You are shrunk to rat size to dine in the amazing new Disney Studios restaurant
We went to Disneyland Paris expecting the food to be similar to UK theme parks – Legoland in Windsor has a pasta and pizza buffet, hot dogs and a fairly rudimentary all-you-can-eat fast food type buffet. Gourmet food it is not.
So we were bowled over by the quality and selection of restaurants in the park. Food is fresh, fast and tasty, but it’s not just burger and chips, even for the children. Vegetables and fruit are used liberally in the food, so you can go some way towards having your five-a-day while in the Parks.
You can eat well in every corner of the parks and that’s something to really praise Disney for.
Of course, it does also have an affect on your wallet – you pay for quality, although the prices are comparable with UK theme parks.
The three types of restaurants
Sit down
You will get the best meals (and pay the highest prices) at sit down restaurants. The luxury experiences can be found in Auberge de Cendrillon, the Cinderella-themed restaurant near the Castle and the Inventions in Disneyland Hotel.
The newest kid on the block is Bistrot Chez Remy, next to the Ratatouille ride and is pictured at the top of this page. It is amazing – both food and decor have to be seen to be believed.
All offer individual dishes as well as set menus; these menus can be used in conjunction with the half board vouchers that hotel users can purchase and come in at around 25€ per adult, less for children.
The set menus are limited in construction: three choices, one of which will be vegetarian, but there should be something to please everyone.
Reservations are recommended – they cut down on queuing time and also help you plan your day. You can reserve seats by calling in advance, from your hotel’s reception section or from City Hall in Disneyland Park or the Studio Services in Walt Disney Studios.
Fast
From burgers to hot dogs, all the options are all there.
Service can be appalling, the food may well be cold (we didn’t have a hot meal from the two places we tried) and the experience is far from fantastic. But when you need something that’s cheaper than the restaurants, this’ll do.
What you pay depends on what you choose to eat – but expect to pay around 12€ for a meal that contains a burger, fries, drink plus a sweet treat.
Carts & shacks
Dotted around the parks are carts that serve snacks: ice creams, popcorn and drinks. Some also serve the Pause Gourmande treats – more on that here. Some can have large queues because they’re near big attractions, some don’t.
And if all else fails … Maccy D’s!
Disney Village contains a mixture of restaurants including the must-visit Café Mickey, a Planet Hollywood and the Earl of Sandwich. But the value-chasing customer will appreciate a McDonald’s tucked away at the back of the Village.
It serves Breakfast from 3€ and Happy Meals were around 4€ which will suit the value pockets.
