There are a lot of Anaheim hotels near Disneyland to choose from. Some are only a minute walk until you’re on Disneyland property.

Hotels that offer free breakfast that fills you up are the only hotels that we have will even consider. After a lot of research, I have found what, I believe, are the top five hotels near Disneyland and Disney California Adventure that offer a great free breakfast.

I have picked the top hotels at different distances from Disneyland.

For example, Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn has the best breakfast, per reviews, of hotels right across the street from Disneyland.

The other hotels are a little further. Hopefully, the variety in distance will provide variety in price. I want to help you find a cheap hotel near Disneyland with free breakfast.

A good free breakfast can save you from spending money and time at a restaurant and from paying higher prices in the park. It is nice to have a hearty breakfast for many hours of walking you’ll likely do at the parks.

I’ll explain my reasoning in more detail, but, first, here is my list of the 5 best hotels near Disneyland with free breakfast:

• Best Western PLUS Anaheim Inn
• Hyatt House at the Anaheim Convention Center
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort Convention Center
• Cambria Hotel and Suites Anaheim Resort
• Ayres Hotel Anaheim

And be sure to book through Get Away Today. They are our go to for all things Disneyland vacation related, and they offer the best perks and resources. All of the hotels below are Get Away Today partnered hotels. If you book a vacation package through them, make sure you use the code MFTG to get $10 off!

Free Breakfast Hotels Near Disneyland

Best Western PLUS Anaheim Inn

I chose Best Western PLUS Anaheim Inn because it is across the street from the walkway that leads to the front gates of Disneyland. It has a brand new breakfast room that includes a balcony that overlooks Disneyland. Reviews indicate that the breakfast is way above average, and has a variety that regularly changes. It has a lot of options.

Some say that this Best Western is closer to the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure gates than some of the Disneyland hotels, and it is much cheaper!

Reviews indicate that the hotel might feel a little dated, is not overly decorated with a Disney theme, and might get a little noisy as families head to Disneyland. Incredibly, it has free parking, which is another money saver. The breakfast balcony can serve as a viewing deck for the fireworks of Disneyland. If you’re lucky you can view the fireworks from your hotel room.

Additionally, the inn lists a 24-hr check-in, baggage storage, a pool, and baggage storage. Baggage storage is helpful if you check-out early, but want to go to Disneyland and then head to the airport or your next hotel in the evening.

The Best Western PLUS Anaheim Inn is a 3-star hotel with a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trip Advisor. Click here to read Tripadvisor.com reviews for yourself. To book a stay at the Best Western PLUS Anaheim Inn visit GetAwayToday.com!

Hyatt House at the Anaheim Convention Center

Just down the street from the Best Western PLUS Anaheim Inn is the Hyatt House at the Anaheim Convention Center. It is on the corner of W Katella Ave and S Harbor Blvd. It is about an 8 minute walk to the S Harbor Blvd pickup/dropoff location for Disneyland, not including waiting at lights. It is an easy walk.

If you would prefer, you could walk a little south to the Toy Story parking lot and take their free shuttle to Disneyland. It is less walking overall to go to the Toy Story Lot, but it might take more time. I understand that you might feel that you do enough walking at Disneyland on a normal day, so it might be worth it to use the Toy Story Lot Shuttle.

The breakfast is described as above average, hot, and delicious. Reviews for other hotels nearby referenced this hotel as having a higher quality breakfast.

On the bottom level of the hotel is Walgreens, Starbucks, and Blaze Pizza, so in addition to being close to Disneyland it is close to places to get coffee, pizza, and a lot of other supplies. A CVS is across the street. The hotel itself has the H Bar, which seems to be a good place to watch sporting events.

The rooms are listed as having kitchenettes. Their rooftop pool is heated, and grills are available for guest use. Their pool, workout room, and business center seem to be a good size.

The Hyatt House at the Anaheim Convention Center is a 3-star hotel with a 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor. To read Trip Advisor reviews click here. To book a stay at the Hyatt House visit GetAwayToday.com!

Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort Convention Center

Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort Convention Center is a long name, and, as you would guess, it is close to Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. It is only a few hotels down from the Hyatt House.

This is the only hotel of the five I have actually stayed in myself. I enjoyed my experience at this hotel.

I would recommend using the Toy Story Lot to get to/from Disneyland if staying at this hotel. Basically, the Homewood Suites has a free shuttle and breakfast–the free shuttle being the Toy Story Lot shuttle.

The hotel is right next door to the Toy Story Parking Lot, and it seems that the parking attendants and Disneyland staff don’t have a problem with nearby hotel guests using the parking lot shuttle.

I feel like the Toy Story Lot shuttles are larger and more spacious than the ART buses, and you don’t have to worry about it being full or people cramming in on top of you.

Breakfast is good quality, not amazing, but it does have the occasional Mexican food dish. I remember enchiladas one day. There is a good variety, which includes staple hot items like some type of egg and meat. I remember delicious fresh fruit, as well!

Often, Homewood Suites will serve a light dinner Monday through Thursday. It is described as an evening social, small plate. It can be hearty, but there is generally one option for the hearty part of the meal. If you’re picky, it might be risky to plan on it. If you’re not, then it could save you a lot of money.

My experience and other reviews indicate decent soundproofing, which is nice when you have little kids. Rooms include a dining area. The hotel offers a small putting green/mini-golf area, a basketball hoop, outdoor pool, a fire pit, hot tub, baby/toddler pool, grills, game room, fitness center, and electric vehicle charging.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort Convention Center is a 3-star hotel with a 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor. To read Trip Advisor reviews click here. To book a stay at this Homewood Suites visit GetAwayToday.com!

Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort

Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort is a newer hotel. When I last looked at the lot on Google Maps it showed a construction site. Cambria is located to the southeast of Disneyland. It is about a 0.9-mile walk to the S. Harbor Blvd drop off area.

You could use ART, Anaheim Resort Transportation to get to Disneyland. In my experience, you’ll want to make sure that your hotel is one of the first stops, or it might be full before it gets to you. Additionally, it can be slower during peak times. An Uber/Lyft type of service would be a few dollars more, but it would likely be a better option. Though, the drop off/pickup area becomes congested during peak times.

Since the hotel is newer, there weren’t a ton of reviews for the breakfast. However, all of the reviews that I saw were positive. The described the breakfast as having a lot of options and being able to handle a large crowd. I think it is always helpful to remember it is a free breakfast.

The main reason I have added this hotel to the list, as that the hotel seems to almost be a destination in and of itself. It has a free water park with water slides, a restaurant, a movie wall, a putting green, other on-site eateries, two showers, and their mirrors can be accessed with Bluetooth to play music while you’re in the bathroom.

Additionally, there is valet parking, room service, and a fitness center. The reviews repeated mentioned Larry, who I believe is a very helpful valet. They make Larry out to be an awesome guy. Hopefully, he still works there!

The Cambria is a 3-star hotel with a 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor. To read reviews on Trip Advisor click here. To book a stay at the Cambria visit GetAwayToday.com!

Ayers Hotel Anaheim

The Ayers Hotel Anaheim is not exceptionally close to Disneyland. However, it only takes about an 8-minute drive to travel between the two locations. Additionally, it is located right next to the Honda Center and the Angels Stadium.

The breakfast is described as excellent to above average. One review even mentioned to-go breakfast bags being available. Photos seem to show a decent size breakfast seating area. Some critiqued the limited non-dairy options. Generally, breakfast options were good.

I mostly picked this hotel because the breakfast reviews were so positive, it has an interesting location next to sports stadiums, and it might be an interesting option for someone willing to take an Uber or Lyft to get to Disneyland.

Ayers has a pool, business center, fitness center, available inter-connected rooms, and on-demand movies.

The Ayers Hotel is a 3-star hotel with a 4.5-star rating on Trip Advisor. To read reviews on Trip Advisor for The Ayers Hotel click here. To book a stay visit GetAwayToday.com!

Other Top Area Hotels that Offer Free Hot Breakfast!

These didn’t make our top five choices, but they still have great reputations for serving up some delicious breakfast to start your day at Disneyland off with!

• Best Western PLUS Park Place Inn
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area
• Springhill Suites at Anaheim Resort Convention Center
• Desert Palms Hotel & Suites
• Anaheim Cortana Inn & Suites
• Best Western PLUS Raffles Inn & Suites
• Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort

And again, don’t forget to book your vacation through our friends at Get Away Today! Make sure you let them know we sent you, or use the code Clarkscondensed, to get $10 off vacation packages.

Other Disneyland Posts You May Enjoy:

• Where to Stay: Hotels Around Disneyland
• 15+ BEST Family-Friendly Disneyland Hotels with Bunk Beds
• 9 Hotels CLOSEST to Disneyland – That You Can ACTUALLY Walk To

The post 5 Best Hotels near Disneyland with Free Breakfast appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

Disneyland is where magic is around every corner – but that magic can quickly disappear with a hangry child (or, if you’re like me, an adult).

When it comes to food, Disneyland offers a wide variety of options – much of which is geared towards adults. So what’s a parent to do when their child is begging for food and they don’t want to break the bank?

Fear not! We’ve put together a list of our favorite Disneyland meals that kids love. These are items that our kids have enjoyed and generally are pretty affordable.

PRO TIP – Take advantage of mobile ordering at most of these restaurants. You’ll probably want to secure a spot about an hour before you are ready to eat. It makes life so much easier with kids when you don’t have to wait forever in line. However, keep in mind that

Pizza at Pizza Planet

Honestly, you really can’t go wrong at Pizza Planet. We always go there at least once during our Disney trips. There are two main options for pizza:

• By the Slice – between $7.99 and $8.99 per slice
• Kid Size Cheese Pizza – $6.99 for the meal. It includes carrots, a Cutie Mandarin orange, and a choice of drink.

Personally, we like getting the kid-size cheese pizza. We have plenty of snacks in our backpack for the day if the kids don’t get filled up, but it usually ties them over for a while!

If your child doesn’t love pizza, they also have a great Kid’s Check Meal for $7.99 – Space-getti with Meatballs.

Chicken Tenders at The Golden Horseshoe

The Golden Horseshoe is a great spot for kids because they offer chicken tenders as one of the kids’ meals. This meal comes with a cutie mandarin orange and applesauce, as well as a drink. You usually can substitute in fries if you’d rather.

This will run you about $7.99, and it’s quite filling. If you have an older kid, you can get an adult entree for 10.99.

The Stage Door Cafe also has chicken tenders.

Corn Dog at Little Red Wagon

A trip to Disneyland is never complete without a corn dog – they are unlike anything else. If you have light eaters, they might even be able to split one.

You can find the corn dogs at The Little Red Wagon off on Main Street. One corn dog will run you about $10.

Sometimes Disneyland has Corn Dog Nuggets, which are absolutely delicious. I’m not sure when they have them, but it’s worth asking around about! They are a little more kid-friendly as well.

Baked Chicken Leg

Carnation Cafe is the first stop on Main Street to enjoy a meal, it is one of the table service dining locations. Most likely you pass by without a thought as you draw near the castle undeterred. Otherwise, you may regularly enjoy it as a traditional spot.

I actually had never been here until our most recent trip, when my friend, Hilary, suggested it as a good place to go that isn’t insanely crazy. 

The food and the atmosphere here are some of the best you will find in Disneyland and that extends to the Kids Menu. The best Disneyland Kids Meals offer something a little more.

That’s why the Chicken Fried Chicken is such an excellent choice. The recipe is exceptional and the dish is so unique

to other fried chicken meals in the park. This meal comes with Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli and Fresh Fruit as sides.

We actually got Jack the baked chicken leg, instead, which he loved!

Mac and Cheese

I usually try and steer our kids away from Mac and Cheese, simply because they can have it at home! However, Disneyland Mac and Cheese is actually quite delicious – I even enjoy it!

So if you have a kid that is just dying for some Mac and Cheese – you’re in luck. You can find it at several places in Disneyland:

• The Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland
• Cafe Orleans
• Pacific Wharf Cafe
• Harbour Galley
• River Belle Terrace

Chicken Taco at Rancho Del Zocalo

Rancho Del Zocalo Is another wonderful place for families. It is actually one of our favorite places in Disneyland!

They have two kid’s meal options – a chicken taco and a bean and rice burrito. We personally like the chicken taco. It is $7.99 and includes rice, applsuace, veggies, and a choice of drink.

We love mixing things up outside the traditional hamburger and fries, and this is a delightful place the whole family can enjoy.

Fried Chicken Tip-Yip Youngling Meal

Spending some time in Galaxy’s Edge? Make sure to stop by Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – they have a kid’s meal perfect for your little Star Wars fan.

The friend chicken tip-yip youngling meal includes crispy chicken, macaroni and cheese vegetables, and a choice of drink. It’s $9.99, but we think this is one of the best kid’s meals in the whole park!

Sauteed Shrimp at Cafe Orleans

Is your child a little more adventerous? Look no further than Cafe Orleans. One of their kid’s meals is sauteed shrimp two two side options – one of which happens to be cheesy grits.

The shrimp is sautéed and the grits are cheesy. Cafe Orleans is a table service restaurant in New Orleans Square.

But if your kids are a little less adventerous, their Mac and Cheese is fantastic here as well. 

Hamburger and Fries

Hamburgers are a classic choice for many children – it’s almost always what our kids choose! There are several dining locations within Disneyland where your child can get their burger fix, including:

• Smokejumpers Grill
• Galactic Grill
• Hungry Bear Restaurant

Sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich

Okay, okay, this isn’t exatly IN Disneyland, but it is in Downtown Disney. They have a large variety of sandwiches, including for children. They are also very affordable.

This is a great place to stop on your way out (or in!) to Disneyland – they have a Turkey & Swiss, Grilled Cheese, and Pizza Bread!

How to Find Kid-Friendly Food at Disneyland

Honestly, the best way to find what you are looking for is to download the Disneyland app and just search for the food your child is wanting.

You can easily type in the type of food, and it will show you places in Disneyland that currently serve that item. If you’re lucky, it will be a mobile ordering restaurant, so you can order it and pick it up with ease.

What is a Disney Mickey Check Meal?

I mentioned this previously, but you might be asking – what is this?! And you aren’t alone. 

Essentially, it’s a simple designation that helps you to find the nutritious choices for your family amongst all the grease and sugar (regardless of how delicious that is). Meals that have the Mickey Check meat strict Disney-set Nutrition Guidelines, which limit calories, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. 

Walt Disney World Resort, the expansion of the Mickey Check helps families easily find nutritious choices, part of an ongoing program that launched in 2006 with nutrition guidelines. The Mickey Check makes it even easier to identify healthier food options in all of the Disney theme parks and resorts.

If you’re looking for some kid-friendly meal ideas while you’re at Disneyland, we’ve got you covered. No matter what your child’s taste or dietary restrictions may be, there are plenty of options to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip and get ready to chow down on some delicious Disney cuisine! What is your child’s favorite meal at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below!

Other Disneyland Posts You May Enjoy:

• The Best Disney World Park for Toddlers (From a Toddler Mom)
• Galaxy’s Edge Dining: Overview of Food and Drink
• 20+ Airplane Snacks for Toddlers + Expert Tips for Success
• The Best Age for Disneyland: The Ultimate Guide to Help You Decide

The post Top 10 Disneyland Kids’ Meals Your Child Will LOVE appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

Some people think it is a no-no, but the official Disney site does not mention anything about footwear. Flip Flops are a type of sandal that can be quite comfortable and very necessary for those who have problems with their feet. Here’s what you need to know if you want to take them with you on your next trip to the Magic Kingdom.

You can walk pretty far in flip-flops. This is both a pro and a con. On one hand, you can easily get around the park without your feet hurting too much (or at all) for a while. Most people find them to be pretty comfortable. You might find yourself getting blisters or sore feet after walking non-stop for hours on end.

Flip flops also don’t really offer a ton of support, especially if they are less expensive ones. That Old Navy Flip Flops you get for $1 during the summer might not be the best option for hours of walking.

If you like the freedom of flip-flops but don’t want to be cursing your choice at the end of the day, we personally love these two types of sandals. They are similar to flip-flops because they are easy to put on, but they do offer more support. They also have back straps, which can help keep them more secure on rides.

• Sanuk Yoga Sling Sandals
• MEGNYA Sandals – these are seriously AMAZING. I think everyone should have a pair.

Still planning your Disney trip? Be sure to book through our friends at Get Away Today! They have been our Disney travel agent since 2008, and they take care of everything. Use the code MFTG or mention Magical Family Travel Guide to get $10 off an upcoming Southern California trip.

But. the big question is – are flip flops even allowed?

A rumor that is often spread is that you can’t wear flip flops on certain rides such as Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, or Star Tours.

But is this true? Flip flops are so common for some that it’s hard to believe that they are actually banned at certain Disney rides.

Well, in our research, there is no published guidance from Disneyland or Disney World on what type of footwear is appropriate for the rides.

I did find a couple of instances of people being asked to take their flip flops off for Soarin’ Over California, but it was just for the duration of the ride.

I suppose there may be a cast member who has gone on a power trip and tried to tell people they couldn’t wear certain shoes, but it’s simply not a part of the policy for the parks.

Disney’s official site says this:

“The parks are a casual, family-oriented environment. We suggest you dress comfortably, wear good walking shoes and check the local weather report before you leave for the parks. Review our Pre-Arrival Tips to make sure you come prepared for a fun-filled trip!”

So I guess it’s really up to you to decide what good walking shoes are. Personally, cheap flip-flops are not what I would ever wear to the Disney Parks, but it’s really up to you.

Disney’s official site does not mention anything about wearing flip-flops to both parks. But you are more than welcome to bring them along on your next trip! Just keep in mind that you might want to bring along a slightly sturdier pair of shoes for all the walking you’ll be doing.

Book your next magical family adventure through our friends at Get Away Today! They are truly the Disney experts and can make planning your trip a breeze for both Disneyland and Disney World. You can browse their website or call 1-855-GET-AWAY. Make sure you tell them Magical Family Travel Guide sent you or use the code MFTG for $10 off a Southern California

More Posts You Might Enjoy:

• The Best Rain Ponchos for Disney + Rainy Day Tips (2021)
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• The 15+ BEST Family Friendly Disneyland Hotels with Bunk Beds

The post Can you wear Flip Flops to Disneyland and Disney World? Myth versus Fact appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

As we planned our trip to Disneyland this November, I was excited that we were going to be there during the Christmas season.

We’ve spent time there a few times during Halloween, and I was always so impressed with the park at that time – so we looked forward to being there this time of year.

I discovered that there was going to be a special food festival going on while we were there – the Festival of Holidays at California Adventure.

I read about it, and I was so excited to be able to try it out! I’ve heard how amazing the Food and Wine Festival in the spring is, so I assumed this would be the same.

Quite a few of my friends went to it in the weeks before I did, and they all shared their favorites, which made me even more excited. Everyone raved about it and acted like the food was incredible.

Well, I can honestly say it was an experience. But I’m not sure I would spend my money on it next time around.

This was the best thing I ate:

“But Katie…that’s a Jack Jack Num Num Cookie! That’s not part of the Festival of Holidays.”

Case in point.

I should preface that I am definitely NOT a foodie. I feel like my opinions on food always clash with some of my foodie friends, so just take this as the experience of someone who enjoys yummy food (but doesn’t necessarily need said food to be unique). I feel that this event is definitely targeted more toward the foodie crowd.

If you are planning a trip to Disneyland, make sure you book through friends at Get Away Today. We have used them to plan our Disneyland adventures, and no one makes it easier! You can use the code Clarkscondensed to get $10 off any Southern California vacation package!

What is the Festival of Holidays at California Adventure?

The Festival of Holidays turns one of the walkways at California Adventure into a food festival!

You’ll find eight pop up stations where they serve limited time eats, treats and drinks. The foods are inspired by traditional foods that are meant for different holidays and cultures – you’ll find items inspired by Christmas, Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, and Hanukah.

The food items are in smaller portions so you can justify trying multiple things. Here are the different shops:

Holiday Duets – Pairings

Brews & Bites – Bar foods

Grandma’s Recipes – Traditional recipes with a twist. Has some vegan options.

A Twist on Tradition – Holiday classics with a new twist

Making Spirits Bright – Drinks and desserts

Favorite Things – traditional favorites with a twist

Merry Mashups – Latin inspired dishes

Winter Sliderland – different sliders with festive flavors.

There are also certain stores that are open year-round that also offer some items that are part of the festival and are eligible for use with the Sip and Savor pass.

One thing that is kind of neat is that you can order food from any of the stations at whatever station you are at. Some of the lines get SUPER long (like the Brews & Bites) but some have no one at them, so just find the shortest line and order there!

The Festival of Holidays goes from November 8, 2019 through January 6, 2020.

Sip and Savor Pass – is it worth it?

The Sip and Savor Pass comes with eight tickets that you can redeem for food and non-alcoholic drinks that are part of the Festival of Holidays.

We bought one and ended up wishing we hadn’t. They cost $54 ($49 for annual passholders), and it comes with eight vouchers.

In order for you to get your money’s worth, you would need to get items that were $6.75 or higher.

Many items are higher than that, but not all the drinks and desserts are, so you are kind of stuck buying only the savory dishes…which we realized we didn’t really want!

We also felt like we couldn’t buy any other foods in the park, since we spent pretty much our whole meal budget on this card. Call me lame, but I would have rather gotten a pesto chicken cone from The Cozy Cone and a traditional corn dog somewhere in the park rather than getting this pass.

If you are coming purely for the Festival of Holidays and you want to try lots of the savory dishes, it’s a good deal, as those can be $7.50+.

But if you don’t want to limit yourself JUST to the Festival of Holidays, then maybe just pay for a few items that look good to you.

What we tried

Posole at Cocina Cucamonga

This was the first savory dish we got using our Sip and Savor pass. We actually REALLY loved this dish – and I think it set our expectations high for everything else we would eat.

It actually wasn’t at one of the stands – it was at the Cocina Cucamonga. I believe it might be available year-round, but with the Sip and Savor pass, we got a smaller bowl than the full-priced one.

Forrest loves posole, and I think it’s rather tasty – but it has to be made right. Forrest said he felt like it tasted how posole should taste.

It was piping hot – which is a good thing! We felt like it had good chunks of meat in it, and it wasn’t too spicy.

One downside was that it felt a little fatty – our lips felt kind of coated with fat afterward!

The chips that came with it were a bit stale, sadly. But this was one of our favorite meals from the day.

Holiday Stuffing Mac and Cheese

Before we came, I read what people seemed to love – and the stuffing mac and cheese was on every list!

Needless to say, I was so excited to try it!

Total letdown. The flavor was super subtle (which is saying something, because I’m not a strong-flavored cheese fan), and the stuffing on top disappointing. It was very sparse, and it just felt more like bread crumbs than anything.

I only took a few bites, because I didn’t want to waste anymore calories on it!

Pecan Pie Churro

Is it really a trip to Disneyland without a churro!? I think not.

This one caught our eye right as we walked into California Adventure, and it did not disappoint.

We loved all the pecans and how all the flavors combined well together. This was just at a churro stand, but it is part of the Sip and Savor pass options.

Fried Turkey Slider

I did enjoy this one – the turkey was quite large, and I thought it had good flavor.

It was a little messy to eat, and it felt like the bun was too big – we ended up running out of food to go with the bun by the end of it!

I loved the sauce, and I wish there was more of it. The coleslaw was well-made.

When you got a little bit of every component of the meal, it DID taste like Thanksgiving.

Navidad Punch

We got stuck on the Wheel of Emotions, and it was HOT (90+ degrees – at the end of November!).

We were parched, and Forrest spotted this punch. We both really loved it.

In fact, I craved it the rest of the day and the next day at Disneyland. I even made a copycat version on our side dish blog!

It wasn’t overly sweet, and it was super refreshing. One of my favorite items all day.

House-made Horchata

Another letdown. I saw everyone carrying these around, so I was excited to try it.

The first couple of sips were decent, but it quickly became overpoweringly sweet and rich.

We love horchata, but this just went a little bit overboard. Even the whipped cream felt too creamy and sugary!

You can get it with or without alcohol (with did it without), and although I don’t know much about alcoholic beverages, I feel like this was made with alcohol in mind.

I did like the cookies on top!

Turkey and Stuffing Tamale

I have been on a big tamale kick recently, so this one caught my eye.

Another disappointment. I felt like the gravy helped to make it so it wasn’t dry, but the overall dish was just mushy. I felt like it needed more texture and flavor – I didn’t feel like I was really eating anything. It was just kind of blah.

Reimagined Beef Wellington

I’ve always wanted to try beef wellington ever since I saw Gordon Ramsay make it on Master Chef.

This clearly isn’t any beef wellington that Ramsay would make, but it was fun to try. The beef was super tender, and I liked all the flavors.

The puff pastry tasted good, but there was too much of it compared to the filling inside.

It wasn’t super special, but I thought it tasted good, and I certainly didn’t feel disappointed like some of the other items had left me feeling!

Shrimp and Grits

This caught Forrest’s eye – of course. He loves shrimp and grits!

We were pretty impressed with it. It had a nice heat with some spice to it. The grits were creamy, and there was actually a decent shrimp to grits ratio.

It wasn’t dry, and there was a lot of sauce! This was one of those meals where Forrest felt like he wanted a big plate – not just a small portion.

Chorizo Queso Fundido

I love me some good queso, and this was pretty tasty. It had a kick at the end, which was a little surprising. It was creamy, and the chips were fresh!

It did seem to solidify pretty quickly, though.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, the Festival of Holidays at California Adventure is a great way to try LOTS of different kinds of foods.

If I lived in California and went to Disneyland regularly, I would totally come here and spend the day eating from the different booths without really thinking of it.

However, since we don’t frequent the parks like that, I would have rather spent the day eating some of my iconic favorites – and in larger portions.

The thing that we don’t love about this type of eating is that if you like something – there’s not very much on the plate.

Again, we’d rather have a big plate of something we LOVE rather than many plates of things that are just kind of meh.

With that said, I’m glad we were able to try it, so if we go during Christmas-time again, we will have a better plan of action for our dining!

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