Disneyworld pro going to Disneyland

[danmbrock]

My family is planning our first trip to Disneyland. We are DVC member and go to Disney World every year. I am looking for some advice on where to eat and what to do.

We are staying st the Grand Californian Hotel.

We are also asking anyone who did The Gallery Dessert buffet at Disneyland with Vip seating for the Fantasmic show. Is it worth the price for a dessert buffet.

 

[HydroGuy]

My family is planning our first trip to Disneyland. We are DVC member and go to Disney World every year. I am looking for some advice on where to eat and what to do.

We are staying st the Grand Californian Hotel.

We are also asking anyone who did The Gallery Dessert buffet at Disneyland with Vip seating for the Fantasmic show. Is it worth the price for a dessert buffet.

As far as what to do, check out this lengthy thread:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

As far as where to eat, are you looking for table service, counter service, really nice, places for families, etc.?

 

[danmbrock]

I would say Sit down for Families. We have a 13 year old and a 3 year old.
We love the character dining. When we go to WDW we always plan one sit down meal a day whether breakfast or dinner.

 

[HydroGuy]

I would say Sit down for Families. We have a 13 year old and a 3 year old.
We love the character dining. When we go to WDW we always plan one sit down meal a day whether breakfast or dinner.

Well, both table service and counter service qualify for "sit down" so I will discuss both. Note that DLR has areas where it exceeds WDW, but dining is not one of them.

Character dining is discussed here: www.wdwinfo.com/Disneyland/dining.htm

The best table service restaurant at DL is the Blue Bayou. It is pricey but the atmosphere if not the food are special. Counter service options at DL that we like are Redd Rocketts Pizza Port, Hungry Bear, Rancho Del Zocalo and Coke Corner.

We have never done a table service at DCA but I hear good things about the Trattoria and that is where I want to go on our next trip. We like Taste Pilots Grille for counter service at DCA and go there once on every trip. Their burgers are very good for a counter service dining.

Outside the parks we like the Rainforest Cafe in DTD. Storyteller's Cafe at GCH is good as well. Napa Rose at GCH and the Vineyard Room at DCA are very nice and also pricey.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We are also asking anyone who did The Gallery Dessert buffet at Disneyland with Vip seating for the Fantasmic show. Is it worth the price for a dessert buffet.

I'm a BIG fan of Fantasmic... it's so much better at DLR... I think the buffet is worth it, to avoid sitting on the bricks and dealing with people cutting in front of you. IMHO!

 

[DLR29]

Personally I seriously do not think the Fantasmic dessert package is worth it. It's like $60 (like the cost of admission) for a box of desserts and a seat for a 25 minute show. I'd rather spend that $60 elsewhere.

 

[kikiq]

My family is planning our first trip to Disneyland. We are DVC member and go to Disney World every year. I am looking for some advice on where to eat and what to do.

We are staying st the Grand Californian Hotel.

Just spent 2 nights at the GCH concierage and loved it. We are DLR AP holders and decided to enjoy the resort this weekend. If you can spare a morning, take the pilates class or even better the power walk in DCA BEFORE it opens. It's approx 2 miles of brisk walking through DCA with a knowledgable CM. Talked about upcoming improvements and it was so cool to have the park to ourselves. We missed the Art of Craft tour. This weekend also had a movie showing for the kids and a special animated drawing session.

Our favorite place for character dinner is Goofy's Kitchen. I know some have had spotty character sightings but we've been early and we've been late and have always had plenty of characters visit us. Our family favorite is StoryTeller's Cafe, a note here, go earlier, our worst experience was a night we were seated late and when the late crowd came in after the parade, there were cranky families all over. We just discovered Napa Rose, but not a place I personally would take children, it's pricey but wonderful.
DTD is right outside of the GCH. We personally like Brennans and House of Blues over Raintree Forest Cafe, but the RFC is more appealing to a small child.

Check on that Gallery Dessert Buffet for Fantasmic...the gallery is now the new 'Disney apartment. They were doing special filming this weekend up on the balcony where the dessert buffet use to be. I know there is a special seating area on the steps now, but don't know how you get that seating. We're not spoiled by the WDW seating so we just find our spot on the ground or stand over by the HM to watch the show.