Must-Do Holiday Restaurants?

[elvispursley]

Am a WDW PRO with booking places to eat. Going to DLR for the first time during the holidays (Dec 19-24) and am clueless about dining at DLR. Are there any dining packages I should keep an eye out for or place I should make an ADR for?

 

[maleficent55]

In my opinion you can skip the parade package
There are plenty of places to scope out a viewing spot that is usually better even then the area the package supplies
The food is usually meh per reports, but the holiday one at the plaza inn this year actually sounds good to me

The Fantasmic package is a must I think. Such an up close viewing area

I love the World of Color dessert party. This year will be the WOC happiness for the 70th anniversary vs the Season of Ligbt which usually runs for the holidays
You can join the virtual queue for free

The dessert party is worth it to me though, but just note, it won’t be a holiday themed one this year

I also think the Blue Bayou is ALWAYS a must, holidays or not

A lunch or dinner at the Heartstone Lounge at the Grand californian should be on your list because it’s so amazing in the grand lobby at Christmas time that it’s THE place to be at Christmas time and the food there is so good

 

[elvispursley]

In my opinion you can skip the parade package
There are plenty of places to scope out a viewing spot that is usually better even then the area the package supplies
The food is usually meh per reports, but the holiday one at the plaza inn this year actually sounds good to me

The Fantasmic package is a must I think. Such an up close viewing area

I love the World of Color dessert party. This year will be the WOC happiness for the 70th anniversary vs the Season of Ligbt which usually runs for the holidays
You can join the virtual queue for free

The dessert party is worth it to me though, but just note, it won’t be a holiday themed one this year

I also think the Blue Bayou is ALWAYS a must, holidays or not

A lunch or dinner at the Heartstone Lounge at the Grand californian should be on your list because it’s so amazing in the grand lobby at Christmas time that it’s THE place to be at Christmas time and the food there is so good

This is exactly the kind of insight I was looking for! I’m thinking we will skip the parade package. I’m sure we can get some yummy treats and stale out some viewing spots in lieu of the package. We’ve never done a dessert party in all our trips but the fact that you can have seats for the show tipped me to try and get ADRs.

Thank you for all the excellent advice!! Will try for BB and get over to GC if at the very least to see the Christmas decorations!

 

[LKing]

There are very few restaurants/packages that sell out immediately - Blue Bayou, River Belle Terrace Premium Fantasmic seating (read reviews before purchasing), Trader Sams are three that come to mind. Cafe Orleans Fantasmic dining, Lamplight Lounge (not LL Boardwalk Dining) and Carthay Circle Restaurant (not lounge) tend to fill early but not immediately. That said, you are going in peak tourist season so I would expect ADRs to fill faster than normal.

Unlike WDW, at DLR, you can't book all dining for your stay at once. You need to book each day separately 60 days in advance.

Are you interested in character meals? If so, you might check out this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/christmas-special-events-thread.3973115/
Disney Eats hasn't released the holiday menus for other restaurants yet.