First Ever Disneyland Trip Updated 10/13 About This Page:

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by pamcarey

Cool WDW memorabilia!! I wish I would have saved some stuff like that from my first visit in 1989.

It was fun to rediscover these. We pull out our 1997 photo album every now and then and are amazed at the difference in the park maps.

Originally Posted by KimmyAnn1147

Mini-hijack here...Don't let the flakiness of the Disneyland info deter you. It's just not that big of a thing to do a ton of planning before a trip to DL. With the exception of Blue Bayou and possibly Carathy Circle, even ADRs don't seem to be very necessary to get right at the beginning of the ressie window. It's still the happiest place on earth! But yeah, not a lot to keep us planning junkies busy, that's true.

I have been told that the ADRs are pretty easy to get, but my planning mode doesn't seem to know what to think when I can't do anything. If the website didn't say I could book at 60 days, I probably wouldn't be annoyed.

Originally Posted by Roxie2006

We also live on back country roads. All the photos are great. Your memorabilia is awesome. I love going back in time.

It is nice to live out just a bit.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

With the exception of "Funky Town" it sounds really peaceful but still close enough to the 'city' accommodations.
And how neat to find the stuff from your first trip! I don't think I have anything, except for pictures of mine.

I have very few pictures from the first trip as the cost of developing was expensive back then. So it is nice now to have the guidebook, too.

Originally Posted by jandsdennis

what a great place to walk. we have many walking trails where we live and thoroughly enjoy them. So peaceful. Nice to live close to civilization too. Best of both worlds. Ill be since retiring you are able to enjoy them even more.

I'm not sure we were ever on more than a mile of our city/county walking trails before we retired. We definitely take advantage of these now.

[KMB733]

Beautiful pictures from your walk! Great memorabilia from Walt Disney World. I love looking at old pictures and things from Disney past!

[wheezie]

I love that old memorabilia!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by KMB733

Beautiful pictures from your walk! Great memorabilia from Walt Disney World. I love looking at old pictures and things from Disney past!

I love looking at old Disney stuff, too.

Originally Posted by wheezie

I love that old memorabilia!

Old Disney stuff is so funny to look through.

[roaminggnome]

Fun look back on booklets from Disney past. Your road names remind me of the roads around here and look much the same.

[Cam22]

Monday, August 24 -- Counter Service Options for Disneyland

I did my usual check of the Disneyland website for those elusive dining package ADRs. Nothing yet and no additional days with park hours past October 3. We are now 43 days from arrival, and I’d just like these last details settled so I can map out our other plans.

Over the past couple of days I decided to look over information about the counter service spots at both Disneyland and California Adventure. Since we’ve never been to either park, I thought it would be nice to know which ones might appeal to us rather than just walking in at random. I also checked for which ones had the DVC discount. There are a whole lot of options. Below is the first list.

Disneyland


Ø Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland – beef, chicken, and veggie skewers; jalapeno stuffed pretzels [DVC discount]. I love skewers and Luke loves anything with jalapenos.

Ø Clarabelle’s in Mickey’s Toontown – sandwiches, salads, and ice cream [DVC discount]. Those of you who have read my previous WDW TRs will know that Luke and I love ice cream.

Ø Daisy’s Diner in Mickey’s Toontown – pizza (considered subpar with no place to sit) [DVC discount]. This one doesn’t really look too promising based on guest reviews.

Ø Edelweiss Snacks in Fantasyland – chimichangas. My favorite Mexican food is the chimichangas.

Ø French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square – Cajun/Creole; Po Boy Sandwiches [DVC discount]. Luke loves Cajun/Creole cuisine, especially Po Boy Sandwiches.

Ø Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Main Street U.S.A. – ice cream. Ditto on ice cream.

Ø Harbour Galley in Critter Country – soups in sourdough bread bowls [DVC discount]. This one sounded very interesting and soup might be very good in October.

Ø Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country – chili cheeseburger with fried onion ring [DVC discount] Luke enjoys a good specialty burger.

Ø Jolly Holiday Bakery in Main Street U.S.A. – grilled cheese and tomato soup [DVC discount]. One of my favorite fall/winter meals is a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. I also enjoy this meal in the spring and summer, too.

Ø Market House in Main Street U.S.A. – Starbucks. We have some gift cards so Luke can get his morning coffee and I’ll probably grab a pastry for breakfast at least one day.

Ø Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square – Beignets. I discovered these the first time we visited New Orleans.

Ø Plaza Inn in Main Street U.S.A. – This one is questionable as nothing on the menu really sounded that appealing and there is no discount.

Ø Pluto’s Dog House in Mickey’s Toontown – no seating [DVC discount]. We both like hot dogs.

Ø Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland – Mexican [DVC discount]. We usually eat Mexican at least once a week.

Ø Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Tomorrowland – cafeteria style [DVC discount]. I’m not fond of cafeteria style and reviews were mixed on this one.

Ø Refreshment Corner in Main Street U.S.A. – hot dogs; Dapper Dans or pianist may be serenading on the patio [DVC discount]. The fact that the Dapper Dans might be singing made this one a good possibility.

Ø River Belle Terrace in Frontierland – Mickey pancakes for breakfast [DVC discount]. Sounds like my kind of start to the day.

Ø Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square – gumbo [DVC discount]. Gumbo is popular around here and we like it.

Ø Stage Door Café in Frontierland – funnel cake [DVC discount]. Funnel cake just feels like fall to me.

Ø The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland – live entertainment with fair fried foods [DVC discount]. This is another place that sounds fun.

Ø Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland – Dole Whip. Every trip needs at least one Dole Whip.

Ø Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland – French Toast for breakfast [DVC discount]. This sounds like another good start to the day.
Ø Troubadour Tavern in Fantasyland – bratwurst with sauerkraut [DVC discount]. One of Luke’s favorite meals.

Ø Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland – flatbread pizza; pastrami cheeseburger [DVC discount]. This one reminded me of Pinocchio’s Village Haus at WDW.

NEXT: California Adventure Counter Service Options

[cubfancolleen]

Definitely try the soup in sourdough bread. Delish!!
And beignets,

[DMA]

Some excellent options for CS! Nice that many of them offer DVC discount too!
Are there any CS at WDW that offer DVC discount?

[SuperDave]

The CS options look good considering the way the ADRs are going at this point! When you can finally get the ADRs you may need some hard meds and perhaps a few visits to a psychiatrist, after what you have been dealing with of late! As Dorothy once said...."I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!"

[pamcarey]

Here's my two cents, based on the ones we ate at...

Originally Posted by Cam22

Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland – beef, chicken, and veggie skewers; jalapeno stuffed pretzels [DVC discount]. I love skewers and Luke loves anything with jalapenos.

I wanted to try this one as I love skewers, but it didn't seem to have any seating. I suppose you could take the food somewhere else where there is seating.

Originally Posted by Cam22

French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square – Cajun/Creole; Po Boy Sandwiches [DVC discount]. Luke loves Cajun/Creole cuisine, especially Po Boy Sandwiches.

We had a really good French Dip sandwich here! Also, the Diamond Anniversary chocolate cake was to die for! Layers of chocolate cake, mousse, ganache, with mango and raspberry fillings. Yum!

Originally Posted by Cam22

Jolly Holiday Bakery in Main Street U.S.A. – grilled cheese and tomato soup [DVC discount]. One of my favorite fall/winter meals is a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. I also enjoy this meal in the spring and summer, too.

Everyone in my family (except me) had the grilled cheese and tomato soup and loved it! I tried a spoonful of the soup and it was really good! I got a roast beef sandwich that was just kind of okay. Another time, I got a cinnamon roll that was honestly the most decadent cinnamon roll I've ever had. It was drowning in sugary glaze. So good!

Originally Posted by Cam22

Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square – Beignets. I discovered these the first time we visited New Orleans.

The beignets were delicious (and Mickey shaped). However, none of us liked the mint julep... it was kind of weird and tasted like medicine. If you like beignets, the ones at Ralph Brennan's Express in Downtown Disney were even better.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Plaza Inn in Main Street U.S.A. – This one is questionable as nothing on the menu really sounded that appealing and there is no discount.

The fried chicken here was excellent!

Originally Posted by Cam22

Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square – gumbo [DVC discount]. Gumbo is popular around here and we like it.

My DS got the gumbo and really liked it. I tried a spoonful and also thought it was good.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland – Dole Whip. Every trip needs at least one Dole Whip.

I wholeheartedly agree that every trip needs at least one Dole Whip. The line here always seemed to be long, but I have a tip for you. The waiting area for the Enchanted Tiki Room has its own (much shorter) line for the Dole Whip stand, and you can bring them into the show!

I can't wait to hear which ones you end up eating at!

[HollyH]

Bengal BBQ - yum! We tried all the skewers except for the spicy chicken.

Mint Julep Bar - Mickey Beignets! Beware, the long can be long and slow in the morning, at least that was our experience. We returned later in the day and it was much quicker.

Dole Whips - I loved getting a Dole Whip and waiting for the Tiki Room. You can bring them into the show too, but we finished ours before the show started. That's something I wish they would do at WDW.

[Hugmonster]

Great list... You are doing all my research for me

[KimmyAnn1147]

I really enjoyed the pics of your neighborhood and your memorabilia. It reinforces my desire to save Disney ephemera, because I really enjoy seeing how their presentations have changed over the years.

Wow, that CS list is going to come in handy for me!

We usually pack our own snacks and eat at the rental house, but I do have some experience, plus I've been reading lots of blogs so I can give you the opinions of other folks as well.

Ø Clarabelle’s in Mickey’s Toontown – sandwiches, salads, and ice cream [DVC discount]. Those of you who have read my previous WDW TRs will know that Luke and I love ice cream. I hear very good things about the Clarabelle's on BV avenue at CA. Ø Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Main Street U.S.A. – ice cream. Ditto on ice cream. My suggestion is to put one of you in line, and leave the other to hover around the indoor tables by the window. We had lots of fun people-watching from this spot. Even had some guests joke around with us, miming that they want bites. The sundaes are huge, DS and I split one and ended up throwing one away. This is not normal icecream behavior for my family. I recommend splitting. Ø Harbour Galley in Critter Country – soups in sourdough bread bowls [DVC discount]. This one sounded very interesting and soup might be very good in October. This is my go-to late night snack. It's possible to get away from the hustle and bustle if you go to the side of building, near the water. There are a few tables back there. Our family "copped a squat" along the back side here:
The blue building is the water side of the Harbour Galley kitchen. There's a curb comfortable to side on just under the Fowler's Inn sign, it's a great hang out spot where no one but CM's seem to pass. There are more trails down further as well, but this spot was great if you and Luke are ok on a curb-level perch. One of my best Disneyland moments of my trip last year! Ø Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country – chili cheeseburger with fried onion ring [DVC discount] Luke enjoys a good specialty burger.The fried green tomato sandwich gets raves. I haven't eaten here since I was 13, but it's on my list for my Dec trip. The atmosphere is AWESOME, never seems crowded, and I love burgers! The prices are reasonable for the portion size, from what I remember and am reading now. Ø Market House in Main Street U.S.A. – Starbucks. We have some gift cards so Luke can get his morning coffee and I’ll probably grab a pastry for breakfast at least one day. Be prepared to WAIT if you want morning coffee here. Good place for one of you to go while the other holds a spot at rope drop. Ø Plaza Inn in Main Street U.S.A. – This one is questionable as nothing on the menu really sounded that appealing and there is no discount. Many report this is the best fried chicken anywhere either in or outside of Disney Parks. Large portions, you can split.
Ø Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland – Mexican [DVC discount]. We usually eat Mexican at least once a week. Good reviews, atmosphere looks nice. Tom Bricker (disneytouristblog.com) rates this the best place for a cheap date in the park.
Ø Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Tomorrowland – cafeteria style [DVC discount]. I’m not fond of cafeteria style and reviews were mixed on this one.Bad reviews, avoid. Ø Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland – Dole Whip. Every trip needs at least one Dole Whip. Needs no introduction! Quicker to order from inside the Tiki Room waiting area. Ø Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland – flatbread pizza; pastrami cheeseburger [DVC discount]. This one reminded me of Pinocchio’s Village Haus at WDW. I'm hearing very good things about this place at this point. The flatbreads look small to me but many posters say that the quality is high and has improved over the years.

OK, now I'm hungry!

[MayraLR]

Wow, look at those prices back then! Quite a shock!

You have a great list of CS options!