Special/Cozy QS dining areas?

[PinkMagnolia]

Will be at Disneyland for the first time this winter. I'm wondering if there are any special or cozy places to have QS meal or snack. At WDW, I'm thinking upstairs at Columbia Harbour House where it's less crowded and has a few tables with nice views. Anything with a similar feel at DL I should know about? Thanks!

 

[Canchaser143]

There are not too many quiet places to eat at Disneyland in my opinion! But there is seating over my Edelweiss Snacks that usually has very few people! There's also a hidden seating area on the Fantasyland Dock, which is a covered dock that extends into the lagoon.

 

[LKing]

Are you asking just about Disneyland or are you interested in DCA as well?

Several seats by Harbour Galley are currently not available. They are cordoned off for Tiana related construction. Tiana's opens on Nov 15, so if your trip is after that, they might be available.

Right now Edelweiss Snacks sells the garlic cheese bread with brat. It is a very popular item, so the Motor Boat Cruise dock is filling up faster than it used to. Still, if you can find a table there, it is a nice spot. I was walking by last week and saw the Mad Hatter, Alice and Peter Pan having a tea party. This was around 10:20 am and you can see that tables were still available.



Are you looking for a view or to get away from crowds? The outdoor dining area at Alien Pizza Planet is often more calm, but doesn't have a view. Similarly, Craftsman Grill (QS) or Craftsman Bar (table service) in the GCH are a little calmer. The top of Hungry Bear can be calm and has a view of ROA. However, it is currently being refurbished and, when it opens, it will have a new menu so will likely be crowded.

Edit to add: There are tables on the east side of Tom Sawyer's Island (facing the Mark Twain dock). If you don't mind carrying your food out there, it is a really nice, calm and scenic place to eat.

 

[PinkMagnolia]

Thanks so much for the wonderful responses!

Are you asking just about Disneyland or are you interested in DCA as well?

This will be our first (and probably only) visit to both parks, so tips for BOTH DL and DCA would be appreciated!

Are you looking for a view or to get away from crowds?

Both, I guess. I've always found I enjoy my meal when it's in a nice spot - whether it's away from crowds, or in spot with a nice view, I'd really like to make the most of this (probably) once in a lifetime visit.

Tiana's opens on Nov 15, so if your trip is after that, they might be available.

We'll be going in early February, so I'll check out this spot - thx!

 

[maleficent55]

If you’re OK, walking out of Disneyland and going to the Grand californian Hotel, maybe five minute walk, I think that the Hearthstone lounge is a very cozy place to eat. Craftsman style architecture, rich wood, fireplaces, perfect

 

[LKing]

We'll be going in early February,

Great! Do you want to share how many people will be in your party and if you will have kids with you?

When it comes time to make reservations, you might try Lamplight Lounge. When you arrive and check in at the kiosk, ask for a seat outdoors on the area that overlooks the water. I'm not sure what they call it. They might make you wait for it but, if it is available, I think you would enjoy it. If they start to seat you indoors, or at the bar, it is okay to tell the server that you would like to wait for a seat over the water.

Lamplight Lounge is the building on the left with blue windows. You can see the downstairs dining area with a red roof over the water. That's the area I'm referring to.



In February, DCA has the Lunar New Year festival with a special parade and several food carts throughout the park. They set up tables in the area on the right side of this picture. If you can snag one of those, that would be nice.

 

[PinkMagnolia]

If you’re OK, walking out of Disneyland and going to the Grand californian Hotel, maybe five minute walk, I think that the Hearthstone lounge is a very cozy place to eat. Craftsman style architecture, rich wood, fireplaces, perfect

This place looks wonderful! Thank you!

 

[PinkMagnolia]

Great! Do you want to share how many people will be in your party and if you will have kids with you?

It will be DH and I - both in our early 50's and leaving our University-aged kids at home

The only ADR I was thinking of making was Cafe Orleans for a Monte Cristo Sandwich. I had a look at Lamplight Lounge and the menu seems really nice. A waterside table and lobster nachos sounds lovely!

Thanks again for your suggestions. I really appreciate it!

 

[PHXscuba]

DCA QS ideas:

The back patio at Flo's where you can watch the Cars from Radiator Springs Racers zoom by.

Also it's not "quiet," but it can be very relaxing to eat in the Boardwalk/Paradise Garden area depending what is going on. There's often live music and there are lots of tables. It's a corner of the park many people just zoom by.

 

[Pamela M]

Hungry bear will be open when you go and the excitement of it opening should of died down. It’s usually pretty easy to find a seat on the top near the back. There you can watch the mark twain and the train go by.

The others everyone else mentioned are great idea too.

 

[Angrose]

I like hopping on the Monorail in Tomorrowland and getting off at Downtown Disney, which is right by the entrance to the Disneyland Hotel. Have lunch at Trader Sam’s (table service) or Tangaroa Terrace (quick service/mobile ordering). The menus are similar and they share an outdoor deck. You can also get fun tiki cocktails and Dole Whip (with rum too) at the walk up window. It’s just a nice, chill spot away from the crowds, overlooking the pools and swaying palm trees.

 

[crystal1313]

We like to sit upstairs at the Golden Horseshoe and grab an ice cream treat from there. I don’t think they have any entertainment in the Golden Horseshoe anymore, sadly. But we still enjoy sitting up there.

We also like to sit near ship to shore marketplace later in the day. If we grab a breakfast chimichanga we like to eat at rancho del zocalo seating area. There usually no one else in there and you can watch the big thunder trains come back at the end of the ride.

Lots of other great recommendations in this thread.

 

[LKing]

Funny that you mention Golden Horseshoe. We passed by today and I thought of @PinkMagnolia. While the Golden Horseshoe menu isn't all that exciting, you can bring in food from other restaurants.

@maleficent55 mentioned Hearthstone Lounge in GCH. We ate lunch there today.



Another area is the lower deck by Harbour Galley. HG is the small blue & yellow building at the top. People usually find a table on the top deck. If you keep walking, there is a lower deck (with orange umbrellas) that often has fewer people and a nice view of ROA.