Quick questions from a newbie

[cspenc28]

I've been to WDW tons of times. DH and I will be in Anaheim for two days in July, so one day in the parks. Yeah, I know we won't get to see and do everything, but what are some of the must dos? I'm trying to talk him into going in the parks for half the day our second day there, but the cost is pretty high just for half a day. Our hotel has a free breakfast, so we'll need to eat lunch and dinner in the parks, where are two must eat places, probably counter service, so we aren't using valuable time at a table service (we love table service at WDW, but we usually spend a week there)? We will go back when our son is older, so we don't have to hit every single thing, but we want to make the most of our day there. Thanks!

[green ranger]

I have been to Disney World more times than I can count, but if I didn't live on the east coast, Disneyland would be the place I'd visit all the time. Unlike Disney World, you can get A LOT done in one day in Disneyland. I would hit Cars Land in California Adventure first thing in the morning to grab a fast pass for Radiator Racers and to jump on the stand by line at that time too because I think you may want to ride it more than once. That section of the park is just amazing. Also, head back over to Cars Land around dusk when all the neon lights down the street turn on. You really feel like you are right in the movie. Then our favorite second is Toy Story Mania. Our favorite counter service in CA is in the back of the park by Goofy Barnstormer. I can't think of the name of it, but they have great salads, pizza, and pasta. As for the Disneyland park, make sure you hit Fantasyland because they have several rides that DW does not have. We also love DL "It's a Small World" better than DW.
I hope this little bit helps. I can go on and on about DL. You'll have a wonderful time!

[NewDVCowner]

The counter service restaurants at DL are better than at WDW. I think one of my favorite is the Boudine bakery at the Pacific Wharf section of DCA. They have sourdough bread bowls that you can get with soup or salad. Flo's V8 Café in Carsland is very good as well. In DL I like the Hungry Bear restaurant over near Splash Mountain. It's burgers, but they also have a fried green tomato sandwich. The Mexican restaurant near Big Thunder is excellent.

The one place I would avoid would be the Chinese place, also on the Pacific Wharf in DCA. Not very good food. Everywhere else I've been has been pretty tasty. I agree that the pizza and pasta place over near Goofy's Sky School is good. There's also a Greek counter service restaurant over there that's also good.

[HiHoKermitTheFrogHere]

My wife and I agree that CS food at DL is much better than at WDW. It sounds like you are hoping to eat good counter service food while minimizing your time spent eating. Three suggestions (some of which have already been offered):

--Pacific Wharf in California Adventure. Both the Mexican restaurant and the bakery with soup in a breadbowl are really good. And the atmosphere there is really nice.

--Flo's V8 Café in California Adventure. High-quality, good-tasting food that you wouldn't expect from a CS in a theme park. I especially like the turkey platter, but other options are good, too. And right in the middle of Cars Land, so you are very near several popular attractions for before and after your meal.

--Riverbelle Terrace in Disneyland. This is along Rivers of America, across from Tarzan's Treehouse and PoTC. If it tells you anything, my wife is not a huge CS fan in any of the Disney parks, but during our recently six-day visit to Disneyland, she had us go back to Riverbelle Terrace twice such that we ate lunch there a total of three times in a six-day trip. The carved turkey and pulled pork there are really good and high-quality, and like the other places, other options are good, too. They also have good sides and a large condiment bar that includes sautéed mushrooms, similar to Pecos Bill at Magic Kingdom.

Happy eating!

[tinkwest]

In regards to River Belle Terrace, mentioned above, they now serve only breakfast - one of the most popular breakfasts in the Park - from 8am to 2pm. From 3pm to 8pm they are part of the Fantasmic! Dining Package and serve only reserved 3-course meals priced at $42 for adults (includes Fantasmic! FastPass).

[cspenc28]

Thanks!