Disneyland Food Opinions

[klacey1]

OP, we're planning on similar days to you. One day at DL with lunch at Carnation Cafe and apps/drinks at Trader Sams, and the next day at DCA with lunch at Cove Bar. We're cool not park hopping since we know there's more than enough to do in DL in one day, and we plan to leave DCA a bit early so we can go back to our hotel (Hilton), change and get ready for a dinner at Steakhouse 55. I've read the lines at Cove aren't nearly as bad as they used to be thanks to the expanded seating. If you really love the menu there (I know my bf and I are super excited for multiple items!), I think showing up early will help ensure you don't have to wait too long in line and not "waste" time. Also, I'm pretty sure in no universe would I call sitting in a beautiful outdoor bar in the happiest place on earth, enjoying good food, drink and company a "waste" of time

 

[cruisehopeful]

If you are eating somewhere like the Plaza Inn you can time it with waiting for a parade to start so you don't feel like you are "wasting" time.

Do you know if you can see from the tables there? I always suspected that with everyone on the sidewalk standing, I wouldn't be able to see the parade.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

OP, we're planning on similar days to you. One day at DL with lunch at Carnation Cafe and apps/drinks at Trader Sams, and the next day at DCA with lunch at Cove Bar. We're cool not park hopping since we know there's more than enough to do in DL in one day, and we plan to leave DCA a bit early so we can go back to our hotel (Hilton), change and get ready for a dinner at Steakhouse 55. I've read the lines at Cove aren't nearly as bad as they used to be thanks to the expanded seating. If you really love the menu there (I know my bf and I are super excited for multiple items!), I think showing up early will help ensure you don't have to wait too long in line and not "waste" time. Also, I'm pretty sure in no universe would I call sitting in a beautiful outdoor bar in the happiest place on earth, enjoying good food, drink and company a "waste" of time

I'm glad we're not the only ones not park hopping! I think on our DCA day, we might sleep in a little more since we'll be in DL the WHOLE day before, so we'll be very tired. But also very true about Cove Bar...the scenery and those lobster nachos..I could spend all day there! I think we want to do the Carthay Circle/WOC dinner package too (if WOC is going that night). Enjoy your trip! When are you going?

 

[mommymermaid]

I actually prefer one park a day. I dunno why. I'm weird, and don't like to change atmospheres....

 

[tzeitel]

I know Cove Bar can have a line but DD and I went a few minutes after opening and there was no line. We have lunch early (I think it was around 11:30) to avoid crowds and there were maybe 5 tables occupied. We got a table by the bar, next to the water. The bar was pretty busy by then and by noon the entire place was busy. This was one of my "must do" places and was not holding any hope, maybe we got lucky that time but I am hoping we get lucky again in Oct.

Carthay is my favorite place at DCA, the food and the restaurant itself were great. We always do the Cozy Cones, I like the chili and DD gets the mac n' cheese.
In DtD Ralph Brennan's was really good for dinner. We did their take out place for breakfast - beignet french toast! I like their beignets better than the ones in DL.
In DL I always get a Dole Whip - the line might seem long but it moves fast, they have a CM handing out menus and taking orders down the line. Bengal BBQ has good skewers.

For a first time trip and only one day per park I would do -
DL - Blue Bayou for lunch (book first time available for a table by the water - I believe it is 11:30), Plaza for the fried chicken, Dole Whip while watching Tiki Room show.
DCA - Carthay WOC lunch package, Cozy Cones for dinner - very nice to sit in Carsland at night.
DTD - beignets and beignet french toast for breakfast at RB Jazz Kitchen (we actually did this on one of our parks days since they open before the parks open)

Hoppers at DLR are nice but with only 2 days I would not bother. There is so much to see and do at each park that you will not have a chance to hop.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I actually prefer one park a day. I dunno why. I'm weird, and don't like to change atmospheres....

I don't like to change either! I think if I had it, I would feel pressured to keep going back and forth too. I want to really explore everything because who knows when i'll get back.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I know Cove Bar can have a line but DD and I went a few minutes after opening and there was no line. We have lunch early (I think it was around 11:30) to avoid crowds and there were maybe 5 tables occupied. We got a table by the bar, next to the water. The bar was pretty busy by then and by noon the entire place was busy. This was one of my "must do" places and was not holding any hope, maybe we got lucky that time but I am hoping we get lucky again in Oct.

Carthay is my favorite place at DCA, the food and the restaurant itself were great. We always do the Cozy Cones, I like the chili and DD gets the mac n' cheese.
In DtD Ralph Brennan's was really good for dinner. We did their take out place for breakfast - beignet french toast! I like their beignets better than the ones in DL.
In DL I always get a Dole Whip - the line might seem long but it moves fast, they have a CM handing out menus and taking orders down the line. Bengal BBQ has good skewers.

For a first time trip and only one day per park I would do -
DL - Blue Bayou for lunch (book first time available for a table by the water - I believe it is 11:30), Plaza for the fried chicken, Dole Whip while watching Tiki Room show.
DCA - Carthay WOC lunch package, Cozy Cones for dinner - very nice to sit in Carsland at night.
DTD - beignets and beignet french toast for breakfast at RB Jazz Kitchen (we actually did this on one of our parks days since they open before the parks open)

Hoppers at DLR are nice but with only 2 days I would not bother. There is so much to see and do at each park that you will not have a chance to hop.

Now I really want to try Cove Bar...maybe that'll be our first thing depending when we get there. Good to hear about Carthay Circle. Is WOC every night? Because I know fireworks aren't nightly. I crave a Dole Whip daily ever since I got back from WDW, so I need one. Good tip about Ralph Brennan's, thanks!

 

[tzeitel]

Check out the nachos and the view Not So Teeny Tiny TR for a Teeny Tiny Trip

 

[klacey1]

I'm glad we're not the only ones not park hopping! I think on our DCA day, we might sleep in a little more since we'll be in DL the WHOLE day before, so we'll be very tired. But also very true about Cove Bar...the scenery and those lobster nachos..I could spend all day there! I think we want to do the Carthay Circle/WOC dinner package too (if WOC is going that night). Enjoy your trip! When are you going?

We're going to be in the parks October 28th and 29th! My boyfriend and I are traveling for business the 25th-27th, and I hope I get over to DTD or possibly the hotels on some of those evenings for exploring and other Disney dining!
I'm glad you haven't ruled out Cove Bar! It's one of the things I'm looking forward to the most at DCA!!

 

[Rabb it]

The wait sucks at Cove Bar but I just love that place so much...

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

The wait sucks at Cove Bar but I just love that place so much...

How long is it normally?

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

We're going to be in the parks October 28th and 29th! My boyfriend and I are traveling for business the 25th-27th, and I hope I get over to DTD or possibly the hotels on some of those evenings for exploring and other Disney dining!
I'm glad you haven't ruled out Cove Bar! It's one of the things I'm looking forward to the most at DCA!!

Have so so much fun! And I definitely think I want to go...

 

[Rabb it]

How long is it normally?

When we went recently we got in line at 10:30am, they open at 11, and were seated shortly after it opened. This might be the best option, but I don't know how early you eat lunch.. If you go around midd day or around dinner time you're looking 45 minutes to an hour I'd say..

 

[azdisneylover]

Does anyone know how early of a lunch you would need to have in order to catch a glimpse of Oscar? I would love to see him.



Another plug for the park hopper - it's essential at DLR, IMHO.

I would say to have the earliest lunch possible to see Oscar. He was there first thing in the morning, even when the parks opened for Magic Mornings. He was out and waving at people. He is such a sweet man.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I would say to have the earliest lunch possible to see Oscar. He was there first thing in the morning, even when the parks opened for Magic Mornings. He was out and waving at people. He is such a sweet man.

I get emotional just thinking about this LOL.

 

[meggles]

Do you know if you can see from the tables there? I always suspected that with everyone on the sidewalk standing, I wouldn't be able to see the parade.

I don't think you can see all that well. Maybe if you got the best placed table outside at Carnation Cafe you'd be able to eat and watch the parade at the same time. You could take your plaza inn food to go and sit on a bench or curb.

 

[agamble]

We have and we haven't decided if we want to spend the extra money for it. We do know it's VERY easy to park hop because of how close everything is, but we just think since it's our first time we want to really focus on one park on each day.

I will say that not having a Park Hopper for a 2-day trip is fine. There is plenty to do in both parks, and plenty to eat, so you really don't need to hop. We did a 4-day trip one year without park hopping to save a bit of money, and it was fine. Now we do often park hop when we have the option, so I do agree with others that it is nice, but I disagree that it is essential. Especially since this is your first trip, so everything you do will be your first time doing it. There's no way you'll find that you've done everything. Ultimately it's $20 more for a 3-day non hopper than a 2-day hopper. So if you really wanted extra time at Disneyland (and were willing to spend the money) you could get the 3-day non hopper and go to Disneyland the evening you arrived rather than trying to park hop your final day.

 

[twodogs]

Speaking of Mac and cheese, is the M&C at Smokejumpers (toddler meal) the same as at Flo's and/or Cozy Cones? My daughter loves the mac and cheese at Smokejumpers, but she needs a bigger portion than the toddler meal (she's 11)!!

 

[alvernon90]

I don't think you can see all that well. Maybe if you got the best placed table outside at Carnation Cafe you'd be able to eat and watch the parade at the same time. You could take your plaza inn food to go and sit on a bench or curb.

I have eaten outside at Carnation Cafe during a parade and it was fairly horrible. You can't see anything except people's butts and the very tops of some floats, so it's like not seeing the parade at all. Yet it is incredibly noisy, making it almost impossible to have a conversation.

Definitely don't eat on the patio during a parade.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I have eaten outside at Carnation Cafe during a parade and it was fairly horrible. You can't see anything except people's butts and the very tops of some floats, so it's like not seeing the parade at all. Yet it is incredibly noisy, making it almost impossible to have a conversation.

Definitely don't eat on the patio during a parade.

People often recommend eating here during a parade, and I'd recommend it as a last resort. I don't see the advantage of eating on the patio during a parade.