How are my ADRs?

[FSU Girl]

I’m going for my first trip to Disneyland for a surprise birthday trip for my fiancé. We will be there Monday-Thursday. I only made reservations for Monday night at blue bayou and dinner at Steak55 on Wednesday.

When I go to WDW I usually make a lot of dining reservations, but I don’t want to take too much time away from doing the parks to eat. Are these okay? We have a VIP Tour for Tuesday so I figured we shouldn’t make any reservations to take away from the tour time, but it does finish around 4pm so I guess we could have dinner reservation this day too?

Should I change the blue bayou to a fantasmic dining package? I’m a little hesitant to do this because from my understanding there isn’t a seating area so it’s really crowded and my fiancé gets stressed with crowds. Should I keep it as just dining and go on more rides while everyone else is watching the show? It’ll be Presidents’ Day so I’m figuring the parks will be crowded.

I’m trying to plan the best vacation for his birthday, but it’s hard since I’m keeping it a secret and can’t ask him for input

 

[Lesley Wake]

Definitely get a Fantasmic package! The show is outstanding and can’t be missed. A dining package is the only way to get a seated spot; all FPs are standing room only. If he doesn’t like crowds then a package is the best option to see it. If you can’t get one at B.B., you can try River Belle Terrace, or even Hungry Bear, but absolutely get a package!

In my experience, Disneyland has much better counter service than WDW, so sit down restaurants aren’t necessary. It’s more up to your own tastes and touring style. There also aren’t that many TS options in park! I think your plans will be fine and if you really want more TS you can probably get many the day-of!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I haven't done Fantasmic recently but I did read up on it a lot: You sit on the ground for BB Fantasmic package and even if the area he's sitting in isn't crowded the surrounding sections will be jam packed. Depending on his needs that might be fine or it might be awful. If you want to do it I'd look into the Riverbelle Dining Package. You can eat dinner and sit on the patio removed from the crowds to watch the show. The view isn't as great but the crowds appear to be less of an issue.

Interested in World of Color? Dessert Party is the only way to see that while removed from the crowds and it's great! Although- do you get VIP viewing at a show with your tour? Idk if that's a thing but there's always a roped off section with chairs removed from the crowds... I'm sure someone here can chime in on that.

Carthay Circle is beautiful and we had a wonderful meal there last year, our favorite of that trip actually! Napa Rose also gets rave reviews though I haven't been, I'd look into that one. Both the menus are seasonal so can change between what you see now and when you are there.

Day of dining reservations I do not recommend, get your dining planned out at least a couple weeks ahead of time. Over the years I've seen people turned away day of at BB, Cafe Orleans, WCT & even Carnation Cafe. You just don't know what kind of crowds you'll come up against & even if you get in waiting 45 mins for a table is an awful use of your time in DL. If you're not sure, grab the reservation because you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead of time. WOC dessert party is pre-paid but fully refundable up to 24 hours out.

Keeping a trip secret is SO hard. I had to do that earlier this year & it almost drove me batty!

 

[FSU Girl]

I haven't done Fantasmic recently but I did read up on it a lot: You sit on the ground for BB Fantasmic package and even if the area he's sitting in isn't crowded the surrounding sections will be jam packed. Depending on his needs that might be fine or it might be awful. If you want to do it I'd look into the Riverbelle Dining Package. You can eat dinner and sit on the patio removed from the crowds to watch the show. The view isn't as great but the crowds appear to be less of an issue.

Interested in World of Color? Dessert Party is the only way to see that while removed from the crowds and it's great! Although- do you get VIP viewing at a show with your tour? Idk if that's a thing but there's always a roped off section with chairs removed from the crowds... I'm sure someone here can chime in on that.

Carthay Circle is beautiful and we had a wonderful meal there last year, our favorite of that trip actually! Napa Rose also gets rave reviews though I haven't been, I'd look into that one. Both the menus are seasonal so can change between what you see now and when you are there.

Day of dining reservations I do not recommend, get your dining planned out at least a couple weeks ahead of time. Over the years I've seen people turned away day of at BB, Cafe Orleans, WCT & even Carnation Cafe. You just don't know what kind of crowds you'll come up against & even if you get in waiting 45 mins for a table is an awful use of your time in DL. If you're not sure, grab the reservation because you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead of time. WOC dessert party is pre-paid but fully refundable up to 24 hours out.

Keeping a trip secret is SO hard. I had to do that earlier this year & it almost drove me batty!

I watched online the fantasmic show, but it looked really packed and I think it would be a lot more stressful for my fiancé than it’s worth. With the VIP package they said we will get the special seating for WOC so we are doing that Tuesday night.

I was considering Napa Rose, we are staying at the Grand Californian. But he loves steak so I thought a steakhouse would be good and he’d get to see the Disneyland hotel in the process.

I’ll look into the carthay circle we probably would have enough time after the tour ends and before WOC begins to fit it in.

And yes planning a surprise trip is really hard. I had him take the week off from work, I think he thinks we are going to Disney World since we have annual passes there. We are going to Vegas first and then Disneyland

 

[Lesley Wake]

With the VIP tour, I think they are also able to help with dining without a reservation.

I would absolutely not recommend the River Belle Terrace premium viewing, especially for your first time seeing it. It’s off to the side and you have a walkway and FP standing area between you and Rivers of America. I’ve done BB twice and RBT once with the dining package. Both had plenty of breathing room in the seating area, but BB was a better meal and center viewing; you could also show up about 45 minutes before the show and have an excellent spot (RBT you have to show up about 1 hr and still wait to get a spot that is slightly off to the side). Another bonus for BB-you get a seat cushion, which is a nice way to stake out your spot as well as avoid sitting on cold concrete! Hungry Bear is much cheaper but you can still get good viewing; food is also in to go containers, so can help with reducing time spent.

I ate at Napa Rose last week and it was very good. But you can also consider the Napa Rose Lounge. They have the full menu there and no ADRs. I was there around 6pm on a very busy park day but people could walk right up and sit in lounge. I had the Filet Mignon and it was tender and yummy.

There is also Carthay Circle Lounge, which you have to wait in line, but then is a relaxing atmosphere.

If you are worried about taking too much time definitely consider dinner at “off times”, so like 5pm. Less of a wait and more likelihood for the walk ups.

For counter service locations, these are ones I would consider:
French Market-excellent, with bread bowls, rotisserie chicken, sandwiches, salads.
Red Rose Tavern-beauty and beast inspired with sandwiches/burgers/flatbreads
Plaza Inn-fried chicken, pot roast
Jolly Holiday-salads, sandwich’s, pastries
Pizza Port-pasta, pizza
Flo’s-Home style foods and can have a good view of Racers
Paradise Wharf-3 options: lucky fortune cookery (rice bowls), boudin bakery (bread bowls), Cocina cucamonga (Mexican).
Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta-what it sounds like!
Paradise Garden Grill-Mexican
Smokejumpers-burgers, salads

I think there is plenty to get away with not having lots of ADRs. You can also consider just making some, then deciding when you are there and canceling the day before if you realize counter service is fine for you guys!

 

[FSU Girl]

If we do a 7pm dining reservation will that give us enough time to get to fantasmic? We are flying in this day so we can’t do much earlier

 

[FSU Girl]

With the VIP tour, I think they are also able to help with dining without a reservation.

I would absolutely not recommend the River Belle Terrace premium viewing, especially for your first time seeing it. It’s off to the side and you have a walkway and FP standing area between you and Rivers of America. I’ve done BB twice and RBT once with the dining package. Both had plenty of breathing room in the seating area, but BB was a better meal and center viewing; you could also show up about 45 minutes before the show and have an excellent spot (RBT you have to show up about 1 hr and still wait to get a spot that is slightly off to the side). Another bonus for BB-you get a seat cushion, which is a nice way to stake out your spot as well as avoid sitting on cold concrete! Hungry Bear is much cheaper but you can still get good viewing; food is also in to go containers, so can help with reducing time spent.

I ate at Napa Rose last week and it was very good. But you can also consider the Napa Rose Lounge. They have the full menu there and no ADRs. I was there around 6pm on a very busy park day but people could walk right up and sit in lounge. I had the Filet Mignon and it was tender and yummy.

There is also Carthay Circle Lounge, which you have to wait in line, but then is a relaxing atmosphere.

If you are worried about taking too much time definitely consider dinner at “off times”, so like 5pm. Less of a wait and more likelihood for the walk ups.

For counter service locations, these are ones I would consider:
French Market-excellent, with bread bowls, rotisserie chicken, sandwiches, salads.
Red Rose Tavern-beauty and beast inspired with sandwiches/burgers/flatbreads
Plaza Inn-fried chicken, pot roast
Jolly Holiday-salads, sandwich’s, pastries
Pizza Port-pasta, pizza
Flo’s-Home style foods and can have a good view of Racers
Paradise Wharf-3 options: lucky fortune cookery (rice bowls), boudin bakery (bread bowls), Cocina cucamonga (Mexican).
Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta-what it sounds like!
Paradise Garden Grill-Mexican
Smokejumpers-burgers, salads

I think there is plenty to get away with not having lots of ADRs. You can also consider just making some, then deciding when you are there and canceling the day before if you realize counter service is fine for you guys!

Thanks this is really helpful. They said they could make my reservations for me, but it’s hard for me to give up control and not do it myself. I switched to the fantasmic package but it says first show and I’m not sure if a 7pm dinner will give us enough time to make that. It doesn’t look like show times are out yet for my dates

 

[Lesley Wake]

Thanks this is really helpful. They said they could make my reservations for me, but it’s hard for me to give up control and not do it myself. I switched to the fantasmic package but it says first show and I’m not sure if a 7pm dinner will give us enough time to make that. It doesn’t look like show times are out yet for my dates

Even if it says first show they will be able to give you passes for the later show. 7 is pushing it because consider maybe 30 min wait to be seated, plus 1 hr or more to eat, that would only give you 30 minutes before showtime (assuming a 9pm show) which really isn’t enough.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I think you will end up with late viewing with a 7 pm reservation. Which is totally fine. Way better on the crowd front. Just thinking if he doesn't like crowds that I would skip fantasmic and stay out of that area. The crowds are insane. Try to find a video on line of the area before and after the show and you will see what I mean.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Should I change the blue bayou to a fantasmic dining package?

It looks like you changed it based on a follow up post. I was going to suggest either changing it so that you get the hard foam cushion from Blue Bayou to sit on during the show, or doing the seated package at River Belle Terrace so you could pretty much avoid all the crowds.

We will be there Monday-Thursday. I only made reservations for Monday night at blue bayou and dinner at Steak55 on Wednesday.

I wouldn't want to fill up too much time with reservations on that schedule. Depending on when you go, you do have a chance to grab a last minute cancellation for Carthay Circle or another place. As mentioned by others, most places to eat don't take reservations anyway. I think you'll be fine with only having 2.

 

[FSU Girl]

It looks like you changed it based on a follow up post. I was going to suggest either changing it so that you get the hard foam cushion from Blue Bayou to sit on during the show, or doing the seated package at River Belle Terrace so you could pretty much avoid all the crowds.
I wouldn't want to fill up too much time with reservations on that schedule. Depending on when you go, you do have a chance to grab a last minute cancellation for Carthay Circle or another place. As mentioned by others, most places to eat don't take reservations anyway. I think you'll be fine with only having 2.

Thanks! I actually ended up changing it back to a dining only. I think the show would be cool to watch, but I just know my fiance is going to get stressed with the crowd and everyone packed in. He hated when we watched fireworks and there was so many people around us. Since it's for his birthday I'm going to put this off for another trip.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thanks! I actually ended up changing it back to a dining only. I think the show would be cool to watch, but I just know my fiance is going to get stressed with the crowd and everyone packed in. He hated when we watched fireworks and there was so many people around us. Since it's for his birthday I'm going to put this off for another trip.

If your fiancé is that bad with crowds just know that the entire New Orleans area gets crazy packed leading up to Fantasmic. I once got stuck trying to leave the area about an hour before Fantasmic and it was a sea of people. I actually try to avoid all of New Orleans and beyond in the evenings now if there is a Fantasmic show that night. If you have a BB dinner reservation and you will be exiting the area before a Fantasmic show, just be prepared for crowds as you make your way out. Also, you said it will be Presidents' Day so it will be even more crowded. It might be worth considering an earlier reservation or lunch or even doing BB on a different day, depending on how much crowds bother him.

In another note, I seem to recall you were planning a surprise trip to DL for your "boyfriend" so I think congratulations are in order!

 

[FSU Girl]

If your fiancé is that bad with crowds just know that the entire New Orleans area gets crazy packed leading up to Fantasmic. I once got stuck trying to leave the area about an hour before Fantasmic and it was a sea of people. I actually try to avoid all of New Orleans and beyond in the evenings now if there is a Fantasmic show that night. If you have a BB dinner reservation and you will be exiting the area before a Fantasmic show, just be prepared for crowds as you make your way out. Also, you said it will be Presidents' Day so it will be even more crowded. It might be worth considering an earlier reservation or lunch or even doing BB on a different day, depending on how much crowds bother him.

In another note, I seem to recall you were planning a surprise trip to DL for your "boyfriend" so I think congratulations are in order!

Yes he proposed to me a week and a half ago on our Disney cruise I'm really excited. Thank you!

He is pretty bad with crowds and I didn't realize that area will get packed. We are flying in that day and landing around 2 or 3, I forget. I made reservations at 7pm so if the plane was delayed at all we'd still make it. Should I bump up the time to 6pm? I'm not sure what time the show will be I'm not seeing details on the website yet. I'm guessing around 9pm. He'll be okay if we can get through the crowd to a more open area.

 

[Federalist45]

MouseMommy is correct that New Orleans Square is unpredictable from a crowd standpoint. During Fantasmic ingress and egress, you can be shoulder to shoulder in a line for 10+ minutes. A sea of people move between Main Street and New Orleans Square between Fantasmic and the Fireworks. Hopefully doing it on a Monday wil lnot be too bad, but Tuesday - Thursday would be even better from a crowd perspective.

Scope out the path between Blue Bayou and the Disneyland Railway as this is a good way to move around New Orleans Square with much less crowding. Consider using the Railway to get in and out of the Square, it will minimize time in crowds immensely. After the show, you may need to just stay put in the fantasmic seating area until the crowd thins out enough to move.

 

[figment_jii]

I've noticed that ever since the railroad returned earlier this year, there have been consistent lines to get on board in the afternoon/evening. It probably varies considerably by day, but, assuming the railroad is running, I would anticipate having to wait for at least a couple of trains before you'll be able to board. So it won't necessarily reduce the time in crowds or be a faster way to get to Main Street.

Honestly, OP, I would just wait in the F! viewing area for a couple of minutes (5-10 minutes) after the show and the crowds will thin considerably (especially if you're attending the second showing).

 

[mom2rtk]

We did Riverbelle Terrace viewing package and had no trouble exiting the park on a very crowded evening when the Candlelight Processional had taken place. We sat in the back of the RBT section, but stood for the show. We had excellent sight lines (I chose to stand so I could photograph, but still would have had a good view if we stayed seated because of the slope). Then when the show was almost over, they dropped the ropes and it wasn't far at all to just head back through Adventureland. The night we were there the Main Street Bypass was open, making it even easier. But even without the bypass, you could choose to leave before the fireworks and be ahead of the exit crowd.

 

[FSU Girl]

So now I'm thinking of reserving my reservations having the Blue Bayou on my last night and having Steakhouse55 on my first night. It seems like if I'm not going to Fantasmic I'm going to get stuck in a huge crowd of people if I go then and from my understanding there won't be a show on a Wednesday night? If I do this, should I just get rid of Steakhouse55 since we aren't going to be in the parks for very long if we have to leave for a hotel dinner. At WDW you can make same day reservations on the app, the picking might be slimmer, but is that something I can do there? Then we could decide when we are there and he can give some input. What do you think?

 

[cruisehopeful]

So now I'm thinking of reserving my reservations having the Blue Bayou on my last night and having Steakhouse55 on my first night. It seems like if I'm not going to Fantasmic I'm going to get stuck in a huge crowd of people if I go then and from my understanding there won't be a show on a Wednesday night? If I do this, should I just get rid of Steakhouse55 since we aren't going to be in the parks for very long if we have to leave for a hotel dinner. At WDW you can make same day reservations on the app, the picking might be slimmer, but is that something I can do there? Then we could decide when we are there and he can give some input. What do you think?

While it can be disappointing to leave the park to go to dinner, if you have your heart set on it (and my husband loves dining at Steakhouse55 btw), I would just keep the reservation or switch it to the first night. There are always chances of last minute reservations, but they are not always available. I have lots of experience with going on the busiest days and trying to eat. The very busy days are normally full for all reservations. There is another option, though. Steakhouse55 has a lounge that is quite small, but it's first come, first served, no reservations. They have a very nice lounge menu and you can also order from the regular restaurant menu. You actually get more choices eating in the lounge than in the restaurant, but you don't have the restaurant experience.

For Blue Bayou, have you considered doing a lunch instead? That way, you avoid the F! crowds altogether. I've had a late lunch and a later dinner there before and it is pretty much the same. You can look at the menus online and see if there is anything different. I believe dinner service starts as early as 4pm. So, you could always do a late lunch/early dinner at some point.

I think if I were in your shoes, I'd do lounge at Steakhouse55 on the first night. I don't like the long dragged out dinners in restaurants, though. I think a lot of people like those. And, I'd do Blue Bayou lunch on a different day unless I wanted something that was only offered on the dinner menu. In that case, I'd do an early dinner at Blue Bayou so I could completely avoid the area during F!

No matter what you decide, you are pretty much guaranteed a fun time. I think you'll have a magical trip no matter what or when you eat.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's not that much of a pain to leave the park and eat at Steakhouse 55. The monorail has a park entrance in Tomorrowland and drops off near the Disneyland Hotel, where the restaurant is located. You can use it to reenter the park as well. I would do it on your busiest park day to give you a break from the crowd.

 

[FSU Girl]

Ok I switched them around At Disney World we mainly eat sit down dinners and just grab something quick for lunch, so I figured we'd do the same here. I figure since we have the VIP tour on Tuesday we won't feel too rushed to get things done on Monday, especially since our flight lands in the afternoon. I think since it's a holiday having a reservation is a good idea, I'm expecting large crowds. I wouldn't normally plan a trip around a holiday, but I wanted this to be on his actual birthday.