Sit Down Lunch in Disneyland?

[coopersmom]

Going to Disneyland this Friday with four-year-old son and his grandparents. The grandparents aren't elderly, but aren't 21 either and not that used to a four-year-old's energy.

Looking for a restaurant in or near Disneyland to have a mid-day break from the madness. Something unique (non-chain) and no buffets, please. Hoping for a table service place that will intrigue the little one enough to want to go in, but still prove a respite that allows for a bit of recharging before heading back out.

We are not staying over so this is a one-day total trip and we want to get as much out of the park as possible, but not at the expense of my, or my son's, sanity. In short, he just turned four, I know I have to keep my expectations for his endurance modest.

Last December in DisneyWorld he did great until 1 or 2 PM each day, and then, if we tried to push beyond that, dissolved into a tired, cranky, over-stimulated nightmare. There, we had a hotel to retreat to for regrouping, which we won't have here. Hoping a leisurely lunch will serve some of the same (fingers crossed) purpose.

Thoughts and ideas appreciated. It may to be too much to ask (again, based on Disney World experience), but I was also hoping for decent food.

The other option would be a safe, playground picnic spot that he could run around and burn off energy (lots of standing, waiting and listening at Disney--not so much unsupervised play time) while we sit. Something like the Animal Kingdom Dino boneyard in Florida would be ideal. (Even though that place, even if don't let kids out on own, scared me to death since he kept vanishing up a ladder or across a bridge.)

PS: I was sort of thinking Blue Bayou, but not sure if that is worth the $$$ or interesting/relaxed enough to serve purpose. I haven't been to Disneyland in more than 30 years, so I'm pretty clueless about their food options other than the official website blurbs.

 

[Brer Cameron]

Well if you don't mind going on the pricier side of things, Blue Bayou is nice. If you request a water side table, I'm sure your son will love watching the boats go by. Just tell him it is inside Pirates of the Caribbean, and I'm sure he will be excited (assuming he likes that ride/movie).

There's also a princess lunch in California Adventure, but I don't know if your son would be interested in that or not. If he is, the food is good and characters keep coming to your table periodically to talk to you.

 

[Piglet99645]

I think the menu at the Plaza Inn on main street (not the character breakfast, but the actual menu) is very diverse, and if you get a table outside there is lots to look at.

Also, the menu is very limited, but the Golden Horseshoe has a show to watch while you eat. (The food may not appeal to your group - chili, fish and chips, chicken strips, salads. I hear the desserts are really good, though).

 

[HydroGuy]

I think the menu at the Plaza Inn on main street (not the character breakfast, but the actual menu) is very diverse, and if you get a table outside there is lots to look at.

Also, the menu is very limited, but the Golden Horseshoe has a show to watch while you eat. (The food may not appeal to your group - chili, fish and chips, chicken strips, salads. I hear the desserts are really good, though).

Here is second vote for Plaza Inn.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I would go for RiverBelle Terrace or Cafe Orleans. Both have diverse menus and sit down. Blue Bayou was mentioned but not sure he would be occupied enough.

Jack

 

[princessaw]

Another vote for Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans! Blue Bayou can be pretty pricey, but totally worth the experience!! Cafe Orleans is great too, especially if you get an outdoor table, and watch all of the people walk by. If I remember right, I'm pretty sure you can see the riverboat go by too!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Normally I would vote for Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans, but Disneyland is busy(!) setting up for the Pirates Premier and the area is congested. Huge bleachers are being built, and the Mark Twain and Columbia aren't running. The island is getting a huge screen installed and the workers actually built a bridge across to the island to facilitate the construction. Fantasmic won't be shown again til May 14th. (source: MousePlanet.)

Anyway, I would recommend the Carnation Cafe -- it's outside and pleasant. Or you could do Downtown Disney -- would your son enjoy the "animals" at Rain Forest Cafe?

ETA The actual premiere of the movie is this Saturday. You're in for a crowded weekend at the park! Start as early as possible, and when the masses become unbearable, go hang out at DCA. Good luck!

 

[Hound 109]

Will you be hopping into DCA? (you should btw )

If so, I would hop to DCA late morning & tour a little then into the GCH & have a nice sit down at Storytellers (off the menu). or even slide into DTD from there. If a nap/rest is in order, then maybe those nice chairs & couches in the GCH lobby would fill the bill. It would for me.

 

[granismith]

My 5 year old really enjoyed the painter palate make your own PB & J at Carnation Cafe, it kept her occupied the whole time while we leasurely enjoyed our delicious lunch. It is right on main street so you are close to everything. The seating area is small though so I would make a reservation. Blue Bayou would be a nice cool and maybe more of a quick escape for awhile. If you split plates (still plenty of food) it isn't that expensive compared to everything else. But would recommend a reservation also.

 

[skiingfast]

Looking for a restaurant in or near Disneyland to have a mid-day break from the madness. Something unique (non-chain) and no buffets, please. Hoping for a table service place that will intrigue the little one enough to want to go in, but still prove a respite that allows for a bit of recharging before heading back out.

Be prepared at Blue Bayou to wait an extra 15 or so minutes to get a water side table.

I'd also sugest Ariel's Gortto in DCA if you can sit on outside on the water. He can watch the ferris wheel and rollercoaster.

Also Cafe Orleans, if you sit outside he can watch people going by, and hear the trains whistle.

Another idea, though purposely left last because it's a little walk and a chain. Though you can take the monorail from Tomorrowland to right next to Rain Forest Cafe. Great atmosphere for kids, ok food for adults.

 

[coopersmom]

Another vote for Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans! Blue Bayou can be pretty pricey, but totally worth the experience!! Cafe Orleans is great too, especially if you get an outdoor table, and watch all of the people walk by. If I remember right, I'm pretty sure you can see the riverboat go by too!

I had read/heard about the Pirates premiere thing on the Dis podcast. Simply bad timing, but can't be avoided. Will it impact Blue Bayou?

I did see it was pretty pricey ... Is the food worth it (by Disney standards)? I worry about outdoor options because if my son can see this that and the other thing he wants to dash off and do from the table, it will not be a leisurely meal, if you know what I mean, and definitely not relaxing.

I was going to play stroller by ear. At home we never use one and he is very active. At DisneyWorld we used one starting on day 3, just because of the distance we'd been walking, but up until then he was pretty adamant about being on his own two feet. Of course, that's only until he wants to be carried everywhere and Mama's back breaks.

He is not a napper, and hasn't been for a long time <sigh>. So that's not a concern, unfortunately for me.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

OK I am going to go a little off your original idea. I know you asked about table service and all the ideas you got were good and all the TS options you were given I would give too, although I agree with PP while Cafe Orleans would be top of the list normally with all the mess due to the premiere I would skip it this time.

Now I am going to actually recommend a counter service believe it or not.
Hungry Bear in Critter Country..with the major attraction in this part of the park down (Splash!) this part of the park should be even more blissfully uncrowded than usual and it is one of our favorite away from the crowd places even on a busy Christmas weekend. They just debuted a new menu which is getting really good reviews.

Reason 1...relaxing time for the older folks...the back outdoor patio here is one of the most away from the crowd relaxing places in the park with views of the ROA

Reason 2...rest/fun with the little one...The Disney Ducks and Hungry Bear's resident Disney Cat will both happily enjoy being fed leftovers by the little one.

Now I would normally send you to the Island for him to run around some but the Pirates premiere removes that option.

If you are hopping over to DCA The Grizzly River Recreation Area sounds very similar to the one you are describing at WDW.

If you are not hopping the hit Toontown and try Chip & Dales Treehouse (climb through adventure kids only) or Goofy's Vegetable Garden..tunnels and teeter totters and all in plain view of Mom & Dad or My son's favorite go pilot Donald's houseboat named the Daisy.

Have a great trip!

 

[Briarrose1306]

The food and service may not be so great, but the Rainforest Cafe might be very interesting to him and it's in Downtown Disney, very close to the monorail stop.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I had read/heard about the Pirates premiere thing on the Dis podcast. Simply bad timing, but can't be avoided. Will it impact Blue Bayou?

I did see it was pretty pricey ... Is the food worth it (by Disney standards)? I worry about outdoor options because if my son can see this that and the other thing he wants to dash off and do from the table, it will not be a leisurely meal, if you know what I mean, and definitely not relaxing.

It should not affect BB I wouldn't think except you may have crowd problems getting through NOS but once you get to the restaurant it should be fine...If you do this DO NOT skimp on the waterfront table or your son will be bored! My son age 6 who does not nap either fell asleep to watching the boats go by,,,with the water sounds and the crickets and fireflies he got VERY relaxed and we had to carry all 65 pounds of him out of the restaurant and call it al day. For me BB was worth every penny but you will get conflicting accounts of that and the atmosphere is the draw more than the food although my filet was really wonderful too.

As far as my HB suggestion..even though you are outside the back patio faces the ROA so not much in the way of distracting stuff for him to want to go to right now!

 

[coopersmom]

My 5 year old really enjoyed the painter palate make your own PB & J at Carnation Cafe, it kept her occupied the whole time while we leasurely enjoyed our delicious lunch. It is right on main street so you are close to everything. The seating area is small though so I would make a reservation. Blue Bayou would be a nice cool and maybe more of a quick escape for awhile. If you split plates (still plenty of food) it isn't that expensive compared to everything else. But would recommend a reservation also.

OK, that sounds right up my son's alley (the peanut butter make-your-own thing). I didn't see a kids' menu for Blue Bayou online. Anyone know what they offer?

 

[granismith]

OK, that sounds right up my son's alley (the peanut butter make-your-own thing). I didn't see a kids' menu for Blue Bayou online. Anyone know what they offer?

.
They have Mac & Cheese, Chicken & pasta With marinara I think, salmon and steak. My daughter didn't want any of it but she did the Mac & cheese and they bring out carrots & celery with ranch while we ate our salads and the food came with grapes. There is a pirate hat to color & wear.

Also, Carnation cafe is gated in so he couldn't escape too easy.

 

[cloudconnected1039]

My vote goes for Carnation Cafe off of Main Street in DL. The baked potato soup is tremendous

 

[cirquelovers]

I was also going to suggest the Carnation Cafe with the painter palate! My son loved that when he was little! I love the soup, baked potato, and sandwich, pretzel bread was amazing, but the pot pies are great too! If you time it right you can watch the parade from there too. We eat there every time we go to Disneyland.

 

[Piglet99645]

I was also going to suggest the Carnation Cafe with the painter palate! If you time it right you can watch the parade from there too.

How can you watch the parade from there? ARen't there people standing on the street in the way?

Loving this option if we can sit and see the parade!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

The Storytellers at the GCH is a nice place to relax. They have a Make Your Own Pizza for kids......my kids loved doing that & of course.....they LOVE pizza!!

Rainforest Cafe is interesting & fun to check out......but kids can get quite frightened during the thunderstorm they do every 15-20 mins. Also, my daughter freaked out the first time the gorilla started moving & making noise. The food here has really gone down hill in our opinion.

Blue Bayou is a wonderful experience....but very expensive & my kids would have been bored inside there. Its very dark.

Cafe Orleans is a good place, especially if you can sit out on the patio area.

Carnation Cafe is a good place as well.

We've never eaten at the Plaza Inn (other than the character meal) but hear good things.

Hungry Bear Restaurant is not a sit-down restaurant, but is located up in Critter Country on the riverside. We enjoy sitting downstairs by the water so we can watch the boats go by. You also can feed the ducks!! Relaxing & shaded down there....a nice little escape.

Enjoy your trip!