Hello, Susan! Thanks for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
I love all the diverse and delicious dining options available in the
Downtown Disney District. We try to dine at one or two of these establishments every visit and now that new options are being added like Salt and Straw, Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes, and Ballast Point, we will have even more reason to make dining here a priority. You can most certainly exit either theme park to dine or shop in the Downtown Disney District (or for any other reason) and then return to the parks later in the day. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, you can leave and return to either theme park. If you have a one park per day ticket, then you can return only to the same park you visited earlier in the day.
If you plan on dining at a table service restaurant, be sure to make a dining reservation in advance. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance
online or by calling (714) 781-3463. Restaurants in the Downtown Disney District can be just as popular as those in the parks so reservations are always a good idea. Also, if you happen to be staying at a
Disneyland Resort Hotel, be sure to mention this to your server as some restaurants offer a small discount if you show your room key when you pay your bill.
I hope this information was useful. Have a fantastic time at the Happiest Place on Earth!
-Linda