Favorite Counter and Full Service Dining at each...

[dngrmys]

We are long time WDW visitors, but have not been to DLR in close to 20 years. We love to eat so we're curious to hear what your favorite counter service and full service dining spots are at:



Magic Kingdom

California Adventure

The Disney Resorts (all three combined)

Downtown Disney

 

[Diszona]

Keep in mind ours are very kid-oriented and stay in the parks most of the time so a lot has to do with character meals, etc.
For us at Disneyland Park it is Plaza Inn for counter service and Blue Bayou for sit down.
at DCA it is Wine Country Trattoria for sit down and we really don't have a favorite counter service there
we have only eaten at Goofy's Kitchen at the resorts so I guess that is it.
In DTD, it is Earl of Sandwich for counter service and I guess Rainforest Cafe for sit down (though I am not a huge fan of the food there, when I think about it we don't eat at DTD too often)

 

[Eddygirl]

We (family of 4 with a teen and pre-teen) are generally snackers and grazers while at the parks. We also share counter service meals so we are not too full to continue to attack the rides.

DL:
Full service: We like BB for the atmosphere. It is one of a kind. We prefer lunch and make this our big meal of the day.We also like lunch because there is something about going inside mid-day and be submerged into twilight in the Bayou.
Counter service: Harbour Galley-soup in a bread bowl or a stuffed baked potato split between 2 of us is plenty and food is good!

CA:
Full service: Never had a sit down in this park.
Counter service: Probably a split between the Corndog Castle (DS's fav) and the Cozy Cones. We love the Chili Cone Quesso.

Resorts:
Not much help here, sorry! We are planning on a visit to Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar in the DLH during our March Trip. Looking forward to that one!

DTD:
Full service: Had a great meal at Naples. Fabulous wood fire pizza. UVA Bar is a great place to sit and have some snacks and a glass of wine.
Counter service: Jazz kitchen Express- The gumbo there is really good and the Beignets are THE BEST!! I also have a feeling we will hit up Earl of Sandwich now that it is open.

Eating at DL is so different than DW. At DW I feel like we need to do more sit downs than at DL. I also find the counter service at DL is better.

 

[Geemo]

We like Plaza Inn for the chicken dinner. It's one meal that will fill up my DGS.
The Carnation Cafe has a menu that fits all of us. The Loaded Baked Potato soup is a favorite!!
River Belle Terrace has a nice variety of choices too.

For DCA Flo's or Taste Pilots Grill.

Geemo

 

[Canuck16]

DL
We love Blue Bayou for lunch.......the atmosphere is amazing!! If your family likes all you can eat you can try the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ.

DCA
Go to Carsland and try either the Cozy Cone Motel or Flo's.....we like the Chilli Cone Queso at the Cozy Cone! They may even have a Bacon Mac & Chees

Resorts
We never go to any at the Resorts but this trip we are going to the Enchanted Tiki Bar at DLH......the drinks look amazing!

DTD
We usually go to Earl of Sandwich. If you sign up for the Earl of Sandwich EClub they will give you a free sandwich. Just make sure that you do this not sooner than about 30 days before you plan on being there as I believe that they expire after than time. I hope that the Cannonball is still there for our trip in March as I really want to try that

 

[mickeyhereicome]

Following along for our first trip to DL in 2 weeks.

At DCA I see no sit down that sparks our interest so I was thinking just counter service. If my kids want corn dogs, I want Mexican, and my mom wants something vegetarian how far will it be to achieve all of this? Will we be walking all over the place? WDW vet so thinking along that line.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

DL: I rarely eat sit down at Disneyland, but if I do, it's always at Blue Bayou. The atmosphere can't be beat. For counter service, I'd choose Plaza Inn. (Yum, Fried Chicken).

DCA: Carthay Circle has a great atmosphere, but for me the services and food is mediocre. I like Wine Country Trattoria better. For quick service, I like Flo's or Boardwalk Pizza/Pasta

Resorts: Napa Rose is the best restaurant on property in my opinion, and Whitewater snacks next door, is a good quiet quick service spot.

DTD: I rarely do sit down in DTD, though I would probably choose Jazz Kitchen if I did. Earl of Sandwich is my favorite place in DTD for food though.

 

[figment_jii]

Disneyland
-TS: This one varies depend on my mood and the weather (really, yes, the weather). I like Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans, and Big Thunder BBQ, but the latter two are outdoor venues, so those are only good on non-rainy/non-super-hot days.
-CS: French Market (NOS) is probably my favorite, followed closely by the Plaza Inn.

DCA
-TS: Carthay Circle and the Carthay Circle Lounge are my two favorites.
-CS: Flo's V-8 Cafe has pretty good options, but in general I've found DCA to weak on dining options.

DTD
-TS: Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is my favorite. We tend to go for Sunday brunch which features live Jazz music and a brunch menu (full lunch menu is also avialable).
-CS: Earl of Sandwich has lots of good options, but it can be slightly slow when really busy.

Resorts
-TS: Storytellers (GCH) has very good options, especially the Corn Chowder.
-QS: Tangarroa Terrace (DLH) has good options and a nice outdoor seating area.

In terms of mixing and matching CS options, it depends largely on what you're looking for. In DCA, you can probably find the widest variety at Pacific Wharf (it has Mexican for sure, not sure about vegetarian). You might have to walk to Paradise Pier area for the corn dog (at Corn Dog Castle).

 

[purple figment]

Disneyland (it's called the Magic Kingdom only at WDW )
-TS: Blue Bayou - Wonderful atmosphere, request a table by the water. We like the lunch menu more than the dinner menu.
-TS (Family style): Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue - very good food and plenty of it.
-CS: The Plaza Inn (Lunch or dinner) - The chicken dinner is so good.

DCA
-TS: Carthay Circle - Be sure to try the biscuits. Also the Carthay Circle Lounge has an excellent small plates menu of its own.

Resorts
-TS: Storyteller's Cafe in GCH - A favorite for lunch for our family.
-CS: Tangaroa Terrace at the DLH

DTD
-TS: Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen - So many good things on the menu
-CS: Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express - A good place for beignets or Earl of Sandwich for the Holiday Sandwich.

 

[Kristina4109]

My favorites:

TABLE SERVICE:

DISNEYLAND PARK: Blue Bayou, especially for lunch on a hot day
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE: So far it's been Ariel's Grotto BUT we'll be eating in Carthay Circle soon so that may change...

QUICK SERVICE:

DISNEYLAND PARK: French Market is a QS that feels like a TS. Yummy food, beautiful outdoor atmosphere. If you're lucky you can find a table when the Royal Street Bachelors are playing Dixieland jazz on the stage.
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE: Flo's V8 Cafe! Love it for both breakfast and lunch. Yummy food and we love sitting in Doc's office. We've never eaten outdoors with a view of Radiator Springs Racers because it's been too hot on our last two visits.

 

[ImDMous]

DL:
Counter - We probably go to Hungry Bear most often, the sweet potato fries and the lemon cupcake are delicious
Table - lately we've been going to Carnation Cafe every time, but BB is a special occasion favorit.

DCA:
Counter - Paradise Garden Grill; love the greek salad with an added chicken kabob, huge and tasty
Table - Wine Country

Hotels:
Counter - never tried any
Table - Storytellers and Trader Sams

DTD:
Counter - only one we have been to is Earl of Sandwich
Table - Tortilla Jo's, but we like Ralph Brennan's too.

 

[DahliaRW]

Disneyland -

Sit down is a three way tie between Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans, and Carnation Cafe. LOVE Carnation for breakfast (we always do the latest reservation and make it more of lunch). Both BB and CO are "New Orleans" themed, CO has the better food, BB the better atmosphere (where else can you eat INSIDE a ride).

CS - Jolly Holiday Bakery

DCA

Sit Down - Carthay Circle. No comparison at all.
CS - Taste Pilots Grill
Dessert - Ghiradelli - share the sundae, they are huge!

DTD

For atmosphere if you have young kids, Rainforest.

We used to like Ralph Brennan's for sit down too, but were disappointed with our last visit there and probably won't go back.

I'm honestly not a huge fan of most of the DTD places - wish they had better options like at WDW.

Resorts

Sit Down - Napa Rose, chef's counter preferred

 

[Sherry E]

Disneyland:

Counter Service -- Plaza Inn

Table service -- Carnation Café



California Adventure:

CS -- I was kind of partial to the old Taste Pilots' Grill (I loved the burgers, shakes and classic-rock-with-an-aviation/space-theme soundtrack), but I don't know what it's going to be like after the changes are made

TS -- Wine Country Trattoria



Hotels:

CS -- Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel

TS (non-character meal) -- Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian Hotel, for lunch or dinner

Character Meal/buffet -- Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel



Downtown Disney:

CS -- Without question, Earl of Sandwich

TS -- I guess I would choose Rainforest Café, only because I like the theme of the restaurant and I like the wide variety of food and drink options on the menu. But I really like ESPN Zone and Naples too.

​

 

[dngrmys]

Disneyland (it's called the Magic Kingdom only at WDW )

Doh! I am such a DLR rookie.

Thanks to all for the replies and please keep them coming and they are extremely helpful! I have a question about Plaza Inn - can you get all white meat (or dark meat) for an upcharge?

 

[Fantaluminishes]

We are long time WDW visitors, but have not been to DLR in close to 20 years. We love to eat so we're curious to hear what your favorite counter service and full service dining spots are at:



Magic Kingdom

California Adventure

The Disney Resorts (all three combined)

Downtown Disney

Clearly you are WDW regulars. We don't call it "Magic Kingdom" here, unless we say "Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom". Otherwise it's just Disneyland.

As far as the dining locations go, here are my choices:

Table Service:
DL - Café Orleans and Big Thunder BBQ
DCA - Carthay Circle (the best of both parks)
DTD - Catal
Hotels - Steakhouse 55

Counter Service
DL - Hungry Bear (most relaxing spot in the park) or Rancho del Zocalo (if you're in the mode for Mexican food)
DCA - Corn Dog Castle
DTD - Ralph Brennan's Express (mostly for the beignets)
Hotels - No Vote

Also...
The Cove Bar at DCA is really good. They have a nice selection of drinks, but are pretty famous for their Lobster Nachos. Their tri-tip sliders are also very good.

 

[mt mommy]

Table Service
DLR- Carnation Cafe (shrimp salad is amazing!)
Big Thunder BBQ

DCA- Carthay Circle

DTD- Naples


Counter Service-

DLR- Jolly Holiday Bakery- (amazing salads and desserts!)
DCA- ???


Hotels-

Disneyland hotel- Loved Steakhouse 55, food was amazing, we had terrible service??
Disneyland Hotel- Goofy's kitchen for breakfast, food was great, characters were good, but not as good as 10 years ago......
Grand Californian- Storytellers breakfast was great!

 

[GatorChris]

Table Service:
DL - Definitely Big Thunder Ranch. I've only been here during cool times of year, so it may not be so good in the summer. But the food is pretty amazing here...at least for BBQ lovers. Cornbread is awesome!
DCA - I've done none of the TS here, so I can't comment.
DD - We love Rainforest Cafe. Great ambiance and good food. A little pricey, but what isn't at DL?
Resorts - I really liked Surf's Up Breakfast at PP. Same food as the other character breakfasts, but Mickey shows up at this one. Very important.

Counter Service
DL - We always eat at Village Haus. The Kraut Pretzel Sausage dog is really really good.
DCA - We used to like Flo's but their menu changed for the worse. Now we go to Pacific Wharf where we can all eat either mexican, chinese, or a bread bowl.
DD - I really want to try Ralph Brennan's Express, but the kids aren't big cajun fans. Does McDonald's on Harbor count?
Resorts - Can't help you here either.

 

[rentayenta]

We are long time WDW visitors, but have not been to DLR in close to 20 years. We love to eat so we're curious to hear what your favorite counter service and full service dining spots are at:



Magic Kingdom

Tony's. But at Disneyland we love the Plaza Inn. Thier fried chicken is unreal- the best! Carnation Cafe is good too.

California Adventure

No real table service faves at CA and we've only been to Carthay Circle for cocktails and it was wonderful. For counter service we love The Cove Bar. Their nachos are yum! We also really enjoy the places on the wharf specifically the bread bowl with clam chowder.

The Disney Resorts (all three combined)

This is tough. For a snack and cocktail we adore the Hearthstone Lounge at the GCH. Napa Rose is also amazing for a cocktail and app. Storyteller's is also a fave as is WWS inside the GCH. Tadrer Sam's at the DLH is for a fun tiki cocktail too.

Downtown Disney

ESPN Zone is my boys' favorite for their wings, nachos, and sliders. Plus the bazillion tvs don't hurt. LOL! I have read the Uva Bar's lamb burger is to die for but I still haven't tried it.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Table Service
DL--Blue Bayou
DCA--never done table service
DD--Rainforest Cafe

Counter
DL--Hungry Bear
DCA--Taste Pilot Grill
DD--I don't know. It's all sorry of generic and mostly stuff you could get in any major city.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

DL: ts- blue bayou is our fave, as many others have said. Cs-Bengal bbq is our fave... Yummy skewers

DCA: ts-WCT doesn't get much love, but we ate there last trip and were pleasantly surprised. We also eat at ariels every trip. Cs-corn dog castle... Wdw corn dogs do not even come a little bit close to the ones in DL/DCA

DTD: ts-we go to rainforest cafe every trip because we don't have one around here, and dd loves the theming. Cs-I am pretty sure we've only done Jamba Juice smoothies and was it Haagen Dazs? Ice cream for cs in DTD. Lol

Hotels: ts-surfs up and storytellers breakfast are a tie for us, love them both. We also have enjoyed some late dinners at storytellers. Cs-trader Sams at DLH was super fun