food IS a theme park
It’s Sunday, you guys!! The weekend ain’t over yet!
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
Time to celebrate with friends and some great eats and treats! And now, you can try TWO new menus in Disneyland as part of your weekend! [Read more…]
Disneyland Hotel’s Tangaroa Terrace, an island-inspired dining getaway, will close soon for a rather lengthy refurbishment.
Tangaroa Terrace Entrance
The quick service spot will shutter its Polynesian-style doors beginning on September 4, with a reopening anticipated for mid-January 2019 according to the Disneyland website. [Read more…]
We can all use a few tips when it comes to planning vacations at Disney. And of course, we think the food is just about the most important part of the trip!
Budgeting for all of the special meals that you’d like to enjoy is a big concern. And it may seem impossible to cut corners and save a little here and there while still enjoying yourself. But with a little creative planning, you can find some wonderful meals at some of the coolest places, all for less than you might think.
Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle
Previously, we shared our Top Picks at Walt Disney World for Meals Under $20. Today, we’re back to celebrate some fantastic meals that you can enjoy at Disneyland for around $20 or less. This is by no means exhaustive — there are lots more where these came from. But for now, come with us and check out some of the great options we have to share! [Read more…]
We are bidding you Season’s Greetings from sunny California today! After all, no holiday is complete without a trip to…Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar!
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
Right?! I mean, what’s Christmas without a little Aloha! Ahoy! AHA! Well, even if you can’t make it to Trader Sam’s this Christmas, we can all share in a little holiday cheer explorer-style, thanks to reader Shannon Gourlay, who shared these pics with us on facebook! [Read more…]
Okay. So I tried to come up with the Top Three Disneyland Restaurants for First Timers. But there was no way I could limit my picks to just three. So then, I said, hey, let’s try for the Top Five.
Even still.
So in the end, I cut myself off at Eight. 🙂
Matterhorn!
There is so much good food in Disneyland. Really, it was super hard not to just give you a list of pretty much every restaurant there, and call it a day.
But if you must narrow it down, these are the restaurants that I love. These are the spots that I’d go to every single time if I could. (And mostly, I do.)
Heading to Disneyland, or just dreaming about a pilgrimage there? Check out my picks for the places you have to visit during your very first trip. Whether you’re looking for a meal or a snack, you can’t go wrong with putting these spots on your list.
If I could only eat at one spot in Disneyland for the rest of my life, I’m fairly sure that spot would be Cafe Orleans. Located on New Orleans Square, it’s offers some of the beautiful patio seating that Disneyland is known for.
Outdoor Patio at Cafe Orleans
But I’m going to be honest — Cafe Orleans claims the distinction of offering not just one or two, but three of my favorite Disneyland dishes. (And that’s pretty much all I ever eat there.) First, when you visit here, I insist you order the Pommes Frites. Tossed with Garlic and Parmesan, they’re served with a Cajun Remoulade ramekin. I also insist you order TWO remoulades. At least. Per person.
Cafe Orleans Pommes Frites
While I love their gumbo here as well, it’s the Monte Cristo Sandwich that I can’t live without. Pockets of bread layered with Ham, Turkey, and Swiss Cheese are lightly battered and deep-fried. Served with Berry Puree for dipping, this is pretty much something everyone should eat at least once in life.
Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans
Not a meat-eater? There’s also an All-Cheese Version. No. Seriously. There is.
Behold. The Three-Cheese Monte Cristo. Did I mention the Double Creme Brie?
Three-Cheese Monte Cristo at Disneyland’s Cafe New Orleans
But save room for dessert — because you can’t pass on the Mickey Beignets served with Dipping Sauces.
Mickey Beignets with Sauces
Have this meal just once, and you can say “I’ve been to Disneyland” properly as far as I’m concerned.
But Cafe Orleans has an older, slightly more posh sister — Blue Bayou. And while I usually skip it in favor of Cafe Orleans, if you’re visiting the ‘Land for the first time, you really need to experience this place.
Because more than anything, Blue Bayou is an experience; it’s as much an attraction as a restaurant.
Blue Bayou Atmosphere
Because the restaurant is fashioned to look like a verandah on a river’s edge. Look below you into the water, and you see travelers, en route to explore the mysteries of the Pirates of the Caribbean.
Honestly, the food is less important here to me than the “view.” I have enjoyed the New Orleans Signature Gumbo. And in this setting, it’s even better.
New Orleans Signature Gumbo
And yep, to be honest, I like to order the Monte Cristo here, too!
Le Special de Monte Cristo Sandwich
It’s a little fancier (and more expensive), but just as delicious.
Some of my Disneyland dining choices are obviously sentimental; either I love the restaurant, the food, or both. But it’s not like they’re the tip-top of the culinary pyramid or anything. But then, there’s Napa Rose.
Start Your Napa Rose Adventure With a Glass of Wine on the Outside Patio
Nestled inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, Napa Rose stands as a testament to fine California fusion cuisine, inspired by fresh farm-to-market ingredients.
Chef Sutton’s Chili Base — Even Base Ingredients are Created in House From Scratch
Chef Andrew Sutton is in charge here, and his menus make use of the freshest items. Prepare to be [Read more…]
We’re counting down some of our all-time favorite spots to dine when we visit Disneyland!
And while snacking abounds and counter service can be delicious, today we are turning our attention to our favorite table service spots.
While Disney’s original park may not offer the same number of dining locations as Walt Disney World, there are certainly some places that you won’t want to miss. And we love them for all different reasons. Some are sentimental favorites, while others offer fantastic food.
Head out with us as we tour our Top 6 Table Service Spots in Disneyland Resort!
Our first stop takes us to a spot steeped in Disneyland history — Steakhouse 55 at Disneyland Hotel.
Dark, cool interiors are replete with luxury and plenty of nods to the past. Named for the year that Disneyland opened, of course, Steakhouse 55 channels a bygone era with the glamour of Old Hollywood. Close your eyes, and you can easily imagine power lunches by the entertainment elite taking place at the next table.
Inside the Cool and Serene Steakhouse 55
There’s more here than just posh surroundings, however. The food is incredible, too. For dinner, expertly prepared Steaks and classic steakhouse Sides are the draw. And don’t forget the famous 24-layer Chocolate Cake!
No time for an epic meal, but still want to experience this awesome place? Stop in for Drinks and delicious Pub Grub in the Lounge.
Bone-In Ribeye Steakhouse 55
But don’t forget breakfast! If you’re after a quiet start to your morning, you can’t go wrong with specialities like Eggs Benedict or New York Steak and Eggs.
When I’m up for a culinary experience with a modern, California vibe, I head to Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
The Craftsman style and open floor plan gives the restaurant a warm, welcoming feel. It never feels too intimidating or hoity-toity, even though you are dining in one of Southern California’s most celebrated eateries.
Begin your evening in [Read more…]
“Aloha, ahoy, aha! And welcome to the mystery, romance, and adventure of Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar.”
These are the words that lure you into Trader Sam’s story when you first look at a menu in this brand new Tiki bar in the Disneyland Hotel! In fact, a good friend of mine has referred to it as “the best of the Jungle Cruise, Adventurers Club, and Tiki Room rolled into a liquor license.” I heartily agree.
Let’s take a trip to the “happy outpost,” shall we?
Trader Sam's Welcome Message - click image for larger version
I had been watching the creation of Trader Sam’s with great interest during the Spring and early Summer of 2011.
All I’d heard is that this destined-to-be-great spot might incorporate some of the decor of the old Pleasure Island Adventurers Club in Disney World, one of my very favorite places. And with the brilliant artistry of Kevin Kidney and Jody Daly behind it, it had [Read more…]
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
