Day Tripping Guide to Disneyland

Now that summer is here, a lot of San Deigns will make day trips out to Disneyland. But Disneyland is more than just rides and cotton candy. There are some great five-star restaurants, clubs, and hidden gems that are all waiting to be discovered at the park. Disneyland has actually become somewhat of a hotspot for foodies, and the stereotype that all Disney food is unhealthy is totally false. Disneyland has inexpensive, unique dining options as well as expensive fine dining. Good food and knowing where to get it can help define a trip!

Chances are, you’ve seen photos of Flo’s V8 Cafe posted all over Instagram. The theme and ambiance are hard to beat, and this cafe in Car’s Land has become a major dining destination at Disneyland. Flo’s V8 Cafe is modeled after a real restaurant on Route 66: Midpoint Cafe in Midpoint, Texas. The restaurant is a mix of real-life 60s-era car culture and backstory from Cars relating to the rise of racing in Radiator Springs. The neon will draw you toward the restaurant, where you’ll notice great details such as oil cans, gas pumps, cacti, and varying types of architecture depending upon what side of the restaurant you view.

Nestled within the corridors of New Orleans Square and built into the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the Blue Bayou restaurant has been serving cajun creations to customers in the park for the last forty-seven years. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner year round, and for lunch during peak seasons. If you want an atmospheric dinner and want to get out of the hustle and bustle of Disneyland crowds, the Blue Bayou is a great option.

If you’ve never experiences the joy of dole whip, there is no better place than Disneyland to finally indulge. On a hot summer day, Disneyland dole whip is the perfect way to cool off and relax. Enjoy your treat in the Tiki Room (the little old-school jewel adjacent to the Jungle Cruise). This is a great place to cool down for 15 minutes while eating a pineapple Dole Whip, which you can only buy right through the Tiki Room turnstile.

Walt Disney’s private home away from home looks down upon the Main St. roundabout from atop the nearby fire station (the light is always left on, in tribute). Not many people get to see the inside of the apartment (it’s definitely only VIP status), but taking a peak from the street and imagining Walt sitting high above is all part of the Disneyland experience. The apartment is somewhat of a mecca for those who idolize the late artist.

These are just a few things to see and places to eat at the park. We hope you explore all that Disneyland has to offer and come home with some great stories!