Dining help

[RadioNate]

I just booked at stay at the Disneyland Hotel for early June.

We are former Orlando residents, former WDW CMs, and all around WDW experts but when it comes to Disneyland I haven't got a clue!

We went for a Disneyland wedding in Nov 2008 and played everything by ear. Last DL trip before that was 1998.

It'll be 2 adults and 2 kids (10 & 3.)

We should arrive at the resort around dinner time the 1st day. I was planning on booking a character dinner for that night, is Goofy's Kitchen my best choice? We did Storytellers in 2008.

Should I book the World of Color picnic online? Is the reserved seating worth it? Is there another dining package for World of Color?

Is 3 days enough for tickets? We are staying 4 nights. We won't have to leave until around 3pm the final day is there enough to do at DTD and the resorts to keep us occupied the 1st night and final day?

TIA!

 

[RadioNate]

And I'll piggyback onto my own thread. What are the must-do dining locations in general?

Lastly, anywhere to see Jake and the Neverland Pirates besides the Disney Junior show? My 3 year old DD is obsessed!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I just booked at stay at the Disneyland Hotel for early June.

We are former Orlando residents, former WDW CMs, and all around WDW experts but when it comes to Disneyland I haven't got a clue!

We went for a Disneyland wedding in Nov 2008 and played everything by ear. Last DL trip before that was 1998.

It'll be 2 adults and 2 kids (10 & 3.)

We should arrive at the resort around dinner time the 1st day. I was planning on booking a character dinner for that night, is Goofy's Kitchen my best choice? We did Storytellers in 2008.

Should I book the World of Color picnic online? Is the reserved seating worth it? Is there another dining package for World of Color?

Is 3 days enough for tickets? We are staying 4 nights. We won't have to leave until around 3pm the final day is there enough to do at DTD and the resorts to keep us occupied the 1st night and final day?

TIA!

The only character dinner is Goofy's Kitchen. The rest are breakfasts and one lunch (Ariel's).

I don't think the picnics are worth it unless you can't get in and get a FP in the morning. For WOC you can get premium viewing by having dinner at Ariel's Grotto (no princesses) or lunch/dinner at Wine Country Trattoria.

If you aren't leaving until 3pm, I would definitely get the 4th day. DTD is mostly shops and restaurants.

 

[skiingfast]

Should I book the World of Color picnic online? Is the reserved seating worth it? Is there another dining package for World of Color?

Is 3 days enough for tickets? We are staying 4 nights. We won't have to leave until around 3pm the final day is there enough to do at DTD and the resorts to keep us occupied the 1st night and final day?

TIA!

I would also get a 4 day ticket. $15 each to get a half day in the parks isn't too bad. Plus with Little Mermaid and Star Tours reopening on June 3rd you might appreciate the extra time with the crowds that those will bring.

Otherwise hitting the pool and wandering DTD may do it if you feel it could at WDW. Just keep in mine that it takes minutes to get to DTD so don't consider the long travel time it takes in WDW's DTD.

WoC.
There is no seated viewing. There are 4 zones to watch from. The Preferred Dining has the most centered view and FPs for there come with dinner packages. Yellow and Blue are to the side of that area, you can get the FPs for those areas in the morning for free or with Picnics. You can get Blue, Yellow or Red for free in the morning. Red is a little to the side. Othe wise all areas have good and bad spots so it's good to know what to do when you get to the show.

World of Color Superthread.

 

[RadioNate]

Thanks. I think I'll book one of the full dining packages for World of Color. We've done that for Fantasmic at DHS and it has worked well. I'm not sure how early my kids will be getting up. We are more late night than rope drop people.

I'll get the 4th day.

Well Goofy's Kitchen it is for dinner. I though the PCH Grill had dinner the last time we were there. I admit not looking that closely this time.

My DS really wants to see World of Color.

There is a Grad Night on the 2nd, which park do you think we should primarily do on that day? DL is open until 900 and DCA to 830. My kids won't care if they see the castle first or anything like that. These are kids who would spend all of a WDW vacation at Epcot!

 

[skiingfast]

My DS really wants to see World of Color.

There is a Grad Night on the 2nd, which park do you think we should primarily do on that day? DL is open until 900 and DCA to 830. My kids won't care if they see the castle first or anything like that. These are kids who would spend all of a WDW vacation at Epcot!

Doesn't matter which park because the graduates show up on buses after the parks close. So there is no early rush. But if you are in DL you might feel like you are being forced out while in DCA the night is ending naturally. Either way it's so easy to hop that you should pick a park for each day, just go over to the other park when ever you feel like it.

WoC is very good, I'm sure you will both like it if you take the care to get a good view.

 

[RadioNate]

Ok I booked Goofy's Kitchen for the night we arrive. I also booked at WOC lunch at Wine Country Trattoria.

Being a WDW vet, I get a little nervous about dining plans but I don't remember having any issue the last time we were at DL.

What are the "must do's?" Kids are 10 & 3. The 3 year old LOVE characters and the 10 year old is mostly happy to play along.

Is Minnie's the best Character Breakfast?

 

[skiingfast]

Ok I booked Goofy's Kitchen for the night we arrive. I also booked at WOC lunch at Wine Country Trattoria.

Being a WDW vet, I get a little nervous about dining plans but I don't remember having any issue the last time we were at DL.

What are the "must do's?" Kids are 10 & 3. The 3 year old LOVE characters and the 10 year old is mostly happy to play along.

Is Minnie's the best Character Breakfast?

I'd say Yes.

Because it has a great mix of characters. Less standards more variety. Plus you eat in the park.

 

[sonnyjane]

Ok I booked Goofy's Kitchen for the night we arrive. I also booked at WOC lunch at Wine Country Trattoria.

So, based on a few recent threads and the semantics on some blogs, it looks like the WOC lunch at Wine Country Trattoria might only guarantee you a regular fastpass like a picnic would, NOT a FP for the preferred viewing area. If you booked in hopes of getting the preferred area, I'd call and double check (and come back here to post so we can clear this up!)

 

[skiingfast]

So, based on a few recent threads and the semantics on some blogs, it looks like the WOC lunch at Wine Country Trattoria might only guarantee you a regular fastpass like a picnic would, NOT a FP for the preferred viewing area. If you booked in hopes of getting the preferred area, I'd call and double check (and come back here to post so we can clear this up!)

I haven't seen many confirmations about the details. But WCT lunches come with a Blue or Yellow ticket for the first show of WoC. They definately do not come with a ticket for the Preferred Viewing area that the dinner packages do.

 

[RadioNate]

So, based on a few recent threads and the semantics on some blogs, it looks like the WOC lunch at Wine Country Trattoria might only guarantee you a regular fastpass like a picnic would, NOT a FP for the preferred viewing area. If you booked in hopes of getting the preferred area, I'd call and double check (and come back here to post so we can clear this up!)

Good to know. I was expecting preferred when I booked it. The agent wasn't super friendly. Not rude, just very businesslike. He just asked lunch or dinner. I took lunch so we could do the 1st show & not be rushed.

I'll call back. Thanks.

 

[skiingfast]

Good to know. I was expecting preferred when I booked it. The agent wasn't super friendly. Not rude, just very businesslike. He just asked lunch or dinner. I took lunch so we could do the 1st show & not be rushed.

I'll call back. Thanks.

Look at this two ways.

You could call back and switch to dinner and still see the 1st show.

Viewing from the Blue, Yellow and Preffered Dining is all very similar, there are good and bad spots. So it depends where you are within the area far more than what area you get the FP for.

 

[Mama Who]

You also asked about dining "must-dos". While they vary widely, here are some of ours:

Counter service:
We find the food in DCA to often be better and with larger portions for the same prices as DL. We adore Taste Pilots Grill for ribs and burgers and Boudin for sourdough bread bowls of either soup or salad.

In DL, Rancho del Zocalo is popular- I find it mostly "okay" but my guys both like it a lot, so I'd say it is definitely worth a stop. I like the cheese Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans but would say skip the Mickey head beignets in favor of the less festively shaped but infinitely tastier ones at Ralph Brennan's in DTD. Oh- and I have yet to find truly good coffee in a park, so coffee at RB's is a must for me.

Table Service:
Blue Bayou has become too hit or miss for us. We gave up because the price wasn't justified for a 50/50 chance at either being really happy or totally irritated. The ambiance is great though, and some folks have had good luck with going for dessert only.

Storytellers in the GCH remains one of our all time favorites. We enjoy the buffet and I'm hooked on the pain au chocolat bread pudding.

DH and I had one wonderful decadent date night at the Vineyard Room but it looks like that might be closed? Sad. We never ate downstairs at WCT but again, it gets good press.

Snacks:
If you are a Dole Whip person (which I am not) they are available near the Tiki Room. I'll be over in Pooh Corner getting a Tigger Tale or mugging the Mickey Bar vendor.

DH loves the Marceline's candy store in DCA. DS likes the Mission tortilla tour with free tortilla.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

Are you able to go to Blue Bayou for just dessert???? This might have to go on my to do list!!

 

[skiingfast]

Are you able to go to Blue Bayou for just dessert???? This might have to go on my to do list!!

This comes up every now and then, and yes you may do that.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Ok I booked Goofy's Kitchen for the night we arrive. I also booked at WOC lunch at Wine Country Trattoria.

Being a WDW vet, I get a little nervous about dining plans but I don't remember having any issue the last time we were at DL.

What are the "must do's?" Kids are 10 & 3. The 3 year old LOVE characters and the 10 year old is mostly happy to play along.

Is Minnie's the best Character Breakfast?

My Family's favorite is Surf's Up with Mickey at PPH. Really great activities & interaction with the characters...there was a little girl 2 0r 3 years old when we were there that was just adorable learning to surf with Stitch. They do still have dinner available at PPH but it does not include characters.

Minneis is our family's 2nd choice character meal as although it does not have as many "get up and dance your wiggles out" moments it does have the MOST characters and the variety of characters is huge! We did 4 of the five character meals on our last trip so you can hit my Christmas trip report if you want more detail or more pics.

Storyteller's

Minnie's

Goofy's

Mickey's

 

[Disneylovers2000]

This comes up every now and then, and yes you may do that.

Thanks skiingfast! I think we will do just that! I am assuming I would still have to make reservations...

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks skiingfast! I think we will do just that! I am assuming I would still have to make reservations...

Yes, if you just do dessert, you still need reservations. The dessert options are nothing remarkable, so if you go this route, be aware that it will be for the atmosphere only. Also, make sure you tip your server especially generously if you do go for just dessert