Everyone who dreams of going to Disneyland has a list of priorities and “must-dos.” For some, that includes a list of attractions to experience; for others, it’s characters they hope to meet. For the cuisine enthusiasts, this list also includes meals and snacks they would like to try.
When the dream of visiting a Disney Park finally comes true, it can be daunting going through each menu around the Disneyland Resort. After all, both Anaheim parks combined have 136 restaurants, snack carts, and shops to buy food- and that’s not including Downtown Disney and the three Disney hotels.
When looking at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, we’ve got the essential list of park staples, specialty snacks, and sweet treats that every first-time guest needs to try, and where to find them.
Churros
A Disneyland staple, it becomes a rite of passage when a guest eats their first churro. Known for being better than their counterparts in Walt Disney World, these sweet treats consist of deep-fried dough covered in cinnamon and sugar. Churros make amazing snacks in between meals or a yummy dessert to enjoy while watching a parade or fireworks.
Between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, guests have 11 Churro Carts to choose from. Indeed, whenever a craving arises for the sugary sweet goodness, you won’t have to go far.
Disneyland has eight: at Town Square on Main Street U.S.A., by Sleeping Beauty Castle, at the Small World Promenade, near Big Thunder Mountain, near the Haunted Mansion, beside Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, in front of Casey Jr. Circus Train, and in Bayou Country near the Hungry Bear Restaurant.
In DCA, you’ll find three: in Hollywood Land, near Redwood Creek, and beside Goofy’s Sky School.
First-timers cannot go wrong with the traditional flavor, but the adventurous type can try other flavors such as chocolate or maple bacon.
Dole Whip
Sweet, light, and refreshing, Dole Whip elevates the soft serve experience with its smoothness and tropical flavors. For first-timers, the tried and true pineapple Dole Whip is recommended. The simplicity and sweet zest never disappoint.
However, Disneyland offers other flavors worth checking out, including mango, strawberry, orange, and raspberry. Try these flavors on their own or two swirled together. Visitors can also indulge in Dole Whip floats with pineapple juice topped with their choice of soft serve.
There’s only one place to get a Dole Whip in any of its forms inside the parks- at the Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland. A common practice that first-timers should try involves enjoying a Dole Whip while watching the Enchanted Tiki Room Show.
They’re also available at Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, but you’ll have to venture out to the Disneyland Hotel near the main swimming pool.
Mickey Mouse Pretzel
Pretzels may sound like a prosaic snack, especially for a theme park like Disneyland. After all, we can get soft pretzels at many places.
Still, Disneyland’s do stand out as especially delicious. Plus, there’s just something about anything Mickey-shaped that adds to the enjoyment and brings out the kid in us all.
In Disneyland, a popular place to enjoy a Mickey-shaped Pretzel is the Refreshment Corner on Main Street. The version without cheese is the best price at this eatery. Additionally, because they serve hot dogs, mustard (a favorite condiment for pretzels) will be available. There is also the added bonus of seating and a Ragtime piano player for entertainment while enjoying the snack.
For anyone on the go, several carts sell this fun park staple. Disneyland cart locations include the Small World Promenade, near Big Thunder Mountain, and near Star Tours. In DCA, the lone location is Bayside Brews, though thankfully at a lower price than others.
Fried Chicken
Disneyland Resort first-timers should also have a list of meals to try, besides snacks and sweet treats. While both parks offer numerous options for any flavor palette, a first-time guest would benefit from something that’s been a mainstay for decades. In this case, Disneyland fried chicken meals are the way to go.
While you can get fried chicken of sorts at Docking Bay 7 in Galaxy’s Edge, it’s not the large, delectable meal I speak of. For that delicious meal, guests have two options. In Disneyland, head to the Plaza Inn on Main Street. This dinner comes with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and a buttermilk biscuit. This quick-service restaurant always runs smoothly and has ample seating. So grab your dinner and enjoy yourself.
In DCA, Flo’s V8 Cafe has a similar meal. The chicken has a slightly crispier texture but equally tasty flavor. This meal is served with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, rounding out the meal’s slightly more zesty palate. Like the Plaza Inn, Flo’s V8 Cafe offers fast service and amazing atmosphere. In this case, I recommend the outdoor seating around the back of the restaurant, which has ample shade and a spectacular view of the Cars Land favorite, Radiator Springs Racers.
Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars and Sandwiches
Like pretzels, many may balk at the thought of ice cream as a top option for guests. However, like the Mickey pretzels, which are a cut above the rest, Mickey ice cream bars and sandwiches taste better than the typical ice cream bar that you’ll find in your local grocery store.
In both parks, guests can find these sweet treats in several places. In Disneyland, look out for carts near the Haunted Mansion, Autopia, It’s a Small World Promenade, and Plaza Point Shop. Guests can also find them in quick service locations, including Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor and Galactic Grill.
In DCA, find them at Clarabelle’s Hand-Scopped Ice Cream on Buena Vista Street.
Corn Dogs
Corn Dogs are something anyone can get at a carnival, fair, or fast-food restaurant like Wienerschnitzel. However, Disneyland has become famous for its exceptional corn dogs.
A cut above the competition, they are so large, many could make an entire meal out of one instead of merely a snack. With a sweet, deep-fried, crispy coating and an all-beef hot dog, Disneyland blows its counterparts away.
In Disneyland, guests can find corn dogs at the Little Red Wagon on Main Street and Stage Door Cafe in Frontierland. In DCA, find them at Corn Dog Castle in Paradise Gardens Park.
Beignets
Beignets have become very popular in recent years, so much so that first-timers must try them. What makes beignets so terrific lies in their size and light-as-air consistency. Topped with powdered sugar, Princess Tiana’s specialty always delights guests.
As popular as they’ve become, you’ll only find beignets in a few select locations. Guests can enjoy an order of beignets from the Mint Julep bar. Shake the paper bag thoroughly to get all the powdered sugar on the beignets, and enjoy. There’s also a large, cream-filled one available at Tiana’s Palace.
Outside the park in Downtown Disney, head to Beignets Express as part of the Jazz Kitchen.
Cozy Cones
DCA stands apart from Disneyland in many ways, especially its unique food offerings. For first-time guests, these options will delight, impress, and help make their trip special. In this park, the most incredible place remains Cars Land. Fans literally feel as if they’ve stepped inside the movie, and can enjoy fun attractions and food you can’t get anywhere else.
Of all the food options, first-timers must head to the land’s iconic five different Cozy Cone Motels. Motel 1 has Churros with dipping sauces and seasonal offerings. Motel 2 has ice cream and soft serve in your choice of a cone or a cup. Motel 3 proves to be the most popular with Chili Cone Queso or Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese served in a bread cone.
Motel 4, or Frozen cone-coctions, offer a chimichanga plus multiple alcoholic beverages. Lastly, Motel 5, or Popcone, has, you guessed it, popcorn. Of course, this being a unique place, they offer multiple flavors, including butter, pickle, cheddar, and sour cream chive.
Mickey Mouse Waffles
In regular and miniature sizes, Mickey Mouse waffles will impress breakfast enthusiasts. Indeed, few waffles can compare to Disneyland’s classic staple that I’ve enjoyed numerous times at the park for decades.
Sweet and crispy, these waffles come as a meal or individually, depending on the eatery. At Disneyland’s Carnation Cafe, the Mickey Mouse Waffle is fairly large and is served with your choice of bacon or sausage. They also provide you with whipped butter and hot syrup for toppings. They don’t leave the kiddos out, either. The Carnation offers a kid’s meal of two small Mickey Waffles served with either a small milk or water. At The Plaza Inn’s “All You Can Eat” breakfast buffet, they offer small Minnie Mouse waffles as one of the offerings.
DCA also offers Mickey waffles, but of a different variety. At Schmoozies, guests can indulge in hazelnut Mickey waffles, filled with chocolate hazelnut spread and served with powdered sugar and syrup. Although the Carnation’s traditional waffle remains the best, the other option will appeal to those who want to try something different.
Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num
Chocolate Chip Cookies have always been a crowd pleaser as a snack or dessert. At DCA, one little place on Pixar Pier offers a chocolate chip cookie that puts all others to shame. The Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num has more in common with a pie than a standard cookie.
Served warm, this large, thick cookie has ridges like a peanut butter cup and is loaded with chunks of gooey chocolate. Indeed, it’s so large that more than one person can share this divine treat. Find the Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num at the small store of the same name right in front of the Incredicoaster.
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Disneyland’s world-famous Monte Cristo sandwich rounds out the list of first-timer “must-haves.” A Monte Cristo consists of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese served on battered and fried bread with seasonal preserves. Another option has three cheeses instead of meat, specifically Brie, Swiss, and Mozzarella.
A satisfying and filling meal for either lunch or dinner, the sandwich comes with your choice of Pommes Frites or a Petite salad at Cafe Orleans. At the Blue Bayou, enjoy the sandwich with truffle potato chips and roasted fruit salad. Whatever restaurant one chooses, the Monte Cristo remains the scrumptious main event.