2009 Calendar of events:
Main Park: Open 8am – 12pm
California Adventure: Open  10am – 9pm
Dreams will come true fireworks: 9:25pm
Fantasmic:  9pm, 10:30pm
For updated times and additional events see the Disneyland Calendar.

Breakfast –

Muffins, coffee and other quick snacks are available all over but for something a bit nicer we like to start with the Carnation Café and an order of Mickey Mouse waffles. Sure they’re made for kids but come on, it’s Valentine’s Day (or the day after) and you’re in the park. If you’re looking to eat outside of the park step it up from Starbucks or Dennys and give Mimi’s Cafe or a local dinner a try. Better food, better service.

Dinner –

By far the most popular spot for a romantic dinner in the park is the Blue Bayou. Located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride this restaurant offers good food in a calm, low lite and just plain relaxing environment. Of course you won’t be the only one trying to get in so we’d suggest calling way in advance, weeks if possible, days if you must. If you happen to call before they start taking reservations for the day find out when to call back and book it.

If you don’t want to hit the Blue Bayou or just didn’t get a spot in time there are other options.  Cafe Orleans and River Belle Terrace may not seem like romantic spots with the kids that usually fill them but they offer great views of the water and any shows going on that evening.

Most of the restaurants at Downtown Disney will feature some sort of Valentine’s Day special with dinner and possibly music or entertainment (see this site for some of the 2008 events ). If this sounds like the right fit for you be sure to call in advance to find out their specials and reserve a seat. The restaurants at the Garden Walk are also a great option for dinner with PF Changs as our personal favorite for the evening, but again call early.

Things to do:

There’s nothing wrong with creating some fun memories and character photos are a great way to do that even if they may seem like a kid’s idea of fun. You’ll find lots of characters around the park through the day; some in more festive outfits than usual and all willing to take a perfect picture so bring the camera and hand it off to the next couple in line.

The steamboat may not be a class-5 roller coaster but it’s a pretty view and another nice time to sit back and relax. With couples in the park expect a more romantic vibe to the evening trips.

While there will likely be a few rides shut down as February is the off season, most of your favorites should be up and running so go have a blast, that’s what you’re here for. As usual if it’s a weekend or looks to be busy, stock up on Fastpasses in the morning to use later that day and enjoy a longer amount of time to chat if you do get stuck in a line. It’s not a bad thing to get to talk a bit.

Getting a little competitive can also be a fun way to spend the day and both Astroblaster and Toy Story Mania are great ways to shoot some aliens, compete and in the case of Astroblaster, get a cute photo to remember the experience. Of course there are also the boardwalk games in California Adventure if you’re craving something where you can win a prize.

You should also expect to run in a number of couples getting married on the big day which can add some extra romantic feel to the park. If you’re considering making a proposal yourself call the restaurant of your choice or park operations to ask about ways to make it even more memorable… there’s a lot you can do with their assistance or you can just ask someone to hold your camera while you do the deed in front of the castle.

Go big or go home –

If you want to make your Valentine’s Day trip into more of a romantic getaway consider booking a room at one of the nicer hotels in the area. The Sheraton, Hyatt (our pick) and Hilton are all great choices and can provide anything from chocolate strawberries to champagne for your evening. You can often find a killer deal on these hotels by using Priceline’s name your own price feature for the 3 and ½ star level or just call and book directly, chances are each hotel will have a special Valentine’s Rate and possibly other benefits from dinners to gifts on arrival.

Take the memory with you -

Disneyland does sell some seasonal merchandise starting a few weeks in advance so look for pins, stuffed animals and other products with a Valentine’s Day theme – these can make great souvenirs of your trip or good gifts for someone else if you come in advance.

You may also want to consider actually buying one of those ride photos or a posed shot of you in front of the water, the castle or some other spot. Of course you can always have the photographers take a photo with your camera as well (or ask another visitor if there isn’t a photographer around).

Yummy Lunch – Chicken strips are always a great option and not just for kids. While many places offer them, our favorite is the Stage Coach Café, a little shop in adventure land right by the boat launch.  The chicken strips run for about $8 and include a small portion of fries, a side of bbq or ranch sauce and all the ketchup you want. They also sell mozzarella sticks and fish and chips as well as funnel cake.

Yummy Dinner – If you’re looking for a nice sit down meal consider the Blue Bayou restaurant located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The quiet and cool atmosphere combined with the quality food makes this a popular pick for couples and groups. While the food is some of the best you’ll find in the park (think mahi mahi, steak, etc…) it’s also probably the most expensive and one of the most popular (our favorite when we have the time). Reservations are almost always required for dinner and can be booked before the park even opens so consider calling in advance.

For something more casual but still seated consider Cafe Orleans or River Belle Terrace. Both serve a variety of sandwiches and hot entrees with a little flare. Prices are in the $10-20 range. There can be a wait so check in and take another ride while you let the time pass.  Check the menus to see what’s been offered currently but generally either will have something to please most appetites and both have great outdoor seating for views of the water and any shows that happening to be going on.

The Pizza Port located in Tomorrow Land is even more casual with open tables and kiosk service. This restaurant offers more traditional Disneyland food including burgers, pizza and pasta. You can also find a variety of salads and chicken sandwiches on the other side of the building.

Healthy Options – The Plaza Inn serves a decent fried chicken and tasty pasta but if you’re looking to save the calories for desert they have a massive, fresh and even well priced (about $10) chicken chef’s salad which comes tossed in a ranch dressing or can be customized with your choice  chicken, bacon, tomato, cheese, hardboiled egg and dressing.  The salad is big enough to split for two medium appetites.  The Plaza Inn also offers a nice respite from the hustle of the park with cool temperatures indoors, ample outside seating, refills on soft drinks and enough space to generally let you stretch out.

Desert – Ice Cream is the mandatory desert for most guests and on Main Street there are two good places to get it. The Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor shop which is attached to the larger candy shop offers the widest assortment of ice cream options from sundaes to chocolate dipped waffle cones. Unfortunately the crowds also flock to this location and lines can take 30 minutes or more. Luckily there’s a second and often overlooked option just down the street; the Main Street cone shop (look by the lockers) sells most of the same options as the larger shop but without the long lines (most of the time). Unfortunately they close down a lot earlier but when they are open it’s a great bet.

If Ice Cream isn’t your thing there’s just about everything else known to the world from funnel cake to caramel apples, fudge, chocolates, taffy, and on and on. You can find most of these at the Main Street shop but for funnel cake you’ll have to trek down to the Buzz Light Year Café in Tomorrow Land or the Stage Coach Café in Adventure Land.