Help! Planning meals for a first timer

[christygobar]

We are WDW veterans and are normally on the dining plan when we go. We are now DL first-timers and I'm finding myself overwhelmed by the park on the west coast We have 3 day park hoppers (actually have SoCal citypasses) - arriving Tuesday evening and visiting parks Wed-Fri in mid April.
ODD is 5.5/YDD is 2.5.

We will be staying in one of the condos immediately to the west of the parks. But mostly using the kitchen there for snack stashing and maybe a light breakfast a morning or two. How much meal planning should we do for the parks? I have so far booked the following - but I have no idea if we should stick with it. Any suggestions given our park hopper status, the ages of our kids and the # of days we will be there?

Wed AM 8:40 - Plaza Inn
Thurs AM - 7am - Storytellers Cafe
Fri 2pm - Wine Country WOC package

Is the Plaza Inn reservation going to cut into too much park time? What about the character interaction at Storytellers? Or is quick service the better way to go all the way around? Lastly, is the WOC package worth it?

Hoping the crowds and weather will be pleasant when we go!

Thanks for helping a DL newbie out. Been lurking on this forum and listening to the DL podcast lately to try and get some great info!

 

[my*gracie*girl]

We tend to not do sit down breakfasts....we grab something quick and get going and then sit down for lunch or dinner. That said, PI is one of our favorite character breakfasts and I do highly recommend it. Haven't done Storytellers so no advice there. The dining/reserved watching areas are very worth it to me once! I like not having to plan/worry as much....can't put a price on that!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I enjoy the WCT for WOC. I don't go every time. I wouldn't plan a table service meal more than once a day.

I'd pick one of the breakfasts. Then maybe blue bayou for the PTN access or carnation cafe has awesome fried pickles. I don't know what else is good there. That's what I reserved it for.

You could do storytellers on a non park day. Checkout day?

 

[christygobar]

Great thought about the last day of our trip! We have an 11:00 flight out of LAX. I seem to be reading to allow ourselves 3 hours from leaving to flight time (this would be a Sat AM), so I would hope a 7am buffet would be enough time to get out of there?

 

[figment_jii]

In general, I've found that table service meals take about the same amount of time in both DLR and WDW. I would generally plan on 60 to 75 minutes for an in-park meal. DLR dining locations don't open that much earlier than the parks (on an EMH/MM day, the first ADR is 10 to 20 minutes after the EMH/MM begins and on a non-EMH/MM day, the first ADR was 20 minutes before the park officially opened). So I would guess this means DL is likely to open at 9:00 am on Wednesday, so you'll probably miss the first 45 to 60 minutes of the morning eating.

Storytellers is an interesting place for breakfast. The food is fine, but the characters and an interesting bunch. They aren't all your common characters. Most typically, Dis'ers have reported seeing Chip & Dale, Koda & Kenai (from Brother Bear), and Meeko (from Pocahontas). I've found the interaction to be good and the characters were friendly, but a lot of people at the tables around us didn't know who Koda and Kenai were. So if you do go, it might be worth watching Brother Bear so you'll know who they are. As an alternative, I would look into Surf's Up at PCH Grill (I saw Mickey, Pluto, Stitch, Daisy, and Minnie when I was there).

 

[Niltiac]

I've never been to WDW to compare, but I've heard that the quick service options at DLR are generally better than at WDW. Personally I have generally preferred the food at quick service locations compared to table service, but I still make reservations sometimes when I want to try a specific place for the experience. I stick with quick service for most meals and I just keep a list in the back if my mind of well-regarded QS places around the parks so we don't have to walk far when we get hungry. Our favorite place to go is the pacific wharf area in DCA because there are several good QS options with shared seating, so everyone can get what they want.

That said, I don't have small children. Table service might be more worth while for you because it means you get to take a break and you're not responsible for finding a table, setting everyone up with food and drink and cleaning up after them. Ultimately I would focus mainly on the experiences you want to have with TS restaurants, and then fill in the gaps with QS and snacks. I think the WOC package is worth it if you're interested in both eating at that location and getting a good spot for WOC. If only interested in the WOC viewing, I don't think it's worth it because if you get there early you can still get a good spot. And having the dining package doesn't guarantee a good spot either, since the biggest concern is having tall people in front of you and that can happen in all sections.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

I would not do two breakfast days. The early morning is so valuable as the crowds are low. I would keep Plaza Inn as you will already be in the park and the character interaction is amazing.
I would also skip the WOC dining but that is just my opinion. I'm not a fan of WOC. So I would do a PTN package, especially with the ages of your kids. My daughter is 5 and loves, loves ,loves the PTN parade. I love it too

 

[courtneybeth]

Skip the Plaza Inn and head over to the mexican restaurant at Disneyland for the "American Breakfast" -- much faster, cheaper and pretty good food options (ie: Pancakes, bacon, eggs, etc -- for about $9 per person). You could pick up a fast pass for Big Thunder or Indiana Jones before you head into breakfast and then when you window opens, pick up a fast pass for the other ride, then go ride the first fast passed attraction! You're maximizing park time and saving some money for a cake pop or churro as a snack mid day!

 

[kkendle]

I have done Plaza Inn and Storytellers and we preferred Plaza Inn. The food was basically the same but we enjoyed the characters better at PI. I would do that one again but not Storytellers unless your kids really like the characters offered there.

 

[tlovesdis]

We love Minnie & Friends at Plaza Inn. We usually see anywhere from 8-12 characters and the interaction is great, especially if you have an early reservation! The food is good too. I eat low carb and having the omlette station is great for me!

 

[hlbtimes2]

When we have breakfast the Plaza we plan for around 10/ 10:30 am. We eat a light breakfast to hold us over. We enjoy the early morning, low crowds and work up an appetite. Then, we are able to slow down and enjoy the character meal with out the rushed feeling of "we are missing park time!".

 

[smartlabelprint]

My favorite restaurants are plaza inn, French market, Boardwalk pizza & the veggie sandwich at award wieners.

 

[Camshell]

We are WDW veterans and are normally on the dining plan when we go. We are now DL first-timers and I'm finding myself overwhelmed by the park on the west coast We have 3 day park hoppers (actually have SoCal citypasses) - arriving Tuesday evening and visiting parks Wed-Fri in mid April.
ODD is 5.5/YDD is 2.5.

We will be staying in one of the condos immediately to the west of the parks. But mostly using the kitchen there for snack stashing and maybe a light breakfast a morning or two. How much meal planning should we do for the parks? I have so far booked the following - but I have no idea if we should stick with it. Any suggestions given our park hopper status, the ages of our kids and the # of days we will be there?

Wed AM 8:40 - Plaza Inn
Thurs AM - 7am - Storytellers Cafe
Fri 2pm - Wine Country WOC package

Is the Plaza Inn reservation going to cut into too much park time? What about the character interaction at Storytellers? Or is quick service the better way to go all the way around? Lastly, is the WOC package worth it?

Hoping the crowds and weather will be pleasant when we go!

Thanks for helping a DL newbie out. Been lurking on this forum and listening to the DL podcast lately to try and get some great info!

I would skip the Storyteller's Café, unless they really want to see the characters. I would grab a bite to eat in your condo and head straight to the parks for rope drop. You can get so much done when the park first opens. Keep you Plaza Inn reservation if you think the kids would like it (more well known characters). I would also second to skip the WOC package if you want. We have always been able to get good WOC fast passes first thing in the AM no problem. Getting a good spot in any section is usually more difficult if someone tall stands in front of you. We always try and get a spot at one of the railings with bushes in front of us (even the farther back spots are good) as you don't have someone directly in front of you. For food our favourite QS is Paradise Grill in CA, and Rancho del Zocalo or the French Quarter Restaurant in Disneyland. For TS we like Café Orleans (Disneyland) and Blue Bayou (Disneyland).

 

[mhingher]

I feel your pain! We know WDW like the back of our hands but Disneyland get me so confused! We went a few years ago and we had a great time, looking forward to going back. But we still have a lot to research. Last time we went, we had lunch at Carnation Café in DL, and we did Surfs Up for breakfast at Paradise Pier. Both were very good and we will most likely go back again this time. We're also doing a lunch with the Princesses at Ariel's Grotto since my younger daughter is asking about eating with Princesses! I personally love the character meals because it gives you the phot opportunity and autograph for the kids without wasting time on line when you could be going on rides. I hear a lot of recommendations for Blue Bayou or Café Orleans, but I'm a bit of a picky eater and I'm not sure if I'll like anything that I see on the menu. Let me know how your trip goes, we'll be there at the end of August. Be prepared, it's so much smaller than WDW. But I don't think that makes WDW any better, I love them both!

 

[ADLFAN]

I feel your pain! We know WDW like the back of our hands but Disneyland get me so confused! We went a few years ago and we had a great time, looking forward to going back. But we still have a lot to research. Last time we went, we had lunch at Carnation Café in DL, and we did Surfs Up for breakfast at Paradise Pier. Both were very good and we will most likely go back again this time. We're also doing a lunch with the Princesses at Ariel's Grotto since my younger daughter is asking about eating with Princesses! I personally love the character meals because it gives you the phot opportunity and autograph for the kids without wasting time on line when you could be going on rides. I hear a lot of recommendations for Blue Bayou or Café Orleans, but I'm a bit of a picky eater and I'm not sure if I'll like anything that I see on the menu. Let me know how your trip goes, we'll be there at the end of August. Be prepared, it's so much smaller than WDW. But I don't think that makes WDW any better, I love them both!

I'm a bit picky, too, so I wanted to let you know that the Tesoro Island Chicken at Blue Bayou was delicious and didn't have any overpowering flavors. They'll also substitute the side for you, and I had the delicious BB Au Gratin Potatoes instead of the risotto for a perfect combination and awesome meal! Yum, I'd eat it again right now if I could!

 

[christygobar]

Thank you for all the info! I think we will ditch Storytellers, but keep Plaza Inn - now I am thinking of moving it to Friday, which would be our final day in the parks.
DH was against anything super early in the AM and he wasn't really convinced about doing a meal on the airport day (mostly again, because it would have to be around 7am. Morning person he is not).

Thankfully, I took ODD to WDW in November and she did multiple princess meals - so we can skip that one this trip

I'll keep looking through the rest of your suggestions!

 

[VandVsmama]

If you want to change anything around, move the Plaza Inn breakfast reservation for a little later in the morning. Eat a light breakfast at your condo, get to the main gate for rope drop, and go go go on rides for a couple of hours. So then, let's say, do a 9:45am-ish Plaza Inn reservation. That will be probably about the time that your young kids are ready for a break. Then about 6-8 characters will come to YOU while you sit and eat. Your kids will love it. We did Plaza Inn for breakfast this past October and it was a lot of fun.

I recommend against doing 2 table service meals per day. So if you're going to do Storytellers on your last day, then move the WOC package to Thursday. Or skip Storytellers altogether.

 

[christygobar]

Right now we only have the Plaza Inn, and I moved it to our last day in the park. I kept the Wine Country for now. Will probably opt out of the PTN package. We will look at 1-2 others for dinner, but we may do quick service (and of course keep plenty of snacks) for the majority of the meals.

What I discovered from WDW in November with my 5YO, she wanted to eat a snack (mostly healthy stuff) like every hour instead of actually sitting down and eating a meal. Both of them are grazers by nature and eat like birds and the park just seemed to throw that into overdrive. I expect my 2YO to be similar.

 

[GatorChris]

Speaking here from experience. We did 7 WDW trips from 2002-2012 and then went DL the last three years. First, I'll address your questions on your current reservations.
Plaza Inn: Yes, that will cut into your day at the parks. The first few hours are critical if you want to hit a lot of rides. If you moved that meal to later in the morning, you can get to the parks early for rides and then eat a late breakfast/early lunch with all the character interaction. Storytellers: We just did this in November. While it's a cool idea to eat at the Grand Cali, the food is just OK...nothing special. And the character interaction was also just OK. In fact, I'd call it bad. Kenai missed our table when we got there and then took a break....which meant we were there 90 minutes just to catch him! Lousy. WOC package: I've never eaten at this place so I can't speak to the food. But the added cost is soooo much more, and you still will have to get in line early to get a place to see the show without tons of heads in front of you. Just not worth it for us.

As for DL, it's hard to get out of the WDW way of thinking that you have to have lots of ADRs. DL is really relaxed - no planning FPs and not a lot of planning meals. It's just better to take a laid back approach. Hard to do, I know. It took us two trips to DL to finally let go of the Uber-Planning. There are a lot of good counter service places all over the parks that you can just drop into. Very nice. And should you have a giant lunch, going to Gibson Girl Ice Cream or Clarabelle's Hand Scooped Ice Cream make a very nice dinner - yes, that's right! It's vacation - ice cream counts as a meal!!!

 

[Happyjenz]

We did plaza inn on an EE day, but at 10:30(I think, the latest I could get for that day). We ate a quick yogurt in the room before leaving, got there for rope drop, rode rides...when our time rolled around the crowds were just picking up and we were ready for a break! We used it as a brunch and timing wise I would do it just like that again!!