Dining

[Sleeping Beauty fan]

We are WDW vets visiting DL for the first time (and probably only time) for two days in October. I'm trying to decide on dining. I think we want Blue Bayou twice for the atmosphere. We are eaters, so I thought I would make lunch and dinner reservations both days. What else do you recommend? Plaza and Carnation Cafe look good. Anything else I should consider?

 

[SMD]

You can only make ADRs at Plaza Inn for the character breakfast. With only 2 days I think you give up a lot of time with 2 sit down meal per day, and especially Blue Bayou twice. If you have park hoppers, you may not want to be tied to an ADR in one park, twice per day. There are some good and unique CS options at DLR. Look at Red Rose Taverne (if it's still around), French Market, Flo's V8.

 

[figment_jii]

Blue Bayou is the most iconic restaurant in Disneyland and I would highly recommend making a reservation if you know you want to eat there. Just note that on select days in October (when MHP is occurring, which is usually Tuesdays and Fridays), the Blue Bayou will close at 4:00 pm (after lunch ends) and switch over to a MHP dining package; so if you want dinner, go on a non-MHP night.

Cafe Orleans has very good food and great views of the Rivers of America and New Orleans Square. The food is somewhat similar to Blue Bayou, but the specific dishes are different. I highly recommend the gumbo and pomme frites. Carnation Cafe has yummy food (American comfort-style foods) and a mixture of indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating has a limited view of Main Street and the Emporium (I don't recommend trying to dine at Carnation and see the parade at the same time). The Plaza Inn is only a TS at breakfast (character buffet); for lunch and dinner it is a CS. I highly recommend the fried chicken!

Over in DCA, I would opt for either the Wine Country Trattoria (Italian) or the Cove Bar. The Cove Bar does not take reservations and the wait can be fairly lengthy for a table, but the lobster nachos are outstanding.

Over in DTD, I really like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. For the hotels, Storyteller's (at the GCH) is pretty good. It has an a la carte menu or a buffet at dinner (both are good).