How far ahead do I need to make Dining reservations at Disneyland?

[pumpkinboy]

We are all looking forward to our first trip to Disneyland since before kids. DW and I last visited in 1993, and have fond memories of the Blue Bayou especially.

But my question is, How far ahead can/ should we book dining reservations at Disneyland and associated hotels. I know it's not like WDW where you need to book 180 days if you want to dine at your favorite places at a reasonable hour. Since we're coming up on six months away (August), I figure that I ought to get this sorted out now. We generally go for fancier sit-down places with interesting food (yes, we are foodies), so places with exciting menus are what we're looking for here.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[honeymom]

I don't think there is any DL restaurant that you need to stress out about like WDW. We were just there right after New Year's. Supposedly DL was near capacity (seemed crowded, but not anymore crowded than the summer). Yet we made reservations for Blue Bayou one week out, Storytellers character breakfast one week out, Napa Rose the night before, and Ralph Brennans and Rainforest Cafe about 3 days out. I think that you should just get an idea of where you want to go and then book it, but you won't have to frantically dial like you do for CRT.

 

[pumpkinboy]

So far I think we are looking at Napa Rose, Yamabuki and our old favorite Blue Bayou. Any others we shouldn't miss?

Thanks for the info, honeymom. I am so used to WDW and making ressies 180 days out, it's hard to imagine waiting until, gosh, within a month of the time we're going.

 

[honeymom]

We really like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. Also, the breakfast buffet at Storyteller's was really good. They are supposed to have a really good dinner buffet, also (I just can't vouch for it because we never ate there.) I have also read excellent reviews of Catal. I have eaten at another one of Joachim Spichal's (spelling?) restaurants - so I would believe it.

 

[hidetherum]

I made our reservations for our party of 5 for the Blue Bayou with no problems just this week. We have 3 weeks to go.

 

[Aristomommy]

I made all our ressies yesterday for our Feb 14-16 trip. I was able to get all of them with plenty of choices for our party of 5. I was sure the princess character meal would be booked up, but there were 3 times to choose from. I think I'm so used to the WDW madness at 90 day mark that I thought it was too late to call.

 

[autumnbaby9]

The only dining experience you have to worry about is the Fantasmic Desert Buffet. This you have to call 1 month ahead exactly when the phone lines open.

 

[pumpkinboy]

...I think I'm so used to the WDW madness at 90 day mark that I thought it was too late to call.

Be careful; WDW ressies are at 180 days now.

But it seems Disneyland has all of one sit-down restaurant, which happens to be among my favorite Disney restaurants on either coast; I hadn't realized that all the rest were counter service. Hmmm. So I think I'll reserve Blue Bayou, and probably Napa Rose, and we'll keep thinking on the rest. But I guess I don't have to decide until May?

Thanks for all the input.

 

[PrincessSitka]

I make my resie I think it was 60 days out

 

[Amy&Dan]

Be careful; WDW ressies are at 180 days now.

But it seems Disneyland has all of one sit-down restaurant, which happens to be among my favorite Disney restaurants on either coast; I hadn't realized that all the rest were counter service. Hmmm. So I think I'll reserve Blue Bayou, and probably Napa Rose, and we'll keep thinking on the rest. But I guess I don't have to decide until May?

Thanks for all the input.

Disneyland actually also has Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe and a character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. DCA has Ariel's Grotto, the Vineyard Room and Wine Country Trattoria.

Not nearly as many as WDW but there are a few choices. And since DTD and the resort hotels are right there that also offers some easy to get to full service options that you can also make ADR's for at the same number you do the park ones, anytime from 60 days out.