Disneyland Dining

If this is your first trip, or you are an old pro, there are places to eat that you don't want to miss. I will go over the top 10 of the must-do's and cover all ages and tastes. Today I am only covering the Disneyland Resort ones. The price, atmosphere and flavor rating legend are located at the bottom.

10. Troubadour's Tavern. This is a fairly new addition. It is located by the Princess Fantasy Faire, on the outskirts of Fantasyland in the main park. It is mostly medieval foods like roasted turkey legs, sausages and the like, however they have vegetarian and kid friendly choices as well. There are chances that you will meet the royalty while you eat here. You will be sitting in a small eating area under trees that is often crowded on warmer days. Price $, Atmosphere 5, Flavor 4.

9. Boudin's on the Wharf. This is a San Francisco style diner located in The Wharf area of Paradise Pier in California Adventure. They serve fresh sourdough and chowder meals. There are also children friendly foods, and a wide selection. You have a choice of inside or outside seating, and the outside seating has a lagoon view. Price $$, Atmosphere 8, Flavor 9.

8. Pizza Port. This is a standard pizza place located in Tomorrowland next to the entrance to Space Mountain. It is cafeteria style and there are many options. For those that are momentarily less than enthused by the thought of pizza there are salads and various pasta dishes. There is inside and outside seating here as well. Price $, Atmosphere 6, Flavor 7.

7. Blue Ribbon Bakery. This is a classic bakery located on Main Street. This is one of the original eateries in the park. While this is a primarily morning location, due to the fresh muffins, doughnuts and cinnamon rolls they also have a large variety of evening sweets as well. There is very little seating here, however if you go out the door or in to the ice cream parlor you may find seating there. This is a great place, if you get there early enough, to sit and watch the morning marching band. Price $$, Atmosphere 9, Flavor 8.

6. Riverbelle Terrace. This is a classic eatery in the park as well, located just inside New Orleans Square near the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance. They have menus for all times of the day, and there is a large amount of seating inside and out. If you sit on the front patio there is a wonderful view of the Rivers of America. It is a fun thing to sit there during breakfast while the park is quiet and muse over how Walt must have felt when he realized his dream was becoming an unbeatable icon. Price $$, Atmosphere 9, Flavor 9.

5. Golden Horseshoe. It is located inside Frontierland, along the rivers of America adjacent to the shooting expo. This is a later day cafe that serves finger foods like chicken strips, fries and onion strips. There is an afternoon stage show inside (which is the only time you can access the cafe inside), and there are times that you will catch one of the classic Wild West shows outside. Price $, Atmosphere 10, Flavor 9.

4. Round Up Bar-be-que. This is a fairly new addition located in Frontierland next to the petting zoo. This is a family style BBQ "With all the Fixin's" and there are fully interactive stage shows while you eat. You need reservations here, however during the week the wait time without them is minimal. The seating is all outside, at classic picnic tables with large umbrellas. It is also an all you care to eat place, and if they bring a pail of food that you can't finish they let you take the leftovers. Price $$, Atmosphere 10, Flavor 10.

3. Taste Pilot's Grill. This is a burger place located in California Adventure right next to the entrance to Soarin'. There are many kinds of burger and fries combination, and even create it yourself options. They have kids meals and a vegetarian selection here that would knock even the pickiest eaters socks off. There is inside and outside seating. The decor is an old hangar and there is not much of a view in this area. Price $$$, Atmosphere 7, Flavor 10.

2. Goofy's Kitchen. This is a Character Meal location inside the Disneyland Hotel. It is an all you care to eat buffet that has a very wide variety of foods, including PB&J Pizza. The counters are short enough that kids as young as 4 can often see the food and chose what they want to eat. The characters come around and spend some time with each table, and you never know who you will see other than Goofy and Pluto. Be sure you have your autograph book ready when you get here, you will need it. If you forget to bring it the characters will sign the table cloth and let you keep it. Price $$$$, Atmosphere 9, Flavor 9.

1. Blue Bayou. This is a very unique place to eat - and an absolute must-do. The entrance is located next to Pieces of Eight, and the exit of the Pirates ride in New Orleans Square. The reason this is an absolute must-do is because the seating itself is *INSIDE* (yes, inside) the Pirates ride. When you walk up for your reservation time and checked in you are taken to a large back patio located on the Bayou at night (no matter what time you arrived you will eat at night, even if it is high noon). There is the sound of crickets and you can see fireflies and shooting stars. While this is the single most expensive restaurant in the park, the food is more than worth the cost. If you have the dining plan I spoke of earlier, you can use it here. They have southern foods like gumbo, jambalaya and other creole dishes for adults, and there is a special children's menu as well. You have to have reservations here, and you can request waterside dining. Price: $$$$, Atmosphere 10, Flavor 10.


Price Legend:
$ - Reasonable snack price.
$$ - Reasonable regular meal price
$$$ - Medium range meal price
$$$$ - High end meal price.

Atmosphere legend:
1-5 - Missed the mark there, Mickey
6-8 - I can tell what it should be....
9 - Only missing a few minor details to immerse me
10 - Spot on and we are now IN the design.

Flavor:
1-4 - Kind of bland, but alright.
5-9 - Very tasty
10 - Makes your mouth water to even think about.