Best sit down places to eat

[friedela]

We are planning on doing Cafe Orleans for dinner on our first DL day, Lamplight Lounge for our CA day, but we need another sit down place for our second DL day. Character meals aside, what are you fav sit down places for dinner in DL?

ETA: Right now the the Disney website has up to April 30th available to book dining, we need reservations for May 1st which I am assuming will be posted tomorrow.. but does anyone know what time so I can be online and get our best pick of times?

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

In Disneyland, we like Carnation Cafe because of its history in the park.

 

[friedela]

In Disneyland, we like Carnation Cafe because of its history in the park.

Is that the place that still has Chef Oscar? And the famous baked potato soup?

 

[avalon451]

Blue Bayou. I like to do the first lunch seating at 11:30 a.m. so we get waterside. I often book it on a morning when we're doing Magic Morning, because we're usually ready for an early lunch. It's such a nice atmosphere, and you get to watch the boats from PotC gliding by.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is that the place that still has Chef Oscar? And the famous baked potato soup?

I think he retired... but I would vote for it anyway because it’s classic, home-cooked feel.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Carnation Cafe, Carthay Circle and Napa Rose are on our usual rotation. Really don’t care for the others in park, after that we book in DTD

In DTD we always leave Jazz Kitchen happy

 

[theluckyrabbit]

What kind of food are you looking for? And what works best for your kids? Be aware that the kids menu at Lamplight Lounge is small -- some people don't like how limited it is. For TS in DL, we like BB for atmosphere if we can work around the menu (allergy needs) and CC (baked potato soup!). Actually, we do better with CS at DL. At DCA, we like CCR (lounge and restaurant) and LL. NR is a favorite. Or there are several places in DTD that work well, too. So many choices!

 

[Meriweather]

We always go to Carnation Cafe.

Miss Chef Oscar, but it is still good. Sometimes we even go twice in a 5 night stay

 

[tarheelalum]

Carnation is nice but don't worry much about making reservations early. You can make reservations for the next day most of the time. Sometimes even for the same day so its no rush.

 

[friedela]

Carnation is nice but don't worry much about making reservations early. You can make reservations for the next day most of the time. Sometimes even for the same day so its no rush.

why is that? Is it not popular?

 

[sharksfinatic17]

why is that? Is it not popular?

Disneyland is much more last minute when it comes to planning. Granted if I was going, I would make reservations ASAP because I like to have a plan in place ahead of time.

 

[tarheelalum]

why is that? Is it not popular?

Disneyland is mostly a locals park so you don't have people planning things out longterm the way people do at Disney World. Depending on the dates your going, often you really can wait up until the day before unless its around the holidays. But I understand some people like planning things out in advance but you really do not have to do that stuff at Disneyland unless its some kind if special dining package or around the holidays.

 

[DLgal]

Carnation Cafe, Carthay Circle and Napa Rose are on our usual rotation. Really don’t care for the others in park, after that we book in DTD

In DTD we always leave Jazz Kitchen happy

Agree with all of this. But will add, Naples, Catal, and Tortilla Joe's are also tried and true favorites. TBH, we always get the WORST SERVICE at the Jazz Kitchen, for some reason. I love the food, but haven't been back in awhile because of that. It must be some kind of curse for our family. No less than 8 visits, ALL awful, service wise. One of those, I sent some feedback on a comment card, got an email back from the manager along with an invitation to return for a FREE meal, on him, to make up for our lousy experience, which we went to, and STILL had terrible service.

We have always had great service at the Patina group restaurants in DtD, so we stick with those now.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

why is that? Is it not popular?

Carnation is a pretty casual restaurant. Blue Bayou fills up faster.

 

[ParkHopper1]

why is that? Is it not popular?

Most people overlook it for some reason. For years we never really gave it a second thought but one trip it was our only remainimg option so we booked. We all left amazingly happy and is now one of our favorites for Table Service meals.

 

[azdisneylover]

In Disneyland, we like Carnation Cafe because of its history

I agree! This is one of the few places everyone in my family loves to have have a meal. Plenty of choices and everything is good.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

why is that? Is it not popular?

Carnation Cafe doesn't offer any dining packages like BB or RBT, so there isn't as much competition for tables at lunch and dinner. It is just regular dining for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. That helps make it a bit easier to get reservations there.

 

[Mike_M]

On my last trip, my family and I were able to get a table in Carnation cafe for breakfast with no reservation. Have been turned away before on walk up so I think I just lucked out this time. Haven’t tried it for other meals as we are usually content with the counter service offerings in the park (French Market, and Rancho Del Zocalo are our usual cravings for dinner).

The reservations for Blue Bayou have been filling up quicker than in years past I’ve found. A month ahead of time was plenty before, but for my last trip most of the best times were filled up shortly after the window for reservations opened up. Was still able to get in and get a waterside table, but later than I had originally hoped for.

 

[cdatkins]

try a 4:30pm Blue Bayou dinner reservation, and request a waterside table at check in. You might have to wait 20-30 min, but it's worth it.

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

Blue Bayou has the best atmosphere, especially if you ask for a waterside table.

DH and I always book Carnation every trip. It's our personal favorite. Good comfort food. We like the outdoor seating area, unless it's too hot, or it's raining.