If you had to select three sit down meals at DL...

[kennedyandkailey]

WDW regular here... trying to learn the ropes at DL. If you had to select three sit down meal options at DL (with kids... not doing either of the signature locations) what would you choose??? TIA!

 

[DizFan13]

In DL, I'd recommend Cafe Orleans. I would also recommend Carnation Cafe, if you're traveling when it is open.

Are you going to be in DCA as well? Wine Country Trattoria (sp?) is a decent option.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Cafe Orleans is a must for us every trip just to get the fries and I love the chicken gumbo.

Several years ago we did the WOC dinner at Ariels and loved it.

 

[soaringirl]

I would love to know that as well!! I've been trying to figure out which sit-down meals, so far I've come only with Blue Bayou.
I've been looking at other options, but they're are either at Downtown (La Brea, Rainforest Cafe) or GardenWalk (Bubba Gump, PF Chang's).

 

[Malcon10t]

Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, and Ariel's. In DTD, Tortilla Jo's.

 

[Cagirl767]

I think it depends if your kids are picky eaters or not. The kids' menus are limited (although they could order off the adult menu and split, but still not much there my kids would like). DH and I like French Market, but as for the kids, they really only have mac and cheese that they'll eat, although reluctantly. They'll eat salmon, but if they're starving and we snack a lot at DLR (as may your kids with so many yummy treats around) buying an adult entree just isn't justifiable). Cafe Orleans is a top choice, but if DS is in the mood for spaghetti and chicken and usually wants pizza or a hot dog at DL. We've always had good service there and DH likes to try the popular entree items at the restaurants such as the Monte Cristo at CO.

I'd review the kids' menus first and see which restaurants would work for you all.

My kids like Carnation since they have turkey dogs, but they'll be closed for a while along with Red Rockets, so we're having to change plans and figure out what will work for us this next time as far as sit down restaurants, too.

 

[Butterfly123]

The Chicken Fusilli at Redd Rockett's Pizza Port is also very good. I'm not a big fan of their pizza, though.

 

[taaren]

Cafe Orleans - lunch. Get a Monte Cristo and beignets with dip (and if they have anything bananas foster on the menu, it changes [seen it as crepes, bread pudding] but is delicious)

Goofy's Kitchen - dinner. Great character meal experience and the one time I actually feel I got my $$'s worth out of a buffet.

Blue Bayou/Napa Rose/Steakhouse 55 - dinner depending on what kind of an experience you want. Fine dining Napa Rose is phenomenal but I felt it was a little too rich for my blood to do more than once both price-wise and calorically. Blue Bayou is amazing for the ambiance and I love the filet mignon and creme brulee ... though its pricey for what it is (its not 'fine dining' in the sense that Napa Rose is but still has the fine dining price tag) ... a lot of people suggest BB as a place to go for dessert to soak up the atmosphere at a reasonable price. And Steakhouse 55 I haven't been to in awhile but the new chocolate cake has put it on my list for the next time we go and the steaks I do remember as being delicious and 'reasonable' for steak.

Can't help you with any breakfast items as we've never had one in the park that was anywhere near as good as what my DH can make in our villa and so if he wants to sleep in we usually just grab a crepe or beignet from Ralphs or eat cereal in the room.

 

[BlueBayou]

Wine Country Trattoria in DCA and Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney - we do counter service in DL (Royal Street Veranda, Bengal BBQ and the Pizza Port)

 

[larina]

Napa Rose in GCH, PCH Grille in the Paradise Pier, and Storytellers.

 

[cp11]

Carnation Cafe, Ariel's if you have kids. We did Blue Bayou with our kids and another family and all of our kids disliked it. We told them we were going this trip and none of them were happy about it. Of course we were kidding. We learned last time. LOL.

 

[cp11]

Oops, I forgot to add Storytellers to my list.

 

[DizMe]

Blue Bayou (it's a favorite with all of my kids!), Storyteller's, and Rainforest Cafe. Not a big fan of Cafe Orleans--my kids don't care for it much because the service is sooooooo slooooooooow whenever we've gone.

We also love Ariel's, but all my kids are girls so of course princess things are high on the list. We love Steakhouse 55 for breakfast but it's pretty out of the way unless you're staying at DLH.

I love the sit-down part of La Brea, but not as much when the kids are along.

I also think Wine Country Trattoria is very good!!

 

[kennedyandkailey]

Thank you for all of the suggestions... SOOOO helpful!

At this point I think we are leaning towards doing all sit downs for early dinners. I think we've narrowed it down to Ariel's World of Color Dinner, Storytellers Dinner Buffet, Blue Bayou for DS's bday, and/or Goofy's Dinner Buffet. With a 9 and 7 year old these sound like the better options thus far!

I'd love to hear more though if anyone has suggestions!

I am VERY interested in trying the Bengal Skewers at DL for lunch! Any favorite lunch counter service options at DCA? TFS!!!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Just an fyi...no characters at Ariel's dinner.

May I suggest a Blue Bayou lunch? The menu is a tad cheaper, plus you can reserve a table for opening and have a good chance at getting a waterfront seat. It's worth the additional wait, especially for your kids.

My suggestion for a character meal would be Minnie's at the Plaza Inn. You can get an early reservation during a Magic Morning. This way you won't miss any park time. The amount of characters are significantly greater at this experience than any other. Storytellers will have four characters, while Minnie will have a dozen at least.

Lots of wonderful counter service options at DCA. There is Test Pilot's Grill, which has good bbq, like Flame Tree at AK. It also has a fixin bar like Pecos Bill's. There are two large sections in the park that offer a cluster of choices together. Like Sunshine Seasons, but on a larger scale. One offers Italian and Mediterran choices. The other (my family's favorite) offers a bakery with soup and salads in a fresh bread bowl, Chinese, or Mexican counter service.

BTW... my top choices for table service (with our children) would be Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, and Minnie's Breakfast.

Hope you have a magical trip!

 

[2plus2equalsus]

Great question and thanks for all the suggestions. We are in the same boat

 

[BNM]

I am reading the replies with interest. For our upcoming trip, I am thinking about adding Ariel's WOC dinner to what I've booked already:
Goofys dinner
Cafe Orleans lunch
Tortilla Jo dinner

The other option would be the picnic or wine country trattoria, but the kids might like Ariel's better (they are boys, not interested in princesses). Any advice?

 

[kennedyandkailey]

I am reading the replies with interest. For our upcoming trip, I am thinking about adding Ariel's WOC dinner to what I've booked already:
Goofys dinner
Cafe Orleans lunch
Tortilla Jo dinner

The other option would be the picnic or wine country trattoria, but the kids might like Ariel's better (they are boys, not interested in princesses). Any advice?

I checked out the menus today at Wine Country and Ariel's for WOC dinner and went with Ariel's. It just looks more child friendly IMO. We don't really care about the absence of princesses either as the trip is for my DS's bday and he hates the princess meals at WDW. Also, my DD is 9 going on 19 lol and she lost interest in princesses well over a year ago. She'll get a bigger kick out of seeing some of the characters that appear at Goofy's at this point. Obviously, I have not actually dined at either location as of yet, but just thought I'd share what helped in my final decision for WOC dinner options.

 

[Realmousefan]

We are taking two boys ages 6 and 9 for their first visit next month. Anyplace you recommend for dining that we might get to meet more *boy, type characters ???

 

[WestCoastMama]

We are taking two boys ages 6 and 9 for their first visit next month. Anyplace you recommend for dining that we might get to meet more *boy, type characters ???

Last week we did Minnie and Friends for breakfast @ The Plaza Inn and had a great experience. I have a 7 DD and a 4 DS and I would say there was a good amount of gender neutral characters (pooh, eeyore, chip/dale, minnie etc...). The character wranglers there were great! When we got there we saw Captain Hook doing his rounds but we must've missed him because he disappeared. My son really wanted to meet him so we approached the CM in charge of the characters for our room and asked if he would be returning. She said he was on break and might be returning in about 15 min. We were finishing our breakfast when peeking around the corner was Captain Hook! The CM brought Hook right up to our table! It was so wonderful! The CM made my son's day! So I highly recommend Minnie and Friends for everyone.