easytraveler

Then you can call yourselves the "DillPickles"

and your son will be ....

DillPickleDude

Songdoc

Knott's restaurant is outside the park and doesn't require admission or a parking fee. But it's surrounded by neat shops and a "theme park" atmosphere. FYI, I've never had a reservation--but I have waited in some lines. Depends on when you go.

Hope you have a great trip!

ElendilPickle

I think we're just doing Disneyland, unless Mr. Pickle changes his mind. The one-day ticket to one park is plenty expensive!

We're going to the Getty Museum Friday, Disneyland Saturday, not sure what Sunday, then we have some other things planned.

Lee Ann

easytraveler

I don't know if this is of any help to you or not, since I haven't been to Disneyland for years and tings change.

However, when we went (it was an annual trip or more), we would do this:

We would first map out which rides/attractions we wanted to see. Then we would go just when the doors open and get to some attractions and be among the first to be there. That way we avoided the huge lines.

Then after a full morning of different rides, we would get lunch and return to the hotel to rest up a bit. Those rides can be exhausting!

In the afternoon we would tackle some of the other rides and stand in the long lines. It's almost inevitable that there will be lines for the rides that late in the day.

Then we'd grab a bite to eat and wait for the parade/fireworks. Don't know if they will have a parade/fireworks on the day you'll be there. There were a few years that I seem to remember when they had them daily.

The kids would go for more rides and then we'd return to the hotel, really really exhausted after a very long day at Disneyland.

SeaUrchin

Now days they have the fast passes, you get them at different attractions for later in the day and then you have preference at your allotted time.

propita

If you want to stay in the park, or right outside:

White Water Snacks at the Grand Californian has more than burgers. Menu at http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_wws.htm.

Harbour Galley in Critter Country is pretty much at the $10/entree mark. Menu at http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_har.htm.

5alive

Last time we went to Disneyland my son (now 16) was really just beginning his growth spurt. Having a rental car was well worth it. There is a grocery store nearby. Do you have a mini-fridge in your hotel and/or do you eat peanut butter? We would pack sandwiches to take to the park and for the rest of us, supplementing with ice cream would do the trick. For my son, we would end up buying him a second lunch, so at least that way I was only buying him one in the park. Disneyland has lockers or you can carry a backpack.

If you really don't want to pack sandwiches, at least load up on granola bars fruit etc. Within the park, we found the big chili breadbowl at Frontierland or the big clam chowder breadbowl at New Orleans Square to be among the more filling of the $10 or less type meals. Hopefully those are still available, it's been 4 years now.

Mimi's had very generous portions and was one of the only times on that trip that he said he was truly full. I liked the salad and fruit salad/light meals for me. Avoid Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney: Besides being expensive, we had a poor experience and small portions.

dbdurand

Here's my list of inexpensive restaurants that meet the criteria of your original post, especially $10 for an entree (or close to it). For these, you walk in, are seated by a host at a table or booth, are presented with a menu, are served by a waiter or waitress, and subsequently pay your check at the table or at the cashier. I.e. these are not fast food burger palaces. My wife and I have eaten at all of them.

1.Denny's
2.IHOP
3.COCO's
4.Carrows
5.Chili's
6.Applebee's
7.Any local average Chinese restaurant (Skip P.F. Chang)
8.Any local average Mexican restaurant (Skip El Torito)
9.Buca di Beppo

Notes:

I checked and I think all of the above have a presence in Anaheim. If I missed 1 or 2, I apologize.

Denny's, and I think IHOP, do not serve alcohol. IHOP does indeed serve dinner, not just breakfast.

Both Chili's and Applebees are running a special called 2 for 20. Two people share an appetizer and then each has their own entree from a limited selection. 20 bucks total.

At Buca di Beppo, we usually order the "Buca Small", which serves 2 or more. It includes a huge salad and a generous entree which you share.

kureiff

We went with our daughter last March. You might want to check into the park pass that allows for both Disneyland and California Adventures. We were able to do almost everything in both parks in one day. We skipped a few things because one section of Disneyland was closed, but I was surprised by how much ground we covered in a day. Our daughter kept us moving!

We stayed at the Jolly Roger Hotel which was very near an ABC store for snacks and we ordered pizza from a local place one evening.

You can check my trip report, if you want. We happened to get an excellent deal through Allegiant Air that was too good to pass up. We saved a lot on our hotel and airfare, so we splurged on two meals (one lunch at Downtown Disney and a nice dinner in California Adventures) and then saved on the rest.

Have you checked Costco for Disneyland tickets? I know they used to be available, but they weren't when we went, and I haven't checked since.

ElendilPickle

Thanks, kureiff, I'll read your report. I sort of got the impression that California Adventure was geared to younger kids. Is that correct?

I checked Costco last week, and they don't have Disneyland tickets anymore.

Lee Ann

1JAR

We just came back from Anaheim Disney area this past Monday.

Got a great discount rate 2 room Suite Residence Inn for $161.00 night.

Across the street Outback Steakhouse who had a 4 course Dinner special (Soup AND Salad and main w/dessert for $15.00.

AAA had discount Disney tickets...

kureiff

I think parts of California Adventure are definitely geared toward younger kids, like a Bug's Land. But there are many "big kid" rides, too, like California Screamin' (the big roller coaster), Tower of Terror, the river rafting ride, Soarin' Over California, and I think there's another roller coaster that may have opened by now with a Cars theme. The Ferris wheel is also pretty cool for a view of the whole park.

I liked the juxtaposition between Disneyland and CA Adventures. Disneyland is pretty retro (Space Mtn, especially) and CA Adventures is so new. It was fun to do both!

Momddtravel2

Has anyone been to ca adventure since the remodel? (I believe completed in June of this year?)

rizzo0904

http://sidengo.com/ocprmarket

OC Poultry and Rotisserie is cheap and awesome! Grab a whole chicken to make sandwiches the next day. The banh mi sandwiches are delicious and only about $4. Can not go wrong.

SeaUrchin

Lee's Sandwich Shops have good inexpensive sandwiches, great iced coffees. There are other good Vietnamese places in the area, I hadn't thought of recommending them here, check out Little Saigon area nearby.

5alive

Funny, when they opened CA years ago and my kids were small, California Adventure seemed like such a "teen/adult" place, and it has morphed more and more toward younger kids. Still, I think it's worth the upgrade to do the park hopper if your son has never been to either park.

Great rides at CA for teens/adults that we enjoyed included Soarin' Over California (one of my absolute faves btw), California Screamin' Rollercoaster (such a smooth ride), Grizzly River Run and Hollywood Tower of Terror. We also loved Toy Story Mania because it was so retro and also brand new when we went. You will want to research them on the various Mouseplanet and the other boards to see what's operating and what's changed.

For Saturdays in October, the parks are open 8 am to midnight for Disneyland and 8 am to 11 pm for California Adventure. That gives you enough time to hit the highlights.

ElendilPickle

1JAR, thanks for mentioning AAA. I didn't see any discounts the last time I looked, but I will check again.

We love Vietnamese food - thanks for the suggestions.

Lee Ann

SeaUrchin

Ha Noi Restaurant on Bolsa Ave west of Brookhurst in Westminster is really good.