If you were making reservations for dinner...

[Sherry E]

We could do another character meal, the only issue being that my kids are not breakfast/brunch kids at all. If we go for a big brunch they always ask for cereal. So...I don't really want to spend the money to do a brunch. We could do a lunch though, so could do Surf's Up with Mickey for lunch, or AG for lunch...but all I see on the sites is that Surf's Up is breakfast, and AG is breakfast or dinner. Do either do lunch?

Here's what I have for dinners after last night's thinking/investigating...

Monday: Goofy's
Tuesday: Carnation Cafe
Wednesday: Rainforest Cafe
Thursday: ESPN Zone
Friday: Storytellers Cafe or PCH Grill for dinner....or Goofy's again for our last night? Would have loved to do AG for dinner with the characters...sigh...

Thoughts?

Ariel's does an actual, official character/Princess lunch. In fact, it's the only one that does an actual lunch (as well as breakfast). The other character meals - Critter Breakfast, Minnie & Friends and Surf's Up with Mickey - are basically breakfasts that extend sort of into a brunch-y time frame, then they switch to return to regular, non-character restaurant operation. And Goofy's has a huge buffet that includes all kinds of breakfast and brunch food (including things like pizza, hot dogs, cold cuts) but no official lunch (anymore - they used to have a separate lunch years ago). Goofy's is sometimes open as late as 2 p.m. (on Saturdays, during busy seasons), and other times until 12 p.m. (I think 12 p.m. would probably be the Friday closing time.) Then they open for dinner at 5 p.m.

So it looks like Ariel's for lunch is your other character meal option - and that would give you a chance to dine with the Princesses, but you don't have to eat breakfast to do it!!

As for your Friday dinner question. Well, what you could do is leave it open, and if the Goofy's meal goes over well with everyone on Monday and there is still a need for more character interaction after the first Goofy's visit and after Ariel's lunch, then maybe Goofy's would be an option again for Friday night. You could call Disneyland Dining and get a reservation while you are at DLR.

Otherwise, if you decide to try a non-character meal for the Friday dinner option...does your family enjoy ice cream? Lots and lots and lots of ice cream? There is this thing called the Kitchen Sink at the PCH Grill, but it takes multiple people to eat it. It is not for the weak at heart!! It's enormous. There is something crazy like 12 scoops of ice cream in it, various sauces and toppings, some candy bars, brownies, maybe a cookie or two and who knows what else on top of the ice cream.

I have never tried PCH Grill - and I think a lot of folks forget about it at night because the PPH is across the street from the main hub of activity (out of sight, out of mind) - but folks who do eat there seem to enjoy it, and because so few people remember it's there, maybe it wouldn't be too crowded? PCH Grill is definitely not mentioned too often here on the DIS, but I don't think that's because of food quality at all - it's just that it is always forgotten!!

 

[erinbharris]

Sherry's my hero...I'm going to put you on speed dial.

I just got off the phone with dining...and the CM completely overwhelmed me!! I did book Goofy's for dinner our first night...but have to call back for the other dates because our first night is August 2nd. Anyhow, I thought I knew where I was going to book...but she talked and talked and talked and now I'm unsure!

We're going to do AG for lunch on our last day...that much I know--thank you for clarifying the breakfast/lunch thing for me.

So, I know that I've got Goofy's and AG chosen.

For our other 4 dinners I know I want...

Carnation Cafe
Rainforest Cafe
ESPN Zone

and the other night is undecided as of yet. Blue Bayou looks awesome, but I'm allergic to shellfish so don't want to chance it. PCH Grill/WCT/Plaza Inn/Cafe Orleans/Storytellers Cafe are all options for our 5th dinner as well as lunches. What are your thoughts on those?

Ariel's does an actual, official character/Princess lunch. In fact, it's the only one that does an actual lunch (as well as breakfast). The other character meals - Critter Breakfast, Minnie & Friends and Surf's Up with Mickey - are basically breakfasts that extend sort of into a brunch-y time frame, then they switch to return to regular, non-character restaurant operation. And Goofy's has a huge buffet that includes all kinds of breakfast and brunch food (including things like pizza, hot dogs, cold cuts) but no official lunch (anymore - they used to have a separate lunch years ago). Goofy's is sometimes open as late as 2 p.m. (on Saturdays, during busy seasons), and other times until 12 p.m. (I think 12 p.m. would probably be the Friday closing time.) Then they open for dinner at 5 p.m.

So it looks like Ariel's for lunch is your other character meal option - and that would give you a chance to dine with the Princesses, but you don't have to eat breakfast to do it!!

As for your Friday dinner question. Well, what you could do is leave it open, and if the Goofy's meal goes over well with everyone on Monday and there is still a need for more character interaction after the first Goofy's visit and after Ariel's lunch, then maybe Goofy's would be an option again for Friday night. You could call Disneyland Dining and get a reservation while you are at DLR.

Otherwise, if you decide to try a non-character meal for the Friday dinner option...does your family enjoy ice cream? Lots and lots and lots of ice cream? There is this thing called the Kitchen Sink at the PCH Grill, but it takes multiple people to eat it. It is not for the weak at heart!! It's enormous. There is something crazy like 12 scoops of ice cream in it, various sauces and toppings, some candy bars, brownies, maybe a cookie or two and who knows what else on top of the ice cream.

I have never tried PCH Grill - and I think a lot of folks forget about it at night because the PPH is across the street from the main hub of activity (out of sight, out of mind) - but folks who do eat there seem to enjoy it, and because so few people remember it's there, maybe it wouldn't be too crowded? PCH Grill is definitely not mentioned too often here on the DIS, but I don't think that's because of food quality at all - it's just that it is always forgotten!!

 

[erinbharris]

Oh...and how awesome is that ice cream?! Yikes!!! I'm thinking that may be the perfect place to stop mid-day for a family treat!!

 

[NewbieMouse]

It's not a character meal, but we really like dinner at PCH Grill in Paradise Pier Hotel.

For kids, they have a "build your own pizza" that actually tastes quite nummy. The only choice is plain cheese or cheese and pepperoni (or, I suppose, no cheese)...they bring out the dough ready to go, and little containers of sauce and cheese (and pepperoni for the omnivores), there's a wooden stake in it with a number in it. Kids decorate it, parents (or careful kids) take it up to the counter where the chef pops it into the wood-burning oven, and the server brings it back out when it's done. It tastes really good, and it's really fun for littles.

Do you think you'd need a reservation for this dinner? This might be fun for us to do on arrival night, and my kids would love this pizza thing. But I really don't want to make a reservation for anything that day (not sure what time the plane will arrive, how long it will take to check in, etc.). Besides, vacation planning might strangle me if I make another change. They say always say, "Have a magical day", but I'm pretty sure it's starting to be muttered through clenched teeth

Have there been big lineups for dinner at PCH when you go?

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry's my hero...I'm going to put you on speed dial.

I just got off the phone with dining...and the CM completely overwhelmed me!! I did book Goofy's for dinner our first night...but have to call back for the other dates because our first night is August 2nd. Anyhow, I thought I knew where I was going to book...but she talked and talked and talked and now I'm unsure!

We're going to do AG for lunch on our last day...that much I know--thank you for clarifying the breakfast/lunch thing for me.

So, I know that I've got Goofy's and AG chosen.

For our other 4 dinners I know I want...

Carnation Cafe
Rainforest Cafe
ESPN Zone

and the other night is undecided as of yet. Blue Bayou looks awesome, but I'm allergic to shellfish so don't want to chance it. PCH Grill/WCT/Plaza Inn/Cafe Orleans/Storytellers Cafe are all options for our 5th dinner as well as lunches. What are your thoughts on those?

Oh...and how awesome is that ice cream?! Yikes!!! I'm thinking that may be the perfect place to stop mid-day for a family treat!!

Okay! Put me on speed dial! Sounds like you got an extra-friendly CM at the Dining number! Every now and then we run into CMs who seem to not enjoy their jobs too much, and other times we get the ones who appear to really love their jobs and people, and just want to talk and talk! Bless their hearts! I love those enthusiastic CMs! I love that they are so excited to work there and to talk to people!

Well, if you go to PCH Grill to try the gigantic Kitchen Sink sundae one afternoon, you may not want to go back there for dinner too. Or, maybe if you eat there for dinner, you can do the Kitchen Sink at the end of dinner (if everyone has room for it, that is - it would have to be a family effort unless you have some really ravenous ice cream eaters)?

Wine Country Trattoria is quite good, but people do rave about Cafe Orleans. I have not done Cafe Orleans yet, but it almost always gets good reviews from people. It's one of the more consistently well-reviewed restaurants on the DIS. You may want that to be your other dinner.

I think Storytellers may have a bigger menu than WCT. I am guessing that WCT may start to get a bit busier than it used to be because it is now part of the World of Color dining packages. It used to be, in the past, there were always tables (when we went) outside at WCT. I am thinking WCT's business is about to go way up and there may not be so many tables available.

And if anyone is a big meat eater, there is also Steakhouse 55 in the DLH...but I don't want to throw you off course with your plan any further!! It sounds like you almost have it nailed down!

 

[erinbharris]

Okay! Put me on speed dial! Sounds like you got an extra-friendly CM at the Dining number! Every now and then we run into CMs who seem to not enjoy their jobs too much, and other times we get the ones who appear to really love their jobs and people, and just want to talk and talk! Bless their hearts! I love those enthusiastic CMs! I love that they are so excited to work there and to talk to people!

Well, if you go to PCH Grill to try the gigantic Kitchen Sink sundae one afternoon, you may not want to go back there for dinner too. Or, maybe if you eat there for dinner, you can do the Kitchen Sink at the end of dinner (if everyone has room for it, that is - it would have to be a family effort unless you have some really ravenous ice cream eaters)?

Wine Country Trattoria is quite good, but people do rave about Cafe Orleans. I have not done Cafe Orleans yet, but it almost always gets good reviews from people. It's one of the more consistently well-reviewed restaurants on the DIS. You may want that to be your other dinner.

I think Storytellers may have a bigger menu than WCT. I am guessing that WCT may start to get a bit busier than it used to be because it is now part of the World of Color dining packages. It used to be, in the past, there were always tables (when we went) outside at WCT. I am thinking WCT's business is about to go way up and there may not be so many tables available.

And if anyone is a big meat eater, there is also Steakhouse 55 in the DLH...but I don't want to throw you off course with your plan any further!! It sounds like you almost have it nailed down!

She was definitely friendly...I know all about her grandson and their favorite places to go to eat. She did suggest different breakfasts about 17 times, even though I kept saying "Just a reminder that my kids aren't big breakfast eaters so we're going to save our reservations for lunches and dinners." Apparently she didn't hear me on that one.

I think I'm going to go with Cafe Orleans for our other dinner. I looked on here and it does get great reviews--people seem to love it...although I looked at the menu and not much appeals to me, but I liked their kids menu which is more important than if there's something I like!

 

[Sherry E]

She was definitely friendly...I know all about her grandson and their favorite places to go to eat. She did suggest different breakfasts about 17 times, even though I kept saying "Just a reminder that my kids aren't big breakfast eaters so we're going to save our reservations for lunches and dinners." Apparently she didn't hear me on that one.

I think I'm going to go with Cafe Orleans for our other dinner. I looked on here and it does get great reviews--people seem to love it...although I looked at the menu and not much appeals to me, but I liked their kids menu which is more important than if there's something I like!

I think that's why I haven't eaten at Cafe Orleans yet either - not much appeals to me. But it certainly does get great reviews most of the time, so I think that's a good sign!

Well, great! It sounds like your plan is coming together nicely now. And you even made a new friend at Disneyland Dining!!

 

[6Smiles]

Oh...and how awesome is that ice cream?! Yikes!!! I'm thinking that may be the perfect place to stop mid-day for a family treat!!

Hi. Just wanted to let you know I was told by a CM at Disney Dining that the kitchen sink is only available for dinner (after 5). It looks like so much fun, but is huge. We are going to have the kitchen sink on one night for dinner since we will be having a late lunch at Ariel's Grotto. I'll let you know how it goes and will try to take pictures before we dig in .

 

[reynmagsmom]

Cafe Orleans is great, the gumbo was perfect as well as the famous Monte Cristo but that one should be shared, and an order of Pomme Frites and for dessert the beingets are to die for as well as the banana bread pudding was really good myself, my daughter and niece shared all of the above except we all had our own gumbo's and left perfectly stuffed and very happy.. we also ate at Blue Bayou that day and CO blew them out of the water in service and food..... It was one of the best meals i have ever had and it now is a must for every trip!!!!!

 

[erinbharris]

Maybe it's because of my shellfish allergy...but I can't find anything on the Cafe Orleans menu that I like. I am going to rethink my 5th dinner reservation. I might make a reservation there for a lunch (because I can always just eat something little) but not for dinner.

So...my 5th dinner is still up in the air!

That ice cream thing is crazy...we could never finish that, but I am guessing we'll order it for the fun of it!!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I know I'm probably in the minority here, but my family didn't enjoy Cafe Orleans at all. We were disappointed by the portion sizes and quality of food. My chicken sandwich was edible but not that tasty. My kids were still hungry after their kid meals. The pommes frites arrived cold. DH's food was ok. Anyway, for the cost, we just felt like we could have eaten so many better things. I was so disappointed by the experience and so eager to just leave, that we didn't even stay for beignets, so I never got to taste them. This was 1 1/2 years ago. I don't know if we just were there on a bad day or if things have improved since or what, but we have no desire to return.

Just to share a contrasting experience, we went to the Jazz Kitchen in DTD last November and managed to eat off the lunch menu late in the day just before they switched to dinner service. The food was very tasty, and service was great. Portions were more than enough, and my kids loved the kid menu. We paid about the same for that late lunch (with dessert even!) as we'd paid for our early dinner at Cafe Orleans the previous year. We were all so much more satisfied with our Jazz Kitchen experience. We have, in fact, since returned to the Jazz Kitchen and plan to do so again sometime.

 

[Dobie]

So, I am thinking that it is not just where you eat, but when you eat it.

The Dobies like Taste Pilot for dinner. It is waaaaaaaay to much food for lunch.

We also like Cafe Orleans for late breakfast on Magic Morning day, because we don't so much like the dinner/lunch options there. We would skip lunch on this day and just eat more junkie crap.

We like Carnation Cafe for dinner rather than lunch.

We like La Brea Bakery in DTD for late lunch on the way back to the hotel.

We traditionally eat dinner at Storyteller's on our last night when our feet hurt and we want to stuff ourselves!!!!

Never eat anything served in a breadbowl, unless you want to spend the next three hours rank ordering the Disneyland bathrooms!!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Maybe it's because of my shellfish allergy...but I can't find anything on the Cafe Orleans menu that I like. I am going to rethink my 5th dinner reservation. I might make a reservation there for a lunch (because I can always just eat something little) but not for dinner.

So...my 5th dinner is still up in the air!

That ice cream thing is crazy...we could never finish that, but I am guessing we'll order it for the fun of it!!

Maybe that 5th dinner reservation can then go to either Storytellers Cafe or PCH Grill (to take on the mighty Kitchen Sink!!)?

At least we're narrowing it down, eliminating places one by one!!

 

[erinbharris]

Everyone is so helpful...I love it.

I experience a not so friendly or helpful CM tonight...at least I now know that they are real people.

Booked CC for dinner #2. Got rid of the grumpy CM and called back and spoke to someone friendly...said the parade usually goes by at 6:30 on a Tuesday in the summer, so suggested we book dinner for 5:30...so that's what I did.

Wednesday is RFC (booked)

Thursday is ESPN Zone

and our last dinner...Storytellers or PCH Grill? Time to check out their menus...

I laughed hard at the bread bowl comment...it doesn't sound so appealing to me...and I'm the girl with the world's worst stomach, so no need to make it any worse!!

 

[erinbharris]

I checked out both PCH Grill and Storytellers menus...both look great. Has anyone been to both and prefers one over the other based on atmosphere?

 

[Tiff@DL]

I'm surprised that no one here has suggested the Blue Bayou! They have a kids menu and the kids will love watching the POTC boats go by. You will need to make sure to make a res - and lunch is less expensive than dinner. The food is good and the atmosphere makes the entire meal!

 

[Sherry E]

I'm surprised that no one here has suggested the Blue Bayou! They have a kids menu and the kids will love watching the POTC boats go by. You will need to make sure to make a res - and lunch is less expensive than dinner. The food is good and the atmosphere makes the entire meal!

Blue Bayou was already ruled out on the previous page (shellfish allergy), I think. I am not sure that Blue Bayou would be as big a hit for Erinbharris and her family since Cafe Orleans did not look appetizing. Blue Bayou is not necessarily for everyone. The menu is limited and you have to kind of like the specific food that is on the menu - and not everyone does. I can empathize with that (that's why we always try to stick with sort of mainstream places with mainstream, middle of the road food that everyone in our group will like).

 

[erinbharris]

Sherry is right...while I love the atmosphere of BB (it looks amazing), I have a fairly severe shellfish allergy and they have too much of it on their menu. I am pretty sure this is what turned me off of Cafe Orleans as well. As soon as I see a lot of stuff that I can't have I start thinking about the smells that will be around...and the smell of cooked shellfish gives me a migraine and hives. So...that's why I didn't consider Blue Bayou, even though it looks awesome!

So...I looked at both PCH Grill and Storytellers...and are going to go with PCH Grill on our last night.

So...I think we've got it figured out!!

I love this board, it's so much easier 'talking' it all out with you then with my husband who will say "Whatever you think is good with me."

Blue Bayou was already ruled out on the previous page (shellfish allergy), I think. I am not sure that Blue Bayou would be as big a hit for Erinbharris and her family since Cafe Orleans did not look appetizing. Blue Bayou is not necessarily for everyone. The menu is limited and you have to kind of like the specific food that is on the menu - and not everyone does. I can empathize with that (that's why we always try to stick with sort of mainstream places with mainstream, middle of the road food that everyone in our group will like).

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry is right...while I love the atmosphere of BB (it looks amazing), I have a fairly severe shellfish allergy and they have too much of it on their menu. I am pretty sure this is what turned me off of Cafe Orleans as well. As soon as I see a lot of stuff that I can't have I start thinking about the smells that will be around...and the smell of cooked shellfish gives me a migraine and hives. So...that's why I didn't consider Blue Bayou, even though it looks awesome!

So...I looked at both PCH Grill and Storytellers...and are going to go with PCH Grill on our last night.

So...I think we've got it figured out!!

I love this board, it's so much easier 'talking' it all out with you then with my husband who will say "Whatever you think is good with me."

Woo hoo! Kitchen Sink, here you come!!! I think you have quite a good array of restaurants on the agenda, and everyone should be able to find things they like at each place.

 

[NewbieMouse]

I'd like to try PCH Grill as well on our opening night but I don't want to commit to a reservation in case our plane is late/early, check in takes longer than expected, the kids eat me alive to get to the parks instead, etc... I've heard it's pretty quiet.

Are reservations *necessary* for PCH Grill?