side of the Matterhorn from the teacups).

View attachment 875162

So cute!

 

[morganms22]

If you want to make your way to the Pixar Hotel Bing Bong Meets in the Morning and Joe from Soul plays Music in the afternoon in the Lobby

That’s where we are staying. Good to know! Thank you!

 

[morganms22]

Some of our favorite treats are the Raspberry Macaron from Jolly Holiday Bakery and churro toffee and peanut butter squares from Candy Palace or Trolley Treats. The corn dogs from Corn Dog Castle in DCA are delicious. We also love Bengal BBQ in Adventureland.

Thank you! These sound great!

 

[Dumbo777]

I'm by no means an expert at WDW, but I feel like most of San Fransokyo food is not offered at WDW.

As far as characters, there are the regulars and those that come out when the parks are crowded. Is Anger at WDW? Wade & Ember? Dug?

Doug is at WDW in Animal Kingdom. You can see him in the little pavilion with Russell.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Doug is at WDW in Animal Kingdom. You can see him in the little pavilion with Russell.

Years and years ago I saw Dug in DCA near the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

 

[kikismom]

Agree with everyone who said churros and churros toffee. I was super bummed you can't get the toffee at DW and we bought one churro on day 1 of our DW trip and not on any of the other days. Blech!

I really like the pretzel cheese bread at the DL carts too but am not sure if they sell that at DW.