A warm welcome from all of us at planDisney to you, Leigh. It won't be long until you will be walking down Main Street, U.S.A. toward Sleeping Beauty Castle and I'm thrilled to help you prepare.
From one (Han) solo adventurer to another, I loved seeing your question. I have done the walk between
Pixar Place Hotel and
Downtown Disney District many times by myself and have always felt safe. In fact, you will typically see other Guests on this same route, so you're never really alone. A couple of places where I like to
grab a bite to eat in Downtown Disney are Earl of Sandwich and Napolini Pizzeria. Both locations offer quick service options and I'll just grab something and find a table outside to enjoy my meal as I people watch. If you have a craving for something sweet after dinner, I recommend heading to
Beignets Expressed to take an irresistibly pillowy, sugary and sweet treat back to your room (or to enjoy right on the spot).
Did you know that there are also Disneyland Resort dining options that you don't need a theme park ticket to access and enjoy? There's the
Great Maple Modern American Eatery which is located just off the lobby and inside Pixar Place Hotel. There's a nice bar inside that's great for solo travelers. I also love heading over to
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill at the Disneyland Hotel. The Polynesian vibes and food are wonderful and it's never a bad idea to start your trip with a DOLE Whip. Over at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, you'll find the
GCH Craftsman Bar where you can dine poolside and sometimes there's even live music.
I recommend making a
dining reservation for all of these options. If you have your heart set on GCH Craftsman Bar, but can't find a reservation, you can also join the walk-up list in the
Disneyland app when you arrive. Or if quick service is more your speed, there's a quick service location just around the corner at GCH Craftsman Grill with slightly different menu offerings.
Leigh, I hope this helps put your mind at ease for your first evening. As you might have picked up on, eats, treats and all the between are always a priority when I visit the Disneyland Resort. If you want to know more about any of these locations (or any others), please
come back to ask me. Sharing a magical trip with friends and family is always so special, but there's also something to be said for some solo time. Enjoy!
Adventure is out there!
Michelle