dining next week at DL

[gottagetback]

Am I crazy not to have made any dining ressies for DLR for our trip next week? I have never been but it seemed like dining is not as big a deal in DL as in WDW. Also, it is just DH and me. We may want to wing it but is there a restaurant that we absolutely must try? We don't really want to spring for a Napa Rose or anything but maybe will have one nice dinner out...
Any suggestions?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

BB,if you were going to go there youd need resvations or you would be waiting.
also what about character meals?
and if you want napa rose i think resvations have to be made

 

[PinkBudgie]

We went with no dining plans either. We didn't want to spend a lot of food that trip so we just ate counter service and often split meals. Blue Bayou is a don't miss if you want one "expensive" place. It feels like you sitting outside on a patio at night while the Pirate ride floats by. I love going for lunch because the constrast between night and day is so neat. That one, you probably better try to get a PS for.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Another vote for Blue Bayou. Maybe it's different now but I don't think I've ever made reservations before showing up at DL and I've always been able to get in. You just need to go over there first thing in the morning to get your name in. I would think that especially during off-season this would work out fine.

 

[Mililani Mouser]

You should call Disney dining and see if there are ressies open. You don't want to get caught disappointed...also, you can always cancel the ressies!!

 

[CrazyDuck]

I'm going to be there for 7 days in Oct and I only made 3 reservations. 1 for Rainforrest Cafe for the night we arrive, 1 for Ariels Grotto for dinner the next day, and 1 for Storytellers Cafe for breakfast the following morning! Everything else is going to be counter service meals or food carts (corndogs, turkey legs). I try and get my character meals out of the way early and I don't want to stress about being in a certain place at a certain time so that we can eat.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

turkey legs-crazy duck me or my dh cap bane cant eat those anymore we worked at the renitzonce festival and lost all apatite for it lol he cooked them.. ok i just had to sya that you made me think of it lol

also i have Goofys dinner first night we go
then all others are plaza inn Monday,wed storytellers and Thursday princess am meal, Tuesday were doing lunch at bb but thats the only lunch one i have set. dinner wed will be rain forest if i can get my way about it. i do like to have my early meals planed and walk around for dinner or lunch most times

 

[CrazyDuck]

turkey legs-crazy duck me or my dh cap bane cant eat those anymore we worked at the renitzonce festival and lost all apatite for it lol he cooked them.. ok i just had to sya that you made me think of it lol

That's why you NEVER go in the back kitchen at a Chinese restaurant...

 

[Mililani Mouser]

how about the back of a manapua truck?

 

[pycees312]

YAmabuki!!!! this place was so delicious and the bento box for the kids was really cute and more than enough for a kid. I never really see folks talking about it but i highly recommend it. We went for lunch and were the only family in there.( two men were having drinks and then left when we got there) nice atmosphere. the Chef was great and so was our server. Try it.. I posted pics in the dining thread.

 

[silence]

Take the number with you or program into your phone, if they have openings, we have gotten times on the DAY of, while we were in the park!

I usually don't "plan" more than 1 meal a day. Today I made PS for 2 character breakfasts (Ariels and Storytellers - we have not had breakfast at either place), 1 lunch (Carnation Cafe) and 1 dinner (Tratorria, scheduled right before the parade), all on different days for our 6 day trip. The rest of the time we will eat counter service or before/after we leave the park.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Within Disneyland proper, the only ressie I would worry about is the Blue Bayou. If you have never been, I would highly recommend it. Ask them to note that you would like a water table (gives you a 50/50 shot, but at least it's noted).

 

[Catgyrl]

That's why you NEVER go in the back kitchen at a Chinese restaurant...

Crazy - I kinda did that at a Chinese restaurant in Aiea! Waiting for my chicken w/broccoli to come out, the kitchen door swung open and I saw... a pan full of chicken sitting on the floor! I've never been back there since.

MililaniMouser - I don't even want to imagine the back of a manapua truck. blech!

 

[Sherry E]

Am I crazy not to have made any dining ressies for DLR for our trip next week? I have never been but it seemed like dining is not as big a deal in DL as in WDW. Also, it is just DH and me. We may want to wing it but is there a restaurant that we absolutely must try? We don't really want to spring for a Napa Rose or anything but maybe will have one nice dinner out...
Any suggestions?

I echo what some fo the PP's have said. Actually, in the past, we have not made any PS's and have paid the price by waiting in long lines. With something like Goofy's Kitchen or any character meal, it helps to make a PS, because it could be a very busy time. Carnation Cafe is one we are deifinitely making a PS for this time because that line is always ridiculous due to the limited seating available and we have waited as long as 45 minutes. Rain Forest Cafe is always crazy busy, so that is one you should make a reservation for because often people wait for a full hour to be seated there. And Blue Bayou, as previously stated, should have a PS. When we ate at Wine Country Trattoria, we were seated right away, so I think that is hit or miss. Naples, we were seated right away. Storytellers Cafe (after the character meal), we were seated right away.

 

[Berejikian]

If you are going to CA Adventure while at DLR and it is just you and DH, a great no reservation day break is the wine tasting right near the wine country trattoria. You can get a 3 flight of wines to taste and some wine and cheese (or loaf of bread across the way at farmers market stand) and just sit out and relax on the patio. moderately inexpsive and nice relaxing break.

 

[jasy]

YAmabuki!!!! this place was so delicious and the bento box for the kids was really cute and more than enough for a kid. I never really see folks talking about it but i highly recommend it. We went for lunch and were the only family in there.( two men were having drinks and then left when we got there) nice atmosphere. the Chef was great and so was our server. Try it.. I posted pics in the dining thread.

I second Yamabuki, it was the BEST dining we had when there.

Great service and EXCELLENT food.

If you go you HAVE to try the Green Tea Creme Brule, it is sooooo good, my mouth is already watering.

We went during spring break (very busy at DLR) and we got in by just walking to PP at lunch and making an evening rezzie for the same night.