Must-Do Restaurants for First Timers?

[PoohsFan1]

We have only been to DL once and I would have to say the restaurants that we really enjoyed were Blue Bayou (this was our favorite restaurant of the trip), Cafe Orleans, Minnie and Friends breakfast at the Plaza (we actually had breakfast there twice during our trip, once because we had reservations and the second time we just walked up because it was our last day and we wanted to go back because we loved all of he characters and the interactions), Goofy's Kitchen again great interaction and great characters, and if you are looking for more of a Signature type restaurant I would highly suggest Napa Rose. We are heading back for our second family trip in June and we are planning on going back to each of these restaurants. Have a great time.

 

[monorailrabbit]

This is a great thread! I love all the opinions and hearing everyone's experiences! We are going for the first time in August. I am one of the odd ones that LOVE the woodland creatures so we will definitely be doing Storytellers! I'm also excited about the wide variety at Minnie's breakfast. DH really wants to do Blue Bayou and that sounds fun as well - thanks to a PP's tip about asking for a waterside table. We are planning to do Goofy's Kitchen our first night and try to squeeze in Storyteller's before our flight home. Also planning to do a PTN dinning package at BB. I'm so excited!

 

[Dormouse.]

This is a great thread! I love all the opinions and hearing everyone's experiences! We are going for the first time in August. I am one of the odd ones that LOVE the woodland creatures so we will definitely be doing Storytellers! I'm also excited about the wide variety at Minnie's breakfast. DH really wants to do Blue Bayou and that sounds fun as well - thanks to a PP's tip about asking for a waterside table. We are planning to do Goofy's Kitchen our first night and try to squeeze in Storyteller's before our flight home. Also planning to do a PTN dinning package at BB. I'm so excited!

I'm glad you found this thread as useful as I did.

I hope you all have a blast on your first trip!

 

[NannyBeBe]

If you like Cajun food, do not miss the Shrimp and Grits and Gumbo Ya Ya at Ralph Brennan's. I am still dreaming about that meal.

 

[tlovesdis]

If you like Cajun food, do not miss the Shrimp and Grits and Gumbo Ya Ya at Ralph Brennan's. I am still dreaming about that meal.

I haven't tried the shrimp and grits but I love the gumbo ya ya!!! YUM!!!

 

[Dormouse.]

as someone from south louisiana, if you want beignets, i would actually suggest you stop at ralph brennan's in dtd (you can get them at the express window part, too), not the ones in the park. they're not mickey shaped, but they taste soooo much better (and are also more authentic )

I will have to stop by and pick some up! My fella is from New Orleans, so the first time I ever had beignets was at Café du Monde. I had a concern that I'd be underwhelmed but figured that the novelty of Mickey Mouse shaped ones would make up for it. (I'm a sucker for cute/themed food).

 

[ShaunaM]

If you like Cajun food, do not miss the Shrimp and Grits and Gumbo Ya Ya at Ralph Brennan's. I am still dreaming about that meal.

Those grits they were soooooo good

 

[grelca]

I will have to stop by and pick some up! My fella is from New Orleans, so the first time I ever had beignets was at Café du Monde. I had a concern that I'd be underwhelmed but figured that the novelty of Mickey Mouse shaped ones would make up for it. (I'm a sucker for cute/themed food).

it's been a while since the last time i was at cafe du monde (the only times i've been in new orleans the past few years is to and from the airport), but i would definitely say the ralph brennan's ones are comparable. the mickey ones not so much haha

 

[my*gracie*girl]

as someone from south louisiana, if you want beignets, i would actually suggest you stop at ralph brennan's in dtd (you can get them at the express window part, too), not the ones in the park. they're not mickey shaped, but they taste soooo much better (and are also more authentic )

Definitely agree with this! I will need mickey ones just because of the novelty, but we are really looking forward to having the RB ones again!

We also love love love the clam chowder in a bread bowl on the wharf at DCA. We eat there at least once a trip.

 

[kkendle]

I haven't tried the shrimp and grits but I love the gumbo ya ya!!! YUM!!!

Does the gumbo have seafood in it? Sorry...not familiar with gumbo.

 

[tlovesdis]

Does the gumbo have seafood in it? Sorry...not familiar with gumbo.

Normally gumbo has shrimp in it, but the one at Jazz Kitchen is just chicken and sausage!

 

[kkendle]

Normally gumbo has shrimp in it, but the one at Jazz Kitchen is just chicken and sausage!

Thanks! Do you know what the gumbo has in it that is served at Blue Bayou? I noticed their meals come with it.

 

[tlovesdis]

Thanks! Do you know what the gumbo has in it that is served at Blue Bayou? I noticed their meals come with it.

No, sorry. I don't eat at BB.

 

[ADLFAN]

No seafood in the appetizer portion of gumbo at BB, either! Or else I wouldn't have eaten it... I think their dinner size portion does include seafood, or maybe that's the jambalaya?

 

[tlovesdis]

No seafood in the appetizer portion of gumbo at BB, either! Or else I wouldn't have eaten it... I think their dinner size portion does include seafood, or maybe that's the jambalaya?

The Jambalaya has fish in it. They don't have a dinner portion Gumbo, although I wish they did. Last time I ate there, which was a while ago, I didn't like the Jambalaya at all! My niece wants to eat there for her birthday in June, so I am giving it another go, hopefully I will actually like my food this time. I am just not a fan of BB.

 

[Fuhnuh]

If you are interested in a fine dining, Napa Rose at the Grand Cailfornian is a great (but expensive) restaurant. I'd check out their menu to see if it's something you'd be interested in. The bar is also nice for snacks and IMO they have the best drinks on property. I like Storyteller's character breakfast, but I'm in the minority and perhaps I mainly enjoy the short walk from our GCH room?

 

[farmfresh]

You have all the main park places covered here. But our favourite of a recent trip was...Tortilla Joes! Great staff , really busy buzzing location, great drinks. (I'd say the same, in a very different way, about the Carthay Circle Bar). Mariachis were fun - they worked hard all evening. By the same token I'd stay away from Naples. Worse than average. Brennan's is fine, but can be atmosphere-ess if you are up in one of the upstairs rooms.
Otherwise yes to BB, CC, Carthay, Goofy's..and we quite like the Wine country trattoria for its ambiance. Time it right and you'll see a parade go by. We also eat reasonably often at Storytellers because whilst the selection is smaller they seem to have less fried etc food.( we're not from the US and can find the some of food and portion size a bit overwhelming )

It's worth booking if you are going at a busy time , and I'd also take advantage of any connected PTN or WOC deals. If you plan to eat there anyway, and it's busy, the preferred viewing spots are worthwhile.

 

[bcwife76]

We love Blue Bayou and Carnation Cafe. Flo's and Smokejumpers in DCA are pretty decent too. We had a horrible meal at Wine Country Trattoria - service was awful and the food was average at best - so I would never return there.

 

[Disney_Alli]

This is a great thread! I love all the opinions and hearing everyone's experiences! We are going for the first time in August. I am one of the odd ones that LOVE the woodland creatures so we will definitely be doing Storytellers! I'm also excited about the wide variety at Minnie's breakfast. DH really wants to do Blue Bayou and that sounds fun as well - thanks to a PP's tip about asking for a waterside table. We are planning to do Goofy's Kitchen our first night and try to squeeze in Storyteller's before our flight home. Also planning to do a PTN dinning package at BB. I'm so excited!

We're also going in August and I've done exactly that (Goofy's arrival night, Storyteller's departure morning) my last two trips and it's my plan for this one too!

 

[PoohsFan1]

You have all the main park places covered here. But our favourite of a recent trip was...Tortilla Joes! Great staff , really busy buzzing location, great drinks. (I'd say the same, in a very different way, about the Carthay Circle Bar). Mariachis were fun - they worked hard all evening. By the same token I'd stay away from Naples. Worse than average. Brennan's is fine, but can be atmosphere-ess if you are up in one of the upstairs rooms.
Otherwise yes to BB, CC, Carthay, Goofy's..and we quite like the Wine country trattoria for its ambiance. Time it right and you'll see a parade go by. We also eat reasonably often at Storytellers because whilst the selection is smaller they seem to have less fried etc food.( we're not from the US and can find the some of food and portion size a bit overwhelming )

It's worth booking if you are going at a busy time , and I'd also take advantage of any connected PTN or WOC deals. If you plan to eat there anyway, and it's busy, the preferred viewing spots are worthwhile.

I'm very happy to hear your reviews on Tortilla Joes. We are planning on going to this restaurant because it will be something new and the menu looks really good. However, we are wanting to try Naples as well, I'm sorry to see that you are not a fan of this restaurant. One of our favorite restaurants when we are in WDW is Via Napoli in Epcot and the menu looks like it is similar to that so my family is insisting that we try that as well .