May 8-10 Disneyland Trip need advise on Dining

[abwdreaming]

Hi, its been along time since I have posted anything. So, I am very excited about our May 8-10 short trip to Disneyland. We are staying at the Holiday Inn on Katella/Harbor (never been there). We are bringing our 3yr old granddaughter and daughter. I am getting nervous about dining- no plans yet . We are not doing any of the Mother Day Brunches - a bit too expensive for 3 adults 1 child. So do you have any suggestions on eating in DL or CA on Mothers Day and Monday? We have 2day flex tickets. Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[wbl2745]

Since you're not after a Mother's Day buffet, I suppose any of the restaurants in the parks or nearby would do. True? Given that, some of my favorites in the area if you're looking for a nice "sit down" restaurant are:

• Blue Bayou, Disneyland: This is a classic with good food, but a little on the pricey side. They take reservations through Disney Dining.
• Cafe Orleans: Disneyland: I ate here recently and really enjoyed both the atmosphere and the menu. Not as expensive as the Blue Bayou and they have Mickey shaped beignets with raspberry and vanilla dipping sauces. Really yummy! They take reservations through Disney dining.
• Rain Forest Cafe, Downtown Disney: The same menu as others of this chain. Good food. Can have a very long line. I don't know if they do reservations.
• Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, Downtown Disney: Really good Cajun food. In general spicy if you like that. Don't know about reservations.
• Other Downtown Disney Restaurants: There are a bunch but the two above are my favorites. I didn't like House of Blues or Tortilla Joe's, but I'm sure that other people really enjoy them.
• Storyteller's Cafe, Grand Californian: Good American fare. We always eat here for at least one meal. They may be doing a Mother's Day buffet, so this might not be ideal. They take reservations.
• Cheesecake Factory, Anaheim Garden Walk: I love the Cheesecake Factory. They are far enough outside of the Disneyland reality distortion field that their prices are normal for the chain. Save room for the cheesecake! I don't think they take reservations.
• Baker's Square, on Harbor Blvd: This is a couple of blocks south of Katella on Harbor. Very down home American fare. Great pies. They do not take reservations.

Hope this helps!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I am not sure if all the character meals are doing Mother's Day brunches but if not maybe one of these? Our personal favorite is Mickey's surf's Up at the PCH grill in the PPH. My favorite part of being both a Mom & A Grandmother is seeing delight in a child's eye so something that will have you both smiling as your Granddaughter meets the characters might be just the ticket.

Other Options if you are really trying to avoid table service (some great ideas have already been put forward here for those like Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans) and the buffets or character meals and are thinking more along the lines of Counter Service Restaurants (tend to be way less pricey)

The Hungry Bear Restaurant with it's new menu...Even before the new menu it was a great place to get away from the crowds and watch the river go by...bonus any leftovers could be fed to the more than willing Disney Ducks by your Granddaughter. It is really a quiet place to just enjoy the scenery.

River Belle Terrace has great sandwiches at lunchtime and if you get a table outside you will be doing what Walt Disney did (great nostalgia factor) as he sat at an outside table and had breakfast watching the Rivers of America every Sunday morning when he was at the park.

Carnation Cafe 1/2 smoked turkey on pretzel bread w/ baked potato soup (upgrade to the bowl the cup will leave you wanting more!) and a PB&J artists pallette for your Granddaughter while people watching on Main St. This is not technically counter service but is rather more reasonably priced than most table service in the parks.

My last suggestion is the "All you care to eat" meal at Big Thinder Ranch BBQ.. the food is plentiful and good and you get live entertainment.

Hope someone suggests the one that clicks for you and yours! (I have 3 year old and 1 year old granddaughters don't they bring a new dimension to Mothers Day!)

 

[abwdreaming]

Wow, thank you all for the great ideas! I will look into all the suggestions. You have all been very helpful.

 

[Heymy]

We'll be there at the same time and I've had the same thought, I haven't made food ressies!!!

For us, Carnation Cafe is a must....loaded baked potato soup for grown ups and peanut butter pallette for the kiddos (they LOVE this).

Since it's also a bday trip, I'm considering Blue Bayou since DH would never ever agree to eat there, unless it was my birthday

We also love the Celebration Roundup BBQ, lots and lots of food and fun for the kids.

And last but not least, a friend has told me we have to try Storytellers for dinner (we did breakfast years ago) since the kids get to make their own pizzas.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Another great counter service choice is White Water Snacks in the GC hotel. It's really easy to get to from DCA. You get there by exiting the park across from Grizzly Rapids. They have some different choices and it's usually less crowded than the ones in DCA. Plus DCA doesn't have that many CS choices. You can return to DCA through the same entrance/exit you left out of. Keep your receipt handy in case they want to see it (I've never had to show it). This entrance is for hotel guests only.

Dining at DLR is very different than at WDW. Less planning invloved, and less choices.

 

[abwdreaming]

All the ideas are wonderful. I have a priority seating for lunch at the Carnation Cafe on Mothers Day, years ago this is where my children had their very first banana split! We plan to have dinner at the Plaza Inn (Disney Rep recommended this and said to eat here after 6pm) So now I only have to figure out dining on Monday. She also suggested we do something called the Fantasy Princess Festival. Thank you all again

 

[Dizneydaz]

All the ideas are wonderful. I have a priority seating for lunch at the Carnation Cafe on Mothers Day, years ago this is where my children had their very first banana split! We plan to have dinner at the Plaza Inn (Disney Rep recommended this and said to eat here after 6pm) So now I only have to figure out dining on Monday. She also suggested we do something called the Fantasy Princess Festival. Thank you all again

The fried chicken at Plaza Inn is very good! And so shareable. You get a half chicken, mashed pototoes, green beans, and a biscuit. I substitute double mashed for the green beans. They aren't very good. but the potatoes are. Plaza Inn is one of the few restaurants in DLR that you can refill your own soda. You can get a to-go cup from the cashier when you pay. That way you can refill your soda before you leave and maximize your $$.

Oh wait, I have pictures..

This was before I started substituting mashed for green beans.

Another place we really like is Ralph Brennan's Jazz Express. (CS in DTD)

Shrimp and fries-really good, not spicy

Gumbo Ya Ya (little spicy) and kid's chicken (balls) meal. These are actually pretty tasty.

And of course they have really good beignets.

Here's one of our meals from White Water

While it's your typical hot dog (but really good) you can substitute fresh fruit for fries and this time my DM got strawberries and I got my chili on the side ( I don't like mushy bread.

 

[abwdreaming]

The pictures you posted were GREAT! I am still trying to work out dining for Monday, May 9th. Your pictures help a lot. The chicken dinner picture makes me Hungry YUM!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

just bumpin' to the top. Checking in this Sunday and don't have any meals planned at all. Heck, don't have anything planned, just going with the flow.