DISNEYLAND FOOD AND DINING

So there is a classic Simpson episode where Homer, after spending a week in Florida, decides to hop the outside wall of Disney World to get out of paying the admission. Once Homer clears the wall and makes it into the park, you hear a big "Woo-Hoo". A few seconds later. while the viewer is still looking at the Disney World wall and the castle silhouette, you hear Homer say "That will be one churro please". The vendor comes back and says "That will be fourteen dollars" to which Homer naturally replies "D'oh".

And with that in mind we begin our journey into Disney Resort dining. No matter how much you think you can beat the Disney prices, food costs will bite you hard in the wallet. And also remember, you will never get what you pay for.

Here is a list of places to grab something to eat in Disneyland Park with a few editorial comments. Each place to eat has a link which will lead back to the official Disneyland website where you will get a description. This page only covers eating at Disneyland. Links to Disney's California Adventure and Downtown Disney dining will be at the top of this page.

Disneyland Park Dining

The little man says....

= Great, the best = Very enjoyable = OK = Nothing special = Stay away

Casual Dining

Cafe Orleans Haven't been there since it became a sit down restaurant. People rave about the pomm frittes (French for garlic fries).

Carnation Cafe We ate here on our last two trips. An intimate outside sit down restaurant, the Carnation Cafe specializes in well prepared sandwiches, salads, and pot pies at lunch (they also serve a breakfast). Our chicken club croissants were delicious and the price was very reasonable compared to other Disney dining areas. A winner that we go back again (and again).

French Market Restaurant, hosted by Stouffer's Good place to eat, relax, and take in the atmosphere of New Orleans Square. Lisa and I had the citrus chicken and roast beef on our last trip and enjoyed both. Live music was played during our dinner from a small stage.

Plaza Inn

Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, hosted by Ortega Ate here in 2002 - didn't like it. Tried it again last December (2008). Still didn't like it. It was better when it was a Bar-B-Q place.

Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, hosted by Buitoni Never ate here but it gets a lot of favorable reviews on the internet.

River Belle Terrace Love to go here for an early breakfast. Head over to Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Splash Mountain when you're through. Good place to actually grab a seat and watch Fantasmic - just get there early. Remodeled in 2007. This is a fine place to dine and rumored to be where Walt ate breakfast every day when he stayed at the park. After breakfast, this place serves upscale sandwiches that are quite costly compared to the quality. Breakfast - yes, Lunch & Dinner - No

Character Dining

Plaza Inn Royal Disney Princess Breakfast, presented by Kellogg's

Fine Dining

Blue Bayou The best place to eat in Disneyland outside Club 33. Bring a charge card, maybe two. It is kind of dark in there though. The food is upscale from the regular Disneyland faire but that doesn't necessarily make it good. What makes the Blue Bayou special is the setting - right inside Pirates of the Caribbean - a genius place to put a restaurant.

Quick Service

Bengal Barbecue One of my favorites and make frequent visits during a stay. Try the bacon wrapped asparagus (disappointing on our last trip due to tough asparagus pieces).

Tomorrowland Terrace Centrally located, we often use it as a meeting place and just a nice place to get off your feet and hang out for awhile. Serves both breakfast and lunch and both can be fairly decent. Stick with anything on a croissant for breakfast or lunch and you won't go wrong. The Tomorrowland Stage is adjacent so there is entertainment throughout the day (can get kind of loud).

Daisy's Diner No information

Enchanted Cottage, Sweets & Treats Finally tried the bratwurst (they also server knockwurst) on a pretzel bun. Nice idea but it turns out pretty ordinary. Lisa and I were the only ones there in the pouring rain and the nice lady at the counter gave me a free cup of hot chocolate - a Disneyland first.

The Golden Horseshoe See the show but you can skip the food unless you're hungry. Everything is deep fried. You can smell the grease when you walk in. The serve up a serious piece of chocolate cake (huge).

Harbour Galley

Hungry Bear Restaurant Same food as Club Buzz but back in the corner of the park by Splash Mountain. Good view of the Rivers of America. For some reason they stopped serving a very good roast beef sandwich last time we were there. This is a fairly quiet, semi secluded place with lots of shade. Wonderul place to beat the heat.

Mint Julep Bar I think the Mint Julep is actually mint flavored Hi-C.

Pluto's Dog House Hot Dogs only but it was pretty tasty.

Refreshment Corner, hosted by Coca-Cola It's been there forever but I've never actually gone in. They serve real cherry coke.

Royal Street Veranda Clam Chowder in bread bowl.......that's pretty much it. They also server some sort of sweet fritter with a rather strange tasting dipping sauce.

Stage Door Café Same food, same kitchen as the Golden Horseshoe which shares the same food prep area.

Village Haus Restaurant This place serves the same food as Tomorrowland Terrace and the Hungry Bear but from my experience it consistently taste's worse than either of those two places. Not sure why.

Snacks

Clarabelle's Frozen Yogurt

Indy Fruit Cart

Tiki Juice Bar, hosted by Dole Pineapple The pineapple float is to die for........perfect on a warm day (maybe a cold one as well). A little disappointing on our last two trip - the ice cream didn't seem as sweet or smooth and the pineapple juice was definitely on the tart side. Giving it one more trip. May get downgraded....

Not mentioned in the official Disneyland Website but don't forget the Corn Dog Cart on the main street hub. Lines can be long but the corn dogs are very good. Why Disney doesn't provide a link to this old time favorite....I don't know.