Lamplight Lounge

Lamplight lounge is one of the hardest restaurants at the Disneyland Resort to get a reservation for, probably second only to Blue Bayou. This is because it is more than just a restaurant, it is an experience! It's located at Disney's California Adventure, overlooking Pixar Pier. This restaurant boasts a creative menu of unique Pixar Animation inspired foods and drinks, as well as fun decor throughout the dining room like Disney memorabilia, artists renderings of characters, and other relics from Pixar films.

GETTING A RESERVATION:

The best way to score a reservation for this location is via the app. It typically drops reservation times 60 days in advance at about 6-7AM Pacific time, but this can vary. Occasionally it doesn't drop with the normal dining slots, and you have to just keep an eye on it. You can always sign up for a third party system like Mouse Dining to alert you to open reservations. There are some important things to note when making a reservation for this location:

1-The downstairs restaurant and the upstairs patio have different menus. If you want the Ghost Pepper Nachos or the Pork Nachos, they are (inexplicably) only served at the upstairs patio area. So if those are of upmost importance, request to be seated out on the patio, or wait until the day of and try to get a walk-up reservation so you can be seated there.

2-Brunch is only served on the weekends. Friday-Sunday until 1pm the menu is the brunch menu, which is actually my family's favorite time to dine. They serve french toast, delicious breakfast burgers and more. If brunch is important to you, make sure to schedule a Lamplight Lounge reservation for one of those weekend brunch slots (the reservation will say "BRUNCH" when you reserve it.

3-Request your table when you check in with the hostess.

-THE CARS TABLE: We LOVE sitting at the Cars table, and so far we've been able to be seated there every time we've asked except for once. It is a fun little spot that is quite private and great for little kids. We like to play little games with our kids while we wait like playing "I Spy," using all the cars in the glass under the table, or the fun shelves of memorabilia on the walls.

-DOWNSTAIRS PATIO: Other great spots to request are the downstairs patio over the water, if you'd like a great view of the pier while you eat. (You should also request this location if you have a late dinner reservation as you might be able to catch World of Color from your table.)

-THE COUCH: If you are just there for drinks and not food, you can request to be seated at the couch area, which is a great place to lounge and chat with friends while you enjoy drinks or coffee.

-THE OFFICE: Our final tip only works if you have a large party--it's the room known as "The Office." It is behind a vault door and is a private room with a patio overlooking the Incredicoaster. If you are interested in this room, make sure to politely ask the hostess when you check in if there's a possibility your party can be seated in "The Office." This works best if you have an early reservation time before the restaurant is too busy, but you can get lucky at other parts of the day as well. Make it clear to the hostess that you'd be willing to wait a little longer if needed, etc. so she doesn't feel pressured.

4-The restaurant is a completely different atmosphere in the daytime than it is at night. Morning at the Lamplight Lounge is much more of a family restaurant vibe, but at night feels much more like a bar. I love going at night when I'm just with my husband, but I prefer the daytime with my kids.

5-If you don't score a reservation in advance, go right as the restaurant opens on the day you'd like to visit and see if they have any cancellations or walk up reservations available. They usually have at least a few, and if you are quick on your feet you can get a return time.