The cost of eating at Disneyland is a major factor when budgeting for vacation. Sharing meals is one practical way to save on the cost of food! Consider one of these meals to share at Disneyland along with the easy tips on what to order and how to save money.
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This article originally published on February 15th, 2016. It has been updated and republished with a new date.
Best Meals to Share at Disneyland
Everyone has to eat! On top of lodging and Disneyland theme park tickets, food can be a very big cost factor when planning a Disney vacation.
When you’re away from home you need to eat what’s available. Yes, you can absolutely pack snacks in to the Parks. But when it comes to long-term sustenance, nothing beats a good hearty meal. Fortunately Disneyland has plenty of options that will fill you up!
And if you share a meal, these choices can also be very economical. What are the best meals to share at Disneyland? Read on for the top breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack menu options to divide up. Check out the additional dining tips and over 75 best foods to share at Disneyland.
Sharing Food at Disneyland is Cost Effective
Why should you share food at Disneyland? Disneyland meal platters are often very large and might be difficult to finish on your own. Unlikely that you’ll want to walk around the Park with a “to-go” box of your leftovers either.
Save Money By Sharing Meals
Kids meals are cute but for the price, you don’t always get the largest portions. As a family of six, we often purchase two platters and a side to share between us when we’re at Disneyland. This way we can all try a little bit of everything and it’s more cost-effective.
Listen to the Disneyland With Kids podcast episode for more ways to save money on food at Disneyland.
Share Food to Minimize Portion Sizes Per Person
If you plan to split a meal at Disneyland because you’re watching portion sizes, check out this post with ideas on how to find healthy food at Disneyland. I also include tips on where to find diet-specific meals including gluten-friendly.
Try More Than One Meal on the Menu
Not only is sharing an adult-sized meal a more budget-friendly idea, it’s also a great way to try more than one dish.
Need more help with your Disneyland budget? Grab the free printable worksheet to help you figure out just how much a Disney vacation costs.
Disneyland Park Food Sharing Tips
Whether you’re dining full table service, quick service or with Disney characters, there are a few suggestions.
Many locations will have an offering that any guest can enjoy. This includes plant based proteins, allergy-friendly, and gluten-free options. Some restaurants can accommodate substitutions, like fruit instead of French fries.
Before you decide to order meals to share at Disneyland, these are the must-know dining tips when visiting the theme parks.
Tips for Full Service Dining at Disneyland
Full service restaurants recommend Advance Dining Reservations (ADR). Use the free version of MouseDining and grab hard-to-get restaurant or character dining reservations.
Some locations do offer a virtual wait queue. Guests need to be within a close distance of the restaurant to participate. Simply open the Disneyland app and visit the page for that particular establishment. The virtual queue button will be clickable to join if it’s available.
If ordering at a full-service restaurant, note to the cast members that you’ll be sharing the dish. The chefs may even be able to divide the dish in the kitchen and serve it to you on two plates so you don’t have to do that yourself.
Certain table service restaurants (like Blue Bayou) charge a “plate splitting” fee if you order a platter to be shared. Keep that in mind when working out your food budget. Determine if the fee is worth it or if you should just purchase an additional meal.
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Need-to-Know Details about Disneyland Character Dining
Some Disneyland establishments have sharing restrictions. Buffet restaurants, prix fix meals, and character meals are no-sharing allowed zones. Each person in your group will be charged up front for entry.
The exception for sharing is with children 2 years old and under. You are welcome to share your food with them from your plate or fix toddlers their own plate from the buffet.
Kids that are two and under will not be charged. However you should still include them in your reservation count.
Special event meals like the World of Color Dessert Party are also charged per person, with babies 2 and under free. Each paying guest receives a seat and their own prix fix plate. Babies are hand-held or must sit on your lap.
Quick Service Meals at Disneyland
Quick service dining doesn’t require reservations. However if you plan on using walk-up dining, there are still a few important things to know that will save you time and money.
Reservations aren’t required for quick service. This article has more tips for dining at Disneyland without advance reservations.
Mobile ordering is an essential time saver! Use the Disneyland app to place orders for quick dining restaurants. Simply choose a pick-up window and place your order. You’ll click a button in the app when you’re ready to get the food. A lot faster and more efficient than standing in line to order.
If you plan to use the Disneyland app all day long for Disney Genie+ and mobile ordering be sure to have a fully charged phone. I highly recommend purchasing Fuel Rod chargers ahead of your trip. There are Fuel Rod stations throughout Disney parks to trade out spent chargers for a new one.
If ordering at a quick-service counter restaurant, request a second or third plate up front.
Flatware, napkins and condiments are available at self-serve stations near the counter. Grab yourself plenty of flatware and divvy the plates of food at your seat.
Top Tips for Sharing Meals at Disney Parks
A big platter shared between two or more is usually your best bet when it comes to Disneyland food prices and large portion-sizes.
Full service meals by nature (and price) are generally larger and easier to share. For the sake of this article, I’ve only made suggestions for quick service meals to share at Disneyland and not the table service restaurants.
If there are more than three in your group, you might want to order more than one platter or an additional side dish to share between you. The following section shares my go-to platters for the best food to share at Disneyland park.
Quick Service Big Platters to Share at Disneyland
Alien Pizza Planet – The two pasta options here are large sized and easy to divide up and share. Choose either the Count Down Chicken Fusilli with sundried tomatoes and cream sauce or the Tomato Cream Pasta with Italian sausage and peppers.
Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo – With a crispy chicken breast and mashed potatoes, the Endorian Fried Chicken Tip-Yip is easy to split.
Tiana’s Palace (formerly called French Market Restaurant) – The newest Disneyland restaurant location, found in New Orleans Square. The Cajun Spice Half Chicken offers a spicy kick with a side of baked macaroni and cheese with coleslaw. Another good meal to share at Disneyland is the traditional gumbo, a hearty dish of chicken and sausage stew with rice.
Galactic Grill – Looking for a plant-based option. The Veggie Wrap here is my go-to. It’s filled with black beans, corn, greens, dairy-free cheese and a sun-dried tomato spread. A side of fresh fruit keeps it a healthier meal to split.
Rancho Del Zocalo Restaurant – Opt in for Mexican where you can order a fire-grilled half-chicken, enchiladas, burritos and tacos. This location also offers one of the prettiest outdoor seating areas in the theme park.
Quick Service Food to Share at Disney California Adventure
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill – This outdoor dining location is a family favorite for us. Try the yummy street tacos including the birria (braised beef) with tomatillo salsa.
Cozy Cone Motel – Check in to this trio of walk-up windows for a variety of sharable meals and snacks. At cone #3, try either the Chili Cone Queso or Bacon Mac n’ Cheese. A good size for two to share, and you can eat the bread cone when you’re done dining on the fillings!
Flo’s V8 Cafe – This Cars Land restaurant is a great pit stop! The fried chicken meal serves up homey cooking and a large platter to share.
Pym Test Kitchen – My new favorite quick service restaurant, there’s lots here to share (thanks to expanding pym-particles with Ant Man *wink*). The plant-based Impossible Spoonful serves up pasta and “meatballs” with sauce.
Kid-Friendly Meals to Share at Disneyland
Skip the pricey and basic children’s menu and choose one of these kid-friendly dishes. These meals are large enough to split between an adult and child or between two kids.
Disneyland
The Golden Horseshoe – For the kids who love fried foods. These are traditional theme park eats to split, including mozzarella sticks, fish & chips or chicken tenders.
Plaza Inn – The ultimate spot for sharing a meal at Disneyland! Enormous platters of fried chicken, penne pasta, mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuit and veggies. Purchase extra sides or breadsticks and nobody in your party will leave hungry!
Bengal Barbecue – The Bengal Rice Plate with two skewers, rice, slaw and dipping sauces is a decent-sized platter to share. Kids will enjoy gnawing their proteins off the wooden skewer sticks!
Disney California Adventure Park
Lucky Fortune Cookery – For kids who like Chinese food, this outdoor dining area is ideal. Pork ramen, teriyaki chicken, pot stickers and chicken wings are on the menu. Get a little bit of this and that to round out your meal into a full experience.
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta – Spaghetti with meatballs is always a winner. If your kids won’t eat the pomodoro sauce, request a plain plate of noodles.
Pym Test Kitchen – Adults and children alike will enjoy the PB3 Superb Sandwich, with banana and candied bacon. Skip the kid’s menu and share this kid-friendly platter. Crispy potato bites round out the meal.
Poultry Palace – My kiddos love drumsticks. The Three Leg Box with Slaw at this walk-up location in Pixar Pier really satisfies youngsters.
Hearty Dining Locations in Downtown Disney & Resort Hotels
Outside of the theme parks, dine on the large meals within Downtown Disney or the Disneyland Resort Hotels. I’ll cover both quick service and full service restaurants in this section.
Downtown Disney
Ballast Point – Fish tacos should be eaten fresh because they don’t make great leftovers. The Baja-Style Fish Tacos with chips and salsa are great for sharing.
Black Tap – The ultimate in big food, this location is home to the Crazy Shake milkshakes. Choose the walk-up window for quick shake orders. Or dine inside to share a burger, fries and a special edition milkshake.
Tortilla Jo’s – Of course the lunch and dinner choices at this Mexican eatery are large platter-sharing options. Consider stopping in for the big weekend breakfast menu including Huevos con Chorizo and Breakfast Burritos.
Splitsville – More than just bowling, this entertainment venue also has really good food! The Loaded Fries are a great appetizer to share and typical bowling alley fare. But don’t forget the awesome sushi, it’s excellent.
Guests can bowl and eat or just dine without bowling. Read more about the Splitsville Anaheim experience.
Disneyland Resort Hotels
Looking for the best meals to share at Disneyland beyond the theme parks? Anyone can visit these restaurants of the Disneyland resort, not just hotel guests. Full service dining requires an advance dining reservation.
*Editor’s Note* The Paradise Pier Hotel does not currently offer any dining on property.
GCH Craftsman Bar or Hearthstone Lounge (Disney’s Grand Californian) – The large appetizer-type meals in these locations include baked nachos, quesadillas and chicken wings. Order a few plates and share them family-style.
GCH Craftsman Grill (Disney’s Grand Californian) – No reservations required, this quick service location is tucked away behind the hotel pool. Breakfast burritos are big and lunch sandwiches are sharable.
They offer the same pizzas made-to-order as the bar menu as well as other hot foods. There’s also lots of grab & go to take to your hotel room or into the parks.
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill (Disneyland Hotel) – This quick service spot offers both indoor or outdoor dining. Large breakfast platters to share including Short Rib Steak and Eggs.
Return for lunch or dinner under the tiki torches to share a Poke Bowl, Pu Pu Platter, or Hawaiian Cheeseburger.
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar (Disneyland Hotel) – My family enjoys purchasing platters to share between us, including the panko-crusted long beans and pork gyoza. For the full experience, request an indoor seat.
Share a Sandwich or Burger at Disneyland
Tiana’s Palace – Choose the Beef Po’ Boy or Muffuletta sandwich options in this lively outdoor restaurant. Both are served with red beans and rice and house-made pickles.
Galactic Grill – One of the top places to get a hamburger, this Tomorrowland restaurant offers up seasonal specialties, usually with fries.
Harbour Galley – It’s all about the seafood at this quick service location along the Rivers of America. Stop by for a Lobster Roll sandwich or Tuna Salad Sandwich that’s sure to float your boat.
An extra bread roll can be purchased separately to more easily divide up the seafood fillings in these hearty sandwiches.
Hungry Bear – Tummy growling? Enjoy a big burger and fries at this Critter Country hot spot. Choose the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich for a more unique dining choice.
Red Rose Taverne – For vegetarians, the Enchanted Cauli-Flower Sandwich is the perfect shareable meal. A grilled cauliflower “steak” with lime aïoli and veggie toppings on a toasted roll.
Jolly Holiday Bakery – This charming outdoor restaurant at the end of Main Street USA offers several large sandwiches that are big enough to share. I recently shared this Oven-roasted Turkey Sandwich on ciabatta that comes with house-made chips.
California Adventure Burgers and Sandwiches to Share
Smokejumpers Grill – Big hamburgers with a mountain of fries or onion rings to share at this popular indoor/outdoor dining spot. Choose chicken sandwiches or double cheeseburgers (there’s a plant-based version too).
Flo’s V8 Cafe – Ramone’s Low & Slow Club Sandwich is another one of the best meals to share at Disneyland. Grab it with steak fries or sub in fruit, as I did.
Pacific Wharf Cafe – Several large fresh sandwich options here, including the Shrimp Roll or Classic Deli sandwiches.
Pym Test Kitchen – We highly enjoyed the Not So Little Chicken sandwich, with a giant chicken breast on a tiny bun.
The Pym-ini Sandwich is also definitely sharable. If you’re ordering for a gang, go for the family-sized Pym-ini. Feeding 8 or more big eaters, this enormous sandwich also comes with salad and potato bites.
Disneyland Salads to Share
Salads are a great way to round out a theme park meal and add in a daily dose of vegetables. These options are better than most and some offer up chicken or other lean proteins.
Galactic Grill – The basic Chopped Salad gets a makeover with grilled chicken, vegetables and feta cheese with roasted pepper-ranch dressing.
Alien Pizza Planet – Astro Antipasto Salad with lettuce and tons of meats and veggies is a meal upon itself. Or pick the Centurion Caesar Salad as a filling side dish.
Jolly Holiday – Their specialty salad serves up greens with spiced pecans, feta, Craisins and a raspberry vinaigrette. Round out the shared meal with extra parmesan breadsticks and a side of cut fruit.
Rancho del Zocalo – With a large outer shell that’s filled with lettuce, protein, veggies and tons of toppings, the tostada salads are a perfect meal to share at Disneyland.
Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo – Within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Roasted Endorian Tip-Yip Salad is definitely a sharable dish with chicken, pumpkin seeds and quinoa.
The dining in Galaxy’s Edge is…unique. For additional ideas on what to serve the kids inside Star Wars Land, check out these tips for taking toddlers and preschoolers to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Salads at Disney California Adventure Park & Beyond
Ralph Brennan Jazz Kitchen (Downtown Disney) – Share a big salad at this lively restaurant including the French Quarter Salad with Blackened Salmon.
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta – The Chicken Caesar Salad here is a fresh option. There’s also an Italian Chef Salad for those craving more of an antipasto style.
Aunt Cass Café (formerly called Pacific Wharf Café) – The plant-based Soba Noodle Salad is ideal for vegetarians to split. The salad also comes in an option add shrimp. It comes with a slice of sourdough but you can also purchase extra freshly baked rounds or baguettes as well.
Splitsville (Downtown Disney) – Another great option to share from this bowling/dining location, the delicious Chicken Chopped Salad with chicken, avocado and blue cheese.
Best Snacks to Share at Disneyland
Sometimes you just need a nibble and these snacks are great for sharing. Everyone gets a few bites and you’re good until the next big meal.
For more budgeting food tips, check out my friend Jessica’s post about the best snacks at Disneyland under $5 each.
Bengal Barbecue – Grab a few skewers from this hot spot in Adventureland. Each meat or veggie skewer is nicely sized to order a few and share. Or pick the hummus trio with fresh vegetables for another healthy option.
Edelweiss Snacks – A classic, the behemoth turkey leg is large enough for an army.
Milk Stand – The thick and slushy Blue Milk and Green Milk sold inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are share-worthy (a little goes a long way).
Mint Julep Bar – Share a bag of powdered sugar coated beignets from the walk-up window in New Orleans Square. You can also find beignets outside the park, at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express in Downtown Disney.
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe – A large variety of desserts that you can divide between your group including cupcakes and the unique Matterhorn Macaroon.
Ronto Roasters – These pita wraps are available at breakfast time with eggs and sausage or at lunch/dinner with slaw. Choose the grilled pork or plant-based versions. This is more ideal as a snack to share than a full meal.
Maurice’s Treats – This cart in the Disney princess Fantasy Faire offers up Maurice’s Pieces, doughnut holes tossed in a specialty sugar.
Stage Door Cafe – Too big to indulge in alone, the funnel cakes are meant to be portioned out between friends!
The Tropical Hideaway – Island delights both sweet and savory, including bao and traditional and sweet lumpia. (PS: Don’t forget the Dole Whip!)
California Adventure Snacks & Sweets to Share
I’m usually way too full after my meal to indulge in dessert. I like to wait and get a treat later when I can more fully enjoy it! Shop inside Trolley Treats or Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff for desserts that can be bought and taken out of the park to eat later.
You can also pack in your own snacks into the Disneyland Parks, one of many top tips for saving money on food!
Lamplight Lounge – The warm doughnuts from this popular table service restaurant come with yummy dipping sauces.
Award Weiners – Yes, you could share one of the large hot dogs sold here. But the best sharable dish at this Hollywood Land location is the Carne Asada Fries, topped with cheese, salsa and guacamole.
Corn Dog Castle (or the Little Red Wagon Corn Dog Cart at Disneyland) – Corn dogs here are oversized and nice for sharing as a snack between two. They come with either clementines or a bag of chips.
Flo’s V8 Cafe – The classic thick shakes here are topped with “road gravel” (chocolate cookie crumbs). Richly flavored and sharable!
Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums – For a sweet treat, share one of these deep-dish cookies sold at a cart on Pixar Pier, near the exit of Incredicoaster. For variety, there’s warm chocolate chip, shortbread or a gluten-friendly jam filled cookie.
Pym Test Kitchen – As a savory snack, the behemoth Quantum Pretzel served with cheese-beer sauce will satisfy your entire group.
Bottom line: Order the Choco-Smash CANDY Bar! I love this “celestial-sized” candy bar with nougat, brownie, and caramel, wrapped in dark chocolate.
Share a Big Breakfast at Disneyland
After you’ve enjoyed morning rope drop at Disneyland, it’s time for a full breakfast. Eat something light while you’re walking to the park, like a granola bar to hold off hunger. Then indulge in one of these hearty meals to share at Disneyland!
Order your meal via mobile ordering in the Disneyland app and plan to eat about two hours after the park opens. This will allow you to take advantage of lighter crowds just after opening.
Galactic Grill – One of the best breakfast locations in the park, choose either the American Breakfast Burrito or Loaded Breakfast Sandwich. Both include eggs, bacon, hash browns and sausage as a large meal to share.
Jolly Holiday – One of my favorite breakfast spots for a quick morning meal. The outdoor patio dining with a view of Sleeping Beauty Castle can’t be beat! Choose the Egg Bacon Croissant, Yogurt Parfait and Cinnamon Roll to share with a group.
Market House – The Disneyland Starbucks location on Main Street USA is also a great spot for breakfast sandwiches. There’s no mobile ordering available here, so plan on a lengthy wait.
Red Rose Taverne – Another great breakfast location for big portions, making it a top spot for meals to share at Disneyland. Try the Beast’s Breakfast Burger, American breakfast or my go-to, the Mickey Pancake with berry compote.
Sharable Breakfasts at California Adventure
Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café – The Starbucks location in DCA, this busy spot does not offer mobile ordering. Stop in for breakfast sandwiches including the Impossible meatless version.
Pym Test Kitchen – Choose from several big breakfast options at this Avengers Campus dining location. The Impossible Quantum Garden Breakfast is a vegetarian sharable-sized omelet.
Lamplight Lounge – I’m mostly detailing only the quick service dining locations in this article. But I’d be remiss to mention one of the top breakfast spots, especially when it comes to sharing a meal at Disneyland.
Every one of the brunch options at Lamplight Lounge is perfect to split between friends. The Lamplight Chilaquiles in particular are amazing! The leisurely time spent here dining will be worth it.
Sweet Ice Cream Treats to Share
Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor – Choose one of the oversized waffle cone sundaes to share. Two scoops of ice cream, with whipped cream, fudge or strawberry topping and a cherry on top.
The Golden Horseshoe – This giant sundae comes with a warm deep-dish chocolate chip cookie, ice cream and toppings…yum!
The Tropical Hideaway – This Adventureland gem offers generous Dole Whip Swirl Floats. If it’s just the straight up Dole Whip or Dole Whip Float you desire, try mobile ordering at the Tiki Juice Bar.
Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream – Dig into a Kitchen Sink Sundae with a souvenir bucket to take home. There are four versions that are large enough to feed several.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop – Just about everything here is big enough to share. Banana splits, waffle bowls, milk shakes and sundaes galore!
Schmoozie’s! Smoothies – A variety of thick and creamy smoothies and shakes to share with two straws. Watch the menu for seasonal flavors and special event treats.
CrazyShake Window by Black Tap (Downtown Disney District) – Head here if you’re feeling crazy for a big dessert. Several specialty milk shake options are sold from the to-go window outside.
This Cookies n’ Cream Supreme is a delightful treat to share at Disneyland. Check it out: There’s a full-sized ice cream sandwich on the side of this shake!
Splitsville (Downtown Disney District) – The Super Sundae is a delightful ending to a perfect game of bowling.
Pizza Meals to Share at Disneyland & California Adventure
Some pizzas are better than others at Disneyland. I’ll share in this section which location I think serves up the best Italian!
Alien Pizza Planet – Order an oversized slice of pizza to share then get the salad to split.
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta – An entire pizza can be ordered here, a great way to cut on costs! Choose from cheese, pepperoni or vegetable toppings.
Red Rose Taverne – Flatbread pizzas in pepperoni or my favorite, the Caprese-style. Divvy this one up in half and round out the meal with a salad.
GCH Craftsman Grill (Disney’s Grand Californian) – This outdoor pool-side restaurant is open to anyone, not just hotel guests. Artisanal pizzas are big enough to share with a group.
Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria – My family and I ordered the 1/2 meter family-sized pizza at this Italian eatery. It was enough to feed six people (and there were a few slices left we just couldn’t finish!)
This hot and delicious pizza is a decent price to feed a group. Choose the “build your own” to mix toppings that please everyone in the family. In my opinion, this is the location to get the most authentic pizza.
Napolini Pizzeria – Next door to the full service restaurant, this quick service option serves up yummy slices to go.
Splitsville – Diners can choose from many pizza options, all on yummy house-made crust.
MORE Ways to Save Money on Food at Disney Parks
Friday 20th of January 2017
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