Dining question..

[Cinderella1122]

I'm taking my first ever DLR vacation in May

Is it worth doing some table service places? Since we are new to DLR and want to try and experience as much as possible, we were thinking of just doing counter service. However, A major part of our WDW vactions is finding fun Table services to try and it would be fun to try a few in DL.

 

[FallDisney]

It's good to try new places, but just know that dining at DL doesn't take on the same meaning as it does at WDW. There just aren't that many options.

That said, you might consider Blue Bayou, Brennan's Jazz Kitchen (DTD), Naples (DTD) and Carnation Cafe. They were favorites from our last trip. We'll be trying Wine Country Trattoria this time and really are looking forward to it.

 

[Sherry E]

How long is your trip to DLR going to be?

Here's the thing - DLR as a whole simply does not have as much space for restaurants (only 2 parks and 3 hotels vs. 4 parks, 2 water parks and lots and lots of hotels at WDW). So the fact that there is not as much of an emphasis on dining for folks is essentially because of that fact.

Also, as has been discussed here many times on the DIS, since so many folks visit DLR for day trips or mini-vacations, they may tend to eat elsewhere and not in the parks. At WDW, I think it is more of a necessity to eat at one of their restaurants.

I think there are a lot of good table service/sit-down places to eat at DLR. Goofy's Kitchen character meal (there are 5 character meals total), Storytellers Cafe, Carnation Cafe and Wine Country Trattoria are all favorites of mine, and even though it is not my favorite, most people will tell you should try Blue Bayou for its location inside the POTC ride, and try Napa Rose in the GCH for its excellent fine dining. Downtown Disney also offers many non-Disney options - Naples, ESPN Zone and Rainforest Cafe are all favorites of mine, while many other folks LOVE Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen.

Here is the link to our dining thread, so you can peruse the photos and see if anything appeals to you:

Disneyland Dining Reviews and Pictures:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888


And here is the link to our character meal photo and information thread, so you can see if one of them looks interesting to you:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2234435


And check out post #338 and post #339 for great, comprehensive photos of the Goofy's Kitchen breakfast/brunch buffet, courtesy of Disneynerd420:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2268157&page=23

 

[Gothemi]

All the above places mentioned and Cafe Orleans for a Monte Cristo with a nice outdoor atmosphere. We also like Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel. Upscale feel, great service and some neat photos of Walt Disney and other stars of yesteryear really put you in the mood for this place.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We loved Steakhouse 55!

 

[azdisneylover]

If you are staying on site, maybe you can try the character meal there? The White Water Snacks nachos and indi pizza w/salad is great to get after riding Grizzly Rapids! You can get to it quickly, and get right back into the park.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

I would definatly do Blue Byou, just for aumbiance and experience (not because of food, although it was OK). Definatly a Disneyland experience unlike anything in WDW
The character meals are fun, we have only done Ariels, but really really enjoyed it. I have done CRT at WDW wich had the WOW factor because I was eatting inside the castle. Ariels was a nice meal, with good food and we got to meet 5 princesses without having to wait in lines. No show/performance, just the characters coming around to meet and greet.
Many of the other sit down restraunts are good and worth a visit for a good meal. we are a sit down family who likes to be waited on vs waiting in line and then fighting for a seat. So I actually have no experience with CS at DL.
Depending on the time of year you are going, it can often be just as quick to get in and out of a TS than CS (wait to order, find a seat, wait for food), but CS can be less expensive than TS.

 

[Amommy21]

We go to DL every year and as part of our regular day do Blue Bayou and Storytells

We have done Napa Rose for special events and it's fun too.

 

[Cinderella1122]

Thank you for all of the responses! I think I want to try a few of these places. We will be in the parks 4 1/2 days at the end of May. We will be staying at the Grand Californian.

When making reservations, do I have to call 60 days out for each TS, or does DLR have the 10+ if you're staying on site?

 

[dmked]

We are going with my mom this time and she wants to do a character meal, but we normally only do counter service. To us, we spend the time on rides, seeing shows and seeing characters and we just squeeze in eating along the way. That way everyone can eat what they want and we don't spend much time doing it! I think the counter service restaurants have amazing food too and some of my favorite snacks come from the little carts. The corn dogs are my favorite thing to eat in DL (and I normally hate corn dogs!)

 

[reynmagsmom]

Another vote for Cafe Orleans that was the best meal of our week long trip.....food was amazing and so was our service we had lunch at Blue Bayou that same day and CO's blew them out of the water, BB felt very rushed and food was just so so whereas Co's was great and don't forget to have the beingets(?SP) for dessert OMG YUMMY!!!!!!
O and for character buffet try Goofy's have eaten there several times now and it never gets old and the peanut butter and jelly pizza is to die for(only on vacation LOL) and there are so many characters that visit your table without the long wait in a line always a plus!!!