dining in disneyland | the disney food blog

Dining in Disneyland: Fall Treats and Halloween Eats — Mickey Pumpkin Beignets and Skellington Popcorn

Although it still feels like Summer here in California, Fall has arrived and Disneyland is ready with some fun Fall and Halloween Treats!

The Jack Skellington Popcorn Container has returned to Disneyland just in time for Haunted Mansion Holiday; and Pumpkin Beignets are back at the Mint Julep Bar!

Let’s take a look!

Jack Skellington Popcorn Container in Disneyland

A super fun Halloween item has returned to Disneyland this season; the Jack Skellington Popcorn Coffin!

Available at the popcorn cart outside of the French Market near the Haunted Mansion Holiday, the coffin is served up overflowing with popcorn for just $12.

The reason I say “just” is the fact that you get to take home an awesome Halloween decoration to keep forever and ever!

Overflowing Popcorn Coffin

The coffin comes with a handle and snap closure making it [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Halloween Time Starts Now!

By Heather 11 Comments

This week I lucked out and was able to attend the Disney Parks Blog Halloween Meet Up in Disneyland.

After an announcement was made on the Disney Parks Blog, 100 Annual Passholders, including me, quickly registered for themselves (and could bring one guest) to attend the “Get Spookier” meet up.

A perfect opportunity to try out this year’s Halloween costume!

Can you tell who I am???

We’ll get to the treats and eats in just a bit, but first off — the events! The evening was designed to celebrate the kick-off of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, which officially started last Friday, September 14th.

We started off the night seated outdoors at the French Market (aka Club Skellington) for a presentation from some fabulous cast members: David Caranci, Manager of Park Enhancement; and Brian Sandahl, Senior Designer for Disney Entertainment for Creative Development.

They each told us about their roles in preparing the park for Halloween. We learned lots of fun facts about the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay as well as park stats such as how many pumpkins are used as decor during Halloween Time. The answer? Over 1000; some real and some artificial. Including this guy:

A Few of the 1000+ Pumpkins that Adorn Disneyland During Halloween Time!

After the very informative chat with David and Brian, guests were sent off to ride the Haunted Mansion Holiday over and over again for 45 minutes. Each ride a walk on!

Although this was also spectacular (this year’s Gingerbread House is a must see, I LOVE newly added the ghost train) I was most interested in, you guessed it: the desserts!

Treats!

After our ride(s) we were treated to a [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Review of 1901 Lounge in Disney California Adventure

By Heather 21 Comments

When standing in front of Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure, you will notice three entrance doors. The two on the left lead you into the restaurant while the one on the right takes you somewhere very, very special.

Carthay Circle Restaurant Marquee

Atmosphere

1901, a private lounge reserved for Club 33 Platinum Members and their guests, is perhaps one of the most tranquil spots in all of Disney California Adventure. A variety of eats and treats are served here, which are also served at Carthay Circle Lounge (a spot that all park guests can access — no membership needed there).

With a simple 1901 plaque at its entrance, behind the door is a spectacular space filled with historic mementos that Walt himself would’ve probably chosen to put on display.

1901 Entrance Plaque

As with Carthay Circle Restaurant, when you walk into 1901, you are immediately taken back to the 1930’s. The colors, decor and furniture are inviting, almost as if you are walking into someone’s home.

The lounge is divided into two areas.

The hallway that divides the room in two.

On one side of the room you’ll find comfy couches surrounded by some chairs, loveseats, and a few little [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Mad Treats Specialty Lollipops

By Heather 3 Comments

I’ve been eying these pretty lollipops since I first saw them at the Candy Palace before the Mad T Party even debuted at Disney California Adventure.

Mad Treats Lollipops

A sucker for anything sparkly, I thought they were almost too pretty to eat! I also love sour candies, so I was sold when I read the flavors were sour cherry, sour fruit punch, and sour apple.

Priced at $5.99 for a bundle of 3 lollipops, they aren’t exactly cheap; but I really wanted to try the sour cherry one. So… on a recent visit to Disney California Adventure I purchased the trio from Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street and shared them with my boys as we took our first round trip Trolley Ride.

3 Lollipops for $5.99

I immediately claimed the sour cherry heart as mine. I am seriously in love with how glittery these lollipops are. My oldest wanted the blue one, which he claims was fruit punch; and my youngest got left with [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Hand Pulled Taffy at Trolley Treats

By Heather 5 Comments

Newly opened Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure has a handful of signature items that I’m very excited about!

Trolly Treats on Buena Vista Street

One of them is this brightly striped, hand pulled taffy made on site in their very own candy kitchen!

This new signature line comes in four flavors (from left to right below): Lemon-Lime, Strawberry-Orange, Watermelon, & Raspberry Peach.

Hand Pulled Packaged Taffy

Taffy Flavors and Ingredients

When I heard that DCA would be making hand pulled taffy in the candy kitchen, I was actually picturing salt water taffy pieces; so when I saw these striped strips I was really surprised and [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe with Starbucks!

By Heather 23 Comments

After all of our coverage of Cars Land, we’ve got another great gem in the heart of Disney California Adventure’s new Buena Vista Street! I’ve already been there a few times and I can tell you that the Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe is a great stop for a quick bite to eat.

Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe

This, by the way, is also where you’ll find the very first Starbucks to be located inside of a Disney theme park.

I love that the signage for Starbucks is discreet.

Atmosphere

Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe is a counter service restaurant themed with The Silver Lake Sisters in mind. Who are the Silver Lake Sisters you ask? The story here is that they were a trio of singers with a love for [Read more…]

Spotted! Fun “Disney Food” Statues at Off the Page in Disney California Adventure

By Heather 4 Comments

One of my favorite stores to visit in Disney California Adventure is the “Off the Page” gallery located next to the Art of Animation building in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. They always have fun items ranging from fine art, to tech gadgets, to kitchen goodies and statuettes.

On a recent visit I noticed these cute “Foodie” statues and thought it would be fun to share them on the blog.

My favorite of the statues is this Donald Duck piece with Chip and Dale behind him sneakily stealing his ice cream. The statue is pretty large, 17 inches tall, and designed by Disney artist Brian Blackmore. It’s hand painted sculpted resin and sells for $199.95.

Donald Duck Ice Cream Statue

Sneaky little Chip n' Dale!

Next up we’ve got Chip and Dale “sharing” a peanut. Also made of hand painted sculpted resin, this statue stands 12 inches high and was designed by Disney Artist Costa Alavezos. It’s $99.95.

Chip and Dale Peanut Statue

Chef Goofy in “Goofy as French Chef” is stirring up a pot of boiling water while his [Read more…]

First Look and Review! Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure

By Heather 39 Comments

After years of watching the progress of Disney California Adventure’s expansion, and in recent months being able to see the tower of Carthay Circle Theater from behind construction walls, it’s so surreal that I have now actually dined there…twice!

*Please note, the lighting inside Carthay at night is so dark. Many of my photos do not do it justice.

Carthay Circle Restaurant Marquee

Carthay Circle Premiere!

Atmosphere

Inspired by the original Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood where Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937, the restaurant is about as close to a true replica as you can get.

The theming inside is true to the period as well. It features fabulous old photos of Walt as well as memorabilia from Snow White. From the moment you walk into Carthay Circle Restaurant, you feel as though you have stepped back in time; back to the “Golden Age” of Hollywood.

When facing Carthay, there are three doors. The two on the left are entrances to the restaurant, and the door to the right is the entrance to the private 1901 Lounge (for which we will soon have a review,too!). Lovely cast members are there to get the door for you and welcome you to Carthay Circle.

Welcome to Carthay

Upon entering there is a rather large lounge area. To the left is a spacious waiting area to enjoy after you’ve checked in for your meal, and to the right there is a separate room — The Carthay Circle Lounge — where the bar and extra seating is located.

Carthay Circle Lounge

In the lounge, you can get drinks and small bites. No reservations are needed to visit the lounge, and you are more than welcome to [Read more…]

First Look! Mortimer’s Market on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure

By Heather 14 Comments

Walking into the newly opened Buena Vista Street, one of the first things you see (if the Red Trolley is not parked at its station) is Mortimer’s Market.

Designed as a place to pick up some “healthier” snack options, Mortimer’s hits you before you have the chance to grab a churro or popcorn!

Mortimer's Market

Mortimer’s Market Back Story

The “story” behind Mortimer’s is that this fresh fruit and veggie stand was run on Buena Vista Street by “Mortimer McKenzie.” Mortimer was said to be a small man with a high voice; friendly and unassuming, with an enthusiastic personality.

A certain young animator might have found inspiration for a very famous character here…

Shelving Decor & Beverage/Fruit Cooler

For those who don’t know the story of how Mickey Mouse was created, he was originally called “Mortimer” Mouse! Walt’s wife thought that Mickey might be a better name, and the rest is history…

And before we jump into atmosphere and eats, I wanted to share another fun part of Mortimer’s and the rest of Buena Vista Street! To bring the story of Walt’s first few days in 1920’s California even more to life, Imagineers have introduced a wandering troupe of characters, or “citizens,” to interact with guests…

Citizens of Buena Vista Street

And these “citizens” of Buena Vista Street play a role at Mortimer’s too. While I was perusing the market, this friendly police officer walked through to ask all the cast members how “biz was going” on this “fine afternoon.” It was hysterical.

Officer Clyde Blue Checking in on Business at Mortimer's

He then proceeded to hang out in front of the market and write some “tickets” to people who were doing good deeds or just looking nice. I literally saw him give a ticket to someone for having a “good hair day!” My friend Amanda’s daughter was written up for “Exemplary neonatal vehicle navigation.” Hysterical.

Behave yourself & You might just get written up for it!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled review!