Am I missing any must do dining ?

[AngiTN]

Not talking about Quick Service type of spots, just those that take reservations. We are doing the following on our (8 night) trip next week. Figured I better ask before it's too late if there are any I missed

We have
Goofy's Kitchen (dinner)
Ariel's Grotto (lunch)
Carthay Circle (lunch)
Storytellers Cafe (breakfast)
Plaza Inn (breakfast)
Blue Bayou (dinner)
Carnation Cafe (breakfast)
PCH Grill (breakfast)

 

[mom2rtk]

Tomato soup and grilled cheese from the Jolly Holiday Bakery. Yum!

 

[Imdboss]

Cafe Orleans, the Monte Cristo with a side of pommes frites can't be missed in my book!

 

[ktlm]

We really enjoy Café Orleans as well. You have some good ones. We love Minnie's breakfast at the Plaza Inn- so many great characters. It is so much better than any character meal we have ever been to at WDW. Goofy's used to be as well, but not anymore. Be aware that they recently really downgraded Goofy's kitchen. You used to see several characters there with variety in who popped up. Now they standardized it so that you only see Goofy, Minnie, Pluto Chip and Dale- it is just like your typical WDW character meal now. We were used to seeing all those every time, but also 2 or 3 more, such as the Mad Hatter (who was there a lot), Fairy Godmother, Gepetto, Aurora, Aladdin, Alice. It used to be a must do, but we are skipping it entirely our next trip as it is no different than any of the WDW character meals now. Are you doing the Fantasmic dining package at Blue Bayou? If not, that would be a good idea. Fantasmic is better at DL than it is at WDW--- but now since it went FP only a couple of months ago, it is standing only in most areas except for the Blue Bayou dining package- where they give you a cushion and let you sit on the ground. If you have any kids or anyone short like me-that makes the difference between seeing the show if you are not in the very front row, or just standing there watching someone's back or the back of their head.

One other thing to be aware of, CS at DL in our opinion is far superior to CS at WDW. There are several CS places that have really good food!

 

[AngiTN]

We really enjoy Café Orleans as well. You have some good ones. We love Minnie's breakfast at the Plaza Inn- so many great characters. It is so much better than any character meal we have ever been to at WDW. Goofy's used to be as well, but not anymore. Be aware that they recently really downgraded Goofy's kitchen. You used to see several characters there with variety in who popped up. Now they standardized it so that you only see Goofy, Minnie, Pluto Chip and Dale- it is just like your typical WDW character meal now. We were used to seeing all those every time, but also 2 or 3 more, such as the Mad Hatter (who was there a lot), Fairy Godmother, Gepetto, Aurora, Aladdin, Alice. It used to be a must do, but we are skipping it entirely our next trip as it is no different than any of the WDW character meals now. Are you doing the Fantasmic dining package at Blue Bayou? If not, that would be a good idea. Fantasmic is better at DL than it is at WDW--- but now since it went FP only a couple of months ago, it is standing only in most areas except for the Blue Bayou dining package- where they give you a cushion and let you sit on the ground. If you have any kids or anyone short like me-that makes the difference between seeing the show if you are not in the very front row, or just standing there watching someone's back or the back of their head.

One other thing to be aware of, CS at DL in our opinion is far superior to CS at WDW. There are several CS places that have really good food!

Yes, we are doing the F! package at Blue Bayou. We are also doing the WOC package at Carthay.
Thanks, I am aware of the changes at Goofy's. We are staying at DLRH and are doing it arrival night so I'm fine with the way it is

I do have a list of CS places that we are planning to hit up too.

 

[LALA8971]

Cafe Orleans! The Monte Cristo and Pommes Frites are a must for us too!

 

[figment_jii]

From the looks of it, you're mostly doing character meals or dining packages, but you are "missing" two of my favorite TS dining locations: Cafe Orleans and Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. Out in DTD, I also really like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and Crossroads at the House of Blues.

 

[AngiTN]

From the looks of it, you're mostly doing character meals or dining packages, but you are "missing" two of my favorite TS dining locations: Cafe Orleans and Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. Out in DTD, I also really like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and Crossroads at the House of Blues.

Yes, we like them, or specifically DGD loves them.

Sounds like I need to add Cafe Orleans in for sure.
House of Blues, not sure. We've been before (to another location)
We'll check over Big Thunder's menu but being in BBQ country not sure it's high on our list.
Jazz Kitchen sounds good to me. Does it have music too?

 

[figment_jii]

Sounds like I need to add Cafe Orleans in for sure.

I would consider adding Cafe Orleans. It's similiar to Blue Bayou, but different enough to be worth a trip. You can get the famous Monte Cristo there (because you can't get it at Blue Bayou at dinner). The pomme frites and gumbo are also outstanding.

House of Blues, not sure. We've been before (to another location)

I'd skip it then if you've already been at another location and/or have access to visit it elsewhere.

We'll check over Big Thunder's menu but being in BBQ country not sure it's high on our list.

Makes sense. Still the food is great and the atmosphere is fun (there is music and a laid back atmosphere).

Jazz Kitchen sounds good to me. Does it have music too?

In the evenings and during Sunday brunch usually.
http://www.rbjazzkitchen.com/calendar/calendar.php?op=cal&month=5&year=2015

 

[AngiTN]

Any preference on Cafe Orleans for lunch or dinner?

 

[figment_jii]

CO has the same menu at lunch and dinner. It's almost entirely outdoor seating, so you might want to consider the weather/temperature when making the reservation.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I know you are not talking about Quick Service, but I could not imagine going to DLR and not having a corn dog, or getting a fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear and sitting by the water to eat.

 

[AngiTN]

Lucky for me ADRs are quite easy to come by so I think we'll have success adding it in.

I know you are not talking about Quick Service, but I could not imagine going to DLR and not having a corn dog, or getting a fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear and sitting by the water to eat.

Already told DH that corn dogs are on the must do list. We both love them. Most of my notes are at home but there is something else that is on our QS must do list too but the name escapes me at the moment.

 

[figment_jii]

Fried chicken at the Plaza Inn? Bread Cone at the Cozy Cones? Mickey Macaroon at the Jolly Holiday?

 

[4Siamese]

Cafe Orleans is always a must for us, and the monte cristo has always been something that I very much look forward to....untill our trip this past April. I don't know if it was just an off day in the kitchen but while it was edible it was nowhere near as good as it has always been in the past. May they have changed the way the do the Monte Cristo or maybe its memory and expectation just not jiving this time around but it was a major disappointment.

One thing not on your list that I can't recommend highly enough is Napa Rose. We had never been there before this last trip and both my wife and I are kicking ourselves for our previous wasting the oppurtunity to eat here. If you go you will not be disappointed.

 

[tanyaegangibson]

One thing not on your list that I can't recommend highly enough is Napa Rose.

I agree about Napa Rose. Sitting at the chef's counter is an especially cool experience.

Also, we love Steakhouse 55.

 

[calilou]

It's just my girls (9 and 7) and I this trip - we are doing the WOC dining package at Carthay Circle and have eaten and loved it there before. We've never eaten at Steakhouse 55 and while I don't think we'll do a full meal there this trip I think we may do a quick late lunch in the lounge. Will we be satisfied with that you think? Also we've never eaten at Napa Rose either - should we fit that in or wait until my husband is with us on a future trip? Is it enjoyable for older children as well as adults? These are kids who are used to eating in nice restaurants.

 

[calilou]

OP I think your list looks awesome! If you're looking for a yummy snack at some point we like the pretzel twist vendor outside the Fairy Tale Theater near the castle. They have sweet ones like cinnamon sugar and savory like cheesy jalepeno. They also have yummy drinks and there's a coffee stand nearby too.

 

[gcatt]

Napa Rose! Consistently the best food at DLR. Lovely atmosphere and attentive service.

I think well-socialized kids do great there. You can check out the menu to be sure.

Another option, with or without kids, is to just do appetizers and /or desserts. Still a lot of fun. We have stopped in to warm up after WOC, when the timing worked.

Bon appetite!

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I try not to skip Big Thunder Ranch BBQ when I go. The food is great, the atmosphere is relaxed, and who doesn't love all-you-can-eat?! It's usually the only meal I need for the whole day! We eat there at brunch time and just have snacks for dinner.