Dining recommendations for ADRs?

[megs1313]

Disneyland noob, but WDW vet, wondering where I should make my ADRs. I want to do an early lunch or late breakfast and an early dinner two days, so 4 total reservations. Any recommendations? TIA!

 

[figment_jii]

Who is in your party? What kind(s) of foods do you like? Buffets or table service?

 

[megs1313]

Who is in your party? What kind(s) of foods do you like? Buffets or table service?

Me, Dh, and 9yo DS. I prefer table service to buffet, but if the character experience is really good, would do a buffet (tusker house at AK is a must-do for us, in case that helps.) Not picky eaters. I am particularly curious about the WoC dining packages and if they are worth it...TIA!

 

[HydroGuy]

Disneyland noob, but WDW vet, wondering where I should make my ADRs. I want to do an early lunch or late breakfast and an early dinner two days, so 4 total reservations. Any recommendations? TIA!

Here is some high level guidance that is still applicable.

"What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914467

 

[figment_jii]

It depends on what you're hoping to get from the WoC Dining Package. There are good and bad viewing spots in all of the WoC viewing areas. The main problem with WoC is the viewing area configuration...it's terraced and the show is below most of the terraces. So if you end up standing behind someone taller than you, you'll have trouble seeing the effects that are on the water surface. There are no seats within the FP or dining package viewing areas. Only the WoC Dessert Party has seats. The dining package is good in that you don't have to necessarily get there as early (compared to FP), but I would still recommend getting there a little before the window opens so you have the best possible chance of getting an unobstructed viewing location (so, still somewhere on the order of an hour). For the best view with the shortest wait, I'd go with the dessert party.

In terms of characters, I've read that Breakfast with Minnie and Friends in DL has the widest assortment of non-standard characters (I've not done that one, so I don't know much about the food).

In terms of TS locations, my favorites are Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, RBT, and Brennan's Jazz Kitchen.

 

[megs1313]

Here's what I'm thinking....does anyone want to weigh in?

Day 1 (disneyland day)
Early lunch @ Blue Bayou 11:30am
early dinner @PCH Beachside Bonfire Grill Dinner Buffet 5:30pm

Day 2 (DCA day)
brunch @ Chip n Dale Critter breakfast Storytellers Cafe 10:45am
early dinner @ Wine Country Trattoria 5:10pm

Thoughts???

 

[figment_jii]

I would definitely go with the early lunch at Blue Bayou. It's worth it to request a waterside table when you check-in (most everyone with an 11:30 am reservation should be able to get one with minimal wait). In terms of the dinner hours, it depends a little on how big of an appetite you tend to have. I've found that Blue Bayou is a fairly good sized meal (each entree comes with a starter), so we tend to leave pretty full. For us, a 5:30 pm buffet dinner would be a bit to close (only about 5 hours after you finish lunch, assuming lunch takes about an hour). I would probably go with dinner closer to 6:30 or 7:00 pm. I like PCH Grill, but note that there are no characters at dinner. Unless there is something you really like at PCH Grill (or really want a buffet), I would consider staying in the park and trying one of the other in-park TS location (it'll also save you travel time - which is not long, but still, one less trip through security!).

According to the website, the brunch is only offered on weekends (and select Mondays and holidays) and starts at 11:30 am. Prior to that, you'll be having breakfast (which is still a character buffet). Figuring the meal takes only about an hour, you should be finished up by noon. That only gives you about five hours to get hungry for dinner at WCT, although with an a la carte menu, you can order as much or as little as you want.

 

[dec2009mama]

I'd ditch the Beachside Bonfire Grill Dinner Buffet unless you want a buffet meal -- like figment_fii said there are no characters so its just a buffet. i would stay in disneyland and book carnation cafe instead -- you may want to have dinner around 6:30/7:00pm, your BB meal will be filling and if you plan on having any mid-day snacks you may not want an early dinner.

I would also change brunch at Chip n Dale Critter breakfast Storytellers Cafe to Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends and book around 9:00/9:30am then you will be ready for your WCT meal at 5:10pm

 

[goooof1]

Minnie and Friends at Plaza Inn for character breakfast (generally 9-15 characters) is a buffet....food is fine but mainly good for the characters. We have gone as a late breakfast ~10:00 and haven't been hungry again for quite a while!
Blue Bayou is iconic.....YES, definitely go there and the early lunch 11:30 works well and as previously stated, get there about 15 minutes early and ask for a waterside table. And, yes, it is a big meal, so I wouldn't go for a buffet dinner. Lots of good counter service options for dinner that day. Look at menus on the Disneyland web pages. Many choices and don't count out the counter service places.
Also, depending on where you are staying, both the DLH (Steakhouse 55) and DGC (Storyteller's Cafe - lunch and dinner) are good options.

 

[Abbey1]

Our favorite TS restaurants are Cafe Orleans, Blue Bayou (mostly for the ambiance, the food hasn't wowed us, but we also don't eat red meat), and Carnation Cafe. All three of them have great atmosphere, imo. We love sitting near the RoA or on Main Street watching all of the guests pass by.

As for character meals, If you are looking for the best character interactions, I would go with Minnie's Breakfast at Plaza Inn. It has the most characters by far, and is located in the park, so is much more convenient than leaving to have a late breakfast at one of the hotels.

We love the WOC dessert party, and as others have mentioned, it's the only way to have a place to sit for the show. We have done the dining packages in the past, but you still have to show up a little early to have the best spot within the designated area. With the WOC dessert party, you can show up right at your reservation time and have a great view.

My suggestion based on my personal preferences would be make a late breakfast reservation at Minnie's, and an early dinner reservation for either Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans for your Disneyland day. On your DCA day, I would do counter service for breakfast and early dinner and then splurge on the dessert party, which is pretty pricey. IMO, DCA has great CS options. Or you could always eat at Carthay Circle, which I've heard is amazing. We are waiting until my son is a bit older to try it out.

 

[Karyanne30]

I would do blue bayou, a woc dinner package, Minnie and friends breakfast and either carnation cafe or cafe orleans.