Many people think of theme park dining as merely burgers, hot dogs, and churros, but anyone who’s visited Disneyland Resort knows that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Across Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, guests can explore a diverse selection of cuisines designed to tantalize the taste buds. While quick-service spots serve traditional fast food, you can also find more adventurous dishes dotted throughout the Anaheim resort, such as the Ronto Wraps from Galaxy’s Edge, Bengal Barbecue’s Banyan Beef Skewers, and the comforting Baked Potato Soup from Carnation Café.
However, not every eatery manages to shine, and some have gained notoriety for underwhelming food and service. Based on Tripadvisor feedback, here are the restaurants garnering the worst criticism.
Galactic Grill (Disneyland Park)
For those venturing beyond Galaxy’s Edge, Tomorrowland offers another intergalactic dining option called Galactic Grill. Unfortunately, it pales in comparison to its more exciting space-themed counterparts.
Marketed as an “extraterrestrial eatery,” guests have found its burgers and chicken tenders lackluster. With a mere 3.3-star rating on Tripadvisor, many have expressed disappointment. One diner lamented, “We came here and got burgers and veggie wraps. Neither were noteworthy.” Another guest stated, “There are plenty of better options at Disney.”
Wine Country Trattoria (California Adventure)
Set against a picturesque Mediterranean backdrop, Wine Country Trattoria invites diners to enjoy a taste of Napa Valley. But with entrées priced from $24 to $38, the expectations are high. Sadly, patrons have often left feeling let down. A guest commented, “[Worst] meal I have ever had at Disney,” citing a lengthy wait and unremarkable food.
With a 3.6-star rating on Tripadvisor, it seems this restaurant struggles to justify its prices, leading one frustrated diner to declare, “Disney should do better. They charge 4-5 star food prices and are on the race to deliver 2 stars.”
Oga’s Cantina (Disneyland)
When Oga’s Cantina first opened in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it quickly became a hot spot, with reservations hard to come by. However, the buzz has since dwindled. Currently holding a lowly 2.7-star rating on Tripadvisor, many visitors have expressed disappointment with the cramped atmosphere and lack of excitement. One reviewer cautioned, “Do not waste your time here. It is tiny and pretty uneventful.”
Additionally, patrons have voiced frustration over the communal seating arrangements required to sip on the bar’s iconic cocktails, with one guest stating, “Horrible experience we got up and left; you are sat shoulder to shoulder on a table with random strangers.”
Even die-hard Star Wars fans have found the experience lacking, with one noting that the service was rushed and unwelcoming and others remarking that the version at Galaxy’s Edge in Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney’s Hollywood Studios is far superior.
River Belle Terrace (Disneyland)
Located in Frontierland, River Belle Terrace offers a menu full of Southern comfort food, including biscuits and gravy and chicken pot pie soup. While the setting is charming, it often doesn’t translate to a satisfying dining experience, reflected in its 3.7-star rating on Tripadvisor.
Guests have noted issues with limited menu options and slow service, with one patron lamenting, “We were brought to our table one hour after our reservation for the Fantasmic Standard Package.” Others shared similar complaints about the Fantasmic! package, stating that the promised preferred seating did not live up to expectations, with obstructed views and insufficient amenities.
Alien Pizza Planet (Disneyland)
Alien Pizza Planet, inspired by Pixar’s Toy Story franchise, does not receive rave reviews either. With a 3.5-star rating on Tripadvisor, guests have criticized its pizza offerings, often comparing them unfavorably to cafeteria food. One dissatisfied diner wrote, “It is so bad. Just don’t bother.”
Reviews mention that the pizza is often dry and lacks flavor, while other menu items, like spaghetti and meatballs, have been described as frozen dinner quality. Many diners recommend exploring other options within the parks for a better culinary experience, stating that you’re likely to find tastier food elsewhere.
If you are a fan of Pizza Planet, however, we do have a recipe where you can try to recreate its pies for yourself at home!
In the end, dining at Disneyland Resort can be a mixed bag. While there are undoubtedly hidden gems, some experiences leave much to be desired.
What have been your dining highs (or lows) at Disneyland? Share with us in the comments!
Do you need to do a lot better? They’ve gone downhill for the last 25 years or more to me. And I went there Within the first year that Disney’s new world was finished. And now I’m fixing to be 62 next week. And we went there for 10 days back 15 years ago I think it was because my grandmother was too, and that’s when you could buy nine refundable, but tickets that didn’t run out and you could park up and you got a bracelet to do everything with. And your rooms, you could have your stuff that you buy sent there. So you don’t have to carry it all around. Oh, and also getting to the airport and back and all that’s changed. Because people who are over Disney has got to have that $50 million in their pocket. Every year so they can’t take less, so you have to pay more. That’s why Disney’s over for me. I am gonna give some to my grand der. Eighteenth birthday is on groundhog day.Cause she’s a groundhog baby this coming year.I’m not going cause it’s over for me.In a park and it’d be even in february.It’ll be too hot, but i’m gonna have her so she can go with some in our family.And they ride rides that.I don’t ride.I miss a small world, peter pan.I know it’s not a ride, but the hall of presidents and the country bears two of those that I mentioned were great over the years going and taking our kids.And then our grandkids, because you could cool off for just a little bit in those shows but I did ride the the star wars ride.We had annual tickets still a few years back and Taunya and I my ❤️ wife . Went too early in because it was still going on. Where you could go hour early before the park, actually, that was to everybody else. And it still took us 45 minutes, but we went and done The Star Wars. Because I’m a Star Wars fan other than that, I would not stand in line. That whole time, and I’m definitely not gonna pay money for lightning stuff. Or the other things they’ve called it over the years. I mean, tickets are high enough. It costs enough to go. It cost enough to stay. The food is high, but I will say digit still will let you take a subway sandwich in so that’s not too bad. Where seaworld will not