restaurant suggestions please

[Moomduck1]

Hi,
Taking a trip west at the end of Jan. Haven't been to Dl since 1979. It's just me and my hubby. Any suggestions on places to eat and/or places to avoid? TIA!

 

[CrazyDuck]

Blue Bayou.... That's all I have to add...

 

[Moomduck1]

Is DL like WDW in the fact that you need to make priority reservations?

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Is DL like WDW in the fact that you need to make priority reservations?

It is if you want to eat @ a sit down restaurant/character dining. If you want to eat @ DL, then I'd suggest making 1 for Blue Bayou & even Cafe Orleans bc sometimes they will only allow ppl who have a PS. I personally don't think you'd need to make any for DTD restautants unless you decide to eat @ Rainforest Cafe.
But some really good counter service places are Plaza Inn, Rancho del Zocalo & the French Market.

 

[spacemermaid]

Since you've not been to the Park in so long, I'm seconding the suggestion for Blue Bayou! It's kind of expensive, yes, but it's a must-do for such a special trip, IMO.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh wow! If you have not been to DL/DLR in 30 years, you will be pleased by how much the food has improved! Somewhere after 1992 or so, the food quality went way up at DLR from what it was prior to that. Sure, we don't have the variety of restaurants at DLR as WDW has, but that is due to lack of space, but we can certainly give you some suggestions of where to eat.

First of all, to clarify the Priority Seating thing - I have never been to WDW, but from what I hear, it is almost a a necessity to make ADR's before arriving. At DLR, it is not required that you make a PS for any restaurant except Blue Bayou, because they claim to not take walk-ups (however, a few people on this board reported being able to walk up to the Blue Bayou without a PS and get a table this year, so I guess it depends on the moment). Even the 5 character meals do not require a PS, although it is highly suggested that you make one to avoid a possible lengthy wait for a table. However, my friend and I did Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH (my favorite of the character meals) on December 19th - an extremely crazy, busy day at DLR - and the line just to give names at the front was long. We did not have a PS, so I thought we would be waiting forever to be seated. But we got a table in about 5 minutes! Back in October, we ate at Storytellers Critter Breakfast in the GCH and did not have a PS then, either, and were seated right away. So I think it is luck of the draw! There is a new character meal with Mickey at the PPH, and I suspect that one will probably be very, very busy for a while since it is new and since Mickey is the 'star.'

As for other table service restaurants that you probably should make a PS for, I would highly suggest a PS for Carnation Cafe in DL. Not only is it a charming little restaurant with good food that sits right along Main Street (so it is good for people watching and parade viewing), but it has very limited seating, so the line of people waiting for tables builds very fast and can get long. I know there are those who have been lucky and have gotten tables right away at Carnation. My friends and I have not been that lucky. There have been times where we waited 20 minutes; another time where we waited about 45 minutes! Again, you don't have to make a PS for Carnation Cafe, but that is one place where I would highly recommend it.

In DTD, I would also strongly suggest making a PS for Rainforest Cafe and ESPN Zone. Both of those places are extremely popular and the wait to be seated can be agonizingly long, like even an hour or so. But they are both worth visiting if you have never eaten at either place. On the other hand, Naples in DTD always seems to have seating.

In DCA, Wine Country Trattoria is a nice place to eat and there always seems to be seating available without a PS. Plus, if you are lucky and end up at the right table, you might catch a glimpse of the Pixar Play Parade as it goes by.

Storytellers Cafe in the GCH (the non-character meal for lunch or dinner) is pretty good, and we have never had trouble getting seated without a PS.

As for counter service places to eat, Bengal BBQ in DL is good. River Belle Terrace and Plaza Inn in DL are good. Blue Ribbon Bakery on Main Street is good for sweet treats and coffee drinks!

Taste Pilots Grill is a good counter service place in DCA .

 

[oc_tony]

I don't know what your meal budget is like, but for a nice quiet steak dinner, I will add Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel. We like this place when we want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the parks for an hour or two, but without having to get too "dressed up." It is pricey, but the steaks and sides are delicious and worth the splurge if that is something you are interested in. Especially with no children in your party, this might be an option to consider for a special night out. You can walk there from the park gates. Just head through DTD until you hit the hotel. Check out the menu at http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/dining/menus-detail.cfm?restaurant.ID=567. Have a great time!

 

[pixiewings71]

I always suggest making a PS for any sit down or character dining experience you might want to have. Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, Blue Bayou, I suggest PS for them all. And they are all very good.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I don't know what your meal budget is like, but for a nice quiet steak dinner, I will add Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel. We like this place when we want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the parks for an hour or two, but without having to get too "dressed up." It is pricey, but the steaks and sides are delicious and worth the splurge if that is something you are interested in. Especially with no children in your party, this might be an option to consider for a special night out. You can walk there from the park gates. Just head through DTD until you hit the hotel. Check out the menu at http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/dining/menus-detail.cfm?restaurant.ID=567. Have a great time!

We love SH55. We usually ditch the kids and do this place at least 1 time while we are there. Also do BB as a tradition, love the atmosphere.

Jack

 

[Moomduck1]

Thanks so much for all of the tips and the suggestions/explanations of priority seating. I'm going to show the list of suggestions to my hubby and we will pick out a few places and make the priority seatings. Thanks again! I'm so excited for our trip!