One of the best things about the Disneyland Resort (undoubtedly) is the FOOD and it’s even better when the price is super affordable!

It’s no secret that if you’re looking to save a buck or two at the Disney Parks, quick service is the way to go. These restaurants sacrifice comfort and luxury dining for quick and cheap meals that are perfect if you’re on the go. Fortunately, Disneyland has a ton of very good quick service options, including an incredibly underrated one over at Frontierland in Disneyland Park!

We recently visited Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Disneyland to see if it still holds up as one of the best Disneyland restaurants and we have plenty of thoughts. Let’s dive in!

Atmosphere

Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante is found near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland and is open for daily lunch and dinner service.

This Mexican restaurant features plenty of Spanish/Mexican influence with colorful painted tiles, fountains, adobe archways, and hanging plants. It also has an abundance of shade with both indoor and covered outdoor seating. It can get pretty busy but on most days you should be able to find seating.

The interior features a couple of quick-service counters where you can order meals and desserts.

Behind the ordering stations is a beverage station where you’ll find plenty of options.

All in all, Rancho del Zocalo is a quaint oasis in Disneyland that offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of Disneyland. The literal English translation of Rancho del Zocalo is “Ranch of the Square” and this restaurant definitely gives off town square vibes.Be there or be square! But how is the food? Let’s take a look!

Menu

As you would expect, this Mexican Restaurant serves — you guessed it — Mexican cuisine! Disney bills the food at Rancho del Zocalo as “Authentic Mexican”, and while we slightly disagree, it still has a ton of classic Mexican fare you can find all over the United States in addition to seasonal agua frescas. This restaurant also serves bean and cheese burritos and chicken tacos for kids.

The big thing here is the price. If you’re on a budget, this quick-service restaurant should be one of your go-to spots. The pricing is very fair for all the food you get with each order. But how does the food taste? We have plenty of thoughts!

Eats

For our review, we tried the Cheese Enchiladas with Red Sauces, Trio of Street Tacos, Cucumber-mint Agua Fresca, and Cinnamon Crisps.

We started out with the Cheese Enchiladas with Red Sauce and were immediately blown away. This meal comes with three cheese enchiladas with red sauce and served with Mexican rice and refried beans for $12.99.

The enchiladas were nice and moist with a bit of a kick from the sauce. The cheese was packed with flavor and our tortillas were the perfect level of thickness to hold it all together. We also found the enchiladas to be well-seasoned and a great recommendation for vegetarians.

The side of beans also had a surprising amount of seasoning, but the texture was thick and the aftertaste was kind of smoky. While we weren’t huge fans of the beans, the rice was more of a winner. It had some kick and was a nice complimentary piece to the enchiladas.

Overall, the price is more than fair and if you don’t mind spicy food, give this a try!

Up next is the Trio of Street Tacos for $13.99.  These are served with beef, chicken, and cauliflower alongside Mexican rice and refried beans.

Al tacos were double-layered, which was greatly appreciated. The cauliflower taco had a nice earthy flavor with a spicy aftertaste and the cilantro and onions provided a crispy tanginess to create an earthy and sweet blend.

The beef taco had way more flavor than we were expecting. Moist with some sweetness, the beefy flavor cuts through the salsa unlike with the cauliflower taco (which was a little too spicy), making the protein the star of the show. This was our favorite taco of the three.

Finally, the chicken taco was the simplest of the three. The cilantro mixed best with this taco and it wasn’t as spicy as the other two, but it still had a subtle kick. The chicken was also seasoned nicely and, while simple, got the job done.

A word of warning, generally the salsa on these tacos was pretty hot, even for us. So if you don’t like the heat, avoid this one in the Rancho del Zocalo kitchen. Otherwise, we thought the price was pretty fair and the food was solid. Not as good as local Southern California tacos or the enchiladas, but pretty good overall.

But how was the dessert? We tried the Cinnamon Crisps for $4.49 and WOW, these were definitely a highlight!

We aren’t joking when we say these had the perfect texture, fantastic crunch, a liberal amount of cinnamon, were sit-down restaurant quality, and were incredibly addicting. You get a ton of chips for the price and we would’ve easily gone back for more. We LOVED this and can’t recommend them enough!

Finally, we have to talk about our drink — the seasonal Cucumber-mint Agua Fresca! This drink is made with cucumber agua with a hint of mint for $6.99.

The mint in this drink was super light and it tasted mostly of cucumber, especially with the small bits in it. Still, the mint came through enough and blended well with the cucumber to create a very refreshing, cucumber-mint julep-like beverage that hit the spot on a hot day. If you don’t like cucumber, you probably won’t like this, but overall we think it was a very pleasant and aromatic drink!

So did Rancho del Zocalo meet our expectations in this most recent review?

Overall

Overall, the answer to that question is a resounding YES! Aside from the fact that the food is very tasty, the pricing of everything was beyond fair and those enchiladas were outstanding!

While we think the meals can get a bit spicy, if that doesn’t put you off, there are a lot of great flavors to enjoy here as well as snacks and drinks that are great if you’re looking to bring something with you on your journey through the park!

Nosh or Not?

Ride on down to Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante if…

• You’re on a budget. Rancho del Zocalo’s prices are fair and the portions are filling. It’s tough to find better deals anywhere at the Disneyland Resort. If you have a Magic Key Pass, those prices get even lower.
• You want a good meal without making reservations. Ample seating and its tucked-away nature make Rancho del Zocalo a not-so-hidden gem of Disneyland. It’s usually easy to get a meal and dine here, but there is also some seating nearby if you experience a rare occasion where seating is hard to find.
• You’re craving Mexican cuisine. Rancho del Zocalo may not be the best restaurant in Disneyland, but it goes toe-to-toe with the best quick-service options the park has to offer. We found the food here to be very tasty and it fits in with the land theming and Southern California vibes quite well!

Hitch your horse to another restaurant if…

• You can’t handle any spice. The menu’s offerings are pretty spicy by Disney standards and if you or anyone in your party can’t handle even the smallest amount of heat, you may want to pass on dining here. You can get the meals without sauce and salsa and you’ll find the Golden Horseshoe — which serves affordable standard American fare — just a few steps, but if you want to ere on the side of caution, it might be wise to give this place a pass.
• You want an unforgettable experience. Rancho del Zocalo is great, but it doesn’t hold up to the quality and theming of a place like the Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square. Also, while the theming is nice, seating is mostly outside and not specifically Disney-themed. If you want each Disneyland dining experience to be memorable and are willing to spend a bit more, Rancho del Zocalo probably shouldn’t be at the top of your list.
• You have no appetite. Despite being a quick-service restaurant, Rancho del Zocalo doesn’t skimp on portion size. While you probably won’t be served enough to share plates, you’ll probably still feel full and satisfied at the end of the meal. Food carts and other quick-service locations may give you the smaller amount of food you’re looking for, although the pricing might not be as nice, ironically.

Thanks for checking out our review of Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Disneyland and be sure to stay tuned here at DFB for all the latest Disneyland news, tips, and food reviews!

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Have you eaten at Rancho del Zocalo before? Share your review in the comments below!

The post REVIEW: Stop Overspending on Meals at Disneyland and GO HERE Instead! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Could Disneyland be seeing a massive entertainment shift soon?

When Walt Disney said that Disneyland would never be completed, he was probably alluding to upgrades and land expansions — an influx of creativity. However, it’s unlikely he anticipated tons of entertainment leaving Disneyland, with nothing anticipated to take its place. In fact, this exodus of entertainment could be getting worse VERY SOON.

Over the last year, Disneyland has cut back on its live entertainment offerings. After checking out the Disneyland entertainment calendar, we have a suspicion that the dropoff could get worse.

According to Disneyland’s entertainment calendar, guests visiting Disneyland should expect a massive entertainment disappearance between June 29th and June 30th.

We’ve already seen this trend at Disney California Adventure’s Hyperion Theater. “Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular,” “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” and the Captain America show “Rogers: The Musical” all had their runs ended and now the theater isn’t showing anything.

Another red flag came in the form of the announcement that the live dancers and DJ were being removed from the Club Pixar area of California Adventure.  Club Pixar is a limited-time offering for Pixar Fest, so the entertainment was always going to be removed eventually, but Disney attributed the change to “guest feedback and operational considerations.”

The entertainment issue got even worse at California Adventure recently with the surprising cancelation of “Dr. Strange: Mysteries of Mystic Arts” in Avengers Campus.  That show is currently slated to end in just a couple of days on June 30th. While Dr. Strange is still set to make appearances at Avengers Campus, not much is known about what will replace the empty space of the Ancient Sanctum, which hosted the show multiple times a day.

The surprising entertainment removal of late has come on the heels of the approval of the unionization of Disneyland character performers on May 18th, 2024. Per Actors’ Equity Association President Kate Shindle, “The next step will be to collaborate with them about improving health & safety, wages, benefits, working conditions and job security.”

Speculation has arisen as to whether the unionization led to the cancellation of these shows, but, predictably, Disney has denied these claims. It’s also possible that shows like “Doctor Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts” could potentially return after union negotiations are complete, but right now Disneyland representatives haven’t announced replacement plans.

However, all is not gone. The Avengers Campus show “Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje” may be missing on June 30th, but it is scheduled to return shortly after.

We’ll keep you posted on any future Disneyland entertainment updates as well as all the latest Disneyland news, so be sure to stay tuned right here at DFB to stay in the know!

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Are you worried about the state of entertainment at Disneyland? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post WARNING: Tons of Disney Entertainment Is ENDING Tomorrow first appeared on the disney food blog.

We know — a lot is going on in Disney World right now, and with the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom, you might’ve even forgotten that next week is a holiday!

That’s right! The 4th of July is right around the corner, and we’re expecting things to be pretty busy in Disney World, especially with Orlando being the #2 travel destination for the busy holiday week. If you plan on visiting Disney World next week, though, we do have some good brunch news to share with you.

One of our favorite restaurants in Disney Springs, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, is expanding its brunch offerings during the busy 4th of July weekend. You’ll be able to indulge in the restaurant’s Rise &  Shine Brunch for four consecutive days (it’s usually only offered on Saturday and Sunday). So you’ll be able to enjoy brunch at Homecomin’ from July 4th through July 7th from 9:30AM to 1PM.

Now, we will warn you that this restaurant is pretty popular, so if brunch sounds good to you, we suggest you make a dining reservation as soon as you can. You can do this through the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app.

Looking for recommendations on what to order, well, we love just about everything on the menu, but brunch has some real standouts. For example, the delicious House-made Donuts are available for brunch and they’re a nice combo of sweet and savory (there’s BACON).

We also suggest not passing on the Hallelujah Biscuit,  an open-faced Cheddar Drop Biscuit, pimento cheese, Chef Art’s famous fried chicken, pecan-smoked bacon, and sawmill gravy. Yes, it really is as good as it sounds.

If you’re looking for other brunch spots in Disney Springs, we recommend you check out Raglan Road, Summer House on the Lake, The BOATHOUSE, and Wine Bar George. Of course, if you just want a quick breakfast, there’s always Starbucks and Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew!

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips.

The Ultimate Guide to The Best Breakfast In Disney Springs

Where’s your go-to brunch spot in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments!

The post Disney’s New Homecomin’ Announcement Is Practically Guaranteed To Make You Happy first appeared on the disney food blog.

International travel to Orlando is about to become easier. 

For millions of travelers each year, Orlando International Airport (MCO) serves as the gateway to Walt Disney World, the Universal Orlando Resort, and the rest of Central Florida’s tourist attractions. Now, visitors from across the Atlantic will be able to fly a new nonstop route there thanks to one of the world’s biggest airlines. 

Delta Airlines has announced a new nonstop flight between Orlando and England in partnership with Virgin Atlantic. According to the Orlando Business Journal, this new flight will be available between MCO and London’s Heathrow Airport and will be Delta’s only direct service from Florida to the U.K. 

 

Service for the new route is scheduled to begin on October 26th, with this new route currently scheduled to run through March 29th of 2025. 

Matteo Curcio, Delta’s senior vice president for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India said of the new deal, “In partnership with Virgin Atlantic, our new route between Orlando and London seamlessly connects two diverse destinations, offering customers a wealth of experiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Floridians can explore London’s historic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and enjoy world-class dining, while Londoners can escape to the sunny beaches and world-famous attractions of Orlando.”

The timing of the deal lines up with the massively busy holiday season at Walt Disney World, which means that European visitors who look to take advantage of it can also take in Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios, and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. 

Those potential international travelers will also have to deal with Disney’s latest update to their skip-the-line system: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass. These new systems will allow guests to purchase and book Lightning Lanes before their trip (seven days out for Disney hotel guests, and three days out for non-hotel guests). However, there’s still some confusion as to when international travelers will be able to book/whether they’ll need to be in the U.S. already to do so. For now, Cast Members are reporting that international visitors will need to be in the U.S. in order to book Lightning Lanes ahead of time. The program launches on July 24th, so hopefully these kinks will be ironed out by the time the first Delta flights on this route kick off in October. 

Passengers flying from England to Orlando are going to have a brand-new, non-stop option from Delta available to them beginning this October. Stay tuned to DFB for further travel updates! 

Destination: Disney World! Flying To and From Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Does Delta’s new MCO flight make you more likely to travel internationally? Let us know in the comments below. 

The post NEWS: Delta Airlines Adds NEW Nonstop Flight to Orlando International Airport first appeared on the disney food blog.

Space Mountain at Disneyland Park is closing for refurbishment in August.

Space Mountain Refurbishment

According to the Disneyland calendar, Space Mountain will be closed from August 5 through at least August 9. It will likely be closed for longer than five days but the calendar isn’t available past August 9.

We noticed some construction in the attraction’s queue recently, which may have been the beginning of a refurbishment project.

There are five versions of Space Mountain at Disney Parks. The one in Magic Kingdom is the original and opened in 1975. A new Space Mountain is under construction at Tokyo Disneyland. Their current version will close permanently in July. The original Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune may soon return to Disneyland Paris. The Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland versions have both featured the “temporary” Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain overlay for years.

A Space Mountain movie is in development.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

The post Space Mountain Closing for Refurbishment in August appeared first on WDW News Today.