Disneyland

This is a great place for the family. Plenty of characters come right to your table to take pictures and sign autographs (please note that Mickey and Minnie are not ones that you will see here). It is a bit pricey for a buffet, but my children loved the small Mickey-shaped waffles and the peanut-butter-and-jelly pizza. I enjoyed the made-to-order omelets and abundance of pastries. All the food was delicious, but this is not a huge buffet with tons of options. They have adult and childrens basics, with a few unusual items added in. Overall, I would say this is a must for any Disney visit.

This is a fixed menu where you get soup, salad, and dessert with your choice of entrée. The food was good, although the menu is a bit small. The kid’s meals come in take-home buckets, which my children liked. The disney princesses visit your table for pictures and they even had a tea party in the lobby on the ground with the children. Ariel, the restaurants namesake, often sits at the front of the restaurant for pictures.

The views are lovely over the lake of the California Adventure Ferris wheel lit up at night. You can eat inside or outside. If eating inside, it feels a bit more formal, but eating outside, you experience the wonderful California weather.

This is a family-style restaurant with large portions. It is great for large families and groups. All entrées serve two or more people, and everything is a la carte. The meatballs are heavenly and the size of a baseball. There are many pastas, pizzas, salads, and Italian main dish specialties. With a large group, it is fun to order a variety of entrees and have a little of everything. The decor is quite fun, and they even have a pope room you can reserve in advance. Or, if you are five people or less, you can eat at the kitchen table and watch them cook. (My children love to sit here.)

This hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant has great food for cheap!!! The ambience is nonexistent, unless you consider Naugahyde booths, metal chairs, and no windows ambience. Just ignore the decor and go for the food and prices. This is truly a local favorite, and my family goes at least twice a month. Our family of four always leaves full and happy, paying less than $20, including tip. The taquitos are awesome. I also love the beef tacos, and the chips with melted cheese make a tasty appetizer. I haven't found anything on the menu yet that I haven't liked.

This is one of my favorite casual restaurants at California Adventure. You get your food and then carry it to the outside eating area on the wharf. (This is the one drawback that I have found, because in the winter it can be a bit chilly). The soups and salads in the wonderful sourdough bowl from the famous Boudin Bakery are a real treat. I really enjoy the chicken salad with apples, cranberries, and walnuts. The salad portion is not huge, but you fill up after eating the great bread bowl it comes with. They also have delicious sandwiches and baked treats if you have room for dessert. If not everyone can agree on what to eat, there is a Mexican place that shares the same dining patio.

Disneyland is a magical place filled with new sights and sounds around every corner. I have grown up going to Disney and have even worked there and still don't tire of it. It has attractions, shows, shopping, and plenty of food. If you plan on visiting more than once a year or for more than four days consider getting an annual passport. You get dining and shopping discounts, in addition to unlimited visits.