planning dinner Carnation Cafe/Cafe Orleans

[radiatorsprings]

I am trying to plan out my mealtimes to possibly make dinner reservations/Priority seating (I don't know what they call it nowadays) for my trip in July and I was looking for some opinions. If you wanted to eat a late dinner to skip the dinnertime crowds, what time would you plan to eat at Carnation Cafe or Cafe Orleans? One will be on a Sunday night and one will be on a Monday night in the summer. I don't even know how late they stay open so if anyone could help me with that, that would be awesome.

Also, just a random question: if you were arriving to the parks between 10 and 11 in the morning on a Friday in the summer, which park would you start in and what rides would you go on first? Thanks

 

[jimreuter]

Currently, Carnation Cafe closes at 8:00 pm, Cafe Orleans closes at 9:00 pm.

 

[radiatorsprings]

Currently, Carnation Cafe closes at 8:00 pm, Cafe Orleans closes at 9:00 pm.

awesome, thanks for your help

 

[lulubelle]

They will both be very busy the entire month of July. I would pick a time that works best for your family and call in a PS. Even if they are packed, you won't wait much (10-15 minutes) with a reservation. BTW, they are both wonderful choices with yummy food!

 

[radiatorsprings]

They will both be very busy the entire month of July. I would pick a time that works best for your family and call in a PS. Even if they are packed, you won't wait much (10-15 minutes) with a reservation. BTW, they are both wonderful choices with yummy food!

Thanks for the reply. I made my PS today for Cafe Orleans at 7:30 Sunday night and Carnation Cafe at the same time but on Monday night.

For anyone wondering what the latest PS for those places are, the CM told me 7:30 was the last PS for Carnation and 7:40 the last for Cafe Orleans.

 

[dlander]

Cal Adventure typically opens at 10 so I would start there and go for Soaring Over California then get a fastpass for either Tower of Terror or California Screaming then get in line at Midway Mania.

If you prefer starting over at Disneyland I would get FP's for Indiana and then go on Pirates and Haunted Mansion. As soon as you can go get another FP at Space Mountain or Splash Mountain.

 

[Brancaneve]

At Cafe Orleans, you MUST eat the Pommes Frites and the Beignes! Just delicious and much better than I had imagined. Enjoy!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

We ate at Cafe Orleans a few weeks ago and we were seated at 8 (ish) and she said we were going to be one of the last tables seated. So I'm not sure if it was just that day or if they stop seating an hour early each night...but keep that in mind! I think it'd be okay to eat at 7 or 7:30 if you are okay eating so late and you will not have big crowds.

As for arriving at 11 we usually show up around 1 and go to dl first and it isn't too bad. A lot of people leave for afternoon breaks and we often see streams of people leaving...especially when the weather is hot! I am one of those people who have no problem waiting in a line though so I'm not usually too concerned with how crowded the park may be. Just keep in mind that DCA has much less shade in most areas if it's super warm out. No matter which park you choose you'll have a great time