When you’re ready to grab a bite or sit down for a meal during your days at Disneyland, you have a lot of options. Home to over 100 different dining spots from restaurants to snack stands and carts to coffee shops, you’re essentially surrounded by food in the theme parks, at the resort’s hotels, and in the Downtown Disney District.
Not sure where you should eat? We’re breaking down all of the different types of restaurants and dining options across Disneyland Resort below to help you make your decision.
Explore Disneyland Dining
- Types of Restaurants at Disneyland Resort
- Special Dining Experiences
- How to Book Dining at Disneyland
Types of Restaurants at Disneyland Resort
There are three primary types of restaurants at Disneyland’s theme parks, hotels, and the Downtown Disney District:
- Quick-service restaurants
- Table service restaurants
- Fine/Signature Dining restaurants
In addition to these restaurant types – which we’ll cover below – you’ll also find plenty of places to grab a snack or a quick bite. Throughout the theme parks, resorts, and Downtown Disney are snack carts (including ice cream and popcorn carts), fruit stands, and stalls that offer everything from savory pickles and giant turkey legs to churros and Mickey-shaped ice cream bars.
Disneyland Quick-Service Restaurants
Photo by Danny Shuster
Hungry, but don’t want your meal to slow down your theme park fun? Disneyland Resort’s numerous quick-service restaurants are a perfect option!
Designed to offer grab-and-go meals that can be ordered and enjoyed without delay, quick-service restaurants offer the best of both worlds. You’ll find full, hearty meals (including kid-sized and kid-friendly options) plus drinks and even specialty items on the menu at quick-service dining locations. But there are no reservations required to dine at any of these restaurants.
Most of Disneyland’s quick-service restaurants offer counter service, meaning you’ll walk up to a counter to order, then visit another counter to pick up your meal. There is no waitstaff, and you’ll find your own table. But, as an added perk, quick-service spots typically offer Mobile Order – meaning you can place your food order without waiting in line!
Disneyland Resort offers quick-service restaurants at Disneyland Park, California Adventure, and throughout the Downtown Disney District. You’ll also find quick-service options at the Disneyland Resort hotels, with at least one quick-service spot at each one of the hotels.
Disneyland Table Service Restaurants
Table service restaurants at Disneyland Resort run the gamut from fancy to casual, highly themed to straightforward and simple. These restaurants offer sit-down meals, where you can take your time, and include wait staff who bring your drinks and food right to your table.
Table service restaurants are typically more expensive than quick-service restaurants, but not significantly so (unless you’re dining at a Fine/Signature Dining spot). However, they can be more difficult to get a table at, since advance dining reservations (ADRs) are highly recommended. Walk-up spots are available on a first come, first serve basis each day.
Disneyland Resort offers table service restaurants at Disneyland Park, California Adventure, and throughout the Downtown Disney District. You’ll also find table service options at the Disneyland Resort hotels, with at least one table service spot at each one of the hotels.
Fine/Signature Dining at Disneyland
Photo by Rain Blanken
Fine/Signature Dining is the highest tier of dining at Disney parks and resorts. These restaurants offer an elevated dining experience and environment, with more adult-tailored menus and standout food. If you’re looking for an extra-special meal, you’ll find it at a Fine or Signature Dining restaurant.
However, Fine/Signature Dining does come with a higher price tag, so don’t expect a budget-friendly meal at these restaurants. These meals will fall into the “splurge” category – and because of their higher price and more adult environments, they aren’t exactly the best options for picky (or rambunctious!) eaters.
There are just two Fine/Signature Dining restaurants at Disneyland Resort:
- Carthay Circle Restaurant in California Adventure
- Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa
Special Dining Experiences at Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort is home to a few types of special dining experiences. Year-round, you can make a reservation for character dining experiences or the highly exclusive The Vintner’s Table at Napa Rose (learn more about these below).
However, throughout the year, additional dining experiences are often added. For example, during California Adventure’s seasonal festivals – such as the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival – you’ll find limited-time experiences like winemaker dinners, chef’s table meals, and more. Always check the available dining options ahead of your visit so you know what’s on the schedule.
Disneyland Resort Character Dining
Photo by Danny Shuster
If you’re hoping to dine with your favorite Disney characters, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to do so at Disneyland Resort. Both the theme parks and the resort hotels offer character dining experiences – and each one is uniquely themed.
So, whether you’re a fan of adventures or Disney princesses, want to laugh with Chip ‘n’ Dale or dine with Goofy, there’s a character dining experience that’ll suit you. Each one of the character dining options offers a buffet meal in addition to extra-special extras, from seasonal theming, cute character attire, and even special menus.
You can enjoy character dining at the following Disneyland Resort restaurants:
- Goofy’s Kitchen
- Napa Rose: Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures
- Plaza Inn: Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park
- Storytellers Cafe: Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet
The Vintner’s Table at Napa Rose
If you’re looking for a truly special dining experience, you’re going to want to make a reservation for The Vintner’s Table, which is offered at Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa.
This highly exclusive dining experience is only offered on select nights and only for a small number of guests. You’ll get the chance to sit at the “chef’s table” with a view right into the kitchen so you can learn as you dine. It includes a wine country-inspired tasting menu customized to each dining experience, and there’s an optional wine pairing available as a complement.
To book a seat at The Vintner’s Table, you’ll need to call Napa Rose directly in advance of your visit. Reservations are very difficult to get, so you’ll want to plan ahead!
Oh, and just remember: This isn’t the most kid-friendly restaurant, and the dining experience itself is reserved for adults, so you’ll need to save this for a date night or a kid-free visit.
How to Book Dining Reservations at Disneyland Resort
There are two ways to dine at Disneyland Resort’s many restaurants: Book an advance dining reservation (ADR) or try to get a walk-up table.
Quick-service restaurants at Disneyland do not require advance dining reservations – in fact, they don’t offer them! So if you’re only planning to dine at quick-service restaurants, you can skip the reservation process entirely. You’ll be able to walk up to the counter and order at any time.
Disneyland’s table service restaurants, on the other hand, do offer advance dining reservations, and they are highly recommended. While table service restaurants do offer a small number of walk-up spots each day, these are very limited and hard to get. You’ll want to make an ADR 60 days in advance of when you’re planning to dine. Learn more about advance dining reservations and how to book them here.
Snack carts and other quick-bite or drink stops, like Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor or Pym Tasting Lab, don’t accept reservations and only take walk-ups, so you won’t need reservations to stop by any of these for a snack or sip.
