If you’ve ever been to Disneyland, you know how easy it is to get caught up in the excitement and in all the churros, popcorn, and Mickey-shaped treats. 😅 While we definitely enjoyed the magic, I wanted to share some of my favorite healthier tips and swaps to make your Disneyland trip a little cleaner, without losing any of the fun!
🍽️ Where to Eat (and What to Bring)
Let’s be real — Disneyland doesn’t have as many healthy options as Disney World, but we made the best of it!
✨ Seed oil–free restaurant nearby:
If you love Mexican food, check out Puesto, located right across the street from Disneyland. It’s not inside the park, but it’s 100% worth the short walk. The food is delicious, and they use quality ingredients without seed oils.
✨ Inside the parks:
I mostly stuck to salads, but I also really enjoyed the tacos at Cocina Mexican Grill and Rancho del Zócalo both offered great flavor and were satisfying without feeling heavy. Also the restaurant called Coral Reef was amazing I had the Mojo Chicken. It was so good.
Zoe loved her pizza from Alien Pizza Planet, and if you want a lighter snack while walking around, there are fresh fruit carts throughout the park a perfect quick grab between rides! 🍎🍌
✨ At the hotel:
We also ate a few times at The Great Maple, the restaurant inside the Pixar Place Hotel, and their grass-fed burger was incredible definitely a must-try if you’re staying there or nearby.
✨ What I bring:
Disney allows you to bring food and drinks into the park yes, really! I always pack my own snacks and a filtered water bottle, and I also place an Amazon Fresh order before the trip for Mountain Valley water and other healthy essentials.
If you’re local or staying nearby, grab some prepped meals from Erewhon or another clean restaurant before heading in. It’s the perfect way to stay fueled without compromising your health goals.
If you need packing ideas, I have a “Travel” folder on my Amazon storefront with all my must-haves.
AMAZON STORE https://amzlink.to/az0KEbgpUCcij
✨ Character dining:
If your family loves meeting characters while you eat, you can book character dining experiences at a few locations like Goofy’s Kitchen. We skipped it this time since we’ve done it several times at Disney World, but it’s definitely a fun option if you haven’t experienced it yet!
✨ For those who just want to enjoy:
If you want to indulge and not worry too much about seed oils go for it! Try the churros or Mickey pretzels. It’s part of the magic, and balance is key. 💛
🏨 Where to Stay
If it’s within your budget, I highly recommend staying on property for the extra perks. We stayed at the Pixar Place Hotel, and it was amazing everything is Toy Story–themed (Zoe’s favorite 💛).
Staying at a Disney resort gives you a secret park entrance, plus some fun surprises and “prizes” at different locations (the staff will fill you in when you check in!).
🎢 Rides You Can’t Miss
Disneyland Park Favorites
• Alice in Wonderland
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Haunted Mansion
• Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin
• Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• Space Mountain & Thunder Mountain (for thrill seekers)
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (prepare to get wet 💦)
• And if you’re a Star Wars fan, the Galaxy’s Edge section is a must!
Don’t skip Toon Town — Zoe absolutely loved Mickey and Minnie’s houses!
California Adventure Favorites
• Radiator Springs Racers (my #1 favorite!)
• Spider-Man Web Slingers
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• The Little Mermaid
• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue
✨ Bonus: Stay late for the World of Color show it’s truly breathtaking.
⚡ Time-Saving Tips
• Lightning Lane: Worth it if you can swing it you’ll get on more rides without waiting hours. Disneyland doesn’t offer as many Lightning Lane options as Disney World, but it still helps a lot.
• DAS (Disability Access Service): If you or your child have a disability, this service can make a world of difference. I used it in the past due to my pharmaceutical injury, and it helped tremendously. Just note that it’s gotten more strict recently and seems mostly reserved for kids and adults with autism but it’s still worth applying.
🎉 The Magic Moments
Don’t miss the parades they’re exclusive to Disneyland and have such uplifting music. You’ll also notice more characters walking around compared to Disney World, which makes it feel extra special.
And yes the castle is smaller than Disney World’s, but the nostalgia and charm make up for it!
💚 Final Thoughts
Disneyland might not be the easiest place to eat healthy, but with a little planning, you can absolutely make it work. Between bringing your own food, choosing seed oil–free options nearby, and staying hydrated, you can keep your energy up and still enjoy every magical moment.
For me, it’s all about balance I want Zoe to experience the magic without feeling like she’s missing out. And we did just that. PLUS do not forget to get the mickey ears and bubbles. It's always Zoe's favorite to bring home and have a little piece of Disney at home.