Non Disney Good Restaurants

[disneychrista]

Crowd wise DCA will be less crowded but that is always the case.

 

[Evenschef]

Fine Dining Restaurants and the terms buffet and chains, have nothing in common.
Boy was this a wild goose chase.

 

[Saskiwi]

If you have a carand want casual/takeout try Zankou Chicken - for the best chicken EVER and Blake's Place for BBQ. Check them out on TripAdvisor.com - I posted reviews of both. Both are VERY casual - Zankou Chicken has zilch atmosphere and both are counter service, but the chicken is fantastic - the service at Blake's was great, as was the BBQ

 

[fairycat]

I do want to point out unless you are heading back to DL really close to the countdown, if you have a ticket that has been in DL that day you can get back in the park. We have done three NYE's at the parks and yes they are INSANE!!!! We always get into DL first when we get to DLR on NYE because once they make the no more tickets being sold to DL you will have a VERY hard if not impossible time getting back in. Saying that we usually prefer DCA as it gets later because its just not as crowded and with more open walkways its so much easier to move (though we always head back to DL after Midnight as everyone else is leaving!).

For NYE or Christmas if you are willing to splurge I think Napa Rose is an amazing choice. BUT I won't lie it can be expensive (though the early seating at Napa on NYE is a lot cheaper!!!).

For good local places for your other dates I really like Buca di Beppo (family style Italian yummy!!), Cheesecake Factory is pretty good (ok I go for the avocado eggrolls and Oreo Cheesecake!!!), PF Changs has lots of fans, I hear the other places at Gardenwalk are really good too. There are lots of choices!

One note skip Captian Kidd's!!!!!! The ratings are terrible, I have heard nothing good, everyone says keep walking, go eat anywhere else or you will be sorry.

 

[fairycat]

How is Catal restaurant? I got a recommendation. Although Christmas menu was expensive. Or Jazz Kitchen? Is it better to avoid DL on the Christmas day and go to CA?

I have done Catal once before and their bar UVA many times, we really liked the food there. Jazz Kitchen is one of our regulars and we really like it a lot. I would suggest either personally.

I sort of mention park preference in my long post, but basically I would suggest DL for early in the day and as it gets too crowded for your family head to DCA. It will get busier as the day goes on.

 

[momto2nenas]

Mimi's Cafe beside the HoJo is always good (actually better there than any other Mimi's I've been to.)

There are tons of nice restaurants in the Garden Walk - the opposite side of the resort from Mimi's but still off Harbor Blvd.

 

[teerex]

Do you have any suggestions for good restaurants in Anaheim? Casual and fine dinning?

As others have said, Gardenwalk has a bunch of chain restaurants - PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, etc. If you head down Harbor Blvd towards the Hilton, you can find Buca Di Beppo (family style large portions) and Joe's Crab Shack (seafood)

HTH