We are going to be in Disneyland over Memorial weekend and I was wondering where the best places are for lunch in the parks? Nothing fancy, but somewhere where we can get kids meals (our kids are 3 and 6). Thanks!

I can't give you lots of expert advice on your question (only spent 5 days at these parks) but I MUST say it's stupid somebody has deemed it necessary to move your perfectly reasonable posting.Don't quite know who is in charge at the moment folks but they are being too picky.This is a perfectly reasonable question which would be seen by alot more people where it was and you would of received alot of answers and advice from where it was.Sorry folks - rant over you can go about your business

I was at DLR last week with my sis and nephews. The 10 yr. old eats regular meals, but the 6 yr. old always got the kid's meal. We had a really nice lunch at Taste Pilot's Grill in DCA, very good burgers and salads. The little one had a kid's meal with the chicken mickey-nuggets, those are good, I've tried them. I highly recommend TP.

We also ate a lunch at Zocalo in DL (mexican food). The kid's meal was a bean burrito, which seemed like it had shrunk since the last time we were there. The kid's meals come in these little plastic "suitcase boxes" that limit the size of the food.

We also ate dinner at The Golden Horsehoe in DL, hamburgers and hotdogs. We ate there at 8:30 pm and the place was empty, which was really nice. This may be getting late for you though, but we were spending at least 13 hour days at the park.

I hope this helps a little. Try doing a search on "kids meals", I know I've seen this discussed before.

I can't give you lots of expert advice on your question (only spent 5 days at these parks) but I MUST say it's stupid somebody has deemed it necessary to move your perfectly reasonable posting.Don't quite know who is in charge at the moment folks but they are being too picky.This is a perfectly reasonable question which would be seen by alot more people where it was and you would of received alot of answers and advice from where it was.Sorry folks - rant over you can go about your business

I'm not really appreciating the tone of this post and I am not the person who moved this thread, but, I'll reply:

There's nothing wrong with this thread, it's a perfectly legitimate question. The reason it was moved is because it's specifically about children and we have a wonderful forum here just for questions about taking children to Disney Parks. The post was not moved as a punishment or to say that it wasn't reasonable! The post was moved to a more appropriate forum where other parents and people with experience taking children to Disney Parks can see it and reply.

If you have a problem with how our board is moderated, I invite you to contact any of the moderators via PM or e-mail or simply click on the "Report this Post" Icon (the triangle icon) at the bottom of any post in this thread and your report will be sent to the appropriate moderators.

Thank you,
Adrienne

I MUST say it's stupid somebody has deemed it necessary to move your perfectly reasonable posting.Don't quite know who is in charge at the moment folks but they are being too picky.


Edit: ditto of what AK said :rolleyes:

Most of the restaurants at the DLR have either Mickey head nuggets, hamburgers, mini corn dogs, or pizza. Pizza Port is a popular spot for my kids--the oldest one loves the pizza and Caesar salad, and they will make a bowl of plain pasta with parmesan cheese for my youngest.

We are going to be in Disneyland over Memorial weekend and I was wondering where the best places are for lunch in the parks? Nothing fancy, but somewhere where we can get kids meals (our kids are 3 and 6). Thanks!


Just about all the restaurants in the parks have kids menus. If you visit MousePlanet's Disneyland Restaurant Resource (http://www.mouseplanet.com/drr/) you'll find current menus for almost all of the DLR restaurants (there are a couple of restaurants still not updated, it's a work in progress, but most of them are updated and you'll see the "may 2004" date stamp on them to confirm the information is current.)

It really depends on what you're looking for- do you prefer a walk-up counter service restaurant that's more likely to have burgers or a buffeteria type restaurant? Our family likes Redd Rockett's Pizza Port and Plaza Inn in Disneyland. Carnation Cafe is a sit-down restaurant but it's good, too. None of these are "fancy" but they are nicer than the walk-up counters. Another vote from our family for Taste Pilot's Grill in DCA.

Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney is ok. There's a wait and it can get loud in there which sometimes my kids aren't in the mood for. Personally, I would skip Rainforest if you're on a time budget. Use the time to stay in the parks instead!

My kids are also 3 and almost 6, FWIW. Hope that helps!

Adrienne

My favorite kids meals are at the Plaza Inn.

I don't have kids, but I certainly eat kids meals. Much more reasonable than buying a $12 pasta meal and only being able to eat a fourth of it!

The thread is specifically about DLR. I don't agree with the tone, but I agree with the opposition of movement.
That said:
1. Picnic basket in the Parking structure. They get exactly what they want.
2. If you have to go to restaurants, try not to buy too much food for yourself. You can save money by stealing your kids' fries. When they get full, of course.
3. Frozen pops or fresh fruit from ODV, on the walkways or on a bench.

I know it sounds expensive with the prix fixe pricing, but just once, take the kidlet to Ariel's Grotto near Paradise Pier in DCA. If you compare the costs to most kid meals inside either park, you will find that it's not that much more expensive, and they'll get the experience of a meet & greet with Chip & Dale, Goofy, Minnie, Ariel, and others... all while eating some pretty tasty food. And, while I can only speak for the adult meals, I haven't left there less than stuffed.

Am I the only person who was very underwhelmed by Ariel's Grotto?

Adrienne

As someone who loves having the kids meals (we're all kids at Disneyland) at DCA & DL, here's my favorites around the resort:

Plaza Inn (chicken, applesauce, biscut, mashed potatoes and cool color-changing straw and drink) -- thumbs up to this one -- although the unsweetened apple sauce isn't my favorite the straw is awesome!

Village Haus -- mickey shaped nuggets, fries and a drink. Love it! Just the right amount.

Pizza Ooh Mow Mow -- PB&J pizza -- gets weird looks but is soooo good.
same goes for ... Farmer's market (when it is open) and the Peanut Butter/Jelly/Fluff/Rice Krispy rollup.

Taste Pilots' Grill -- mini hamburgers are really yummy and the smiley-face fries always make me smile.

I haven't had a chance to eat off the kids menu at The Blue Bayou, I love the Monte Cristo too much :)

Am I the only person who was very underwhelmed by Ariel's Grotto?

Adrienne

I didn't care for it the first time I went, mostly because my hamburger was pretty much burnt, and I really should have sent it back. The service, both from the serving staff and from the kitchen, was mediocre at best, and the characters were a bit odd. Our second visit was a total blast, and we had a great time. The food was good, and the characters were absolutely awesome.

I have to say that I wasn't impressed at all with Ariels Grotto either. We took our girls, ages 2 and 5 there last April and just felt that for the money, it just wasn't worth it. The atmosphere wasn't quite what I thought it would be, and while we did see Ariel and Minnie and Goofy, we had a much better experience at Goofy's Kitchen! The food was great, nice selection, and the kids had a blast! We have reservations for dinner there on our upcoming trip! I highly recommend it!

I've never been and would like to try it. What's the cost of dinner?

My favorite kids meals are at the Plaza Inn.

I don't have kids, but I certainly eat kids meals. Much more reasonable than buying a $12 pasta meal and only being able to eat a fourth of it!
Is it really acceptable for adults to order and eat kiddies meals? Over here theres usually an age limit (usually 12 yrs old) and anyone over this age must order a standard meal. Do they query if the meal is for a child when you order or is it just standard practice? This sounds like a really good way of saving, and giving you more money to spend on other activities and souvenirs whilst there. I've also heard that American portions generally are far larger than over here, so ordering a childs portion may be adequate for us.

Do they query if the meal is for a child when you order or is it just standard practice?

I've never been asked. The advantage is because it it Disney, EVERYONE is a kid at heart. If they give you a hard time, point to a random child and tell the worker it is for him/her (slightly unethical, but so is charging $6 for a burger). The kids portion tends to be the perfect size -- the adult ones are large for those like me who aren't big eaters.

nothing fancy, but when i was youngER, i remember liking eating at toontown. of course since i was spoiled (hihihi), my dad would ride with me on gadgets go coaster while my mom got the food.

lets see, dca opened, i was already not so young... but we always eat at the mcdonalds place... and we see a lot of kids there too....

but, these selections might be a little too heavy for your children... i mean i was always called a HEAVY eater even as a kid... haha....

(oh and in case you are wondering... i was 4-5 then)

from,
the connosieur of unhealthy and overpriced food.. only at DL!

My (then 3yo) daughter loved Ariel's Grotto. In addition to the characters, they had a conga/music line and all sorts of fun for the kids. The big downside was trying to get her to sit long enough to actually eat.

We really loved our lunch at Ariel's Grotto. It was a wonderful break in a hot day to sit down, enjoy some good food and the characters were fantastic when we were there (particularly Pluto). It was truly one of the highlights of our trip.

I often order kid's meals. Nobody has ever questioned it. Given that I usually sit at a table while hubby orders, I don't see how anyone could know if you were ordering for yourself or for a child. Another option is to split entrees, especially if you'd like to order dessert! I have also ordered the entree only from the burger/fry type meals and they take a few cents off if you don't want the fries anyway.

I often order kid's meals. Nobody has ever questioned it. Given that I usually sit at a table while hubby orders, I don't see how anyone could know if you were ordering for yourself or for a child. Another option is to split entrees, especially if you'd like to order dessert!
- You must have read my mind! I much prefer dessert to the main course and frequently leave half of my main course if I'm feeling a little full and won't have room for the desert!!
I made a reservation for lunch in August at Ariel's Grotto yesterday and think this will be one of the many highlights of the holiday - both for my two daughters and myself! Was it busy when you went and are you served quite quickly?