Help first-timer plan dining, please!

[mchelle77]

I'm thisclose to booking a few days in April for myself and my 13 year old. We're regulars at WDW, but this will be our first time at DL. What would you suggest for lunches and dinners for first-timers? In-park, we prefer QS for lunch and table for dinner. We don't care for characters, but will do it if the meal is worth it. I like almost any type of food, my daughter is more the "pizza and chicken" type.

We'll only have a 2 day hopper, but will be flying in on a Monday afternoon and flying out on a Friday night. One of those days we plan on driving to the coast (Laguna or Newport, haven't decided yet), but am open to suggestions in AND out of the parks. We're staying walking distance to the park(s), if that helps.

And what is a popular fast food place to try on the west coast?

 

[smartlabelprint]

In n out is a popular fast food. I wasn’t impressed. You may like to try the Anaheim packing district.

In DCA my faves are Boardwalk pizza & pasta plus the veggie sandwich at award wieners.

DL many like plaza inn, but there are few places I wouldn’t go. Look up the menus. My faves are Bengal bbq and French market. Table I love blue bayou.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Depending on what week you're coming, I find Wednesdays and Thursdays to be the least busy in the parks in general (although it can certainly vary).

Some of my favorite counter service include Rancho Del Zocalo, Bengal BBQ and French Market in DL. In DCA I like Award Wieners, Cucina Cucamonga and Flo's in Carsland.

Table service I loved Carthay Circle in DCA.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I second Rancho Del Zocalo for counter service. I have never had a bad meal there. I also like White Water Snacks at the Grand Californian Hotel, it's a good place to take a quiet break from the parks. Jolly Holliday is also really nice and has good sandwiches and salads. Their desserts are to die for as well. I don't eat meat, but I've heard the fried chicken at Plaza Inn is also very good.

For table service Carnation Cafe is a big favorite. I also like Blue Bayou -- although a bit pricey, they ambiance can't be beat (inside Pirates of the Carribean). At least the kids meals are very reasonably priced to balance it out. If you do go with Blue Bayou, I like doing the 11:30am seating and checking in a bit early to ask for a waterside table -- you'll be able to see the boats go by as you eat (assuming it won't be down for the red head changeover -- we don't know when that is occuring yet). They say all 11:30 reservations get waterside, but I always ask just in case. We've also done the first dinner seating (I believe it was 4:20) and checked in 20 minutes early to ask for waterside. We only waited about 10 minutes.

 

[tiffjoy]

I'll be honest that for two day park hoppers and your first visit, I wouldn't do TS. DLR is different than WDW in that CS is actually quite good, and we don't have as many of the signature TS places that are "must do's."

BB has great ambiance but so-so food. Similar to the Mexican restaurant in the ride at Epcot. The reason you go is to eat inside a ride. Our favorite TS are Carnation Cafe (make sure you get an outside table because it's so great to look over Main Street) and Cafe Orleans. We like Wine Country Trattoria in DCA but only in the winter when I prefer to have TS for dinner because I hate sitting in the cold and dark- it's not a must do. Carthay is nice, too.

But the CS options are really great, and DLR has so many good snacks, too. Bengal BBQ makes a great light lunch, and it's easier now that they have seating. We like the corn dogs from the Little Red Wagon. Jolly Holiday has nice sandwiches and the desserts (the whole reason to go!) are sooo good. We also like Rancho Zoccalo and French Market. There are a couple of places to grab a bowl of clam chowder, too. At DCA, we really like Paradise Pier Cafe and going to Pacific Wharf where we can all get what we want from the places there.

ETA- Totally forgot to mention a favorite TS is actually Storytellers at the GCH. It's just a hop over from DCA and a nice midday break from the crowds. We would all probably say that and Carnation are our top favs.