Hello, Lizett! Thanks so much for returning to the Disney Parks Moms Panel with another question!
Dining at the Disneyland Resort is not only amazingly delicious, but also really easy to navigate. You are correct, there is no dining plan at the Disneyland Resort which means you will pay for your meals as you go once you arrive. At most restaurants, you will pay at the conclusion of your meal, but for some buffets, you will pay when you enter the restaurant. If you book a
vacation package, you have the option of adding character dining vouchers which allows you to pay for these meals in advance along with the rest of your package.
Another option to budget for your meals ahead of time is to purchase
Disney gift cards. Disney gift cards are accepted at dining (and merchandise) locations inside both parks and inside the Disneyland Resort Hotels. Note that some restaurants in the Downtown Disney District are independently owned and therefore do not accept Disney gift cards.
Dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance online or by calling (714) 781-3463. While I recommend making reservations as soon as possible, especially if you are booking a meal at a character or signature dining location, you will notice that restaurant availability at the Disneyland Resort is a lot greater than at the Walt Disney World Resort. You may even be able to make same-day reservations on the
Disneyland app when you are in the parks.
I hope this helps clarify things for you. If you would like to know some of my favorite places to dine at the Disneyland Resort, please visit the Disney Parks Moms Panel again with more questions!
-Linda M.