Table service must-dos for a 1st (and likely only) timer?

[lsumatt72]

what are some must-eat table service restaurants on property for a first timer who's trip will likley be his only trip. thanks!

 

[shooting4life]

How long are you staying and is money a concern?

I like blue bayou for the ambiance, especially if you wait for a water side seat. The best food in both parks is Carthy Circle but it is pricy.

 

[midnight star]

Blue Bayou
Cafe Orleans
Carnation Cafe
Carthay
Lamplight Lounge

 

[BadPinkTink]

second vote for Blue Bayou. Some regulars dont like it but for a first timer and likely only timer then it really should be a must do. Its one of the unique to Disney experiences, the restaurant is IN the ride.

If you havent researched Pirates of The Caribbean ride yet, its a water ride. This means you sit in a boat which moves along a track. Its one of the original rides from when the park opened in 1955. The restaurant Blue Bayou is at the start of the ride. The boats go past one side of the restaurant. There are tables along the waterside, just like being at a river restaurant. The waterside tables are the high demand tables which you have to request, you can not reserve them. When you check in at the host stand, you should request a waterside table for the best expereince of the resturant.

If you have the money, the best way is to do the Fantasmic Blue Bayou Dining Experience. I did this in June 2018 and this is my review , with photos of the menu and the food. https://www.disboards.com/threads/review-fantasmic-blue-bayou-dining-package-june-2018.3694811/

 

[lsumatt72]

We will be there 4 days. I have already reserved Blue Bayou for sure, but wanted to get other thoughts. Money isn't the biggest concern, as long as I'm getting good food/service and portions for the price.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I think Carnation Cafe is a good suggestion due to its history in the park.

Are you interested in a character meal?

 

[Erin M]

Cafe Orleans for the Monte Cristo. If the weather is nice I love to sit outside. Don’t forget to get a side of the pomme frites too!

And another vote for Carnation Cafe. I love the menu, it feels like a nice home cooked meal.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I’d say no, none of them are must eat.

But I really enjoy the ambiance and food at Blue Bayou.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hmmm...I will put myself in your shoes as someone visiting once.

Blue Bayou - I agree with the others here. It is a must-do.

After that, nothing is a "must do" IMO.

Other table service options which are worth doing, and I have done...

Steakhouse 55 (best food at DLR IMO) at DLH
Napa Rose at GCH
Tortilla Jo's (never miss this place) at DTD
Cafe Orleans at DL

While it is counter service, I would add Flo's V-8 Cafe to your list of must-do's.

 

[Pamela M]

If it's a one time visit definitely do Blue Bayou and ask for a water side table.

 

[Zooey]

Napa Rose Chef’s counter.

 

[StormyCA]

I agree with PP, the real 'must do' is Blue Bayou for it's history and ambience. The rest are 'do if you have the time'.

 

[Frozen2014]

Cafe Orleans for the Monte Cristo. If the weather is nice I love to sit outside. Don’t forget to get a side of the pomme frites too!

And another vote for Carnation Cafe. I love the menu, it feels like a nice home cooked meal.

Ditto for Cafe Orleans

Our kids favorite "dinner" was the WOC dessert plate...lol

 

[cruisehopeful]

I recommend Carthay Circle. If you do a full blown meal with appetizers, drinks, desserts, it can take close to 2 hours. If you just do a meal, you'll probably be done in an hour.

 

[emmybee]

For excellent food & service, your best bets are the Carthay in DCA, Napa Rose, Steakhouse 55. Blue Bayou strictly for ambience as the food is ok at best. You won't feel like your food equals the value in money you will pay, and you have to be ok with that. DL itself have very little good food options. Bengal BBQ is good, and I hear the corndogs are terrific. (I don't like them myself, but my hubby loves them.) People have mentioned other sit down restaurants in DL, and frankly, those places have been a disappointment. Holy cow, I was almost tarred and feathered by my family the last time we were at the Carnation Cafe! Never again! Counter service food overall is simply better at DCA. I have no idea why DL can't step it up as far as food quality.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Its one of the original rides from when the park opened in 1955.

Umm....no. Pirates opened March 18, 1967 (3 months after Walt's death)

Another vote for Blue Bayou for first (and maybe only) timer.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Umm....no. Pirates opened March 18, 1967 (3 months after Walt's death)

Another vote for Blue Bayou for first (and maybe only) timer.

oops sorry, I just remember watching the making of documentary and Walt was in it, so my mind connected that to opening day

 

[PrincessShmoo]

oops sorry, I just remember watching the making of documentary and Walt was in it, so my mind connected that to opening day

It was the last attraction that Walt had a hand in.

 

[JLM2009]

Aside from what has already been said (Blue Bayou the only "must"), I'd only add that as good as Carthay Circle was in food quality, the meal took FOREVER. Once our LUNCH hit the 90 minute mark, and we STILL had not received our main course, we told them just to pack it all "to go" because we were just wasting precious time in the park. Maybe our meal was an anomaly, but someone earlier in this post suggested 2 hours, too.

So if you have oodles of extra time where you want to veg in A/C and be waited on (slowly) with some decent food, then sure, I'd recommend CC. Otherwise, unless I'm assured of faster service I'm not exactly itching to go back.

(I miss the BBQ place in DL.)

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If a sit down meal at CCR is not in the schedule, try doing drinks and appetizers in the CC lounge downstairs. The atmosphere is really nice, the food is yummy, and the servers are great. If you can sit at the bar, the bartenders are super nice and fun to chat with. We've had some of our most memorable park restaurant experiences in the CC lounge.
Another great restaurant experience for us (must do? for us, yes!) is a departure day breakfast at S55. Yummy food, very friendly service, love the photos on the walls (ask for the list of who's who to explain all the photos).