First Time To Disneyland

[Prissyms]

This will be our first time to Disneyland and we're super excited We need suggestions on good dining options and if we decide to get the dining plan, how does it work

 

[SugarQuill]

This will be our first time to Disneyland and we're super excited We need suggestions on good dining options and if we decide to get the dining plan, how does it work

As far as I understand it, Disneyland doesn't have a plan like WDW does. They have meal vouchers and they don't save much money (if any at all).

I would recommend paying out of pocket for meals. I've been told to try Bengal BBQ in adventure land (although they seem to have more snacks than full meals) and to try the salad in a bread bowl in CA (but I'm not sure where they have those at.)

Hopefully some vets will see your post and have better suggestions. Have a great trip!

 

[whoever]

DLR's meal plan is $ for $, there's no savings whatsoever vs. using a credit card or cash.

 

[Malcon10t]

This will be our first time to Disneyland and we're super excited We need suggestions on good dining options and if we decide to get the dining plan, how does it work

The dining plan doesn't work, so forget about it.

Where to eat... What do you like?

We enjoy Cafe Orleans for lunch, Steakhouse 55 and Carnation Cafe for breakfast. Big Thunder BBQ is good for lunch or dinner. Counter service we like Plaza Inn and French Market. Flo's in DCA is great also.

Dinner? Steakhouse 55, Tortilla Jo's, and Wine Country Tratorria are all good.

 

[whoopsiedoodle]

What ages are your kids? Are you looking for characters? We really enjoyed Ariel's Grotto. My daughter was 4 and my son 2. It was spendy but well worth it! We got to meet 5 princesses and the food was delicious!

 

[HydroGuy]

This will be our first time to Disneyland and we're super excited We need suggestions on good dining options and if we decide to get the dining plan, how does it work

This should help!

"What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914467

 

[Nosepass]

We need suggestions on good dining options

I enjoy the atmosphere at Blue Bayou, and also Ariel's Grotto around sunset.

 

[MichaelaF]

I know some who will say otherwise, but we LOVE Blue Bayou. The food was good (not amazing, but good), but mostly we LOVED the atmosphere. It's simply like no where else, either at WDW or DLR! Two tips: One, do lunch there if you want to save money or if you want to try (as we did) the Monte Cristo sandwich. It was super yum and they don't serve it at dinner (though you can get it elsewhere in NOS). Also, show up a little early and ask for a water-side table. We didn't even have to wait longer for one, and the experience is even better!

At DCA, we love the Cove Bar at sunset with a couple of cocktails and the lobster nachos. SO GOOD, and the view is stunning.

 

[Prissyms]

As far as I understand it, Disneyland doesn't have a plan like WDW does. They have meal vouchers and they don't save much money (if any at all).

I would recommend paying out of pocket for meals. I've been told to try Bengal BBQ in adventure land (although they seem to have more snacks than full meals) and to try the salad in a bread bowl in CA (but I'm not sure where they have those at.)

Hopefully some vets will see your post and have better suggestions. Have a great trip!

Thanks for the information!!

 

[Prissyms]

The dining plan doesn't work, so forget about it.

Where to eat... What do you like?

We enjoy Cafe Orleans for lunch, Steakhouse 55 and Carnation Cafe for breakfast. Big Thunder BBQ is good for lunch or dinner. Counter service we like Plaza Inn and French Market. Flo's in DCA is great also.

Dinner? Steakhouse 55, Tortilla Jo's, and Wine Country Tratorria are all good.

We're not picky eaters. We love good food. At WDW our favorites are Flying Fish, Via Napoli, Columbia Harbor House, Le Cellier and Yachtsman Steakhouse. So anything compatible to those would be great. You have given me some great suggestions. Thanks for the help!!!!

 

[Prissyms]

This should help!

"What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914467

Thank you

 

[MermaidMommy]

We're not picky eaters. We love good food. At WDW our favorites are Flying Fish, Via Napoli, Columbia Harbor House, Le Cellier and Yachtsman Steakhouse. So anything compatible to those would be great. You have given me some great suggestions. Thanks for the help!!!!

I'm researching for our first DL trip, too, and I noticed that Naples restaurant in Downtown Disney is run by Patina group, which also runs Via Napoli. I'm hoping the pizza is similar, as we're big Via Napoli fans, too. Maybe one of the DL vets can give us their opinions of the pizza there.

 

[PirateFish989]

I'm researching for our first DL trip, too, and I noticed that Naples restaurant in Downtown Disney is run by Patina group, which also runs Via Napoli. I'm hoping the pizza is similar, as we're big Via Napoli fans, too. Maybe one of the DL vets can give us their opinions of the pizza there.

My boyfriend and I just went to WDW in March and ate at Via Napoli and the pizzas are nearly Identical to the ones at Naples. We have Disneyland AP's and Naples is one of our favorite restaurants so we were really pleased with Via Napoli!!

I would also recommend Tortilla Jo's. The table side guacamole is incredible! If the weather is nice, sitting out on the patio is fun.

Another favorite is Cafe Orleans - the Monte Cristo is awesome and plenty to share (and available at lunch and dinner). I've been to Blue Bayou at a water side table and you cannot best the atmosphere! However I personally think the food was just okay and overpriced and would much rather eat elsewhere. I'd say the Blue Bayou is worth eating at once just because it is do unique.

The Cove Bar in DCA is fun! They have fun adult beverages (my most favorite is the Magical Star...very popular at WDW too!) and the food is good and the view out over the pier area is great!

The Carnation Cafe has the most amazing baked potato soup as well as great salads (huge!). Their breakfast is great too but we mostly go there for lunch or dinner because I'm obsessed with the bakes potato soup.

Hope this helps!

 

[HydroGuy]

My boyfriend and I just went to WDW in March and ate at Via Napoli and the pizzas are nearly Identical to the ones at Naples. We have Disneyland AP's and Naples is one of our favorite restaurants so we were really pleased with Via Napoli!!

I have dined at Via Napoli but have nto made it to Naples at DLR yet. But I understand they are essentially the same.

I would also recommend Tortilla Jo's. The table side guacamole is incredible! If the weather is nice, sitting out on the patio is fun.

We are guacamole connoisseurs and agree with this wholeheartedly. TJ's guacamole is the best we have ever had!

 

[jbravo78]

Blue Bayou is by far my favorite... Great atmospher inside pirates of the carribean ride

 

[jbravo78]

Also we always make a trip to Rainforest Cafe Downtown Disney

 

[Girimama33]

Disneyland no longer offers their multi-day dining plan. You can only purchase Character Meal vouchers currently.

We enjoy French Market, Rancho de Zocalo, Corn Dog Castle in DCA, Flo's, Pacific Wharf Cafe, Cove Bar, Carthay Circle....So many good places.

 

[lovebug33]

Big Thunder Ranch BBQ!!!

 

[MichaelaF]

If you're pinching pennies, it's not too hard to find coupons for some of the Downtown Disney restaurants, too.

 

[Kristina4109]

I also love Blue Bayou - especially for lunch! When it's hot outside there is nothing like sitting in the dark air conditioning and enjoying a leisurely meal! The portobello dish is my favorite.

For a casual meal, Flo's V8 Cafe is fabulous. You have different dining areas to chose from and you'll feel like you walked into the movie Cars.

It seems like lately we begin every Disneyland trip with dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. I don't know if you have kids, but this is a character buffet and we love it. It is expensive but we feel it's worth it.

We also enjoy the breakfast at Surf's Up in the PCH Grill. We hate wasting morning hours sitting at a table service restaurant, so we like to book the latest possible seating and call it lunch.