Disneyland/California Adventure Dining and Mobile Ordering Updates!

 If you were following me on Instagram over the last few months, you know that we are Magic Key passholders at Disneyland California.  It was so exciting, full of happy feelings, but lots of differences!  We saw Avengers Campus, tried a lot of new food, and loved our time.  I'm going to keep you posted about all of them!  There are some great changes to the Disneyland/California Adventure dining experiences since the reopening.  I can't wait to share them with you! If you read beyond this point, you are agreeing to my updated privacy policy, found here, and the use of commission based links.

It was so good to be back!

Changes that we saw at Disneyland:

The first thing we noticed were the people!  It seemed like SO MANY PEOPLE.  But the lines aren't super long, outside of major holidays/events.

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Getting food at Disneyland and California Adventure doesn't have to be a painful/ very long line experience if you know what to do before you hit the parks.

We eat like hobbits

Getting Food and Dining Reservations at Disneyland and California Adventure:

Disneyland Dining 

You guys, getting a dining reservation at Disneyland was hard.  I checked the app every day (pretty much) from the time I made the reservations for our tickets in April.  Sometimes multiple times a day.  I was unable to get a single dining reservation in the park.  They do have lots of mobile ordering options, and while I heard horror stories of not being able to find any ordering windows, I found many throughout the day.  You do need to plan a bit in advance because most order windows are not instantaneous.  The more popular options can be tricky to get into at all.  My best advice is to check the app for dining reservations as soon as you make your reservation, and keep checking.  They do have a walk up option now, that we have been able to use several times.  

Seating.  Because of the expanded mobile options they have incorporated more tables near mobile ordering restaurants.  If you go during peak meal times, be aware that you may not find a seat.  I find it best to go off peak.  With the increased capacity, and the number of mobile ordering options, it can be daunting.  Don't let that deter you!  

The Tropical Hideaway (behind the Tiki Room) does not take mobile ordering.  You can stand in line for Bao, Lumpia, and a variety of Dole Whip options.  The original Dole Whip stand by the enchanted tiki room is mobile ordering ONLY.  Don't get confused like I did.  It is actually much quicker than standing in the line for the Tropical Hideaway.

You can ready about my 14 favorite Disneyland foods here!

Oh YAY!  We saw Cinderella!

California Adventure Dining

It was much easier to get dining reservations in California Adventure.  I scored our favorite-Lamplight Lounge for lunch, and the Trattoria for dinner.  Both were great.  We stayed away from the fried offerings, instead opting for salads which were needed after two days at Disney.  There were tons of mobile ordering windows, even in Pym Test Kitchen, which is the new quick service restaurant on Avengers Campus.  Favorites there are the Choco Smash and the chicken sandwich.  My kids love the huge pretzel.

Seating.  There seemed to be less seating at California Adventure than Disneyland, but that is a guess, not confirmed with the cast members.  Again, I wouldn't expect to get a table during peak times.  We were able to find a table when we needed one, but it was during the less busy time.

Non Mobile Ordering.  There were a few options at DCA (Disney California Adventure).  The Shawarma carts in Avengers Campus were walk-up only, and in fact all of the mobile ordering options seemed to have a walk-up window.  They all had long lines except at the beginning and the end of the day.  

Stay tuned for my post ALL about Avengers Campus.  It really was awesome!

Favorites that were closed or limited menu:

*Update these are now open!  June 2022

Most of the restaurants that I love, seemed to have a limited menu.  It makes sense that this is because of the kitchen proximity issues, and staffing.  Among my favorites that weren't open recently (though I hope they open soon) are:

DCA:  Jack Jack's Num Num Cookies

Snack Carts, especially the ones with fresh fruit.

Bing Bongs Sweet Stuff didn't have nearly the number of treats and seem to be focusing on the drinks.

Disneyland:  lots of snack carts, especially the fresh fruit ones.

Tropical Hideaway-very limited menu (and the Bao have changed)

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