Need a quick dining lesson

[dr&momto2boys]

I'm excited to see the new expanded dining forum here. But I think this question still belongs in the general section.

Which restaurants shouldn't be missed?
When can ADRs be made?

I'm so used to WDW dining and having to plan and get ADRs 180 days before my trip. I'm not as familiar with DL. We went once 3yrs ago and ate at some nice places but I don't remember the details of when to call for ADRs. Also I see many more choices now than I had considered before.

Please make me an expert, fast! I feel out of it!

Thanks!

 

[Disney_Alli]

Reservations can be made two months out... But most can be obtained as little as a day or two before hand - except for most character meals and Blue Bayou. As for what's not to be missed that depends more on what types of food you enjoy and what dining experiences you want...

Personally I had a delightful time at lunch with the princesses in Ariel's Grotto and really enjoyed my World of Colour picnic. But the food-only highlight was the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose for my birthday.
Hopefully later today I'll post about my last day in my trip report including all my food porn from that fantastic dinner.

 

[skiingfast]

ADRs are for WDW, DLR simple has reservations that can be made 60 days out. They need to be made over the phone, except for WoC picnics which can only be made 30 days out.

If you are going during a super busy time 60 days are ok, but otherwise you can usually easily make them 30 days, 2 week, 1 week or even the same day. They aren't nearly as big a deal as in WDW. Most of the time, outside really busy times, you just make them to get the time you want and a 15-30 minute wait as the restaurants.

Napa Rose is the best place in DLR.

Blue Bayou(close this fall) is in DLR and usually considered a don't miss.

There is a character meal in each park and hotel, 1 each. All breakfast except Ariel's Grotto in DCA is brunch, and Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland hotel serves all three meals.

People have many other favorites as well.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

At Disneyland, they are called Priority Seating (not called ADRs yet), and like the others said they can be made 60 days in advance at (714) 781-3463 (DINE).

For the character meals, I prefer the food at Chip & Dales (Storytellers @ Grand Californian, and the character interaction at Minnie and Friends (Plaza Inn @ Disneyland), though I don't think you can go wrong with Goofy's Kitchen or the character breakfast at the Paradise Pier Hotel. I really enjoy Ariel's Grotto, whether it be for a princess lunch, or the fast pass dinner for World of Color. At Downtown Disney, I like the Jazz Kitchen, and then Catal - both really good. I also enjoy Tortilla Jo's and Naples (just ate lunch at Naples yesterday).

At the hotels, I like Storyteller Cafe for lunch - dinner is hit or miss, and at Disneyland Hotel I like Steakhouse 55, though I've heard it is hit or miss lately, and that is a lot of money for a 'miss.'

Disneyland - I like Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, Plaza Inn; California Adventure - I like Pacific Wharf.

I think the only place I really haven't tried is Napa Rose. There are a lot of decent options, and some really good ones, too.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Where can I read about the WoC picnic?

We like all types of dining except the really fine dining since we have 4 little kids. We travel A LOT though and they do great even in nice restaurants. (I just don't don't want the stress of keeping them from wiggling and making a peep in a fine dining place.)

Are there any treats not to be missed at DL? I know they have the Dole Whip floats we are fond of. Any other special foods? ( i know them all at WDW!)

We will be making 2 trips to DL next year so we'll have plenty of opportunities to eat!

I remember on our last trip, breakfast before the parks open was our biggest challenge. The coffee shop near the gates was always swamped. The offerings at the QS place at the Grand Californian left us wanting. We are staying in the villas at the GC this time (they weren't built yet last time) so maybe we'll make use of our kitchen!

 

[skiingfast]

For WoC you can find some information in the WoC super thread about the picnics.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447


From the tone of your questions you might also want to read the DLR guide for WDW vets. Then you can ask us many more questions.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[HydroGuy]

For WoC you can find some information in the WoC super thread about the picnics.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2537994

From the tone of your questions you might also want to read the DLR guide for WDW vets. Then you can ask us many more questions.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2537994

Looks like Ski made a mistake on his links. I think he intended links two of my posts. These ones:

"World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[skiingfast]

Looks like Ski made a mistake on his links. I think he intended links two of my posts. These ones:

"World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I did, thanks Hydroguy, I will fix mine.

 

[llump41]

My X just made a WOC dinner reservation at AG the day before she left. Not sure if it was for their 1st day(THU) or last(Sat). Not that I would recommend that though. Some fill up faster than others but I would say IF you know what you want to do and when your going, make those reservations as soon as possible.

 

[Gisele]

My dining lesson for the day is this: The small water bowl that is placed in front of and next to your dinner dish, is not, I repeat is not, for drinking. It is a finger bowl, actually.

 

[wdwfan22]

I would definitely try to use your villa for some breakfasts. Easiest time of day to eat in your room without missing park time. But since you are at the GC, don't miss White Water Snacks. It's one of our favorite places to eat. It never seems to be crowed (although we've only been there for lunch), with some good options. I like the Nachos.

Some of my favorite places to eat are Carnation Cafe on Main Street for either breakfast or lunch (or both). I LOVE sitting on Main Street eating. Cafe Orleans, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, Rancho Del Zocalo (I like getting their Taco Salad, you order fresh in the back corner and can have them put on whatever you want, so it hasn't been sitting there waiting for you to pick it up like other entrees). We also really loved the pizza at Naples in Downtown Disney.

Have a great time!!

 

[tinkermomma]

My dining lesson for the day is this: The small water bowl that is placed in front of and next to your dinner dish, is not, I repeat is not, for drinking. It is a finger bowl, actually.

:snort:

 

[tinkermomma]

Where can I read about the WoC picnic?

We like all types of dining except the really fine dining since we have 4 little kids. We travel A LOT though and they do great even in nice restaurants. (I just don't don't want the stress of keeping them from wiggling and making a peep in a fine dining place.)

Are there any treats not to be missed at DL? I know they have the Dole Whip floats we are fond of. Any other special foods? ( i know them all at WDW!)

We will be making 2 trips to DL next year so we'll have plenty of opportunities to eat!

I remember on our last trip, breakfast before the parks open was our biggest challenge. The coffee shop near the gates was always swamped. The offerings at the QS place at the Grand Californian left us wanting. We are staying in the villas at the GC this time (they weren't built yet last time) so maybe we'll make use of our kitchen!

I personally have not had one, but apparently tigger tails (not to be confused wit tiger tails) are well loved.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I personally have not had one, but apparently tigger tails (not to be confused wit tiger tails) are well loved.

Oh yeah, I remember hearing about and seeing those. It's not my thing, but the kids would love it! Maybe I'll let them split one!

Editted to add:
Now that I've read your link, I think we'll have to try both Tigger tails AND tiger tails! I've never been to Bengel BBQ but now it's on the list. Thank you!

 

[mrswh]

I usually just make reservations for everything 60 days in advance and wind up canceling and rescheduling half of them when I am there (and as I go through the day realize the timing is wrong). The other night we were looking for somewhere to eat dinner. I called to ask about Goofy's and was told I could not get a reservation. We walked over (at 7:30) and were seated right away. Like the others have said, it's not a big deal. If you know where you want to eat, make some reservations 60 days out and see how things go!

As for where to eat . . . the breakfast buffet at Storyteller's is very good. Surf's Up at PPH is fun but I'd say the food isn't quite as good. IMO, the food at Ariel's Grotto is horrendous, but other people seem to like it. The desserts are very good and plentiful, though! Storytellers for dinner is a $29 buffet ($13 I think for kids) and the food is not bad. Not great, but not bad. I actually thought the WOC picnics were not bad, but unnecessary to view WOC, unless you can't make it to DCA in the first few hours to get FPs. Oh, Goofy's Kitchen - the food is mediocre but with lots of good dessert options, and the kids LOVE the interactive nature of it. We love La Brea Bakery for lunch and dinner - soups, salads, sandwiches and nice outdoor tables on DTD - great for people watching! You don't really need reservations there.

If I were you, I'd pick the character meals based on what characters your kids want to meet (and have low expectations for food) - much easier to meet them that way than standing in long lines in the parks.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I'm an old WDW vet, new DL convert...it's funny how different the reservation systems are! It's hard to believe, but you can make reservations just a few days before your dates and still have plenty of openings. Now if you are going during a busy season I would make ressies (PSs) 60 days out. WOC packages, Blue Bayou, and maybe Goofy Kitchen book up the fastest.

There is no internet option to book. You are not given reservation confirmation numbers! I HATE that I don't have anything to confirm that I made a reservation. I still call a couple of days before my trip to confirm dates and times. I have only had one problem with reservations. It was for my WOC package for Ariels. They said they didn't have one for us. I know I did because it was for a large party and I double checked. The manager was able to seat us, but it took while.

I see some hints that Disney is going to start converting DL to a more WDW-like system. I hope so. I would love to make ressies online. I would also like a dining plan like WDW.

My restaurant picks would be Blue Bayou and Minnie and Friends Breakfast. Blue Bayou is a must-do at least once. Minnie's is in the Plaza Restaurant in DL. The restaurant reminds me of Crystal Palace. You see more than a dozen characters while having breakfast there. It's our must-do each trip.

 

[HydroGuy]

Oh yeah, I remember hearing about and seeing those. It's not my thing, but the kids would love it! Maybe I'll let them split one!

Editted to add:
Now that I've read your link, I think we'll have to try both Tigger tails AND tiger tails! I've never been to Bengel BBQ but now it's on the list. Thank you!

FWIW see

A Tale of Two Tails…Tigger Tails, That Is

 

[hsmamato2]

I personally have not had one, but apparently tigger tails (not to be confused wit tiger tails) are well loved.

I love your food blog!!!!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

FWIW see

A Tale of Two Tails…Tigger Tails, That Is

I can't get that link to work, but I'll do a search. Sounds like a good read.

 

[TahoeMom]

Our favorites in DTD are ESPN Zone and Rainforest Cafe - both good with kids. In the park we like Rancho Zocalo and the Plaza Inn.