Dining ?

[mforbach]

What would be the best character meal for DD7? Also do they have vouchers that you buy for these meals or just pay when you get there? Where are the best places to eat in the parks and do all restaurants accept disney dollars including the sit down restaurants? Sorry so many questions but this is our first trip to Dianeyland. Thanks for any info.

 

[sierranevada]

I highly recommend Goofy's Kitchen (at Disney Hotel) - we go every year and kids and adults love it. I have not personally eaten at Ariel's Grotto since the change from Wolfgang Puck's, but have mostly good things about it - it is in California Adventure. Both suggest reservations.

My other favorite a corn dog from Corn Dog Castle in Paradise Pier - yummm!! All restaurants accept Disney Dollars.

 

[daannzzz]

I haven't doen the new Plaza Inn Character Breakfast but I have been to Goofy's Kitchen and Ariel's Grotto. Goofy's Kitchen has a buffet and it is loaded with stuff. It is a pleasant, contemporary atmosphere and there are lots of characters. It is usually crowded and boisterous. The food is good.
Ariels's has been a bit mellower with less characters but less people too. It has a contemporary "under the sea" decore that is pretty. The food is good here too.
As far as other places to eat in the parks and hotels.....
At Disneyland the premier full service restaurant is The Blue Bayou located at the edge of the bayou where the Pirates of the Caribbean boats float by. It is similar to the San Angel Inn at the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot. Food is decent. Atmosphere is outstanding. The only other full service place in Disneyland is The Cartation Cafe on Main St. It is an out door sdiewalk cafe with sanwiches and soups etc.
I really like the Plaza Inn for lunch or dinner. It has a small menu and is sort of cafatieria service but the food is good and the decore is fancy (similar to the Crystal Palace but more frilly), unless you eat outside at the tables with umbrellas.
The French Market is also cafateria style and has had good food.
At Rancho Del Zacolo I have been disappointed in the Mexican food but haven't tried the BBQ side yet. This is a counter service / cafateria but has a nice atmosphere.
Redd Rockets Pizza Port(another cafeteria / counter service) has just okay pizza but good pasta and salads and a bland atmosphere.
At DCA Ariel's Grotto is good. The Tratorria at the winery was decent but nothing special. The Vineyard room is expensive and looks nice but has a more upscale menue. I haven't tried it yet. The rest of the places are all counter service. Pizza at Pizza Ooo Mow Mow was uninspired. I have yet to try the other places. There is a full scale McDonnalds masquerading as a place called Burger Invasion. There is a Mexican food place and soup and salad place in Pacific Warf but I haven't been inspires to try them. Have heard good things about the burgers at Taste Pilots grill.
At the Hotels I like Hooks Point at the Disneyland Hotel, as well as Goofy's Kitchen. At the Grand Californian I like Storytellers Cafe a lot.
I am sorry I don't know about the food vouchers. I would assume that all the park restaurants take Disney Dollars and think the hotel restaurants do. I know they don't take them at Downtown Disney restaurants.

 

[cuterlt]

A couple questions daannzzz....
I haven't done the dinner at Plaza Inn, but I sure liked the character breakfast we did there. Can you give me an idea of the cost of dinner there?
How about Storytellers - we had a breakfast there too and loved it. Is there a buffet or menu dinner? Price?
Thanks a bunch!

 

[daannzzz]

Lunch and dinner are the same at the Plaza. I don't know if they up the price a bit a dinner though. I usually get the pasta with a salad and a soda it it comes to around $17 - $18. The salad is an extra cost.
Storyteller has a menu and a buffet. I have not done the buffet. I usually get a particular salad I like, a main dish, a drink,and a desert (though I can't finish everything anymore) and my bill is usually $30 - $40. You can do it for less. They have a great hamburger or Pizza. You can skip the expensive (but good) salad and desert!

 

[Elly]

I think the entrees at the Plaza run from about $10 to $15. The servings are very generous, so I usually don't get anything else except a drink. For instance, the chicken dinner includes vege, potatoes, and 3 big pieces of chicken. Sometimes we split an entree and then get a dessert.

 

[mousecrazy]

I HAVE to eat lunch (or at least a snack) at the Bengel BBQ (counter service) across from Jungle Cruise. They make an asparagus/bacon skewer that I just love. It's a nice break from the typical vacation fare.

We also eat dinner at the Plaza Inn. The chicken dinner is the best. It has a nice quiet, relaxing atmosphere.