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

[OhToodles!]

Wow! They all sound delicious! I'm ready to go to DL for the food - fried chicken, ice cream, beignets?! I'm sold!

[sunshinetaradise]

i have to agree with others on Plaza Inn.....I'm not a huge fried chicken fan but I decided to try it since I've heard great things about it and it really was the best fried chicken I've ever had and would definitely eat it again! My friend and I split the meal since it is so much food and we both couldn't finish it!

[lexiemom]

We only ate one CS meal in Disneyland and that was at the Hungry Bear Restaurant. From what I recall I ordered a sandwich rather than a burger and it was pretty good. I do remember the lemon flavored cupcake I got there which was delicious.

[KMB733]

DL has great CS options!!

[dutchdisneyfamily]

I have eaten at the Plaza and had the fettuccine Alfredo. It was okay. Nothing fantastic but did the job. They are supposed to be famous for their fried chicken there. I also ate at the frontierland place and I don't remember what we had, but we sat out on the porch and it was lovely. I remember the meal was good, and there was corn bread. I want to try the soup in the bread bowl next time.

[Roxie2006]

All the QS's have something we would like. We have not ventured into to many of the QS options, but this year will be the year. Pixies for you that a package you want becomes available!!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

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

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 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?

The only CS at WDW with any discount that I know of is Flame Tree Barbecue which has a Tables in Wonderland discount.

Originally Posted by 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!"

You are too funny! I guess that could be rephrased as "I don't think we're in WDW anymore!"

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by pamcarey

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

The fried chicken here was excellent!

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

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!

Thank you so much for all your suggestions! They are so helpful. You have reminded me that I need to check the counter service places at Downtown Disney, too. How cool to eat Dole Whips in the Tiki Room.

Originally Posted by 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.

Now I'm very excited about the skewers. We'd probably get beignets later in the day, so that should work.

Originally Posted by Hugmonster

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

Glad to help!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by 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!

Thank you so much for all the helpful information. And reading your post has now made me hungry, too.

Originally Posted by MayraLR

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

You have a great list of CS options!

I remember thinking it was expensive and I guess on my minimum wage salary in 1980, it was. But $10.50 seems cheap now. That did include only 12 attractions.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Wow! They all sound delicious! I'm ready to go to DL for the food - fried chicken, ice cream, beignets?! I'm sold!

I do think we will eat well while there.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by sunshinetaradise

i have to agree with others on Plaza Inn.....I'm not a huge fried chicken fan but I decided to try it since I've heard great things about it and it really was the best fried chicken I've ever had and would definitely eat it again! My friend and I split the meal since it is so much food and we both couldn't finish it!

We grew up loving fried chicken, but seldom have it now. Sounds like we definitely need to have some at the Plaza Inn though.

Originally Posted by lexiemom

We only ate one CS meal in Disneyland and that was at the Hungry Bear Restaurant. From what I recall I ordered a sandwich rather than a burger and it was pretty good. I do remember the lemon flavored cupcake I got there which was delicious.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by KMB733

DL has great CS options!!

I was a little surprised by how many good options there were.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily

I have eaten at the Plaza and had the fettuccine Alfredo. It was okay. Nothing fantastic but did the job. They are supposed to be famous for their fried chicken there. I also ate at the frontierland place and I don't remember what we had, but we sat out on the porch and it was lovely. I remember the meal was good, and there was corn bread. I want to try the soup in the bread bowl next time.

Thanks! I think the fried chicken may be a winner.

Originally Posted by Roxie2006

All the QS's have something we would like. We have not ventured into to many of the QS options, but this year will be the year. Pixies for you that a package you want becomes available!!

Thanks!

[Big Baloo]

Still no joy on those ressies? Criminy! Fingers crossed it happens for you soon! (And now I want fried chicken.)

[Cam22]

Tuesday, August 25

Unfortunately, this update won’t start any differently than the rest of them. No dining packages yet for WoC and Fantasmic, nor any new days added to the park hours. So the waiting goes on and on. But now I’m pretty used to it.

Luke and I walked our 8 miles and then took care of home projects, mainly cleaning our garbage and recycling toters and my cleaning the bathrooms. While I was at that, Luke began working out how to fix his train track shelve around the ceiling. The supports were too narrow for his larger train to make it around the curves. And he really wanted that train on that track. It’s a large scale Justice League series. Very cool! When I got done with the bathrooms, he was still puzzling out what to do. So I started a load of laundry and worked on a couple of scrapbook pages. Around 11:30 he asked me if I’d go with him to Home Depot to get a few additional bits of plumbing fittings. We also needed to stop by Target for a prescription at the pharmacy and to pick up breakfast bars. Since we were out past noon, we stopped at McDonald’s for drinks and a chicken snack wrap for me.

Back at home, Luke headed off to clean his plumbing parts. His hands had been blackened after he worked with the pieces in the store to see exactly what he needed. Thank goodness they had wet wipes on the way out. Once I had eaten, I decided since he was working on his project, I’d work on my own in the scrapbook room. In the end I finished another 8 pages. All this made for a fun and busy day, but nothing was really accomplished toward our Disneyland trip.

So I take you now to our counter service options for California Adventure.

Ø Award Wieners in Hollywood Land – hot dogs [DVC discount]. We like hot dogs, but I’m really thinking there are much better options.

Ø Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta in Paradise Pier – pizza, pasta, salads; five cheese ravioli [DVC discount]. I got excited about five cheese ravioli because I love ravioli.

Ø Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Parlor in Buena Vista Street – ice cream with waffle cones. As I’ve already said, we love ice cream.

Ø Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill in Pacific Wharf – tacos and burritos [DVC discount]. And we love Mexican.

Ø Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land – Cone #2 ice cream cones. Again we love ice cream and how cool to get some at the Cozy Cone Motel.

Ø Don Tomas in Paradise Pier – chimichangas. I’m back to Mexican.

Ø Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical Café in Buena Vista Street – Starbucks; cinnamon rolls and hot breakfast sandwiches [DVC discount]. We’ll probably try out both Starbucks at DLR.

Ø Flo’s V8 Café in Cars Land – French toast for breakfast [DVC discount]. Sounds like a great start to the day.

Ø Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Shop in Pacific Wharf – ice cream. I’m loving how many ice cream places these two parks have.

Ø Pacific Wharf Café in Pacific Wharf – croissant for breakfast; salads and sandwiches for lunch [DVC discount]. Croissants are delicious.

Ø Paradise Garden Grill in Paradise Pier – skewers [DVC discount]. Yeah, another place with skewers.

Ø Paradise Pier Ice Cream Co. – ice cream. Really more ice cream!

Ø Smokejumpers Grill in Grizzly Peak – chili burger [DVC discount] Another spot for my burger connoisseur.

There will probably not be another update until Saturday. Tomorrow is a very busy day, including packing for a two-day trip to Glasgow. My dad will be having gall bladder surgery Thursday morning, so we are heading down to be with him for a couple of days. June and John do have Wi-Fi, but I don’t have any idea how much I’ll be on beyond checking the boards I’m a guide for. And I will be checking the Disneyland website, of course. If a miracle happens, I will post to let you all know I have a dining package.

[lauriep]

I thought the QS options at DLR were much better than the TS ones. It seemed to me the variety of choices was so much better than at WDW. Seeing it all in your lists for both parks confirms this for me. I'd like to eat at Carthay Circle but beyond that I'd be very happy eating QS at DLR.

Sending pixies for your dad to come through his surgery in his usual indomitable style!

[chezp]

I had a bad feeling that it would be the same story with those dining packages. Sorry I was right.