A Disneyland trip can be expensive, and we get it. You just threw down hundreds of dollars on tickets to get in, and now you have to pay for all the food to keep yourself sustained throughout the day? Geez, eating at Disneyland can really add up!
If you're on a budget but still want to enjoy the delicious and magical food Disneyland has to offer, have no fear! There are plenty of things to eat at Disneyland on a budget.
From churros to fried chicken plates, there's something for everyone - and all without breaking the bank.
So next time you're planning a visit to the happiest place on earth, be sure to check out our list of the best places to eat at Disneyland on a budget. You won't be disappointed by the vast selection of options!
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Cost: FREE (with hotel stay)
Disneyland is already the happiest place on earth, but do you know what could make your entire experience even better? Free breakfast at your hotel!
That's right, there are a select few hotels near Disneyland that offer free breakfast for guests-Mickey-shaped waffles included.
After doing hours of research looking for the best Disneyland hotels with free breakfast for my own trips over the years, I've drilled it down to the best of the best.
Not only do these hotels offer free, delightfully balanced breakfasts that'll save you loads of money during your vacation, but they're also all within walking distance from the parks!
Cost: $11.99
Oh boy, will a turkey leg fill you up! The turkey legs at Disneyland are super juicy and delicious-we are really not sure how they get it to taste so good. Even better than the ones served at the best county fairs!
To get your hands on one, head to one of these cart locations serving turkey legs, corn on the cob, and more. Don't forget to grab a few packets of the hot sauce (they are not offered everywhere, so I tend to bring my own).
Cost: $19.49 (can feed 2)
Plaza Inn has become a go-to spot for many Disneyland-goers over the years-and when you taste the restaurant's signature Specialty Chicken, you'll easily understand why.
The fried chicken here is so undeniably juicy and crispy! It's guaranteed to make it on your top five list of fried chicken, at least!
This delicious dish features 3 pieces of herb-seasoned fried chicken served with mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and a buttermilk biscuit. Every single portion of this meal is delightful, and the best part is that it's large enough to feed two people.
While you're here, try to snag a seat inside the Plaza Inn dining room. The interior of the building is so old-timey and cute, making for a very fun dining experience.
Cost: Entrees starting at $11
Inside Disney California Adventure is one of the newest restaurants to open-Pym Test Kitchen. This new restaurant is part of the new Avengers Campus and is based on Ant-Man and The Wasp's size-changing theme.
If you're looking for a sit-down restaurant that offers a variety of affordable food options, this is a great choice. You can head here any time of the day as it's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Having said that, I've found that breakfast offers the most affordable menu items. The Ever-expanding Cinna-Pym Toast is a favorite of many park-goers.
Perhaps the best lunch deal here is the Not So Little Chicken Sandwich, which is an oversized fried chicken sandwich with teriyaki sauce, red chili sauce, and pickled cabbage.
The Quantum Pretzel (Bavarian-style, with Sharp Cheddar Cheese-Beer Sauce) is another great deal. I once saw a little girl holding one and it was larger than her head and torso combined!
And if you're willing to splurge a little bit, grab one of the cocktail drinks from the Pym Tasting Lab-they are so, so good!
Cost: Entrees starting at $12
The quick-service spot serves lunch and dinner. Very much like Plaza Inn, we can't get enough of the fried chicken with garlic mashed potatoes.
Don't forget to order a classic milkshake along with your meal if you have the budget for it!
You can also get salads, sandwiches, and burgers for under $15. They also have a pretty affordable Impossible Burger for under $13!
Cost: Starting at $9.79
Each deliciously crispy corndog at Corn Dog Castle (inside California Adventure) is made-to-order, meaning it's hand-dipped and deep-fried only once you put in your order. You really can't get fresher than this!
Choose from a variety of corn dog styles: Original, Hot Link, Cheddar Stick or even a Breakfast corndog. All corndog orders come with a side of mandarin oranges or a bag of chips, making this meal even better of a deal.
Cost: Starting at $7.99
Quench your thirst with a cup of Batuu's legendary blue or green treat, served frozen! You can enjoy a cup of this frozen blue or green local specialty at the Milk Stand at 'Star Wars': Galaxy's Edge.
The classic blue milk is made of a plant-based blend of coconut and rice milk with alluring fruity characteristics-great for even those who are lactose intolerant!
Recently, Disney's even stepped it up with even more variations of milk, which includes the Toydaria Swirl, comprised of Green Milk swirled with savory fruit sauce, mango jellies, and topped with chili lime seasoning.
Cost: Starting at $5
Honestly, I'll admit that the churros at Disneyland are a bit overpriced. But if you're looking for a snack that'll tide you over til your next meal, a churro really does do the job.
Not to mention, they're the perfect snack for anyone looking for the most iconic Disneyland treat. No matter which churro cart you end up at, you'll find a long line of people.
That just means you need to get one, right? Whenever we're at Disneyland, we get a minimum of two per person. Yes, they're that good!
Cost: Starting at $6.49
If you're looking for a way to cool down and crave a taste of tropical fruits, head to the Tiki Juice Bar at Adventureland inside Disneyland. Here, you will find the legendary frozen treat, the Dole Whip.
If you're looking for an even more elevated treat, get yourself the Dole Whip Float (Dole Whip Pineapple Soft Serve in Dole Pineapple Juice), which will set you back around $7-8.
Cost: Starting at $4.75
Another way to cool down from the Southern California sun is to opt for a frozen treat from one of the many ice cream stands throughout the parks.
You can choose from Nestle Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwiches, Nestle Toll House ice cream sandwiches, Olaf frozen strawberry lemonade bars, frozen fruit bars, and even a frozen banana!
If you have the budget for it, staying within the park at a Disneyland hotel is a lot of fun. But I get it, this might not be for everyone because the rooms don't come cheap!
Not to worry, because there are a lot of really great hotels located around the park. A lot of these hotels are extremely family-friendly, offering amenities like free shuttles to the park, free breakfast, huge waterparks, pools, and more!
If you don't plan on driving to the park (parking costs $30 per day), choose a hotel that's within walking distance from the park entrance. Strategically choosing a hotel close to the park will save you money!
We like Marriott Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance and Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center due to their proximity to the park entrance.
For another awesome hotel offering free hot breakfast (yes, with Mickey-shaped waffles), go with Cambria Hotel Anaheim Resort Area. This is a relatively new hotel which is a huge plus-it's so clean and so modern. We stayed here on our most recent trip to Anaheim and loved our stay.
Still need to buy Disneyland tickets? Sure, you can buy them at the gate, but then you'd be paying full price. We like to buy discounted Disneyland tickets from either our workplace discount portals or from Undercover Tourist.
If you don't have a workplace discount portal offering discounted Disney tickets, then Undercover Tourist is your best bet.
Undercover Tourist is the trusted name for discounted theme park tickets. Depending on how many days you visit the parks, you can save up to $149 per ticket with them!
And there you have it. Hopefully, this post has enlightened you on some of the best places to eat at Disneyland on a budget, and has provided you with some helpful tips to have a successful day in the park!
Looking for more Disneyland tips? Read more:
What To Pack For A Disneyland Trip: 41 Essentials To Bring (+Free Printable!)
7 Best Disneyland Hotels With Free Breakfasts (That Don't Suck)
15 Best Disneyland Souvenirs To Buy
175 Bucket List Things To Do In Los Angeles, California (From A Local's Perspective)