Opinions on dining

[goofy78]

You can do BB for lunch; if possible for your schedule, you could book first seating at 11:30. Show up at 11:15 and request waterside seating for the best ambiance and view of the ride. As others have said, it's more about the atmosphere, though the 3 times we've been there, the food and service have been very good, too.

If you're a foodie, I'd do Napa Rose. Really the top restaurant on property. I've heard good things about Steakhouse 55 but some reviews have it as just ok.

Going to keep Napa Rose. Might skip 55. Napa Roses menu is much more exciting.

 

[goofy78]

Just thought of something...if you're foodies and since you're planning to go to Napa Rose anyway, you might do the chef's counter there. You can make reservations pretty far in advance (I think I've done it over 60 days), but you can't do it online. Call the restaurant directly (I think I found it online last time, but otherwise, just call the Grand Californian directly and ask for it) to make a reservation. There are two seatings, I believe, 5:30 and 8:30, and the chef's counter is small so you want to call early. (If given a choice, choose the chef's counter over the "dessert counter.")

There are a bunch of threads on the boards about the whole experience, too, but the gist of it is that you can choose a preplanned tasting (paired with wines, if you wish) or you can leave it up to the chef to decide what you are going to have (after you have expressed to the server what you would prefer not to it or have a food sensitivity to--for instance, my husband will eat pretty much anything, but I'm not into organ meat and won't eat octopus in front of my son, who is uncommonly fond of octopuses and thinks eating them is barbaric. Yeah, he loves cows and eats burgers, but he says that octopuses are way too smart to be eaten.)

If your 13-year-olds are all interested in food and watching it be prepared or have ever watched one of those cooking shows, they'll probably be enthralled. (We've been doing it with our kids since my son was 6 and my daughter was 9, and they love it!)

I would love to do the chefs counter but one of my girls is very picky. Too bad because my other one is a foodie like me and DH. DH and I ate at V&A on our kidless trip and it was amazing. DH and I will have to plan a kidless trip to DL soon!

 

[goofy78]

If you like fried chicken, you should check out plaza inn. Not as upscale as some of the other places you list, but a favorite of many and a good value. Limited to chicken, pot roast, fish, pasta, served cafeteria style, but always dished out fresh in front of you.

I looooove fried chicken! I'll keep it in mind.

 

[mad hatter fan]

I would love to do the chefs counter but one of my girls is very picky. Too bad because my other one is a foodie like me and DH. DH and I ate at V&A on our kidless trip and it was amazing. DH and I will have to plan a kidless trip to DL soon!

Don't let the fact that one of your girls is picky stop you. You can order off the menu at the chefs counter for her and they wouldn't mind at all. It is not required to let them pick your food for you. When DH and I eat at the counter I chose my main course from the menu and even ask for some changes because I am fairly picky. And they always ask for your likes and dislikes anyways.

 

[SplashMo]

I would eat at the Blue Bayou for a 11:30 lunch and ask for a table by the water. It is not so much the food but the chance to eat in the ride. You might also like Minnie's Breakfast for a character meal...

 

[SplashMo]

duplicate

 

[Gisele]

My opinion on dining is that it is something I normally enjoy doing. Lol.

 

[Travis B]

I know they're fun but we've done so many at DW I didn't plan on doing any this trip. Minnie's might be an option though. Thanks!

We just did Minnie's last week on our first trip to DLR and didn't really like it. It was OK but felt disorganized and a couple characters missed us. I missed having a server. And while there were 3-5 people walking around trying to sell photos, there was a notable lack of 'handlers' to help make sure the characters hit all the tables, keep order, etc. I wouldn't go out of your way to do it. Our experiences at WDW character meals, especially Crystal Palace, were much better in every aspect.

Will you be taking any time off from the parks? Check out the Packing District in Anaheim. It's like a giant indoor food court with upscale but casual choices. Almost anything you can think of is available, from snacks to dessert. We had some really delicious Mexican food at a little spot called Urbana - I specifically recommend the seafood enchiladas verde. It was definitely one the top meals of our Cali trip.

 

[AustinTink]

I second the idea of changing Carthay Circle to a dinner reservation. Then you can add in BB for lunch.

 

[KCmike]

Plaza Inn chicken dinner. It's a must do! I crave it and will eat it more than once on each trip.
Steakhouse 55 and Napa Rose are great choices as well.

 

[goofy78]

Ok. So I've switched a few thing around. For dinner I have chosen Carthay Circle, Blue Bayou, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Napa Rose and Uva. For lunch I have chosen Earl of Sandwich on arrival day, Carnation Café, The Cove, Café Orleans and The Plaza. What do you think?

 

[goooof1]

Sounds like enough plans for 10 days! Personally, I don't plan a big lunch and big dinner for the same day.....besides taking up too much time, I couldn't move with that much food! For example: after a Cafe` Orleans lunch, no need to eat anything more than a small snack hours later!

 

[BayouQueen]

Your line-up looks really awesome, goofy78. You made great picks. I think you will be happy with the few changes you made to the original plan. (I'm in the camp who prefer Carthay Circle for dinner, rather than lunch, and like to nclude Blue Bayou, just for the atmosphere.)

Have a great vacation!!!

 

[jammyjam25]

Sounds like enough plans for 10 days! Personally, I don't plan a big lunch and big dinner for the same day.....besides taking up too much time, I couldn't move with that much food! For example: after a Cafe` Orleans lunch, no need to eat anything more than a small snack hours later!

I agree. We've tried to do the two sit down meals in a day thing before and found that we were a) WAY too full afterwards and b) it took up a lot of park time. We now usually schedule one big meal (usually a late lunch) per day and are full enough to just snack around the rest of the evening. Or we'll maybe split a QS meal for an small early lunch if we have a dinnertime sit down meal planned.

This is especially true if you're doing a WOC or PTN dining package where you're getting a pre fix meal with multiple courses.

All of your choices sound like good ones though! I know you'll enjoy whatever you decide on.

 

[quinnc19]

You should consider dropping into Carthay lounge for a refreshing beverage during the day. They have a lot of very wonderful alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices . I really enjoyed my DD's rose soda , it was very interesting and delicious!

 

[goofy78]

Sounds like enough plans for 10 days! Personally, I don't plan a big lunch and big dinner for the same day.....besides taking up too much time, I couldn't move with that much food! For example: after a Cafe` Orleans lunch, no need to eat anything more than a small snack hours later!

I agree. We've tried to do the two sit down meals in a day thing before and found that we were a) WAY too full afterwards and b) it took up a lot of park time. We now usually schedule one big meal (usually a late lunch) per day and are full enough to just snack around the rest of the evening. Or we'll maybe split a QS meal for an small early lunch if we have a dinnertime sit down meal planned.

This is especially true if you're doing a WOC or PTN dining package where you're getting a pre fix meal with multiple courses.

All of your choices sound like good ones though! I know you'll enjoy whatever you decide on.

I know it seems like a lot but I am not a fan of QS in the parks. I figured if we ordered a few appetizers or share some entrees we'll be fine until dinner. I'm also going to be looking to tke a nice break so we don't burn ourselves out. August heat can wear you out.