I agree with disney-super-mom about the hotels. I like all 3 of them a lot too - for different reasons. GCH is the most upscale of the three - sort of elegantly rustic in tone. The huge lobby is beautiful and sets the mood - dark wood, dim lighting, piano player, fireplace, lounge, grandfather clock, comfy chairs and sofas, etc. PPH has a cool beach/surf/nautical type of theme, with pastel and ocean colors and a Surfer Goofy statue in the lobby, and it is the least expensive of the three. DLH is the original and has the most Disney touches. It has a Mickey topiary, a giant Mickey statue outside in the front, bronze Mickey and Mickey in the lobby, pretty waterfalls and koi fish pond, miniature, remote controlled Jungle Cruise boats and Goofy's Kitchen.
As for restaurants, make your Priority Seating plans for Blue Bayou or any character meal as far in advance (within 60 days) as you can, as those are popular and tend to book up. For Blue Bayou, the PS's are required. For the character meals, you can walk up and get a table without a PS but you may have to wait a long time.
If you look at the Dining thread (sticky near the top of each page), I suggest you work your way from the last page backwards to the first page, rather than from beginning to end, only because some of the older food items shown in pictures are no longer valid (like the strawberry shortcake), meaning some of the items are no longer sold or are outdated. If you start with the recent stuff and work your way backwards, you know you will be getting current, up to date pictures.
My favorite places to eat in DLR are:
Goofy's Kitchen (DLH) - not just my favorite character meal, but also my favorite DLR restaurant overall. Great food - both in variety, quantity and quality - and fun character interaction with classic characters. I prefer the breakfast buffet over the dinner buffet. Mickey-shaped mini-waffles, Mickey-shaped cobbler, banana crepes, creme brulee French toast, DELICIOUS and fresh fruit, mini-muffins, biscuits and gravy, croissants, outstanding bacon, eggs and potatoes, etc., etc., etc.
Storytellers Cafe (GCH) - not the character meal, but I like the restaurant in general for lunch or dinner. Nice cozy, warm atmosphere. Excellent spaghetti for dinner, and good burgers (meat and veggie) and thick turkey and bacon sandwiches for lunch.
Carnation Cafe (DL) - a charming, quaint little restaurant along Main Street. Excellent for people watching and even some parade viewing. Good for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Limited seating that fills up FAST. Be sure to make a PS for this one. Good meat loaf stack, great Matterhorn sundae, great apple pie a la mode.
Bengal BBQ (DL - Adventureland) - good skewers (chicken, beef, veggie and soem other kind). Perfect protein snack for a light lunch or dinner.
River Belle Terrace (DL-on the border of Adventureland and New Orleans Square) - home of the famous Mickey pancakes. Great location.
Plaza Inn (DL - just off of Main Street) - really pretty restaurant inside; famous fried chicken and some yummy desserts.
Blue Ribbon Bakery (DL - on Main Street) - obscenely good, messy, gooey cinnamon rolls and blended mochas, as well as tons of other sweet treats.
Wine Country Trattoria (DCA) - indoor or outdoor seating. Good for viewing the Pixar Play Parade. Yummy meatball sandwiches. HUGE pizzetta salad (big enough for two or three people). Delectable-looking orange sorbet that is served in a fresh orange rind.
Taste Pilots Grill (DCA) - excellent BBQ chicken sandwiches with criss cut fries that are soft and warm. Delicious onion rings too.
Rainforest Cafe (DTD) - can't beat that tropical atmosphere and the aquariums. Great chicken fried chicken and Rain Forest Ricky (if you order the RFR, you get a free RFC hurrican glass as a souvenir). Definitely make a PS, as the wait to be seated CAN be hideous at times.
Naples (DTD) - authentic Italian food. Generously-sized pizzas (the smallest one is big enough for at least 2 people).
ESPN Zone (DTD) - not the quietest of places - in fact, it is very busy and the wait to be seated can be LONG - but the food is excellent. Great chicken strips/tenders that are the size of small chicken breasts. Excellent, rich and thick milkshakes. Good service too!
