Top 15 Disneyland Dining Tips And Tricks

Dining at Disneyland is half the fun of a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. Enjoying delicious seasonal food, historic restaurants Walt himself enjoyed, and reserved seating for the best shows makes for some of the best vacation memories. Here are our top Disneyland dining hacks to save time and money on your next trip!

Consider a Dining Package for Entertainment

Using a dining package to see entertainment like parades, World of Color, or Fantasmic! can be a great way to enjoy a meal and save some time with reserved seating. If you're already planning on eating at one of the restaurants, spending a little extra to make it into a dining package can be a good way to go. My favorite is the Blue Bayou dining package for Fantasmic! so we can always enjoy front row seating.

Get Free Water

Any counter-service restaurant at Disneyland will give you free cups of ice water if you ask! Don't spend money on overpriced bottled water and grab some free water instead.

Dining Restrictions? No Problem!

If you have any dietary restrictions or are looking for vegetarian options, Disneyland is amazing at accommodating guests with any dietary need imaginable. Just make a note on your reservation for sit-down restaurants, and someone from the kitchen will come talk to you to find out how to give you the best experience.

Split Larger Dishes

Some of the dishes at Disneyland are large enough for two! If you have light eaters in your group, splitting a dish can be a great way to go to save some extra bucks.

Find the Cheap Monte Cristo

While the Blue Bayou is well-known for their Monte Cristo sandwich, you can actually get the same exact sandwich a few doors down at Cafe Orleans for a cheaper price!

Make Dining Reservations

Make dining reservations for your trip, especially for popular restaurants and dining packages. To book a meal reservation at the Disneyland Resort, head to the official Disneyland website, app, or call the reservation hotline at (714) 781-3463. You can make your reservation 60 days in advance! These reservations do sell out.

Bring Ziploc Bags for Leftovers

Packing a few quality Ziploc bags in your backpack or purse can be a great way to save your leftovers for snacks. Especially if you're traveling with kids, this is a great hack to save money when they only eat half a Mickey pretzel.

Splurge on the Dessert Party

While you can easily see the World of Color nighttime show at Disney's California Adventure without paying for a dining package or dessert party, this is one fun area for a splurge if it works out for your group. Enjoy the show in style while you're served champagne and dessert in seated directors chairs.

Use Mobile Ordering

You can use mobile ordering (Disneyland mobile ordering guide here) in both Disneyland's theme parks and at many locations in Downtown Disney using the Disneyland App. Mobile ordering saves time and allows you to grab your food without waiting in long lines. If there is one place you do use it, make sure it's for getting your Dole Whip, as the Tiki Juice Bar always has the longest lines.

Eat Breakfast in Line

We always recommend using our Disneyland morning touring strategy and getting to the gates an hour before the park officially opens. Grab some breakfast to take on the go and eat it while you wait in line for the park to open. This is a great time saver in the mornings!

Consider a Magic Key Pass

If you're planning on dining inside the parks often and are staying for a few days, it may be worth it for just one person in your group to upgrade their ticket to a Magic Key Pass and take advantage of the dining discounts ranging from 10-15% off your meals! Since we first shared this tip, the Disneyland Annual Pass program, now called the Magic Key, has gotten even more popular and passes are not always on sale. Check when you are booking your trip.

Find the Seasonal Treats

Disneyland always has seasonal treats offered year round with some of the best finds during Disneyland Christmas and Halloween at Disneyland. Make sure you don't miss out on all the seasonal favorites, like the coveted hand-pulled candy canes or the seasonal beignets!

Don't Forget the Disneyland Hotels

Don't overlook the Disneyland-owned on property hotels, which all offer great dining options. Enjoy a Dole Whip with rum at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel or stop by the Craftsman Bar at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel.

Use This Target Gift Card Hack

This gift card hack is a great way to save money on your Disneyland dining. Sign up for the Target Red Card (debit or credit) and use your Red Card to save 5% on Disney gift cards. I always do this to cover our dining on our trips, and it's a great way to save money. You can use Disney gift cards inside the parks and in most places (as long as its Disney owned) inside Downtown Disney.

Do Character Dining on Your Off Day

If meeting characters is high on your list, then doing a Disneyland character dining meal is a must. Make this a way to start off your vacation on your arrival day or to say goodbye in style on your departure day. Since all of the character dining options except one take place at the Disneyland-owned hotels, it's best to save this meal for a day you're not in the parks.

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