Sin to skip the sit downs?

[KaystotheKingdom]

We have our first trip to the Land coming up in April. I was reading through the threads about the headaches getting reservations and then thought to myself is it worth it? Im traveling with toddlers and their appetite is either non existent or not on a consistent schedule. I am the foodie in my family and tend to have a must eat list when I go places instead of must sees lol.

so- considering a sit down mean is not a priority for us, are there any that really are worth carving out the time for on a 3 day visit?

if not- what are you favorite quick service or must do snacks?!? All these years I’ve heard of the superiority of DLs food and Im excited to indulge!

 

[JMommyof3]

You will be there during Food and Wine so I'd suggest taking advantage of that. Otherwise there's not a lot I'd really sit for given your family dynamic. Blue Bayou is nice but not for toddlers. Maybe something like Lamplight Lounge would be fun since it's right on the water. Pyms is a quick service and it's nice in Avengers Campus because you can sit and happen upon shows there. Plaza inn for character breakfast is always fun and maybe a late morning reservation might be a nice break time for you guys. I had a lot of dining reservations for our latest trip and ended up cancelling all but 2 (one was Trader Sams which is a one and never again for us). Most sit down places will have a "power pack" for kids which is carrots, danimals, goldfish, and an orange. My 9 year old orders that from time to time as he tends to like to snack all day and not really eat full meals with us. For us, it's hard to really want to sit anywhere when there are great festivals going on. Enjoy your trip.

 

[KaystotheKingdom]

You will be there during Food and Wine so I'd suggest taking advantage of that. Otherwise there's not a lot I'd really sit for given your family dynamic. Blue Bayou is nice but not for toddlers. Maybe something like Lamplight Lounge would be fun since it's right on the water. Pyms is a quick service and it's nice in Avengers Campus because you can sit and happen upon shows there. Plaza inn for character breakfast is always fun and maybe a late morning reservation might be a nice break time for you guys. I had a lot of dining reservations for our latest trip and ended up cancelling all but 2 (one was Trader Sams which is a one and never again for us). Most sit down places will have a "power pack" for kids which is carrots, danimals, goldfish, and an orange. My 9 year old orders that from time to time as he tends to like to snack all day and not really eat full meals with us. For us, it's hard to really want to sit anywhere when there are great festivals going on. Enjoy your trip.

Do they do food booths like it is done at World? Or is it expanded offerings at exiting service counters? Thanks for the tips!

 

[JMommyof3]

Do they do food booths like it is done at World? Or is it expanded offerings at exiting service counters? Thanks for the tips!

Both actually. Mostly food booths but some of the quick service locations will participate. As it gets closer, I think it's March 6-April 26, they will have a list of offerings.

 

[Wedgeout]

I like any place that has a sourdough bowl. (like Pacific Wharf DCA). Also in Disneyland, I like Harbour Galley (received a sitting area upgrade) and Hungry Bear!

 

[KaystotheKingdom]

It is so funny your brought those up. My husband is mostly going on this trip because I’m dying to see Disneyland but these were part of my pitch! We are from New England and bread bowls are life!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

There are so many excellent quick service options I don’t think you would miss out if you skipped table service entirely. I never used to do it when my older son was a toddler although now I like to do it (as long as we leave his toddler younger brother at home!). Disneyland quick service has some seriously yummy options, with plenty of variety for the kids too.

 

[PirateBrigade]

I don't think you're missing out -- we spent YEARS not doing sit-down of any kind because toddler (and not wanting to plan) and it was perfectly fine. We waited until kiddo was 5 and we hit up Blue Bayou for their Fantasmic dining package/preferred seating.

Even now, kid is 7 and we hardly do sit down (it's almost habit). We will enter toddler phase visits again once our youngest (~1yr) is vaccinated, so here's to hoping dining reservations are feasible by 2026!

 

[Epicnemesis]

We rarely do sit downs, and when we do it’s not for the food.

If you wanted to do some sort of sit down I recommend a character breakfast.

 

[StormyCA]

Really, to me the only sit down that's (sort of) a must do once is Blue Bayou (waterside only). Not because the food is anything to write home about, but because it's so iconic and unique.

 

[Bossy22]

We only do sit downs at Cafe Orleans but the rest we just do quick service and find it much more enjoyable!!! We use to do sit downs more regularly but don't miss them very much at all!!!

 

[DLgal]

The only 2 sit downs worth doing in the parks are Carthay Circle and Lamplight Lounge, neither of which I'd do with toddlers. You will be fine to skip TS dining. There is so much good quick serve food in the parks.

 

[Wedgeout]

I’ll give my current two top sit downs. Disneyland it’s the Carnation Cafe Lunch. (Walt’s Chili and the Patty Melt!). DCA it’s Carthay Circle Lounge-Alfresco Dining. (Bao Buns are so good I had to order a second round!) Book an 11:00am there if you can at opening. Sit along the street railing. It’s an unofficial character interaction spot as they pass during switch outs to and from the fountain area.

 

[Pluto468]

I think it's fine to skip sit-downs. In the past we've only done it for Blue Bayou or character dining. I reserved more this year since it was seemed hard to find a place to eat, but I think that's improved alot lately with the mobile ordering.

I will get Carnation Cafe and Oga's next time because I want to try those for sure.

 

[GoingSince1990]

I enjoy a sit-down meal, especially at Blue Bayou, Lamplight, and Wine Country Trattoria. For quick service if you like Mexican food, Cocina Cucamonga in DCA is very good, with plenty of shady, outdoor seating and a good bevarage selection. My kids loved it.

 

[StormyCA]

This got me thinking....we do a LOT of TS when we're at WDW. There just seem to be so many good ones there. At DL, not so much. We normally eat CS.

One of our considerations is that I have to be gluten free. WDW's TSs have wonderful options. At DL some of the GF options are either not so good or they're 'skimpy'. At WDW if they have to leave something off, they normally put on a delicious substitute. At DL I have had some where they just 'minus' the gluten ingredient and serve you the plate. Don't get me wrong, DL has really good GF food, just that sometimes their 'presentation' has been lacking. And Carthay, GF or not, is just too expensive for what you get.

(And I'm not including the hotels at either place. Although since Storytellers has gone buffet I don't bother with it anymore.)

 

[smartlabelprint]

The only 2 sit downs worth doing in the parks are Carthay Circle and Lamplight Lounge, neither of which I'd do with toddlers. You will be fine to skip TS dining. There is so much good quick serve food in the parks.

I’ve never been to lamplight and was considering it in May with a 2.25 year old. Bad idea? For reference oldest did ok at BB at 2&3.

 

[RunnerMom71]

*If* you always want to ensure you have downtime with a reserved spot to eat, then ADR's for sit-down restaurants are great. For me the pain of getting ADR's is worth it when I actually am at DL or WDW.

A great place to have a sit down meal can also be DTD or even at the Grand or DL Hotel. Get outside of the over-stimulation of the parks, chill out for a bit and catch a break. I particularly love lunch at Napoli outside underneath the trees when the weather is nice. I found that when my daughter was a toddler having a spot to chill was great for all of us.

Inside the parks as others have mentioned Lamplight is fantastic. I wouldn't want to miss a character meal with a younger child: but that's just me!

My new fav quick serve spot in DL is Hideaway. Just a great spot, you get peek a boo views of Jungle Cruise. Food is great! Loved this for a snack.

Pyms, Flo's and even the Schwarma cart in DCA are great for quick service. Pyms in particular because if you snag a table you have entertainment right there at Avengers HQ! Flo's for the younger set with an outdoor table overlooking the street or RSR is really fun.

 

[starlite_]

We started doing sit downs in the last few years because I hate having to hunt for tables. Don't have kids but I find it interesting that ppl are discarding sit dows with toddlers. Pretty sure my parents loved the rest when my sis was younger. ( we are many years apart)

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

We started doing sit downs in the last few years because I hate having to hunt for tables. Don't have kids but I find it interesting that ppl are discarding sit dows with toddlers. Pretty sure my parents loved the rest when my sis was younger. ( we are many years apart)

It's not very restful when your kid is climbing in an out of their seat, crawling under the table, climbing in your lap, trying to escape and run around. There is a lot of downtime/waiting at a table service restaurant and toddlers aren't great at waiting. Quick service is fast, here's your food and once they are done eating you just get up and leave.

I do love going to table service with my older son since he was about 5-6 years old. It's a nice break and he will sit and color/etc.