Dining reservation suggestions...nothing's really jumping out at me.

[Lucky'sMom]

We're WDW vets, and really enjoy the "themed" dining experiences there. My priority seating 60 day mark is about a week away, and I honestly don't know what reservations to make. I know I want the World of Color dessert party, but other than that, I don't know what else to book. We're only taking our 2 teen daughters, who don't eat a lot, so even though Blue Bayou looks amazing, for those prices I don't think it would be worthwhile. I am thinking of doing the Aladdin's Paint the Night package. Should I book Carnation Cafe, maybe Cafe Orleans? The girls don't care either way about a character meal, but I would book one if it's especially good. Thanks for your help!

 

[AustinTink]

Blue Bayou. It's worth it. Carthay Circle is our second favorite. Those two are a must for us every trip. Your teens can always split a meal.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

With dessert party or meal packages when can you book these if not staying on site?

Does it make a difference if you are

Also do you pay in full on booking but can cancel without penalty?

Our first time but so much to take in

Thanks

 

[xlsm]

We struggled with this too (still are struggling with it, really.).
I was desperately wanting to do Blue Bayou, but I also feel like it would be a waste for my family. Yes, I'd like the experience, but I just couldn't commit. Same with the PtN packages and WoC (although I am considering the dessert party, still).

We ended up booking a Plaza Inn breakfast for our character meal, Cafe Orleans for a dinner, and Carnation Cafe for a lunch. That's it. Luckily, things at DLR are pretty flexible, so it's not feeling like the same need for urgency as WDW

 

[SMD]

You're not going to find themed dining at Carnation or CO. If you go in trying to recreate WDW dining at DLR you're setting yourself up for disappointment. What you get at DLR is location and in some cases ambiance. Have you looked at CS alternatives of you don't eat at TS for the meals you're thinking of? If you're flexible, then just find somewhere with food when you're hungry. You would probably be able to get into any TS except BB day of by eating at an off time and being willing to wait for a table.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was utterly overwhelmed when I first saw WDW's dining options being used to DL! BB is the most themed option by far, it is so different from anything at WDW. Your girls could split something at BB. There is a split charge but it's a lot less than a 2nd full meal. Our next favorite place to dine is Cafe Orleans where we split the Monte Cristo. The ambiance is not much but it's our favorite food on the property. None of the character dining at DL is worth booking when not especially interested in characters IMHO.

 

[tdhickey]

Blue Bayou all the way, never disappoints (well maybe when the credit card bill arrives in the mail).

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Your girls could split something at BB. There is a split charge but it's a lot less than a 2nd full meal.

I totally agree! OP, get the girls to split a plate because the Blue Bayou ambiance is wonderful and you shouldn't miss it. Portions are very large and even DH and I split-plate because their servings are too much food for either of us to finish. We also love the Carnation Cafe and have several bookings there per trip.

 

[cmph]

We just had our 2nd trip to DL; it is hard to compare it to WDW b/c there are just so many more options there with 4 parks and many more hotels. We enjoyed the Paint the Night Aladdin's package. You can eat in Aladdin's Oasis or take it to go, but you should definitely eat there. It's a pretty area, secluded from the mass of humanity that clogs up Adventureland. We were cracking up b/c they have Middle Eastern music playing, which you will then notice is all popular music (Beatles, etc) Middle Eastern-style. That was DH's favorite part! We weren't going to get our money's worth out of Blue Bayou for the Paint the Night package with a 10yo Disney "adult" (no splitting if you're doing that package, unless I was misinformed - everyone needs their own meal), although if you didn't intend to do the PtN package - it's a lovely restaurant. I'd do Aladdin's again, for sure. Schedule that for a late lunch when it's just too crowded to want to get in any lines b/c it's much more relaxing than quick service. We did brunch at the Plaza, which is a cute restaurant, and the food was fine, but we really did it for the characters (per DD's request). Our previous trip we did Goofy's Kitchen for dinner, and Ariel for breakfast, but we won't repeat either of those and I wouldn't recommend either to you if no one cares about characters. I'm sitting here struggling to remember where else we ate, and this was last week, so I guess that says something. Not that quick service places in WDW are always that memorable either! We ate at Storyteller's twice, which is in the GC right by the hotel's CA park entrance. The first time was dinner b/c the kids were tired of the parks, and then next time was lunch after walking past the quick service lines and deciding we'd rather wait for food at a table than wait in line. Not incredibly-themed, but cute enough, and we liked the food. Didn't have reservations either time, only waited a few minutes. While I would never ever ever go to WDW without my trip totally planned out, we did take the DL'ers advice to go with the flow more in DL, not knowing where we'd be when we wanted to eat... no fp+ dictating which section of which park we'd be in during meal times. 4 days, and we only booked the Plaza character brunch, Aladdin's PtN package, and WOC dessert party... and it was fine!

 

[texasgingerbread]

so even though Blue Bayou looks amazing, for those prices I don't think it would be worthwhile. I am thinking of doing the Aladdin's Paint the Night package.

I just went for my first trip at the beginning of March (WDW vet). I would definitely NOT book BB and book Aladdin's instead. We did BB PTN and then sat next to Aladdin seating for the PTN a different night and IMHO it was so much better. I think the charm of DL is watching the projections on IASW. On Main Street where the BB seating is the view to the castle is crap (remember how short it is) and so you are turning sidewalks to watch it off the Main St buildings which have trees blocking as well. Yes you won't see Tink but take my advice and view from IASW. Especially since you might be expecting something similar to Main St at WDW...doesn't even come close. DL is AMAZING but so different so don't compare the two. DL charm is IASW. It's so awesome! The facade is amazing and most of the fireworks are let off from Toontown so they are right there!! Also I know people love the food at BB but we were NOT impressed. Granted we ordered off the PTN menu so no Monte Cristo. The shrimp appetizer was very good as were the desserts. The main entrees...not so much. I can't believe we paid for that view.

 

[Epek]

Carthay Circle is my favorite

 

[Nevada Jen]

I thought BB was worth it for the food (about Outback quality) and that it was insanely cool eating inside a ride! Not sure I would do it again until Fantasmic comes back. I do think your teens would really like it. But food wise, Carthay Circle is definitely one of my faves (would eat there even if it were not in DL). I do make sure to eat there every trip. None of the other sit down places really excite me or stick in my memory.

 

[GatorChris]

I know what you mean, OP. I've been looking for places with as much ambiance/food character as Liberty Tree Tavern, Crystal Palace, BOG, Akershus, Biergarten, Marakesh, Tusker House, 50s PrimeTime, SciFi Drive-In, and even Pecos Bills and Flame Tree. I really miss all these great places to eat.

Blue Bayou IS expensive, and the ambiance is nice. But I find that San Angel actually has better ambiance - but certainly not better food...not even close. Carthay Circle is just too darn uppity for our tastes. It just seems like an old-folks restaurant to me, with very expensive food. Storytellers is really nothing to brag about. Even with characters in the morning.

But DL has a few places that are cool. Flo's V-8, while not know for great tasting food, is really cool when you walk in. So retro - you'll love it. If they served good food, this place would always have a line out the door. Plaza Inn has great fried chicken and reminds me a bit of Tony's. They used to have Big Thunder BBQ, which was western themed and had the best food on property....but of course Disney tears it down. Hungry Bear used to be cool, but now it's all covered up for the big Star Wars build. Now it's very blah.

I guess you're right. There's just nothing that really pops out about DL dining like it does for WDW.

 

[smartlabelprint]

With dessert party or meal packages when can you book these if not staying on site?

Does it make a difference if you are

Also do you pay in full on booking but can cancel without penalty?

Our first time but so much to take in

Thanks

It doesn't matter if you're staying on site or not.

You pay $10 per person if you don't show up or cancel. No prepay.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'd eat at BB for sure. Especially if it's your first DLR trip.

Skip plaza inn breakfast since you're not interested in characters.

My favorite counter service is French Market for the ambiance & food.