Disneyland Dining Questions

[Snow_White]

After having been to WDW dozens of times over the years, my fiance and I have decided to make the leap across the country and visit Disneyland/DCA for 5 nights on Jan 29 (we'll have 4 full days at the 2 parks). We're staying at the Disneyland Hotel. The biggest thing that we are unsure of is where to eat! We've done our research and have a list of places that might be good, but we're still not sure about most of them. Our only requirements are that we want a waitress (we don't want any counter service places) and we don't want any character meals. Having said that, do you think these are good choices for our lunches/dinners at Disneyland?

1. Blue Bayou - this is the only place we are 100% sure we want to go
2. Hook's Pointe at Disneyland Hotel
3. Storyteller's Cafe at the Grand Californian
4. Plaza Inn at Disneyland
5. Carnation Cafe at Disneyland
6. River Belle Terrace at Disneyland
7. Wine Country Trattoria at DCA

Are these good places to eat??? Any that we should avoid?? Are there any other places on property that we should try to hit for a meal? Thank you so much in advance!! I know all about WDW, I am TOTALLY clueless about Disneyland!!

Jenn

 

[iceskatejen]

Plaza Inn and River Belle Terrace are not table service, though both are good.
Storytellers is a character meal at breakfast, but not the rest of the day. With only wanting table service, you are really cutting off your food choices as DLR doesn't have that many in-park table service restaurants. There are some very good counter service places. I love Rancho Del Zocolo--good food and a good value.

 

[cryssi]

I luv the Blue Bayou! It's one of my favorite places to eat in the park... Zocalo is definitely a good choice too. I've also been dying to try the Napa Rose...I've heard nothing but good things about that.

 

[barbarabee]

Here are my favorites:
Napa Rose at the Grand Californian
Hook's Pointe at the Disneyland Hotel
Blue Bayou in Disneyland
Wine Country Trattoria in DCA
Carnation Cafe on Main Street in Disneyland is nice

Consider Arial's Grotto in DCA, it's a character meal but the atmosphere is very nice. Also there are a couple of restaurants in the Paradise Pier Hotel that are pretty good.

Downtown Disney restaurants take priority seating reservations. I particularly enjoy Naples Ristorante and Catal. Downtown Disney is right outside the entrance to the parks. There is also a Mexican restaurant, a House of Blues, a New Orlean's style restaurant and a Rainforest Cafe. Lots of choices for sit down dining if you're willing to venture outside of the two parks.

 

[daannzzz]

Those are all great places to eat and my favorites, except for one.
The Carnation Cafe is a cute little cafe but nothing spectacular. I had and unimpressive breakfast here. The food was warm and not particularly fresh tasting. The cafe is wedged inbetween two buildings and a bit caustrophobic feeling...for me at least. The lunch/dinner looks decent and, in general, seems to get good reviews so you probably will be okay if you don't do breakfast there.
The Riverbell Terrace was good for breakfast but the Sandwich I had was a bit bland. Nice portion in a nice setting but the meat tasted like..well lunch meat and not necissarily like ham or turkey. The small interior dining area has more atmosphere b ut the outdoor seating has great views of New Orleans Square and the rivers of America.

 

[barbarabee]

Oh yeah...regarding Blue Bayou, if you want their signature dish, the Monte Cristo sandwich, you'll have to go for lunch as it isn't on the dinner menu. We were disappointed by that on our last trip!

 

[15minfromOGDL]

Hook's Pointe is great... They have a creme brulee with 3 ramkins that's heavenly. I would highly add Napa Rose @GCH to your list, I believe it one of the better restaurants in the OC/LA area, they have an really cool outdoor lounge for pre-/post-dinner drinks that has a firepit that's basically inside the Grizzly Rapids section of DCA. To me this is one of the most underrated spots @ the DL resort, in the evening it's incredible.

 

[ssnyder]

My favorite is the Wine Country Trattoria at DCA. Try to get a PS just before the Electric Parade and ask for a seat on the patio and you'll have a great viewing location. I also liked the Blue Bayou, but it was extremely close sitting and you are stuck with your neighbors conversations.

For downtown Disney, Naples is good but be sure to get seated upstairs. Downstairs is more hectic and less atmosphere. I like the Catal Bar (outside). We also went to House of Blues for lunch and got right in.

The Plaza Inn is a buffet, but it has great, quiet atmosphere and the seating is very comfortable.

If you like Sushi, be sure to make a trip over to the Paradise Pier to Yamabuki. It is very good.

I also try to avoid most of the counter service. For the most part, they just aren't that great. There are a few places in DCA though that are good for a quick bite. Also Hungry Bear and Pizza Port in Disneyland are not bad, but crowded. The Main Street Cone shop also makes a great root beer float.

 

[denyd]

Napa Rose is fantastic - Perfect for a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, proposal...). A little on the expensive side though. Expect $75 per person for salad, entree, dessert & wine. This is a great place for couples to dress up and enjoy quiet, romantic atmosphere. After dinner wander over to the Grand Californian lobby, the roaring fire is also quite wonderful.

As for table service inside the parks, there isn't much to choose from. The Blue Bayou in DL with a view of Pirates and Wine Country in DCA are the best in each place.

 

[Snow_White]

Wow, thanks for all of the info! It was all extremely helpful--much more so than my guidebooks

Thanks again,
Jenn

 

[LeftCoaster]

Pretty good choices there. I think Storyteller's is the underrated gem at DLR. Also, you may want to check out Whitewater Snacks also located at the Grand Californian. Don't let the name fool you. Really good food, really GREAT portions, and good pricing too. You order a tthe cahs register, the food is pretty much made to order and brought to your table. I remember the burger's and sandwiches also come with fresh fruit on the side.
The Disneyland counter service restaurants generally come up short imo to DCA. The burger's at Taste Pilots are much better than any at DL I don't like the pizza a Redd Rockett's Pizza Port... but, I really do enjoy the Chicken Fusili there.