Need help with dining ideas!

[Googilycub]

We just decided to book a trip to disneyland. We haven't been to disneyland in years, and I don't know much about the restaurants. We are going for 4 nights, 2 days in each park. It will be me, the husband, and our 12 year old daughter. We will be staying at one of the disney hotels (I don't know which one yet...that a question for another thread, lol!). We are thinking we want to do a sit down breakfast one day, a sit down lunch one day, and a sit down dinner all 4 nights. My husband wants to eat at blue bayou, I'm pretty positive that will be our lunch, our daughter picked the napa rose for dinner one night, and we all decided that the world of color dessert party was a must. Trader sams is also a must for us (but the food doesnt look so appealing, so we are thinking that will just be drinks before dinner one night) So I need suggestions for our 1 breakfast day, and 3 more dinners. We enjoy a cocktail (or glass of beer/wine) with dinner, so I'm thinking nothing in disneyland looks good to us. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[tlovesdis]

We love Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD. Also Wine Country Trattoria in DCA.

Carnation Cafe is nice for breakfast and right on Main Street!

 

[tarheelalum]

Tons are great places to eat it just depends on how much you want to spend? You can get good food at decent prices or you can get fantastic food for high prices for all three meals of the day. And if you want to stay on property, the Disneyland Hotel is by far your best choice!

 

[wdwfan22]

I love the Minnie & Friends character breakfast in DL. Not technically a sit down, but it has a great selection of food and an even better selection of characters. Usually in the 8 - 10 character range. By far the best character meal as far as interaction is concerned.

 

[Googilycub]

We love Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD. Also Wine Country Trattoria in DCA.

Carnation Cafe is nice for breakfast and right on Main Street!

Thank you! I thought Raplph Brennans looked good! My daughter would be a huge fan of the shimp and grits. I will definatly check the menus for the other two

 

[Googilycub]

Tons are great places to eat it just depends on how much you want to spend? You can get good food at decent prices or you can get fantastic food for high prices for all three meals of the day. And if you want to stay on property, the Disneyland Hotel is by far your best choice!

We are actually leaning towards the disneyland hotel. Last time we went, we stayed at the grand Californian, so we were thinking of trying something different this time. We really like to have a good meal, and don't mind splurging (we are on vacation after all!). $50 entrees or under would probably be our dinner budget.

 

[tarheelalum]

You will love the Disneyland Hotel. The rooms are quite a bit bigger than the Grand and a lot brighter. I highly recommend Steakhouse 55 for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It has plenty of items within your budget for dinner and its wonderful. We also like the Jazz Kitchen in downtown Disney. The Sunday brunch there is fantastic. In Disneyland you will have lots of good options. Rancho Del Zocalo, Cafe Orleans, Plaza Inn and Carnation Cafe all have great options and are affordable. Also a number of good places in California Adventure as well.

 

[Googilycub]

You will love the Disneyland Hotel. The rooms are quite a bit bigger than the Grand and a lot brighter. I highly recommend Steakhouse 55 for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It has plenty of items within your budget for dinner and its wonderful. We also like the Jazz Kitchen in downtown Disney. The Sunday brunch there is fantastic. In Disneyland you will have lots of good options. Rancho Del Zocalo, Cafe Orleans, Plaza Inn and Carnation Cafe all have great options and are affordable. Also a number of good places in California Adventure as well.

Thank you for all your help. I actually just saw a picture of the French toast at steakhouse 55 from disneyfoodblog. I think that might be a must do for breakfast!

 

[GenGen22]

For breakfast you must try Storyteller cafe in GCH. It is a character breakfast however the food is delicious and the salted caramel french toast is to die for.

 

[Geemo]

We just decided to book a trip to disneyland. We haven't been to disneyland in years, and I don't know much about the restaurants. We are going for 4 nights, 2 days in each park. It will be me, the husband, and our 12 year old daughter. We will be staying at one of the disney hotels (I don't know which one yet...that a question for another thread, lol!). We are thinking we want to do a sit down breakfast one day, a sit down lunch one day, and a sit down dinner all 4 nights. My husband wants to eat at blue bayou, I'm pretty positive that will be our lunch, our daughter picked the napa rose for dinner one night, and we all decided that the world of color dessert party was a must. Trader sams is also a must for us (but the food doesnt look so appealing, so we are thinking that will just be drinks before dinner one night) So I need suggestions for our 1 breakfast day, and 3 more dinners. We enjoy a cocktail (or glass of beer/wine) with dinner, so I'm thinking nothing in disneyland looks good to us. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!!

Napa Rose is a favorite for many here. Are you planning the main dining room or the Chef's counter?
Main dining room reservations can be made online or by calling Disney at the 60day mark.
However, if you want the Chef's Counter, you'll have to call Napa Rose directly. These reservations DO NOT go by the 60day rule.
They book two calendar months ahead. August 1st they opened the month of October for reservations. NapaRose Chef Counter (714)300-7170.
Since things can and do change at DLR, I recommend if interested call and get the specifics.

A Character Breakfast would nice. Our first choice is Plaza Inn, Minnie and friends. Second is PPH Surf's up Breakfast.
For dinner, the Plaza Inn has a nice fried chicken dinner. Carnation Cafe is also good.

For a cocktail Carthay Circle Lounge in DCA. Carthay Circle might be nice for a dinner too.

Geemo

 

[Googilycub]

Napa Rose is a favorite for many here. Are you planning the main dining room or the Chef's counter?
Main dining room reservations can be made online or by calling Disney at the 60day mark.
However, if you want the Chef's Counter, you'll have to call Napa Rose directly. These reservations DO NOT go by the 60day rule.
They book two calendar months ahead. August 1st they opened the month of October for reservations. NapaRose Chef Counter (714)300-7170.
Since things can and do change at DLR, I recommend if interested call and get the specifics.

A Character Breakfast would nice. Our first choice is Plaza Inn, Minnie and friends. Second is PPH Surf's up Breakfast.
For dinner, the Plaza Inn has a nice fried chicken dinner. Carnation Cafe is also good.

For a cocktail Carthay Circle Lounge in DCA. Carthay Circle might be nice for a dinner too.

Geemo

Thank you for the tip about the chefs counter. I didn't even know that was an option. I will defiantly look on to it.

My daughter is "too old" for a character meal, but I think it sounds so fun. I will check the menus and try to convince her, lol

And thank you for the cocktail tip. I do enjoy a good drink

 

[deetman]

You will love the Disneyland Hotel. The rooms are quite a bit bigger than the Grand and a lot brighter. I highly recommend Steakhouse 55 for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It has plenty of items within your budget for dinner and its wonderful. We also like the Jazz Kitchen in downtown Disney. The Sunday brunch there is fantastic. In Disneyland you will have lots of good options. Rancho Del Zocalo, Cafe Orleans, Plaza Inn and Carnation Cafe all have great options and are affordable. Also a number of good places in California Adventure as well.

SH55 only has Breakfast or Dinner. Both are excellent.

 

[Geemo]

Thank you for the tip about the chefs counter. I didn't even know that was an option. I will defiantly look on to it.

My daughter is "too old" for a character meal, but I think it sounds so fun. I will check the menus and try to convince her, lol

And thank you for the cocktail tip. I do enjoy a good drink

Hmm....
I went last Oct with three of my adult grandkids, ages 24, 23 and 19.
In a week or so I'll be going again with two grandkids both 20.

It's fun to watch the little kids get so excited.

In DL, Carnation Cafe has a very good breakfast.
If you want to eat before going into the park there is LaBrea Pastry in DTD right near the esplanade.
Plus you have two Starbucks in DTD.

G

 

[wench]

For breakfast I would recommend PCH Grill at Paradise Pier or Carnation Cafe.

For lunch/dinner options I would go with Steakhouse 55, Carnation Cafe (even better than their breakfast) or Ariel's Grotto. I don't think Ariel's gets nearly enough credit, but it's a must do for me every trip. It's so good. (Well except for their breakfast. That's kind of gross.)

And definitely stick with Blue Bayou! It's the absolute best ambiance!

 

[wendow]

@Geemo Where is your picture from where you are meeting Capt Hook? We are just starting our planning for our DL trip in 2018 and any meal where we met him would be awesome! We are WDW vets trying to figure out DL

 

[Geemo]

@Geemo Where is your picture from where you are meeting Capt Hook? We are just starting our planning for our DL trip in 2018 and any meal where we met him would be awesome! We are WDW vets trying to figure out DL

This pic is from October 2, 2016, Sunday 9:40amCB @ Plaza Inn. The park opened at 8am. We wanted a little time enjoying a few rides before breakfast.
That morning the characters were... I have them listed in order they came to our table.
Chip n' Dale, Eeyore, mice Suzie and Perla, Tigger, Pooh, Max, Rafaki, Hook and Minnie.
We were seated at about 9:45 and the first character came around at 10:10am. They were real slow to come around. The third, Suzie 10:35, Pooh 11am, Max 11:08, Hook 11:10, Minnie 11:25. The only reason I know the time is from the picture I took. They are time stamped.
I just wanted you to know how long it can take to see all the characters. We were done eating in about 45minutes but we knew to just hang out until we saw all. As we were leaving Fairy Godmother was beginning to make the rounds.
Around 1:15pm Peter and Hook were on the walk way just past Alice in Wonderland ride.

 

[wendow]

Thank you @Geemo! That is helpful My kids all love the characters, yes, even my teens, so they'd go nuts over seeing that many at a meal!