I will admit it, I am Disney OBSESSED. I always have been, but it’s gotten even more intense as an adult. I love Disneyland. The rides, the characters, the food, the attention to detail, the happiness…all of it. I just love it.
Taking my son to Disneyland last year was so incredibly magical, and I cannot wait to take him again. Watching him light up and become mesmerized over the magic of Disney filled my heart with joy. He did so good – at 15 months old – and we opened and closed Disneyland and California Adventure for 3 days! #protip Take a day off in between each park day and relax at your hotel, go swimming, check out the beach (we love Huntington Beach and it is super close! We also enjoy Newport Beach, it’s just a little bit further, but still totally doable for a quick trip to the beach!)
Here is my confession: I secretly want to fly to Disneyland with my husband and enjoy a few days just the two of us. I have never left my son overnight (he is 2) so the thought is completely crazy to me, but I selfishly want to go back to Disneyland and enjoy it for me. I feel like there should be a balance and one Disney trip per year should be adults only. If we can work in more, great, but I would be happy with one trip per year.
So now on to the FOOD! As a kid we never enjoyed the Disneyland food because it is not cheap. I’m lucky I got to go to Disneyland as a kid, but there was no way I was getting any Disney treats! As an adult, the food is part of the experience and if I am going to Disney, I am indulging in all of the deliciousness.
My Top 5 MUST HAVE Disneyland Foods
- Coffee! I like to start my Disney morning with an iced caramel macchiato from the Starbucks on Main Street. #protip1 I get my drink iced because I need to be able to chug it fast when I see a short line on a must do ride! #protip2 I stock up on Starbucks gift cards, load them to the Starbucks app on my phone, so it’s super easy to pay and I don’t have to worry about running out of money for coffee! I actually do this for all of my trips so I never have to worry about coffee! #protip3 Sometimes the Coinstar machines let you get a gift card when you turn in your change, and you don’t get charged a fee when you redeem for a gift card! So all of our change gets turned in to Starbucks gift cards and saved for trips!
- Corn Dog. For lunch (and sometimes dinner too) you absolutely MUST have a Corn Dog from the Little Red Wagon! It’s at the end of Main Street, by the Baby Care Center and First Aid, just before you turn right to enter Tomorrow Land. I have never been a big fan of hot dogs and I have never liked corn dogs…until I discovered the Little Red Wagon. It is seriously the only corn dog I have found that I like and it’s so good I crave it constantly. It comes with apple slices or chips, but you can also order it ala carte. I usually get the apple slices when my son is with me and he enjoys them later in the day. Also, he was only 15 months when we went last, but he has never liked any kind of hot dog until this corn dog. It’s seriously so good.
- Mickey Beignets with a Mint Julep. When you pick up a bag of Mickey Beignets, you are about to indulge in soft, warm and delicious little donuts from heaven. They are covered in powdered sugar and they are just perfect. Pair it with a cold mint julep and you have the perfect snack
Mint Julep
- Dole Whip. I can’t believe there are people out in the world who haven’t tried Dole Whip! It’s a refreshing pineapple soft serve delight that will leave you craving more. I have to add this – it seriously tastes better at Disneyland. I’ve had it at the Dole Plantation on Oahu several times, I had it in Santa Cruz and in Las Vegas…oh I even had it at the Disney Aulani resort on Oahu (it tasted pretty darn good sitting on that beautiful beach, although it melts too fast.) It is always a wonderful, refreshing, sweet and tangy treat, but it never tastes as good as it does at Disneyland.
Half-eaten Dole Whip – this is not in Disneyland, but it is at the Disney resort in Oahu, Hawaii!
- Mexican Food! Looking for a delicious lunch or dinner? The carne asada at Rancho del Zocalo is actually REALLY good! Like crave worthy good. I also really enjoyed the Hacienda Caesar Salad. I was sad when the all you can eat barbeque restaurant closed, but I was super happy to try this place and we will definitely go back!
Carne Asada at Rancho del Zocalo
I have one final food related tip for today – bring your reusable water bottle (no glass!) and ask for a complimentary water at any of the quick service food stops to refill it with!
I think everything tastes better at Disneyland…maybe it’s the Pixie Dust? Seriously, even Starbucks tastes better at Disney!
What is your favorite Disneyland food? If you don’t know yet, what are you most excited to try? I can’t wait to see your comments!
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I grew up next to Disneyland. (Like fireworks in my backyard.) I even worked there after high school .. many many moons ago… and I love this list! The beignets 🙌🙌🙌
That is so cool! My husband grew up in Southern California so going to Disneyland was like going to the playground for him, fun but not a big deal. For me it’s a big deal! Haha. What did you do there when you worked there? I’m a nurse and I keep telling him I want to be a Disney nurse lol.
Mickey Beignet looks adorable and delish I like sweets, but that’s kind of awesome they have a Mexican spot there I would love to try that, as a Hispanic I try to go to many Mexican restaurants and kind of taste their foods, every Mexican restaurant culinary is from different parts so I like to try them all. Starbuck is good here cant Imagine what better taste like might have to try it.
I seriously crave Disneyland food all the time lol. It’s crazy how different Mexican food is in different places! I’m not impressed with the Mexican food here in Oregon and we have like 20 Mexican restaurants in my little town. I prefer my Mexican cooking! Where do you live? Is there good Mexican food there? When I was pregnant the only thing I craved and could keep down was Mexican food.
We are planning a trip to Disneyland next year! I always see people post all their Disney food, so I loved your post! We will definitely remember these for our trip. We will probably post lost of pictures so we should stay in touch!
Yay! Yes the food is a very important part of a Disney trip! I buy gift cards at Target with my RedCard so I get 5% off then save them to spend in the park on food and other stuff I can’t live without. Yes let’s stay in touch! Do you have an IG handle or Facebook page I can follow?
Disney World has Dole Whip too, and it’s definitely the best thing there. I also really like the Mickey shaped pretzels.
Dole Whip is the freaking best! Ooh yes the Mickey shaped pretzels! I’m pretty sure anything Mickey shaped tastes good! We got a waffle maker that makes Mickey shaped waffles and they are so much better than the regular waffles I make – haha!
My must have food from Disneyland is the Pommes Frites from Cafe Orleans. They are so delicious!
I don’t think I have had those!! Going on my list for next time!! Thanks for the tip!
We LOVE Disneyland! Try the beignets in Downtown Disney…delicious!
Oh yes they are so good! Yummmm