Disneyland Dining in 2001

For different reasons, I like the Big Thunder BBQ, the Bengal BBQ, the Blue Bayou, Club 33, that Pizza place in Tommorrowland and the Golden Horseshoe Review.

It is always exciting when a new restaurant opens in the park and with the opening of the new California Adventure place with Disneyland, there are going to be so many more restaurants to try, I can't wait!

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking, wear good shoes!

The Big Thunder BBQ (which they have always been threatening with closure), may actually be closing sometime this year, so don't miss it while it's still around. It's Western dining at its best with ribs, chicken, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and all the fixin's. The food is all cooked right there by the kids in their Disneyland cowboy chef outfits. It's cooked on huge barbeque grills, flame-broiled and smothered in this ultra yummy barbeque sauce.

You seat yourself at long wooden bench tables, wherever you can find an empty spot. Prices are fair for what you get, considering you're in Disneyland. Expect a very satisfying dinner, but there is a long wait to get in. This is one of the most popular restaurants in the park.

This place is right across from the Jungle Ride and the Tree House.

I love it because you can get something tasty, yet they are in small portions. That way, you're satisfied, but have more room for all the other stuff you want to eat throughout the park.

They have the best BBQ sauce on their chicken skewers. It is not a western BBQ sauce. It's more of a sweet, tangy, exotic BBQ sauce. They have fruit, as well, and wonderful juice drinks.

Finally, it is a great place to relax while waiting for the stair-steppers in your group as they make their way down from the Tree House.

I haven't made it into this exclusive club, so I can only relay the details I've heard, just so you'll know what you're missing.

In the French Quarter, on the top floor of the building that houses the Blue Bayou restaurant, you can look up and see some delicately shuttered windows. Behind those windows, with a view of the water, is the Club 33 restaurant.

To get in takes a membership that is supposed to be expensive, like $20,000, with a three-year waiting list. Also, supposedly, this is where all the famous dine when visiting the park, people like Michael Jackson and Liz Taylor, who are supposed to be members.

I can imagine corporations writing off a membership here to impress clients, so all this may be true but, so far as my prospects for ever dining there, it's all just supposition.

Sometimes you might get lucky and just be passing by the corner, the one which turns into downtown Frontierland from the open area near the water, and have a reservation hostess announce that there is open seating for the next show. If this happens, grab the space, because there is usually a line for the dinner shows at the Golden Horseshoe Review.

Very recently, the Toy Story, Woody's Round-up, show was playing, along with Billy Hilly's and the Hillbillies comedy review. Once you get inside, you'll see it's a miniature dance hall kind of room, with a stage, like you're supposed to be back in the old West.

They serve Hamburgers and Hot Dogs which are OK, but what is wonderful is the Chili served in a Sourdough Bowl. Yum! Eat that, enjoy the show and, if you're like me, you will be quite content.

Popular should be this restaurant's middle name. There is always a wait to get in, as well there should be. It's a cool place, literally.

Housed within the dark, wet Pirates of the Caribbean ride (although the entrance is around the corner off to the right if looking at the ride), the restaurant is surrounded by the ride's "ocean." On a hot California day, this offers a nice respite from the heat of the Disneyland tarmac.

The tables are decorated with tiny lights, but that is it. Practically all the lighting you get in this dark restaurant - its actually very romantic. While eating, it's fun to watch the tourists going by as part of the ride, in their little boats - you can see them but they can barely see you

The food is kind of pricey, even for being in the park. But, actually, remembering that alcohol is not served in the park, and such ambience usually includes paying to have wine with dinner, this place is a deal!

I'm not sure of the name, its the Pizza something or other, but its in Tommorrowland and the food is, surprisingly, good.

Along with Pizza, they have Pasta and different Salads. How different? Well, there's the Pizza Caesar Salad, a Caesar Salad with Pepperoni and other pizza ingredients included.

If that is too much, the best is the just plain Chicken Ceasar Salad. Extremely yummy! One of those tastes you crave later on!