Disney takes dinner and a show to a whole new level
Disney nighttime spectaculars and the dining options 2015
At the Disneyland resort, Fantasmic and the World of Color nighttime shows can be difficult to get into. They require waiting for a FASTPASS and then finding a place to sit and waiting for the show – sometimes a couple of hours in advance. This is fine for people who have limited budgets or unlimited time, but for people who want to maximize the value of their trip, there is a better way that can take a little of the sting out of waiting – the dining options for these shows come with good food, a restaurant experience and reserved seating. Choose the lunch options to save some money and get in on the earlier shows.
Fantasmic
The oldest nighttime show at Disneyland is still a thrill to behold with its water screens, raging dragon and the delving into Mickey’s imagination. It is certainly a crowd pleaser. The Blue Bayou, River Belle Terrace and Aladdin’s Oasis all offer dining packages. All packages suggest that guests get to the entrance of the viewing area by 8 p.m. People usually line up a little earlier to get the best place. Blue Bayou ticket holders do not have to worry as much about getting there too early.
The Blue Bayou
The most expensive package, the Blue Bayou offers a three course meal and a drink as well as the best premium seating available – and it is seating, so no standing waiting for or during Fantasmic. For the best viewing experience sit right up front or toward the back, and use your seat cushion that was included in the price of your Blue Bayou Meal.
Going to the Blue Bayou alone is an experience. Located in the same building as the pirates of the Caribbean, the Blue Bayou offers a nighttime atmosphere with crickets and fireflies as well as some of the best food available in Disneyland. The price can be as scary as Maleficent, but for those who were going to go to the restaurant anyway, this may be the best way to get the most out of the experience. The Blue Bayou should be on everyone’s list for a visit at least once in a lifetime.
It is important to note that the full menu is not available to Fantasmic diners. The prix fixe is a set menu that offers three or four choices that can accommodate any dietary needs. Opt in for the mint julep and its free refills.
Aladdin’s Oasis
Aladdin’s Oasis offers an On-the-Go option that isn’t as on the go as it sounds. The meal is tasty and the price is within the reach of most budgets. It comes in a box, is hot and comes with a soft drink. The standing room only section isn’t as good as the seating section for the Blue Bayou. It is still near the center.
(Read about River Belle Terrace dining package.)
The World of Color
With its water jets and fire cannons, the World of Color may be the most popular show in the Disneyland Resort Area, and it is helping Disney California Adventure rival its sister park just across the esplanade. The 2015 show features Neil Patrick Harris in cohosting duties with Mickey Mouse as they pay tribute to 60 years of Disneyland.
The Carthay Circle Restaurant
This restaurant offers some of the best food in Disney California Adventure and in a replica of the movie theater that debuted Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. That doesn’t mean that the atmosphere is that of a movie theater. Rather it is an elegant experience that offers a quiet respite from the noise and go-go attitude of the rest of the park. This is such a good dining experience that the price doesn’t seem to matter. The food lives up to its billing, and the service is impeccable. The viewing area for the Carthay Circle is front and center, but far enough away from the wet area that it is great for viewing. For shorter people who get to the viewing area a little late, the stairs at the far end offer a good spot to stand where someone taller shouldn’t block the view too much.
(I have not tried Ariel’s Grotto at the time of this writing.Read about the Wine Country Trattoria option here)
Fantasmic
The oldest nighttime show at Disneyland is still a thrill to behold with its water screens, raging dragon and the delving into Mickey’s imagination. It is certainly a crowd pleaser. The Blue Bayou, River Belle Terrace and Aladdin’s Oasis all offer dining packages. All packages suggest that guests get to the entrance of the viewing area by 8 p.m. People usually line up a little earlier to get the best place. Blue Bayou ticket holders do not have to worry as much about getting there too early.
The Blue Bayou
The most expensive package, the Blue Bayou offers a three course meal and a drink as well as the best premium seating available – and it is seating, so no standing waiting for or during Fantasmic. For the best viewing experience sit right up front or toward the back, and use your seat cushion that was included in the price of your Blue Bayou Meal.
Going to the Blue Bayou alone is an experience. Located in the same building as the pirates of the Caribbean, the Blue Bayou offers a nighttime atmosphere with crickets and fireflies as well as some of the best food available in Disneyland. The price can be as scary as Maleficent, but for those who were going to go to the restaurant anyway, this may be the best way to get the most out of the experience. The Blue Bayou should be on everyone’s list for a visit at least once in a lifetime.
It is important to note that the full menu is not available to Fantasmic diners. The prix fixe is a set menu that offers three or four choices that can accommodate any dietary needs. Opt in for the mint julep and its free refills.
Aladdin’s Oasis
Aladdin’s Oasis offers an On-the-Go option that isn’t as on the go as it sounds. The meal is tasty and the price is within the reach of most budgets. It comes in a box, is hot and comes with a soft drink. The standing room only section isn’t as good as the seating section for the Blue Bayou. It is still near the center.
(Read about River Belle Terrace dining package.)
The World of Color
With its water jets and fire cannons, the World of Color may be the most popular show in the Disneyland Resort Area, and it is helping Disney California Adventure rival its sister park just across the esplanade. The 2015 show features Neil Patrick Harris in cohosting duties with Mickey Mouse as they pay tribute to 60 years of Disneyland.
The Carthay Circle Restaurant
This restaurant offers some of the best food in Disney California Adventure and in a replica of the movie theater that debuted Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. That doesn’t mean that the atmosphere is that of a movie theater. Rather it is an elegant experience that offers a quiet respite from the noise and go-go attitude of the rest of the park. This is such a good dining experience that the price doesn’t seem to matter. The food lives up to its billing, and the service is impeccable. The viewing area for the Carthay Circle is front and center, but far enough away from the wet area that it is great for viewing. For shorter people who get to the viewing area a little late, the stairs at the far end offer a good spot to stand where someone taller shouldn’t block the view too much.
(I have not tried Ariel’s Grotto at the time of this writing.Read about the Wine Country Trattoria option here)