Disneyland doesn’t shy away from the fact that they have some pretty iconic food. Fans rave about all the different flavored churros that are scattered throughout the park, and folks travel from far and wide to get a taste of the fried chicken from Plaza Inn.
But there are some historic snacks that Walt himself was a big fan of, and you can still eat those items in Disneyland to this day!
Let’s take a foodie trip in Walt’s footsteps!
Stop One: Carnation Cafe
Carnation Cafe is a Table Service restaurant in the heart of Main Street, U.S.A.. On the menu is “Walt’s Chili,” an homage to one of Walt Disney’s favorite dishes of all time.
Walt was a chili fan, so it’s no surprise that chili is one of the foods you can easily find throughout Disneyland. If you don’t have time to stop at a Table Service restaurant, you can grab chili in a bread bowl at Refreshment Corner on Main Street.
Stop Two: Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
Walt was a fan of his comfort food, as evidenced by this next WED-approved bite: Grilled Cheese. Walt even kept a grilled cheese press in his apartment above the Main Street fire station where he would make sandwiches often!
The one place in Disneyland where you can purchase grilled cheese on the daily is at Jolly Holiday. There, you can get the “Jolly Holiday Combo,” which is Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup that is to die for!
Stop Three: The Mint Julep Bar
Our next stop on our Disneyland foodie tour is the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. This popular walk-up window location did not open until 1966, the same year that Walt Disney passed away. But it still serves an iconic drink that was around since Disneyland’s opening day.
When Disneyland opened in 1955, guests who rode the Mark Twain Riverboat could purchase a non-alcoholic mint julep onboard! This practice continued for the first few years of the Riverboat’s operations.
The maiden voyage of the Riverboat actually took place on July 13, 1955, four days before Disneyland opened for the first time. The maiden voyage was for a private party in celebration of Walt and Lillian Disney’s 30th wedding anniversary.
Stop Four: Plaza Inn
All of Plaza Inn in Disneyland is like stepping back in time! This dual Table Service/Quick Service dining location has been around since opening day. Back then it was called Red Wagon Inn and was a favorite dining spot for Walt Disney himself. It was complete with a VIP lounge, a wet bar and even a private bathroom for Walt’s guests.
Walt’s wife Lillian Disney hand-picked many of the 19th-century finishings inside the restaurant herself. These days, Plaza Inn is a character breakfast buffet in the morning, and a counter service location for lunch and dinner, featuring their iconic fried chicken dish.
Next time you’re in Disneyland, check out some of these dining locations and party like it’s 1955!
What is your favorite place to eat in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments!
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How could you not include the River Belle Terrace? It was said that Walt would have breakfast there every Sunday morning.