Hi Marcia!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and thank you so much for bringing your
Disneyland Resort planning question to us hEAR! I love
Disneyland's Dining Packages. Not only do these options feature a great meal in an iconic (
earconic?) Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park location, but these meals also include a pass to a reserved seating section for a select show, parade or nighttime entertainment option which can really help save time and frustration of finding a good spot!
Yes, each diner wishing to purchase one of these packages must order their meal from a special menu that has been curated by that specific location for said event. Just like you, I was very confused because I couldn't find the menu options listed anywhere! But I'd love to share what I've lEARned. Some of these special prix-fixe menus do include popular options found on regular non-package menus, like the famous monte cristo sandwich at Blue Bayou, fettuccine shrimp alfredo at Wine Country Trattoria, barbecue sandwiches at River Belle Terrace, even dining from the full dinner buffet at Storytellers. However. Some of these menus only have two or three entrees to choose between where some have seven, eight or even ten! Some change their options based on what's available seasonally. And there might even be a difference between what's available at lunch vs. on the dinner menu. But I guarantee you won't leave hungry as they all include an entree, a few sides, and a beverage. Some even include a bread, starter, dessert, or all three! My one "Pro Tip" is to google the specific package you're interested in and look at the image results to get a good idea of what these menus might include during your visit to Mickey's house.
There is, however, one exception to the "multiple choice" menus of most dining packages and that's the
Plaza Inn Dining Package with Parade Viewing. This option is one plate with two half-size portions of two different entrees, two or three sides, a bread, a dessert and your choice of fountain beverage. Sadly you can't swap out anything you don't like for more of something else (I've tried) or something found on the regular non-package menu. (I've
really tried that one.) These offerings change based on the event, but luckily the Disney Parks Blog just posted a write up about the brand new "
Magic Happens" version of this package. (Scroll all the way to the bottom for a great menu description as well as foodie photo.)
I hope that this helped to clEAR things up and plan your upcoming Disney Days, Marcia! If you have any other questions, We're All Ears!
~Kristen