How To Do Disneyland Aesthetically
Carthay Circle, California Adventure Park, Anaheim, CA. Photo: Opulist
High-vibe design and Disneyland don’t always go hand-in-hand, but if you happen to love Disneyland + California Adventure Park and still care about aesthetics, this post is for you. For the Disney Adults that maybe don’t fully identify with the label of Disney Adult, this round-up is your guide to experiencing all the best and most chic places to eat, grab a drink, work from, take a photo at, plus more specific tips for enjoying your Disneyland experience to the fullest. Enjoy this extra sparkly journey through the most magical place on Earth.
EAT
Blue Bayou, Disneyland
Photo: Disneyland
Dine under the (fake) stars at the Louisiana-inspired restaurant of the Blue Bayou located in Disneyland park, and more specifically, at the beginning of the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean ride. You get the mix of a charming outdoor dining experience with the nostalgia of one of your favorite rides as you relax and eat and even enjoy a glass of wine (they now offer beer and wine at this location).
Reservations are strongly encouraged prior to your visit to ensure you get a spot when you want one!
Plaza Inn, Disneyland
Photo: Opulist
For a slightly more casual, yet still elevated and aesthetic dining setting in Disneyland, try the Plaza Inn. With its charming pink umbrellas on the patio that overlooks the castle in plain sight, and the stunning chandeliers and ornate tapestry inside, you feel like you’ve stepped into one of the castles from your favorite movies. A great place to grab a bite without needing a reservation and also an excellent spot to post up and work from as well.
Carthay Circle Restaurant, California Adventure Park
Photos: Opulist
For an incredibly elevated dining experience in California Adventure’s Park, head to Carthay Circle located at the end of Buena Vista Street. Marvel at the meticulous design details, from the opulent chandeliers to the rich wood paneling, creating an atmosphere that transports you to the glamorous 1930s. The restaurant pays homage to Walt Disney's premieres, making it a celebration of both cinematic and culinary art. Their menu is seasonal as well so be sure to come back for a different experience multiple times a year.
You’ll definitely need a reservation for this place so plan ahead as far as you can with booking.
Lamplight Lounge, California Adventure Park
Photo: Opulist
The interiors of Lamplight Lounge are less of a vibe (this spot isn’t on Opulist), but the views are probably the best in the park. You can grab a casual bite and drink upstairs, or eat at the full restaurant down below and we’d recommend grabbing a terrace view if possible! This restaurant has a little more luck with walking up and getting in, but reservations are always a good idea if you have your heart set on seeing a certain place.
Drink
Oga’s Cantina, Disneyland
Photos: Opulist
The only bar on the Disneyland side, Oga’s Cantina shouldn’t be missed. It’s like getting to step into a whole other planet and experience what having a drink in their local bar would be like. There’s tons of energy, fun music (the DJ is kinda cute ;), and it’s usually packed. You have to make a reservation or be prepared to wait in line, but if you like fun, theme-y experiences, you should hit up this spot.
Also good to note that they serve beer and wine here in case incredibly sugary cocktails aren’t your thing. There’s just something about ordering a glass of red wine in an intergalactic setting in the middle of your childhood happy place that kinda hits.
Photo: Opulist
Carthay Circle Lounge, California Adventure Park
Photo: Opulist
By far the best bar in the park, the Carthay Circle Lounge, downstairs from the restaurant, is the most elegant and vibey place to grab a drink. The lounge includes all of the downstairs area, including the patio outside, but the bar area itself feels like a fun and high-end bar that you would not expect to find in a Disneyland park. They have good, classic cocktails on deck, but it’s also a full bar so you can order your normal go-to as well.
Unless it’s during a high traffic time, you’re usually able to walk in and get a spot, especially when you’re popping in as a solo person and want to sit at the bar.
Other notable mention:
If you’re a Magic Key holder, the Magic Key Terrace in CA Adventure is another chic spot to grab a drink and a bite and has lovely views of the park where you’re perched up above it all.
Work Remote / Chill Spots
Jolly Roger, Disneyland
Photo: Opulist
If you’re looking for a happy and inspiring spot to post up and do some work from (or read or just chill and eat lunch with a view), then the Jolly Roger in Disneyland is one of your best options. With a huge patio and lots of seating, this is one of the few spots where you can get great views of the castle (plus fun people watching), and the yummy and always-comforting menu item of their grilled cheese and tomato soup combo.
Starbucks on Main Street, Disneyland
Photo: Opulist
While there might be limited seating options in the Starbucks located on Main Street in Disneyland - and very long lines - if you can snag a spot in this little nook, it’s one of the coziest corners to take a break in or get a little work done if you need to. The Starbucks on the California Adventure side is much more spacious with lots more seating options, but the vibe isn’t quite as cozy or charming as this one. Plus the people watching from this back corner would be ideal.
Tom Sawyer’s Island, Disneyland
If you need a full escape from the high energy of Disneyland, take the short ferry ride over to Tom Sawyer’s Island where you can get lost exploring or post up on one of their picnic tables and get some peace and quiet away from it all. With pretty views of nature and the park, this is a perfect spot to rest, go to a non-crowded bathroom, read, do some work, or just sit and relax. Always a great place for a reset whenever you need it.
Extra Tips and Recs
Best Photo Opps
Photo: Opulist
If you’re trying to grab a photo in front of the iconic Cinderella’s castle in Disneyland, chances are you have no less than 15 people in the background of your shot if you’re taking it from head on. Unless you want to wait in line for the professional photos, a pro-tip for grabbing an unobstructed castle view is to go to either the left or the right of the castle when you’re facing the front of it, and take your photos up against the fences there. You can even put your phone on ground propped up against the fence across the walkway and take some self timer shots or videos that way if you can’t find someone to take the photos for you as well. Works every time!
Photos: Opulist
Some other picturesque locations are the New Orleans Square area that makes you feel like maybe you’ve transported to a European country. Same goes for the Star Wars land, except then you move into other planet territory, if you can find a spot against the giant space ship and rock formations.
Photos: Opulist
Miscellaneous Tips
Photo: Opulist
Some final little notes and pro-tips for you:
Taking the train around the park is a lovely way to take a break and get some really beautiful views and perspectives you’re not used to seeing.
If you venture outside of the park and want a nice place to work or take a break in, head to the lobby and/or lobby bar at the Grand Californian Hotel to hang out on a couch, post up in front of the fireplace, or just take a minute to Disney detox.
The beignets from the Mint Julep Bar shouldn’t be missed. Same with the pickles at any of the market stands.
If you want a casual spot for lunch over in CA Adventure, Flo’s Diner has chicken strips and burgers and really cool vistas of the Cars ride akin to those of the Grand Canyon’s.
The Sonoma Terrace also makes for a great place to work on a nice day, especially if you want to grab an easy glass of wine while you’re there too.
We hope this journey through the magical and (potentially surprisingly) aesthetic side of Disneyland and California Adventure has been helpful and exciting when it comes to planning your next trip there. While Disneyland will always spark that childlike joy deep inside, you can still deeply enjoy it as an adult without feeling like you want to die inside from an all-day, cartoon-filled Disney day.
Several of the locations featured here are Opulist picks and can also be found when searching for Disneyland on the site or the city of Anaheim. Use the search page to help plan your Disney trip ahead of time, or pull it up while you’re visiting to remind yourself of all the beautiful locales nearby. Enjoy and happy #opulistgem scouting.
The Aesthetic Edit is your go-to source for design-forward restaurants, bars, hotels, and more. Keep following along to find more aesthetically appealing content just like this.
Head to Opulist’s search page to discover the most beautiful and aesthetic places to travel to all throughout California and beyond.
