Hi - I'm new to this board, but not to
Disneyland or WDW. I got married at the Grand Californian Hotel Christmas of 2001! Being DVC, we have weekends where we just stay at the hotels instead of driving cross town to go home, so we've done a lot of eating there with small kids.
You've had some good tips so far. I'm going to echo some of their senitments and give you some additional. As far as the toddler meal - my girls won't eat the Arroz con Pollo - they do eat it at home and in mexican restaurants, so if that says anything.... the do love the orange mac and goo, though!
Character breakfast - All the comments about Storytellers - Chip and Dale have been spot on - consistent food and amazing staff and character interaction. Lilo and Stitch has it over them for food variety and the taste of that variety. The downside is that it is a bit noisier due to the room and the increased character interaction - which my 3-yr old loves! They are very attentive at both places.
DL food:
We love the Plaza for a few reasons - best fried chicken on property and two mildly hungry adults can split one dinner. Makes it a great value. You can get a similar meal at French Market, only with fries instead of mashed potatoes. At the French Market, you can get a great free dinner show with your meal - the Jazz Trio is fabulous and the singer who comes by - she's worth your time! The Pizza Port has great salads that are mixed to order. Pizza is passable and Chicken Alfredo is decent. We liked Rancho Zocalo but it's not our first choice. Their potties are the closest ones to Peter Pan, though! If you do the Carnation Cafe, they have a really good chef salad. Last time I had the chicken pot pie, it wasn't the best. My husband likes the sandwiches.
I'm going to have to go against the mainstream and say that we do not think the Blue Bayou is worth your time. It used to be, but after the rehab over a year ago, they increased the prices (removed the price break for lunch), got a snobby attitude, the service went down, and just wasn't worth it. The lobster sauce on the crabcakes and the root beer apples used to be high on our list, but not at those prices. We can spend as much there as we do at the Napa, but the Napa's food is better. Go to the "new" sit down - the Cafe Orleans and get some of the old Bayou items like the Jambalaya and the Monte Cristos and enjoy. The salads there are good as well. Good service and not a disappointment.
The lattes at the Main Street Bakery are good - but..... Best tip - if you get a cup of coffee in the Market House shop - where they sell mugs (buy one and you get a free coffee) - SAVE YOUR RECEIPT! You just show them the receipt and you can get free refills (and a new cup) ALL DAY!
Another favorite snack we have is the cream cheese filled pretzels from Coke Corner. The hot cocoa there is really creamy, too. I know it's just Nestle, but it's the right mix of cocoa and water.... We get it while we wait for fireworks by the TL to Matterhorn cut through or when we leave the park.
Calfornia Adventure Food:
We always go back to the Pacific Wharf Cafe. Salads and Soups in bread bowls - or on the side if you want to eat it later - don't be afraid to ask for it that way. We did that Saturday because of the heat. I've had all 3 salads and can't complain. The Mexican Grill doesn't give you much for the price. Some friends had that with us 4 weeks ago and complained that it wasn't good. You can also grab a good beer in that area, as well as the filled pretzels!
The chicken portions are also small at the Bountiful Valley Farmers Market. But the Shake place across the seating area rocks! The date shake is worth it and so is the Oreo one. I have to admit a weakness for the Castle corn dogs and the Pizza Salad at O Mow Mow is nice. We also get an ice cream at Burrbank on the way out. They do have a decent sandwich and burger at Taste Pilot. They also have a fixings bar, though not extensive like the one at Pecos Bill's or Cosmic Ray's at WDW. The fries are the batter dipped kind - that make faces or waffles, I can't completely remember.
Resorts and DTD:
As far as fine dining, we had our rehearsal dinner at the Napa, so you know we have a definite opinion on them. Our two little girls (age 3 and 1.5) have been eating there since womb. To save money there, do splits on the entree. They will even do a split on the vintner's (prix fixe) menu. Other times, we just go for the "desert ride". The counter seats are great! Pete mentioned that they really liked their waiter Saucy and we'll echo that. We knew him when he was one of the line chefs. Just don't let him talk you into that $25 glass of wine I had.... it was really good!!!! Some of my faves are the beet salad and when they have a corn chowder or butternut soup. The signature scallop appetizer rocks and you can make it at home if you have one of the latest cookbooks. I really recommend the vinter's table menu, no matter what it is. It changes weekly.
As far as the DTD ones go, all of them are owned by the Patina Group that operates the new restaurant in Italy at Epcot. Catal is excellent. We had a few good meals there and we have also had very nice ones at Tortilla Joe's. Napoli is decent Italian and the woodfire stuff is their strength. Decent meals, but not my first choice. Brenan's is good, and I think the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues needs more publicity. We actually have it on our July list to do when we have friends in from out of town. It is a little more expensive than it's DTDWS partner.
Make sure you take the free tour of the Grand Californian architecture. I think they still have it at 2:30 every day. We've also done the Sephora makeover morning they offer the hotel guests. Also, wander on one of the upper floors during maid service and ask if you can see one of the uber suites! We did that and they let us in the Greene and Greene suite and the Frank Lloyd Wright suite. FUN!
I know that was a long one, but I had fun writing it. Hope you enjoy the trip!
Nancy
