Last updated on March 19th, 2024 at 11:52 am
Disneyland is almost as famous for its delectable treats as it is for its rides and attractions. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on staying healthy when you visit the Disneyland Resort! While there are lots of temping treats to indulge your senses, Disneyland also offers plenty of healthy food options, and lots of easy ways to stay healthy while you’re visiting the parks!
Healthy Food at Disneyland
Believe it or not, it is possible to indulge and have fun at the Happiest Place on Earth without throwing all of your healthy living goals out the window. Disneyland makes it easy to eat healthy, with lots of healthy food options everywhere you go. This article will not only explore the best spots to find healthy food at Disneyland, but also other ways to stay healthy.
Here are 11 ways to make the Happiest Place on Earth the Healthiest Place on Earth!
1. Start Your Day with a Healthy Breakfast
Feed your family a healthy, hearty meal to start your day on the right foot! If you don’t get the chance to eat breakfast before you arrive (and you should – but I get it – everyone’s excited to get there!) there are many great Quick Service options once you arrive. This is one of the most important healthy eating tips!
In Downtown Disney, you can grab a healthy smoothie at Jamba Juice or a protein plate at Starbucks.
Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland offers a seasonal fresh fruit plate with a muffin and yogurt. There is also a yummy breakfast burrito, which is not too bad if you ask them to hold the bacon.
My top pick for a healthy quick service breakfast at Disney California Adventure is Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land, where scrambled eggs and fruit are available every morning.
Be sure to also check out these hotels near Disneyland with free breakfast!
2. Drink Lots of Water
If you are going to be out in the sun all day, you need to drink a lot of water! It will not only keep you hydrated, but keep your stomach feeling fuller so you are not tempted to snack all day.
Most quick dining locations will happily serve you a free cup of ice water if you ask!
Bring a reusable water bottle, or buy a bottle of water early in the day and refill it as needed. There are plenty of drinking fountains around the park.
3. Healthy Snacks at Disneyland
It’s easy to get lured to the dark side by churros and popcorn buckets, but do you know what other snacks are just as readily available? Fresh fruits and vegetables!
There are numerous carts throughout Disneyland and Disney California Adventure that sell grab & go whole fruits, carrot sticks, pineapple spears, grapes, hummus, pickles and lots of other healthy treats. They make for quick natural energy and vitamin boosts, and are the perfect option for staying satisfied between meals.
Buy some healthy snacks on the go and eat them while waiting in line for your next ride – it’s the best kind of multi-tasking!
4. Skip the Tram
OK, so this not “food” but it is a healthy tip and one that’s easy to follow! The tram from the parking lot is a nice convenience, but honestly it is only a 10-15 minute walk from any of the Disney Resort’s parking areas to the main gates. Skip the tram – and skip waiting in line for one – and walk to the parks.
Sure, you’ll be walking all day and logging plenty of steps, but this is a great opportunity to put in some real cardio (not to mention avoid the headaches of waiting in line)..
5. Go Bananas
If the ice cream cart is calling on a hot, sunny day, don’t despair! Frozen bananas are a healthy option that won’t leave you feeling deprived. Bananas hand-dipped in chocolate are a yummy alternative to fattening ice cream treats. It will also take a little longer to eat since it’s frozen.
Plan B at the ice cream cart is a fruit bar or frozen lemonade. They have more sugar than the frozen banana, but still way better than ice cream and a refreshing treat on a hot day. It is one of the best ways to enjoy healthy food at Disneyland.
You will find plenty of carts offering all these frozen treats throughout both parks. And the warmer the day, the more carts you’ll see come out. The Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park has some awesome frozen juice drinks, too.
6. Use Hand Sanitizer
In this day and age, it is more important than ever to keep your hands clean. Wash them thoroughly with soap and water every time you have the opportunity! But in between, use hand sanitizer.
Disney has an ample number of stations across the entire Disneyland Resort, but I recommend bringing your own, as well. It is a good idea to squirt some on after getting off a ride, browsing through the shops, or right before you eat. Make sure kids are keeping hands clean, too, and not touching their faces too much.
7. Enjoy a Dole Whip
In my book, Dole Whips are a must on any Disney parks visit!
Even if you are not trying to be healthy, Dole Whips are just pure Disney bliss. You can get one at the stand in front of the Enchanted Tiki Room, or at the new Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland. And clocking in at under 100 calories, Dole Whips are not only yummy, they are a fabulous choice if you are trying to stick with healthy food.
The Tropical Hideaway takes the shape of an exotic marketplace, complete with palm-thatched roofing and colorful tropical decor that will make you feel like you’re on an island in the South Pacific. The Tropical Hideaway offers orange and raspberry, as well as the classic pineapple flavor Dole Whips. They can be ordered in a cup or as a float. Swirl options are also available; you can try pineapple and orange swirl or pineapple and raspberry swirl.
Dole Whips are also available at the Disneyland Hotel. You can find them near the pool at Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill.
8. Order a Kids Meal
Portions at Disneyland’s restaurants are fairly large, so I recommend ordering a kid’s meal instead of a full-size adult meal. They are available at all quick service restaurants in the parks.
Most kids entrees come with carrots, apple slices, and/or a yogurt. This is a great option because you can still give in to your cravings and order pizza or a burger, but you’ll get a small (kid-sized) serving and healthier sides. Kids meals typically include a drink, too. Bonus!
9. Enjoy a Salad
If kids meals aren’t appealing or you just want to mix it up throughout your stay, opt for salads. Salads are always a healthy alternative, but of course make sure to keep your dressing and toppings in check so you don’t add on unnecessary calories!
Some of our favorite restaurants to grab healthy, tasty salads include Cafe Orleans in the French Quarter, Carnation Cafe on Main Street, Harbour Galley near Splash Mountain, Flo’s V8 Café in Cars Land and Alien Pizza Planet in Tomorrowland. Some restaurants, such as the Plaza Inn on Main Street and Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland, will toss fresh salads custom made to order right before your eyes.
► Looking for more healthy Disneyland tips? Be sure to check out these Best Places to Find Healthy Salads and Food at Disneyland .
Most table service restaurants offer great salads, too. My favorite is the Nicoise Salad at the Café Orleans in New Orleans Square at Disneyland.
Table service restaurants tend to offer a lot of fun seasonal dishes too! You’ll find some great special dishes and desserts, especially during Halloweentime and Christmas as Disneyland.
10. Get Skewered
Located across from Indiana Jones in Adventureland, Bengal Barbecue is the ultimate spot for inexpensive, healthy bites. Here you’ll find BBQ vegetables, chicken kebabs, beef skewers, bacon wrapped asparagus, spring rolls and other healthy snacks and small meals.
11. Bring Your Own Snacks
Can you bring food into Disneyland? Unlike many theme parks, Disney’s California Adventure and Disneyland allow you to bring your own food and drinks into the parks! So take advantage of this money-saving option and pack a supply of healthy snacks and water bottles.
Some of our favorite snacks to bring to the parks include granola bars, cut-up veggies, crackers, pretzels and berries.
Follow these guidelines on your next visit to the Disneyland Resort and you’ll be feeling great all day! And of course, you can also use many of these same tips for eating healthy at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knotts Berry Farm, Sea World San Diego and more.
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Pin These Disneyland Tips for Later!
Planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort? Pin the image below for future reference!
Darla says
Wow! I didn’t know they had so many options. I’m curious about these “Dole Whips”. Is it still technically ice cream? My husband can’t have dairy. 😅
Kymberly Irwin says
This is such a great article! Drinking water is crucial! I’ve written down a few of the places for the next time I am in Disney! Thanks for such informative information!
Alicia says
Great tips! I mainly travel to WDW but I will have to keep these in mind for my next trip. I love fresh fruit and I cant go without the classic Dole Whip!
Diana says
I love Disneyland, I visited Anaheim several years ago and would like to go back again sometime soon! I’m sure quite a few things have changed since then. Nice Post!
Jennifer says
Great tips – I always find it so hard to find healthy snacks in theme parks!
BMF says
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Book Taxi says
Yes, this is definitely great advice! For a lot of parents, they really do feel like they have to push their traveling dreams under the carpet. Thank you for sharing. When our kids were little we never went anywhere without them. Traveling was just something natural we did.
Taxi to Airport says
Great tips! I mainly travel to WDW but I will have to keep these in mind for my next trip. I love fresh fruit and I can’t go without the classic Dole Whip!
Patience Carter says
Yes, this is definitely great advice! For a lot of parents, they really do feel like they have to push their traveling dreams under the carpet. Thank you for sharing. When our kids were little we never went anywhere without them. Traveling was just something natural we did.
admin says
Thank you!
tuky says
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carry says
Hey, very nice blog. I came across this on Google, and I am stoked that I did. I will definitely be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just taking in as much info as I can at the moment. Thanks for sharing.
jack says
Yes, this is definitely great advice! For a lot of parents, they really do feel like they have to push their traveling dreams under the carpet. Thank you for sharing. When our kids were little we never went anywhere without them. Traveling was just something natural we did.
hoteis em bonito says
Hello, This seems like such a stunning trip! I too would love to explore an organic farm, take cooking classes, walk on beautiful sunny hikes, enjoy delicious food and bask in the sun. I cannot wait for summer vacation to start already!
lisa says
It can be other things like being introverted (not shy just tired when around lots of people), or not liking to drink and stay up late. These are such social norms ALL over the world that you have two options a) you stay behind and ‘left out” or b) you fake you like it as well just to fit in. Or health issues or being super tall or having freckles … or in my case now “old” at 44 …. So kudos to you for finding your acceptance of self. THAT is gold.
lisa says
I visited Anaheim several years ago and would like to go back again sometime soon! I’m sure quite a few things have changed since then. I too would love to explore an organic farm, take cooking classes, walk on beautiful sunny hikes, enjoy delicious food and bask in the sun. I cannot wait for summer vacation to start already. I visited Anaheim several years ago and would like to go back again sometime soon! I’m sure quite a few things have changed since then.