Tips for Eating Healthy at the Disneyland Resort
Theme park dining might bring to mind corn dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy – and while you can still find these at the Disneyland Resort, you can also find healthy options at many quick service and table service restaurants throughout the parks. Whether you’re watching your diet in general or you just get sick of theme park food after a few days, here are some tips and great options for healthy eating while visiting the happiest place on earth.
Bring your own
The easiest way to control what you eat in the parks is to bring your own food, and, yes, you can bring your own food! (Get answers to other common dining questions here!) Anything except loose ice, alcohol, and any large, oversized coolers. This is also a great way to save money at the parks.
I used to think bringing food was the least fun way to eat in the parks, but after visiting so often, I’ve started to change my tune. I still obsess over the snacks and meals at Disneyland, but the last time I visited, I brought some protein-packed snacks and electrolyte packets to mix into my water. Having a snack at the ready and staying hydrated kept our group in a better mood and helped us choose healthier options and stick to our plan for meals and snacks rather than grabbing the first thing we saw when we got too hungry.
Plan ahead
One major perk of the Disneyland App is the ability to look up menus, even for restaurants that don’t offer mobile order. A pro tip is to click into mobile order even when you don’t plan to place a mobile order, because you can see pictures of each food and drink on the menu.
But photos or not, planning ahead is a great way to increase your chances of choosing healthier options. When planning your park day, you can also brainstorm healthy snack ideas based on where you’ll be in the park.
Another way to plan ahead is to order ahead with mobile order. You can order meals and snacks in the morning for the entire day and just push back your pick-up window as desired, or play it by ear, but try to stay ahead of your hunger because there isn’t always an immediate order pick-up window available.
Stay Hydrated
I’m not here to give health advice, but hydration is important whether you’re watching what you eat or just trying to avoid dehydration on a hot theme park day. Luckily, it’s easy to stay hydrated on your Disneyland vacation. Here are some ways to get enough water during your visit:
- Bring in a reusable water bottle and utilize water refill stations throughout the parks. Search for ‘Bottle-Filling Stations’ on the Disneyland App for a map of locations to refill your water bottle.
- Freeze water bottles. If you want to carry water, you’re expecting a hot day, and you’re cool with plastic; a lot of people swear by bulk buying water bottles outside the park, freezing them in their hotel room, and bringing them to the park for the day. This is an especially favorite strategy for those using strollers. You can use the solid bottles as an ice pack to cool off, then drink the cool water as the ice melts throughout the day.
- Ask for a free water (or water cup) at quick-service and sit-down restaurants throughout the park. This is my favorite option because I don’t have to lug water around, keep track of a reusable bottle, or pay for water. Some dining locations have pre-filled ice waters, ready to go; some cast members will ask if you want ice in your water, and some locations, including Galactic Grill, will give you a cup because they have a convenient water refill station on-site.
Healthy Options at the Disneyland Resort
Here are some recommendations for healthy meals and snack ideas on your Disneyland vacation. Consider this your healthy Disneyland food guide.
Disneyland Park
Healthy grab & go
- Fruit carts: Assorted fruits which can include apple slices, pineapple spears, bananas, CutiesⓇ, and grapes. Some also have veggie cups and hummus (search ‘fruit cart’ in the Disneyland app)
Healthy quick service
- Alien Pizza Planet: Salad options
- Bengal Barbecue: Lean protein, veggie skewers, raw veggies & hummus
- Red Rose Taverne: Often has a healthy plant-based option for every meal
Note: Most quick-service dining locations will allow you to choose Greek yogurt or CutiesⓇ instead of fries.
Healthy sit down
- Carnation Cafe: Several salad options
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo: Variety of protein, veggies, and vegan options.
Disney California Adventure Park
Healthy grab & go
- Fruit carts: Assorted fruits which can include apple slices, pineapple spears, bananas, CutiesⓇ, and grapes. Some also have veggie cups and hummus (search ‘fruit cart’ in the Disneyland app)
Healthy quick service
- PYM Test Kitchen: Salad, and usually has a plant-based option
- Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta: Several salad options
Note: Most quick-service dining locations will allow you to choose Greek yogurt or CutiesⓇ instead of fries.
Healthy sit down
- Lamplight Lounge: Omelets, salads, ceviche, and several protein options
- Wine Country Trattoria: protein, Veggies, and salad options
Downtown Disney
Healthy grab & go
- JambaⓇ: smoothies
Healthy quick service
- Earl of Sandwich: Sandwiches, soups, salads
- Seoul Sister: Korean rice bowls
- Tangaroa Terrace: Poke bowl with tuna, salmon, or tofu
- Tiendita: Fresh tacos, ceviches, salads
Healthy sit down
- Centrico: Lots of fresh options, veggies, lean protein
- Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio: soups & salads
- Paseo: Several upscale healthy options for each meal
- Trader Sam’s: Hawaiian platter, salads
Food Allergies
We have very serious food allergies in our family, and we’ve been able to navigate the parks very well. My heart goes out to you if you or anyone in your group has a life-threatening food allergy, and I am in no way providing medical advice, just sharing our experiences in the parks with allergies.
Here are a few tips for dealing with food allergies at the Disneyland Resort.
Reservations with Allergies
If you pre-book any dining reservations on the Disneyland App, you will notice ‘Dietary Request’ come up. Click edit and select your allergy from the list.
Table-Service Dining with Allergies
If you are dining at a table service restaurant, be sure to tell your server about any allergies or food preferences, and they will do their best to accommodate. Sometimes, they even send out a chef to discuss the allergy and talk about your best options.
Mobile Order with Allergies
If you are utilizing mobile order in the parks, after you select your pickup window, you will notice icons. Select ‘Allergy-Friendly’ then your specific allergy to make sure that ingredient isn’t present in the menu item. If you’ve already started adding to your order, these icons will be at the top, and you can scroll across to find ‘Allergy-Friendly.’
In-Person Orders with Allergies
If you are ordering food in person, mention your allergy to the cast member. Every dining location has a binder with all food items listed and the common allergens present in each.
Cross-Contact, Shared Equipment/Facility
Note that Disney theme parks make a serious effort to provide allergy-friendly options, but they do not guarantee foods are free of cross-contact, and they mention on the app that foods made off-site might be made in the same facility as common allergens.
Special Diets Trained Cast Member
If your allergy is particularly serious, not listed under the common allergens, or you still have questions or concerns, ask at any dining establishment to speak to a “Special Diets Trained Cast Member,” and they will help you navigate your dining options and food choices in the parks.
