Some Dining Questions...

[dawnrose]

I am approaching the 60 day mark and so am trying to make some dining plans. I have several questions...First, is Carnation Cafe the same thing as Plaza Inn? Does Carnation Cafe take reservations or is it walk up...and finally can you see the fireworks/parade from the patio there?

Also thinking about trying the Uva bar for our first evening for some good food and some adult beverages and thinking that the girls (ages 12 and 9) would be entertained by being in the middle of the action of DTD. What is the food like here? Enjoyable atmosephere?

Thanx...As always, I look forward to what you all have to say...

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I am approaching the 60 day mark and so am trying to make some dining plans. I have several questions...First, is Carnation Cafe the same thing as Plaza Inn? Does Carnation Cafe take reservations or is it walk up...and finally can you see the fireworks/parade from the patio there?

Carnation Cafe and Plaza Inn are two separate restaurants on opposite sides of Main Street. Plaza Inn is closer to the hub on the right when facing the front of the castle.

Plaza Inn has Minnie's character breakfast in the morning. You can make a priority seating for this meal. It also has a little birthday celebration in the mid-afternoon. During the rest of the day, Plaza Inn is counter service. You can probably get a partially obstructed view of the fireworks from that location. It would not be a place to view the parade.

Carnation Cafe is a sit-down restaurant. All seating is outdoors. I would recommend making a seating reservation since it does reduce the wait. If your timing is good and you happen to get a table closer to Main Street you might be able to see parts of the parade as it passes by. There will be lots of people between you and the parade, some of them sitting/standing to view the parade and some of them passing through. It would not be my preferred way of watching the parade if that was the only time I was going to see it, but you would definitely experience the music and some of the parade atmosphere and catch glimpses. I doubt you would be able to see much of the fireworks, but I have never tried it.

 

[Lissame]

I can't imagine you could see the fireworks from CC. They stop serving at 8 I think anyway, so you could just be sitting there at a table and then you can't see anything. I'd just join the throngs of people in the hub if I were you and that close.

 

[Capt Silly]

I agree that you would not be able to see the fireworks from CC, and you would not get a good view of the parade (unless you get very lucky and are seated at one of the 2-3 tables next to Main Street).

I would recommend going for breakfast though, just to get a chance of meeting Oscar. He's been at DL for about 50 years, and often comes out of the kitchen to talk to the guests. We always have breakfast there on our last day in the park each visit, it's become a tradition with us as a way to close the visit with traditional Disney experience.

I doubt you'll need to call for priority seating this early though, last visit we called 1 hour ahead of time and got in.

 

[dawnrose]

Thanx for the info...helpful...thought I read somewhere about someone watching the fireworks from there, but I'm probably mixing it up with something else...anyone have any opinions on Uva Bar?

 

[pixiewings71]

You can't see the fireworks from CC but you CAN see them from the Plaza Inn. we've done that quite a few times. We just get there about an hour and a half early and grab a table, eat our dinner and then go back in for dessert. We eat dessert while watcihng the fireworks. there ARE trees and sometimes the umbrellas are still open but we've been happy with the views we've had there.

 

[dawnrose]

thank you Pixie Wings...that sounds like it might be a plan! Were you able to see Tink and Dumbo from there as well?

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh yes, absolutely!! Just make sure you get the view of the Matterhorn and the Castle, we sit on the left side as you go in to the PI. We get 1 meal for DBF and I to share, the girls get something from the kids' menus and we have a great meal and then a good view of the fireworks. Can't beat chocolate cake while watching fireworks.

 

[dawnrose]

Thanx for the tip...I think we will try this...sounds perfect!