First trip to DL, dining ?

[tkldisney]

DH has conference at the Marriott in Anaheim 8/1-8/5 and I'm going too!
Questions about DD dining. Naples Restorante, Tortilla Joe's & Jazz Kitchen. How's the food and do I need to make ADR's for Aug. 1 & 2nd for lunch & dinner?

 

[teatime]

I always make reservations, but I can not tell you about the restaurants as I have not eaten there

 

[DLR29]

I've eaten at all three. Naples has great pizzas, and really big ones if you want to split. Tortilla Jos has HUMONGOUS plates, so you might want to think about sharing (or not if you're hungry ). And Jazz Kitchen has really good quality food overall (I've been for lunch and for dinner).

As for reservations (PSs over here at DLR), you might want to have them. It doesn't hurt to call. Probably more needed at dinner than lunch though.

 

[spacemermaid]

I've not been to the other 2, but Jazz Kitchen can get pretty crowded for dinner, especially during the Park's "busy" seasons. It certainly wouldn't hurt to make reservations, though I don't remember if you'd make them via the same system as the PSes in the Parks/Hotels.

 

[Amy&Dan]

You can make priority seatings by calling the main DL Dining number: 714-781-3463 for all places in the parks, resorts and DTD (except RFC and they can give you that number to call on that Disney Dining number). I would make a ps, for dinner in particular. Walk ups happen at DL with much more ease than they do at WDW, (except the character meals and Blue Bayou) but you can have a long wait sometimes. I know many times at Naples in particular, I have gotten to walk up past a long line of people waiting to get their name in and been seated very quickly with my ps. So I would for sure make them!

I enjoy Naples, I love to eat outside, frequently there is a really good violinst playing near there in the evenings and you can hear his music.

I also like Tortilla Joes, I agree the portions are large. I like to eat outside there too. So. Cal evenings are very pleasant, unlike WDW when you would be sticky hot in August even late at night!

Jazz Kitchen is the one that gets the most crowded I am thinking and they do serve a Sunday Brunch that is very popular and very good.

I'll also tell you that you won't get a confirmation number when you make your ps, which of course is very different than WDW!

 

[HydroGuy]

First trip to DL, dining ?

Oh boy, now you get to learn some new lingo! Others have pointed out the DLR term for ADR which is PS - Priority Seating. As otehrs have said make a PS if you can. But they are in much lower demand at DLR than WDW. You can only make them 60 days out unlike WDW's 180 days. Even then many people never need them or make them.

Also, especially when you abbreviate down to "DL" many folks tend to first think you mean the Disneyland theme park. But in context we can quickly see you mean the entire resort which is officially called Disneyland Resort or DLR for short.

See "Disneyland Resort Lingo for Newbies" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2214012

Looks like we will swing by for a day trip on August 3 so maybe see you there.

 

[tkldisney]

Oh boy, now you get to learn some new lingo! Others have pointed out the DLR term for ADR which is PS - Priority Seating. As otehrs have said make a PS if you can. But they are in much lower demand at DLR than WDW. You can only make them 60 days out unlike WDW's 180 days. Even then many people never need them or make them.

Also, especially when you abbreviate down to "DL" many folks tend to first think you mean the Disneyland theme park. But in context we can quickly see you mean the entire resort which is officially called Disneyland Resort or DLR for short.

See "Disneyland Resort Lingo for Newbies" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2214012

Looks like we will swing by for a day trip on August 3 so maybe see you there.

Oh Boy is right. I've just gotten all the lingo for WDW logged into my brain, now need to learn more! Oh well, good for the brain.
Thanks for the info!!

 

[Sherry E]

Oh Boy is right. I've just gotten all the lingo for WDW logged into my brain, now need to learn more! Oh well, good for the brain.
Thanks for the info!!

Tkldisney - don't worry about the lingo! We knew what you meant and you will catch on to everything soon enough. The most important thing is addressing your initial question. Out of the 3 DTD restaurants you mentioned, I have only eaten at Naples and I like it. Now, there are many other people who do not like it, but my experiences there have been good. As DLR29 said, the pizzas are very big - even the smallest pizza is big enough for 2 or 3 people (depending on how much one eats) - and I have always had good, prompt and attentive service. Sitting outside is nice. One time I ate there and we did not have a PS, and the next time we ate there WITH a PS. You know, I am one to err on the side of caution and make a PS now, after too many experiences with long waits to be seated at various restaurants around DLR. Some of them - Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone, Carnation Cafe and some of the character meals - can have very long waits which can waste a lot of time. So now I am just making the PSs to be on the safe side. It is not required to make a PS, and often you may be able to be seated right away if you have the right timing at a restaurant, but I am not taking anymore chances!

As for Tortilla Jo's, I have not eaten there but some folks have reported being ill or not feeling right after eating TJ's food. I don't know if that is an ongoing thing at TJ's or if these were fluke events, but just be aware.

Have a great time!

 

[hmhanel]

Oh boy, now you get to learn some new lingo! Others have pointed out the DLR term for ADR which is PS - Priority Seating. As otehrs have said make a PS if you can. But they are in much lower demand at DLR than WDW. You can only make them 60 days out unlike WDW's 180 days. Even then many people never need them or make them.

Just a slight correction ... I believe the WDW ADR's can only be made 90 days in advance. It was 180 days, but that changed last year.

If I am in error, I am sure someone will correct my post.

 

[HydroGuy]

Just a slight correction ... I believe the WDW ADR's can only be made 90 days in advance. It was 180 days, but that changed last year.

If I am in error, I am sure someone will correct my post.

That would be a welcome change for sure! 180 days was too far in advance.

 

[Amy&Dan]

That would be a welcome change for sure! 180 days was too far in advance.

Yep, its 90 days now for WDW ADR's. If you are staying onsite, the 90+10 rule applies in that you can call 90 days from your arrival, and then make a 10day's trip worth of ADR's for the remainder of your trip. You can also make WDW ADR's online now, very nice new feature! Not sure if that online feature is for onsite guests only or not. I know my friend needed her resort conf# to make hers so that makes me wonder.

 

[HydroGuy]

Tkldisney - don't worry about the lingo! We knew what you meant and you will catch on to everything soon enough. The most important thing is addressing your initial question.

Sherry, you post lots of great information around here and it is hard to know for each person how much to "bring them up to speed" on abbreviations, etc. On the one hand you can let them find out kind of organically which means they may be confused for awhile until they catch on. On the other hand one can clear things up more up front. I do not know what is best and I am sure for each person it is different.

Here the OP was talking about "ADRs" at "DL". Since ADR is not used at DLR that can cause confusion for responders, especially if they have not been to WDW or made an ADR. And if the OP were to call up DLR and say they wanted to "make an ADR" they might have a confused CM on the line. I thought it was worth the time to clarify PS vs. ADR and how they differed in practice and popularity.

As part of my response I wanted to use the term "DLR" and I did. But I thought that might confuse the OP as well. "What is DLR?", the OP might think. Is it the same or different as DL? Should I have used the same "DL" term as the OP so as not to confuse her/him?

In any case, I do not want to be the lingo police around here and no one else wants that either! But where lingo usage is going to confuse someone I will often land on the side of trying to clarify earlier rather than later. You might land on the side of just letting them figure it out over time and focusing on their immediate questions. I think both approaches are fine and what the poster would personally prefer we will never know and varies from person to person. When I do add lingo clarification I try hard to make it light-hearted and fun so the poster feels included rather than excluded somehow.

I hope that all makes sense and you take it in the right spirit.

You know, I am one to err on the side of caution and make a PS now, after too many experiences with long waits to be seated at various restaurants around DLR. Some of them - Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone, Carnation Cafe and some of the character meals - can have very long waits which can waste a lot of time. So now I am just making the PSs to be on the safe side. It is not required to make a PS, and often you may be able to be seated right away if you have the right timing at a restaurant, but I am not taking anymore chances!

I agree, by all means make a PS when you can!

As for Tortilla Jo's, I have not eaten there but some folks have reported being ill or not feeling right after eating TJ's food. I don't know if that is an ongoing thing at TJ's or if these were fluke events, but just be aware.

FWIW, we were trying to get into RFC without a PS in May with a large group but late in the evening. But they were too full. I would have made a PS but we were with a group of 30 who all had different ideas of what they wanted to do in DTD so it was not worth it. Most of us ended up eating at Tortilla Joe's and the food was pretty good. And no one reported feeling sick except for maybe me because I ate too much!

 

[HydroGuy]

Yep, its 90 days now for WDW ADR's. If you are staying onsite, the 90+10 rule applies in that you can call 90 days from your arrival, and then make a 10day's trip worth of ADR's for the remainder of your trip. You can also make WDW ADR's online now, very nice new feature! Not sure if that online feature is for onsite guests only or not. I know my friend needed her resort conf# to make hers so that makes me wonder.

Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, you post lots of great information around here and it is hard to know for each person how much to "bring them up to speed" on abbreviations, etc. On the one hand you can let them find out kind of organically which means they may be confused for awhile until they catch on. On the other hand one can clear things up more up front. I do not know what is best and I am sure for each person it is different.

Here the OP was talking about "ADRs" at "DL". Since ADR is not used at DLR that can cause confusion for responders, especially if they have not been to WDW or made an ADR. And if the OP were to call up DLR and say they wanted to "make an ADR" they might have a confused CM on the line. I thought it was worth the time to clarify PS vs. ADR and how they differed in practice and popularity.

As part of my response I wanted to use the term "DLR" and I did. But I thought that might confuse the OP as well. "What is DLR?", the OP might think. Is it the same or different as DL? Should I have used the same "DL" term as the OP so as not to confuse her/him?

In any case, I do not want to be the lingo police around here and no one else wants that either! But where lingo usage is going to confuse someone I will often land on the side of trying to clarify earlier rather than later. You might land on the side of just letting them figure it out over time and focusing on their immediate questions. I think both approaches are fine and what the poster would personally prefer we will never know and varies from person to person. When I do add lingo clarification I try hard to make it light-hearted and fun so the poster feels included rather than excluded somehow.

I hope that all makes sense and you take it in the right spirit.

I agree, by all means make a PS when you can!

FWIW, we were trying to get into RFC without a PS in May with a large group but late in the evening. But they were too full. I would have made a PS but we were with a group of 30 who all had different ideas of what they wanted to do in DTD so it was not worth it. Most of us ended up eating at Tortilla Joe's and the food was pretty good. And no one reported feeling sick except for maybe me because I ate too much!

Oh all the lingo talk makes perfect sense... I just don't think it's a really big deal! But that's just me!

Yes, RFC can have a huge wait without a PS, especially at night. Breakfast seems to be the least crowded time, and sometimes you can get in for a lunch without a PS, but that place is so popular that it is risky to try it. And we also had a very long wait for ESPN Zone. On the other hand, Naples has been pretty quite when we went (brunch-ish time), and I am not sure what the crowds were like at night there.

 

[tkldisney]

Thanks all! I will call and make a PS for at least dinner on the 1st.

The lingo won't be to hard for me to learn. I already know WDW, and they share a lot of the same. DLP is for the park, and reading through the abbreviation page was a big help.

 

[Spacepest]

As for Tortilla Jo's, I have not eaten there but some folks have reported being ill or not feeling right after eating TJ's food. I don't know if that is an ongoing thing at TJ's or if these were fluke events, but just be aware.

I've never eaten at Tortilla Joe's because I was strongly cautioned by both area locals and family not to, for the same reason that Sherry E stated. I'd rather not risk food poisoning on my trips out there.

I have eaten at the Jazz Kitchen though, and it was wonderful! Since you are going during the summer, I'd strongly recommend that you make reservations as well...due to the economy crowds can by very hit or miss for dinnertimes.

Other places I've eaten at DD:
Rainforest Cafe--only go for breakfast. Its hard to screw up breakfast, there is no waiting at the damn elephant to get in, and the restaurant is quiet and crowds are low, so you can walk around the place looking at the animals without tripping over small running children or running into a waiter. I'd never go for lunch or dinner because their menus are so-so and waits are looooooong.

House of Blues--chain restaurant. If you have one near you locally, the food is identical, and while not terrible, its nothing special. We rarely eat here because we have a HOB in my city.

Catal's--food was okay here. I only ate their once, but always check the menu when we walk by. The menus always seem to change and last time we were in DD, they didn't have anything I wanted at the time. Not that this is a bad thing, I just didn't feel like eating what they had on the menu that day.

Uva Bar--its kitchen is attached to Catal's. We ordered some appetizers there, but I'm afraid I'm not much help here...I ordered more alcohol than food last time I was there, and don't remember what I ordered (i.e. was it good, or bad? Who knows? The drinks must have at least been good or I wouldn't have gotten sloshed! XD )

 

[Sherry E]

I've never eaten at Tortilla Joe's because I was strongly cautioned by both area locals and family not to, for the same reason that Sherry E stated. I'd rather not risk food poisoning on my trips out there.

I have eaten at the Jazz Kitchen though, and it was wonderful! Since you are going during the summer, I'd strongly recommend that you make reservations as well...due to the economy crowds can by very hit or miss for dinnertimes.

Other places I've eaten at DD:
Rainforest Cafe--only go for breakfast. Its hard to screw up breakfast, there is no waiting at the damn elephant to get in, and the restaurant is quiet and crowds are low, so you can walk around the place looking at the animals without tripping over small running children or running into a waiter. I'd never go for lunch or dinner because their menus are so-so and waits are looooooong.

House of Blues--chain restaurant. If you have one near you locally, the food is identical, and while not terrible, its nothing special. We rarely eat here because we have a HOB in my city.

Catal's--food was okay here. I only ate their once, but always check the menu when we walk by. The menus always seem to change and last time we were in DD, they didn't have anything I wanted at the time. Not that this is a bad thing, I just didn't feel like eating what they had on the menu that day.

Uva Bar--its kitchen is attached to Catal's. We ordered some appetizers there, but I'm afraid I'm not much help here...I ordered more alcohol than food last time I was there, and don't remember what I ordered (i.e. was it good, or bad? Who knows? The drinks must have at least been good or I wouldn't have gotten sloshed! XD )

Hee hee hee! I couldn't help but laugh at the way you worded your parapgraph (in bold)! Too funny! But it's true - you get to soak in a lot more of the ambience in Rainforest Cafe during breakfast than during lunch or dinner and you can usually be seated right away, where you want to sit. We wanted to sit next to an aquarium, which we never get to do at lunch or dinner because the place is packed, so that worked out well.

Also about Tortilla Jo's - from the reports I have heard, it doesn't sound like they (or Disney) were all that concerned when complaints of food poisoning were made. So that is worrisome as well - customer service is key, and if they don't care that people get sick from their food, that is not a good sign!

 

[DLR29]

Thanks all! I will call and make a PS for at least dinner on the 1st.

The lingo won't be to hard for me to learn. I already know WDW, and they share a lot of the same. DLP is for the park, and reading through the abbreviation page was a big help.

Sorry to bring up the whole terminology thing again. But DLP is used for Disneyland Paris. Just DL is for Disneyland Park.

 

[HydroGuy]

Sorry to bring up the whole terminology thing again. But DLP is used for Disneyland Paris. Just DL is for Disneyland Park.

I was going to say that myself but thought the OP had gotten the point.

DLR29 is quite correct. DLP is the Disneyland Paris theme park. DLRP is Disneyland Resort Paris which has two theme parks like DLR. However, similar to Disneyland Anaheim the Paris resort has lots of terminology confusion. Some people use DLP to mean the entire resort as well as the specific theme park. The correct terminology though is DLP for park and DLRP for resort, similar to Anaheim.

BTW, DLP is just breathtaking. Their park and their castle is way more beautiful that either DL or MK.

 

[tkldisney]

Sorry to bring up the whole terminology thing again. But DLP is used for Disneyland Paris. Just DL is for Disneyland Park.

Ugh.... I'll get it eventually. I really do appreciate the corrections!!!!
I'll have to read the page again.