Disney CA??

[CAGirl]

Can someone tell me if there is a place to eat at DCA with fun themeing for kids such as Sci Fi or 50s Prime Time Cafe? We will be there in a few weeks. We are from CA but have not been back since the new park opened. Finally gonna make it there. Thanks
Deanna

 

[d-r]

They had a "soap opera bistro" but I think it closed, you would want to check. They have a place called "Ariels" where the wolf gang pucks used to be. That may be your best bet in the park. It is a character meal. They have lots of fast food - a wide variety - and one upscale place where the mondovi wine place used to be.

There is also a downtown disney right outside between dca and disneyland. They have a rain forest, if you like those, ralph brennon's (cajun), an espn club, a bakery, a pretty good simple Italian place, and catal, which is just a little bit more upscale. There may be some more things but that is what I remember. You should also think about the restaurants in the hotels, I think there is a Goofy something at the disneyland hotel, but didn't try it.

DR

 

[daannzzz]

The "Soap Opera Bistro" is closed and now houses the "Bear in the Big Blue House". The Hollywood and Dine , which was a counter service place with seating areas in themed spots in a sound stage, is closed. The two "nicer" places at the winery will not be of interest to kids. There are some counter service places in the Pacific Warf area but they have not particularly fun things. Taste Pilots grill is also a counter service place with jet engines as a theme. The only really fun place is Ariel's Grotto which is a full service place. The interior is pretty with a sort of under the sea motif but since it was formerly Wolfgan Puck's it is more of an artsy than kid oriented decore. There is outdoor seating on the water side deck. But it is a character meal with parading and dancing and Ariel is often at the front of the restaurant on her rock for pictures.

 

[saturday97]

DCA's eateries pale in comparison to anything in WDW. Many people walk from DCA through the gate of the Grand Californian hotel to it's restaurants, which include a sandwich shop.

My DS enjoyed Goofy's kitchen at one of the hotels (Pretty sure it's the Disneyland hotel but might be Paradise Pier).

Disneyland's main dining attraction is Blue Bayou, which is really good.

 

[CAGirl]

Thanks for the input....sounds like we will be better off at Disneyland which we are familiar with or going to one of the hotels. Sounds to me like a lot of places have come and gone. Not so good considering the park is not very old. Guess they are still trying to figure out what we as park guests want. Choosing where to eat is such a difficult choice when we go to DisneyWorld...there are so many good ones to choose from.

Thanks again
Deanna

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by CAGirl
Thanks for the input....sounds like we will be better off at Disneyland which we are familiar with or going to one of the hotels. Sounds to me like a lot of places have come and gone. Not so good considering the park is not very old. Guess they are still trying to figure out what we as park guests want. Choosing where to eat is such a difficult choice when we go to DisneyWorld...there are so many good ones to choose from.

Thanks again
Deanna

Disneyland is generally the LAST place I want to eat at. The food at DCA is heads on shoulders over the quality that you will usually find at DL. You can easily eat at THe Grand Californian too. White Water Snacks (don't let the name fool you) is a wonderful, hidden treasure. Storytellers Cafe is an awesome full service restaurant There are other great restaurants in DTD and the other Disneyland Resort hotels.

 

[daannzzz]

It is unfortunate that Disney can't seem to get the West coast dining down like it is in WDW. Most of the food at Disneyland is just okay. Disneyland only has one and a half full service restaurants. The Blue Bayou and the Carnation patio. Most of the restaurants at Disneyland though are nothing special as far as taking kids. It is amazing that the at Magic Kingdom in Flroidia you can eat in Cinderellas Castle or have lunch or dinner ( and breakfast) with Pooh and friends and have dinner with Mickey. Where are the fun places at Disneyland. Even the Blue Bayou is just okay for the kids. I love the atmosphere there. DCA had quite a few places when they opened but the choices they made were just not exciting. I love eating at full service places at WDW inside the parks and at the resorts. They just chose the wrong themes and menues at DCA. I would be happy to partake in all the restaurants if they can come up with some fun themes with good menus.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I agree with the others who said that the only place interesting for kids would be Ariel's Grotto - character lunch & dinner at Paradise Pier. We went there and really enjoyed it, but you're paying for the character interaction.

Luckily for us, DCA is just a short walk away from Downtown Disney and Disneyland, and the Disney hotels, so dining outside the park will be easy.