Let’s be honest a trip to Disneyland is about 80% (or more) about the food for me! ha I take my food seriously and if I’m going to spend a lot of money on it, I expect it to be delicious! I’m going to talk about the can’t miss eats and treats at the Disneyland Park. I always have an on going note for things I want to see and do, really anywhere but I have a specific note just for Disney! I sort it first by Park, then by Restaurant. Then once I’m in the park and feel like having a treat I can search for treats in the area. I also go through and star the things I don’t want to miss to make sure those are priorities before I leave on my trip!
Disney is so fun because their menus are always changing with the holiday/season. Most of my favorites though are solid staples. Be sure to check them out the next time your at Disney!
Reservations
Making a reservation is key if you’d like to score a sit down restaurant. You can make a reservation up to 60 days before you’ll be at the parks using the Disney App, but sometimes you can’t always get those coveted reservations even if you’re incredible early. This last time we used Mouse Dining to help us get all those reservations we wanted and it went amazingly well! We opted to just use their free service and that was perfect for us, but they also have a paid version you can look into if you’re desperate.
Downtown Disney
We love to stop at Downtown Disney the first day/night we fly in, and go one more time before we fly back home if we have time. It’s a great place to get a taste of Disney but not with the cost of an extra park ticket.
Black Tap
Super fun place for great burgers, appetizers and shakes! Must get: any burger, and a crazy shake!
These shakes are so over the top and so delicious! If you don’t like something in the shake you can always ask, they were out of the chocolate chip cookie shake base, but we swapped it out for an Oreo shake base and it was so delicious!
The burgers are obviously a star here but I’ve also loved the fried pickles and chicken tenders if you’re not feeling a burger.
Marceline’s Confectionery
This treat spot is a must see! Even if it’s for the windows where you can watch the bakers! After watching them you’ll be bound to want a special treat.
You can’t really go wrong with this sweet spot! You’re able to get a taste of Disney without going into the parks. Our very favorites include: caramel apples, rice krispie treats, chocolate caramel marshmallow wands and peanut butter square!
Naples Ristorante E Bar
We ate here our first day and I wanted to go back every day after! I left my phone at the hotel and didn’t snap pictures of the incredible food. Seriously this can’t be missed. We had the caesar salad and pepperoni pizza and it was honestly so divine! Best pizza i’ve had in a long time.
California Adventures
Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff
If you haven’t already noticed I’m all for the sweets so we obviously had to stop at Bing Bong’s. It’s such a fun little shop!
Cozy Cone Motel
These adorable little cones can’t be missed. They are not only home to my very favorite churros at the resort, but they have unique treats and eats that are really fun, be sure to check out their seasonal treats for new things all the time! These churros are so perfect, warm and paired with the most delicious caramel to dip in.
Lamplight Lounge
This is one of my favorite places to eat in both parks. The relaxed environment, wonderful views and delicious food really do stand out. Our favorites here: Mocktails, Lobster Nachos, Potato Skins, and Donuts.
Pym Test Kitchen
We were so full from our wonderful meal at Lamplight Lounge we didn’t get all we wanted at Pym’s, but we did take a Choco Smash Candy Bar back to the hotel and we not only had almost half in the hotel over the trip, we also took it home and enjoyed it days after, it really is Hulk size. It was a truly yummy treat! Next time I hope to get more off their menu like their chicken sandwich and pretzel!
Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats
I’ve always heard great things about this little frosty find but had never tried it. We decided to try a Pixar Pier Frosty Parfait when we all needed a little pick me up. And boy was it delicious! One of my favorite treats of the whole trip! The lemon and blue raspberry swirl cannot be beat.
Disneyland
Plaza Inn Character Breakfast
The cheapest character dining available and I can tell why now. It was so much fun and had many options but the buffet style breakfast was just so-so. Best part for Liv and I was the hot chocolate and Mickey and Minnie waffles, and seeing Minnie and her friends of course. We went in September 2021, mid-Covid and they do require you to stay seated and the characters walk around all the tables, it’s fast but fun! If you really want to do a character dining experience this was a really great option just don’t come for the food.
Jolly Holiday
This stop holds a special place in my heart. With so many wonderful treats and adorable vibe it’s obvious why it’s a favorite. Our favorites here: Matterhorn Macaroon and Mickey Raspberry Rose Macaron. They also offer a bunch of seasonal treats and eats so be sure to check them out!
Cafe Orleans
This stop is another fairly recent favorite. We have only been twice but have loved it ever since. Pre Covid I did enjoy it more and I hope they bring back the side order of Pomme Frites and Beignets, but the Monte Cristo is super yummy and comes with some pomme frites (2021) so I’ll take, it but like Ariel I want mooooore! Bet you can tell which picture was taken this last trip. I hope their regular menu comes back!
Food Carts around the Parks
There are food carts around every corner-more even! Some favorites for me include: the pretzel cart in Tomorrow Land, make sure to get the extra cheese so you’re pretzel is extra fabulous-it’s not worth it to me without the cheese IMO, cotton candy we found ours in Fantasy Land by Small World, and word on the street is that the best churro is found right across from Haunted Mansion.
Maurice’s Treats
This spot has a great snacks and treats! I especially loved the Cheddar Garlic Bagel twist with Marinara Dipping Sauce and Churro Gears!
Pooh’s Corner
This is one of my favorite shops at Disneyland! Something about being in Frontier Land and getting off the Winnie the Pooh ride and getting a little treat after is just so fun. Our favorites here: chocolate caramel marshmallow wands (Tigger’s has a slight orange taste to it from the orange sanding sugar drizzled with dark chocolate and coated in a white chocolate base), peanut butter square, and anything else in the candy displays!!
Blue Bayou
If you want to eat here make sure to make a reservation ASAP! This is the magical restaurant you see off to the side right as you begin the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The atmosphere cannot be beat and the food is pretty good. Save up for a special occasion for this spot. When we went Pre Covid this was another spot we loved more before, a little disappointed this last trip. Hopefully if will change as Covid hopefully changes and goes away too!
Tiki Juice Bar
This is the spot to snag a beloved Dole Whip! The very best!
Little Red Wagon
The corndogs at Disneyland truly can’t be beat, this is the spot to get them! Dipped in the most delicious corn bread breading. It’s just too magical! haha We tried the Bacon Ketchup Dipping Sauce this time around and it was really good too!
Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor
We’ve started a little tradition without even knowing it. On our last night at the park we try to stay as long as possible and get ice cream on main street. We enjoy it on main street and just enjoy being together in the happiest place on earth. I think the memories might be a little better than the ice cream, but the ice cream is still super delicious! Liv stayed up until close our last night!! I’m so proud! ha
Candy Palace
This candy shop is a must stop shop! It’s the perfect place to grab all the candy and treats you want right when you enter the park or right when you’re leaving. Our favorites here include: marshmallow caramel wands, churro toffee, toffee (sold in a bag in store), and we can’t forget the Mickey suckers and chocolate coins. Must get items every time!
Get ready to Mobile Order
Many food carts, and small food locations offer and some require, mobile ordering. It’s very easy once you get the hang of it, but realize this is a thing and make sure to have your credit card in the Disney App and explore some before getting to the park. There are signs with directions, and if you’re familiar with phones it will be a breeze. I did hear many people that are not familiar with phones get quite upset, avoid the anger and prepare!
Save where you can!
I’m all for eating in the parks all the time, but at this stage in our life right now it just doesn’t make sense and adds up incredibly quickly! A big thing for us is to get to the park early so we opt to eat breakfast in our hotel room, or on the walk to the park and let Liv eat hers in her stroller. On our first day we always stop by Walmart or Target and get the essentials. We choose a breakfast: cereal and milk (remember the plastic bowls and spoons), or mini bagels and cream cheese (just need plastic knifes). We also always get makings for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Liv likes things she knows. Sure we offered some of our meal everytime we ate, but every single day she ate her pb&j sandwich and snacks too. Kids love consistency! We get our favorite wheat bread, mixed jelly and peanut butter to save on cost and waste (you’ll kneed plastic knifes for this too, and plastic bags to be able to transport them wherever you’d like to take them). I try to pack a few snacks in my luggage, but anything fresh or bulky I wait for this grocery trip. We also get a bag of baby carrots, grapes, apples and bananas. Obviously only get things that you’ll eat otherwise it will be a waste and you’ll waste you’re money, but honestly we eat pretty much everything, take home extras (like the plastic things), have minimal waste and really save for breakfast and other snacks. It can also help if you have a hotel that serves free breakfast!
I love to look forward to eats and treats at Disney, so if you have a favorite I’m missing out on let me know! I’ve always got to add to that growing list.
Favorite Eats & Treats at
Disneyland & California Adventures
