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Best Pre/Post Race Restaurants in Disneyland

January 6, 2014 By D Marie 25 Comments

runDisney Disneyland

Eating is important.  Eating at a Disney Park is fun.  Eating for runners is crucial and should be fun.  In picking my Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Dining Must~Dos, there were two stand outs that racers seem to gravitate towards.  I thought I’d share my best pre- and post race spots for eating what you need AND what you like.

Pre-Race Top Pick:

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria

 


Located in Downtown Disney District, this authentic Southern Italian eatery is a casual, colorful and energetic stop during your pre-race carbohydrate hunt.  This Carnivale-inspired surroundings are more expansive than the exterior lets on; with a 2 story dining room, an expansive balcony overlooking the shoppers, and an adjacent outdoor patio.  (Don’t you just love dining al fresco in Southern California??)   The menu has genuine Neopolitan elements that might stand out to a runner:  Bruschetta alla Checca (ciabatta bread, garlic, tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil); a variety of Insalate (salads); hand-rolled and gluten-free pastas  (try the veal meatballs if you are not racing the very next morning); fresh fish; and “Build Your Own Pizzas” made with Caputo flour imported from Southern Italy, San Marzano tomatoes, handmade mozzarella and spring water.  Doesn’t that make your mouth water?!  Go easy on the cheese, and load up the fresh veggies, and make your own “runner’s pie”.  The wine list at Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria is extensive and irresistible, so be strong and limit yourself to one glass of liquid carbs!

Because of its location, no park ticket is required for dining.  Be sure to make a reservation on the Disneyland website or by calling Disney Dining at (714) 781-3463.  Plan on $20-$30 per person for dinner.

 

Post-Race Celebration


Napa Rose

You’ve trained through all kinds of weather, scrutinized your diet, shaved your calluses, and in short, sacrificed for months.  Now is the time to really celebrate!  Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa is my favorite place to do that at the Disneyland Resort, but this past August we really kicked up our heels and reserved our spots at the Chef’s Counter.   These most-coveted seats, (only 8 of them per sitting:  5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. each evening), must be reserved well in advance.  We called the day reservations opened, up to 60 days prior to your stay, (you must call Napa Rose directly at (714) 300-7170, though Disney Dining will connect you), and we had to adjust our date and time request several times before we got the “yes”.  After all, it was Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend and there was a whole lotta partying going on!  ** Don’t dismay if you get closed out; a close second is “The Vinter’s Table” menu, which you can partake of from any seat in the house.

This meal is an experience; Signature Dining that truly deserves the moniker.  You may choose off the standard house menu, the four course Vintners Menu, or have Chef Sutton “whip up” something special.  Since we had previously tried the first two options, we were settling on nothing less than customized treatment!  After asking about our palates and inquiring about food allergies, the chefs went to work.

Did I mention we also did the Wine Pairing option??

The food and wine was as good as it looks, but the best part of the evening was our many interactions with almost everyone in the kitchen and our server.  It felt like a family affair!  Was it worth the per person $90 tab (before wine)?  If you’ve hit a special milestone in your life, (say your first half marathon, perhaps), there is no better place to profess it to the world than the counter at Napa Rose.  Wear your medals, your birthday button or your tiara.  Just be sure to come very hungry and flush in cash and ready for the show!

Full of the best race restaurants in Disneyland?  Be sure to skip through the rest of the Virtual Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Blog Hop, with my co-host Kimberly Torres Markey, @MMMarathoner, HERE.

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Filed Under: Blog, Disneyland, Virtual runDisney Tagged With: Disneyland, Restaurants, runDisney

Comments

  1. Auds says

    January 9, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Napa Rose is on my to-do list! I had the race special meal at Naples for Dumbo weekend and it was fabulous 🙂

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm

      Audrey- I wish more Disney Parks restaurants offered a race special; it would take the guess work out of healthy eating!!

      Reply
  2. Julie Franklin says

    January 10, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    Napa Rose sounds amazing…..never been. What a perfect celebration.

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 14, 2014 at 4:28 pm

      I keep telling myself: "I earned this…" (Especially when the check comes!!)

      Reply
  3. April S says

    January 10, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    That sounds wonderful! Thanks for the info!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 14, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      Thanks April; Napa Rose is still my favorite restaurant on Disneyland property. Clearly I'm a sucker for those special menus, but I only treat myself on race weekends!!

      Reply
  4. marji says

    January 12, 2014 at 5:30 am

    I'd love to try Napa Rose some day! Looks yummy! Good info – thanks!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 14, 2014 at 4:35 pm

      Thanks Marji; not only is the food as good as it looks, but the decor is warm and classy. It fits into Disney's Grand Californian Hotel perfectly!

      Reply
  5. Fairytales and Fitness says

    January 14, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    This looks amazing! It's making me look forward to my post race meals at WDW next month!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 14, 2014 at 4:35 pm

      Doesn't it somehow make the training easier??!

      Reply
  6. Donna Kay Anderson says

    January 21, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    Oh my goodness!! I am so hungry now!! I am dining with you when I do my first runDisney event!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 21, 2014 at 5:52 pm

      Yes Donna, I know just the place!!! 😉

      Reply
  7. I'm Diane says

    January 21, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    It all looks so yummy – Napa Rose, looks so inviting, I can't wait to try it and the Wine Pairings too 😉

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 21, 2014 at 5:54 pm

      They do such a professional job with service, menu, food quality and the wine at Napa Rose; it's our #1 must-do when we go to Disneyland!

      Reply
  8. James Cameron says

    January 21, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Both look like great choices!! Definitely going to keep these in mind for our first trip to Disneyland, whenever it happens… running or not!!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 21, 2014 at 10:15 pm

      Correct James- ANYTIME will do!!!

      Reply
  9. anne p says

    January 22, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    I love the "Smiling Tiger Salad" at the Napa Rose, and the pizza at Naples!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 23, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      My pizza was delicious; I have to look for that salad! Thanks for the tip Anne. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Beth Green says

    January 23, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    Napa Rose looks delicious!! I'd love to visit there!!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 23, 2014 at 5:31 pm

      I hope you do!!

      Reply
  11. Lucinda says

    January 23, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    What an experience! Those dishes look delicious. Now I'm craving scallops for breakfast. Yummmmy!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 23, 2014 at 5:41 pm

      Oh my! They were darn good at 10 pm!!

      Reply
  12. Deb @ Focused on the Magic says

    January 23, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    Everything looks so delicious! I am dying to try Napa Rose!

    Reply
    • blogging says

      January 23, 2014 at 9:38 pm

      It is perfect for special occasions Deb. I am hoping you get there!

      Reply

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"Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.” ~ Walt Disney

Physical therapist, doctor at 60!, special needs advocate, and late-in-life runner, I offer prescriptions for a happy and full lifestyle for all.

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