Eating outside the parks

[Geemo]

We arrive on a Monday in July and want to find a place outside of the parks for dinner (don't have tickets until the next day).

We have 2 daughters (ages 3 & 7).

Looking for a "nice" place that kids can enjoy as well.

We did trader sam's a few years back, and is still an option for an early evening dinner, but are there other recommendations? How is Story Tellers for dinner?

Any other recommendations?

Probably not doing character dinning this time.

Where will you be staying?
On our last trip we were lucky enough to stay at the DLH.
My grandkids had a blast eating pizza pool side a couple of times.

If there's a pool where you're staying they might enjoy the same thing.
Marris Pizza's were great, they deliver and the cost is less than $20. They even bring napkins and paper plates.
Here's a link to their website-menu, they have more than pizza. http://marrispizza.com/

For dessert you could go to DTD HaggenDazs or ColdStoneCreamery on Harbor.

Geemo

 

[Heymy]

We love doing Goofy's for dinner on arrival day before we go to the parks. My girls beg for it.
I love Tortilla Jo's and the rest of the family loves Naples and UVA Bar.
Storytellers has been hit or miss for us. The girls do enjoy making their own pizzas
Jazz Kitchen can be fun, but the outside tables are challenging with kids and their uncanny ability to spill.
Rainforest Cafe has let us down more than once. The food is mediocre, but the kids are entertained.

 

[elaine amj]

This is wonderful - I am taking lots of notes as we will be there in mid-July for a week.

Also, another DIS'er mentioned that both Tortilla Joe and Catal have birthday clubs where you get a coupon for up to $30 off on your birthday month.

 

[4Parksoneworld]

Where will you be staying?
On our last trip we were lucky enough to stay at the DLH.
My grandkids had a blast eating pizza pool side a couple of times.

If there's a pool where you're staying they might enjoy the same thing.
Marris Pizza's were great, they deliver and the cost is less than $20. They even bring napkins and paper plates.
Here's a link to their website-menu, they have more than pizza. http://marrispizza.com/

For dessert you could go to DTD HaggenDazs or ColdStoneCreamery on Harbor.

Geemo

We are staying at the Marriott.

Thanks all for the ideas. We are use to WDW; where ADRs are required (even for most restaurants in DTD) at the times we typically go.

If we stay in the DTD area; are there any restaurants that require reservations well in advance?

We are a little more than 50 days out now.

 

[taniahappy]

Gardewalk http://www.anaheimgardenwalk.com/dining/ has great dining options, we always enjoy Cheessecake Factory

 

[Indiana Scott]

Just to start building the excitement and get into the Disney mood, I suggest walking through Down Town Disney and picking a nice restaurant there. You will have many great choices for different levels of formality from Rain Forest Cafe to Tortilla Joes to Jazz Kitchen. A few hours spent dining and walking between the shops will really get you into the Disney spirit!

 

[ADLFAN]

Has anyone been to and enjoyed ESPN Zone? I haven't been there - but I thought they had a big menu and an arcade that kids might like.

 

[agamble]

This is wonderful - I am taking lots of notes as we will be there in mid-July for a week.

Also, another DIS'er mentioned that both Tortilla Joe and Catal have birthday clubs where you get a coupon for up to $30 off on your birthday month.

This is the same club so you have to choose which restaurant you'll use it at. If you go to their site and register it asks what city you'll be in (or something like that) and lists the different options. There are 4 or so restaurants in DTD owned by that company. You only get one coupon for your birthday, expires one month or so after birthday.

 

[elaine amj]

We have 3 birthdays in July (DH, DD, and myself) so we can have 3 different coupons LOL! I just did more research into the Patina Group birthday offer and it looks like they have Tortilla Jo's, Catal, Naples, UVA near Disney. Hmmmmm.....

 

[agamble]

We have 3 birthdays in July (DH, DD, and myself) so we can have 3 different coupons LOL! I just did more research into the Patina Group birthday offer and it looks like they have Tortilla Jo's, Catal, Naples, UVA near Disney. Hmmmmm.....

Yep! My husband and I both have May birthdays and with the coupons being good for a month or so we used them in June last summer, one on each trip. We went to Tortilla Jo's both times. It's definitely the best "value" for your dollar; originally we had reservations for UVA for a dessert dinner on our anniversary. We cancelled it for more park time and used the other coupon for our following trip. Make sure you have cash for a tip if you only spend the $30, probably not a problem with 3 of you. We ended up having to go back and tip the waiter another day because our bill was $0 and we didn't have cash (should have been tax, but I think they waived it).

 

[elaine amj]

Sweet. I wonder if they would let you use 2 coupons for one table?

 

[agamble]

Sweet. I wonder if they would let you use 2 coupons for one table?

No. When you get the coupon it has the fine print on it. You'll have to do two different dinners.

 

[elaine amj]

Read some more fine print and the birthday coupons are only good for those over 21. So DD doesn't count. Just DH and I - we will plan 2 different dinners One at Tortilla Joe's and one at Naples. With $30 off, these should be super cheap meals - Yay!

 

[Reepicheep]

This may sound cheap and very redneck, but there's an IHOP right there at the DL crosswalk. It happens to be my son and youngest daughter's favorite place to eat. They can't get enough pancakes! While it's pricier there than other IHOPs, it's still cheaper than other places in the area. We also like Rainforest Cafe if we don't have a meal budget.

Plus kids 12 and under eat free after 4pm. It was my daughters favourite Anaheim restaurant for years.

(I'm from Alberta, Canada, so I'm definitely a redneck)

 

[happy4tac]

Has anyone been to and enjoyed ESPN Zone? I haven't been there - but I thought they had a big menu and an arcade that kids might like.

This is a must do for my husband. The kids enjoy it and the food has been good every time we have gone.