dining at DL and DCA or around

[2tinkerbells]

I am used to planning for WDW with dining ressies for everyday. I am noticing DL is much different.
Question, we will be at DL and DCA for 3 nights and 2 days with tickets for only 2 days. Is it important to get dining ressies ahead of time? This is for early June
We are planning to do PCH Surf's Up on the way out the morning of the 3rd day. Arrive late Sunday, parks Monday and Tuesday, drive to San Diego Wednesday.
Any sit down restaurants that we must go to? Not a big fan of Rainforest Café (been many times through the years)
We love good food not Applebee's style food. Budget not a big deal because we have lots of reward dollars saved up.
BTW we are staying at the HOJO with myself, DH and DD12 and DD9.

Thank you!!

 

[thmcdonald1]

I'm a WDW person but I've been to DLR once. I have to say, Steakhouse 55 beats (hands down in my opinion) anything at WDW... even Victoria and Albert's! You have to go.

Blue Bayou is also a really good dinner with a really great environment.

 

[figment_jii]

DLR is not like WDW, in that you almost have to have ADRs and you have to book them far in advance. That being said, it is still recommended to make ADRs if you know you want to eat at a particular place and/or time. While walk-ups are much more common at DLR, there are still times and places where the walk-up wait will be very long (e.g., an hour) or unavailable. Dining reservations do not open up until 60-days in advance (and there is no on-site benefit like the '+10' at WDW). Early June is part of the summer season, so I would expect to see larger crowds even on weekdays. So, I would advice making reservations, especially if you want to eat at one of the in-park venues.

DL has four TS locations: Carnation Cafe, Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans, and Big Thunder BBQ. Over in DCA, there are 3 TS locations: Carthay Circle, Wine Country Trattoria, and Ariel's Grotto. In DTD, there are several options, along with the restaurants in the hotels. My favorite in-park locations are the four in DL, plus Carthay Cricle at DCA. It really depends on what kinds of food you like and what experiences you want to have. Of these, I would most strongly recommend making a reservation for Blue Bayou if you want to dine there; they are the most consistent location to turn away walk-ups.

 

[ludari]

With this being the diamond year celebration I would definitely recommend that you make ADRs.

 

[McNs]

As others have said you don't need ADRs but if there are any meals on your must do list then definitely book them. We missed out in Napa Rose last trip because we left it until we arrived to try and book.

 

[MommyJKM]

As Figment said - you need a res for Carthay and Blue Bayou- especially in June. and you can do the WOC and Fantasmic dining packages if you're going to eat there and get the premium seating.

Napa Rose at GCH and Steakhouse 55 at DLH are great! We like to have breakfast at Storyteller Cafe at GCH or Steakhouse 55 and in June it's pretty busy. You only need to cancel within 24 hours so I would make the reservations then decide and cancel.

There is a Ruth's Chris and McCormick and Schmicks off site that are good eats...I'm not a fan of chain restaurants so none of the Downtown Disney restaurants are my cup of tea but people seem to like the Patina Group restaurants there.

An often overlooked gem is the House of Blues Sunday Gospel Brunch.

 

[2tinkerbells]

What do they offer for the prix fixe dining for the WOC show at Ariels Grotto and Carthay circle? Is it worth it?

 

[gortman65]

What time of day does the DL online dining reservation system roll to the next day? Is it midnight Pacific time?