Please Help with Dining

[Jax]

Hello,

My whole family will be at Disneyland the last week in August. Since the parks aren't open as late as I thoguht they would be, I want to make sure that we schedule our dinner meals in order to maximize everyone's time in the parks.

Below is the listing of restuarants and times that I was thinking for each dinner meal. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or recommendations that you think might work better (any and all help would be appreciated )

Just as a side note, these reservations will need to be made for 20 people.

Tuesday August 29 - Reservation at ESPN Zone for 6:30
Casual Dinner (not everyone will be at the parks this day so not sure if everyone will be at this dinner.

Wednesday August 30 - Reservation at Rainforest Cafe for 6:30

Thursday August 31 - Reservation at Goofys Kitchen for 5:00 (first seating)

California Adventure closes at 6:00 so I thought that with the reservations as 6:30 it allows people to stay at California Adventure till 6:00 and then get to dinner.

Would people have enough time to go back to Disneyland after dinner since it doesn't close till 9?

How long it takes to get from the parks to Downtown Disney?

Like I said any advice or recommendations for changes would be welcomed and appreciated.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yes, you can stay at DCA until 6:00 and make it to those two restaurants in DTD by 6:30. The walk is roughly 10-15 minutes depending on how fast you walk (from either park's main entrance). Leaving DCA you will have to exit along with lots of other people doing the same thing but you should still be fine as long as you are out of DCA and beginning your walk up DTD by 6:15. Arriving earlier is also good, RFC I know will put you on the list of "next to be seated" as soon as you arrive, even if it is a bit earlier. With reservations, you should be able to get out of those restaurants in time for at least an hour at Disneyland. If they are doing Remember on those nights you may have some intense crowds on Main Street and at the hub so be prepared for that (but maybe they are not having Remember since the park is closing that early?). Have a great trip!

P.S. I love going to Goofy's early like that. The buffet is fresh, it isn't crowded so you get more time with the characters and it generally doesn't take as long to have a nice, fun meal.

 

[DisQueen]

I've never made reservations at any DTD restaurant, but with 20 people, you will need them.

It's about a 5 minute walk from the gates of DL or DCA to DTD.

I would expect a dinner with 20 people to take about 2 hours. Don't you? Res. at 6:30, but not seated until about 6:45. Time to place orders and get food - at least 30/45 minutes because of the size of your group. Then time to eat, chat, and relax. Anytime we have a large family dinner it always takes longer than you think.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have been to RFC with a party of 13 before and we got served very quickly. RFC is used to large parties and believe me, given that your large party will be taking up quite a bit of space, they will probably want you in and out of there. I might suggest you send one person ahead by about 20-30 minutes to verify that they are going to get your large table ready to minimize the amount of time all 20 of you will wait. Don't know how ESPN handles large parties, I have never eaten there. Goofy's it won't matter since its a buffet and like RFC they are used to large parties. I always make a reservation for DTD because we love to eat but hate to wait, especially while our vacation clock is ticking!

 

[hlbtimes2]

And, dont forget you can use the GC exit from DCA. It will put you into the hotel, you will wind around and can come out in DTD. I should A) save some of the time fighting the crowds at the main enterance B) save some walking time if you are on that side of DCA at 6. The exit is sort of between Grizzly River and Soarin'.

 

[barkley]

i dont think any disneyland trip is complete without a meal at the blue bayou. we usualy do the last lunch seating-it breaks up the day nicely and eating that early affords us snacking opportunites later in the evening.

it honestly has some of the best food on the property.

 

[YoHo]

Since the Blue Bayou's menu has just changed and the price has increased, I don't know that it's viable for a party of 20. In fact neither is Cafe Orleans which largely has BB's old Menu.


Have you considered Storytellers? The Buffet for dinner is a little pricey and the menu isn't vast, but the food is excellent and the menu entrees aren't over priced. It's got a great atmosphere too. The best part is it's right by the GC's DCA entrence, so you save walking time.


Also Also, I think the walking times to DTD are misleading.

The time it takes to go from the DCA/DL gates to the WoD store is about 5 minutes, but RFC and ESPN zone are on the other end of DTD that's at least a 15 minute walk.

The Grand California entrence may be faster, it depends on whether your group is a model of efficency or it's like Herding cats. You have to walk through the looby and through narrow corridors and around many turns. So, it would be faster if you can get everyone moving quickly.


One thing also to note, the Monorail is supposed to still be running at the end of august. If it is, it is much closer to RFC and ESPN. when you leave to go back to DL, hop on the monorail, it's the same amount of time as the walk to the entrence, but less standing in line and it dumps you off in Tomorrowland, so you can move quickly to those attractions and/or fantasyland.

 

[Jax]

Thank you all for your responses.

I would love to do the Blue Bayou but unfortunately with the new prices it just isn't a good option for us as my DF and I are covering meals and the new prices are out of our budget.

YoHo - Thanks for the suggestion fo Storytellers, I think that I will make a reservation there instead of at the ESPN Zone. I think it will definately be a meal everyone will enjoy.

All of the suggestions on the best way to get out of the parks and to the restaurants will definately come in handy. We really don't want to utilize our time in the best way possible.

Do you think that making the reservations for 5:30 would be better? I am still hoping that they will push the park hous so that they are open at least an hour later. I love riding the rides in Disneyland at night. If we have dinner at 5:30 then we still have time to get back to the parks for at least an hour (hopefully longer )

Thanks again!

 

[YoHo]

Current rumors are that Disneyland will be going to 11pm closings in July, so I suspect they'll keep their shorter August hours too. Things do change though.

5:30 might work out a little better, Personally, I think that's what I'd do. Honestly, Like it or hate it, DCA is NOT a full day park and I don't think anyone will be negativly affected by having to leave at 5.

I hope you all enjoy Storytellers. I love to eat there. They have excellent food and they're convient.

 

[Jax]

Thanks again!

I think that 5:30 is definately the way to go (although I will keep the Goofy's Kitchen scheduled for 5).

Tomorrow is 60 days out so I get to make my reservations!!

YEAH!