My daughter (13) and I have a tradition of eating at Napa Rose atleast once per trip. It is very spendy but we don't do things like it very often so we splurge and eat here, she was able to get the petite filet off the child's menu last year (12) and we even told them she was 12 but this year I imagine it won't be possible.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/grand-californian-hotel/napa-rose/ not as fancy as you think, I have gone in capri's, nice shirt and wedges while my daughter wore jeans and a nice blouse. They are great there in my opinion.
We also love to eat at Naples in downtown Disney, we get an outside seat by a heater, order a salad and a antipasta plate that includes meats, cheeses, olives, nuts and grapes for only 10.50 and it is enough for more than 2 people.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/downtown-disney/naples-ristorante-e-pizzeria/
Blue Bayou is nice, but my daughter chooses Napa over it every time, but if we do 2 nice places then she will pick this one too.
Character meals - I would do Minnie and Friends inside the park (1 hour before opening) if I was doing breakfast or I would do Goofy's Kitchen for dinner. I haven't heard a lot of good about Storytellers as far as a character meal goes.
One last place, especially if you are a steak eater is Steak house 55 - they are very good but remember you can and should share sides, we learned the hard way and my daughter and I both ordered them and had way way to much food for us. They are located right behind Goofy's kitchen in the same bldg. I have also heard they have an excellent breakfast, which runs about 10-12 per person but very nice..... Good Luck - let us know what you choose and what you thought.....
... Must dos?
