Table-service vs Quick-service with Easy Seating?

[orangecuse]

We are planning our first Disneyland trip for November (7-10 for park days).

We will have a few people in our party who need to sit and rest for lunch and dinner for health reasons. We have been to WDW a ton but I know DL has less table service restaurants.

Could anyone help recommend the best table service and/or quick service that have easy and typically available seating? Lunch or dinner! I just don't want us to be caught without a place to sit when someone really needs the break.

Our party will be 4 to 77 years old, no picky eaters. We will be in both DL and DCA during the trip.

Thank you!

 

[joseph821]

We are planning our first Disneyland trip for November (7-10 for park days).

We will have a few people in our party who need to sit and rest for lunch and dinner for health reasons. We have been to WDW a ton but I know DL has less table service restaurants.

Could anyone help recommend the best table service and/or quick service that have easy and typically available seating? Lunch or dinner! I just don't want us to be caught without a place to sit when someone really needs the break.

Our party will be 4 to 77 years old, no picky eaters. We will be in both DL and DCA during the trip.

Thank you!

I found Hungry Bear, Rancho, Galactic Grill, Alien Pizza planet and Smokejumpers always had seats. Also Red Rose Tavern.

Blue Bayou is nice table service and Cafe Orleans you need reservations. Also River Belle Terrace usually is always available need reservations or join waitlist. River belle is never crowded.

 

[sophy1996]

Flo’s V8 in DCA has a lot of seating. Also Paradise Garden Grill.

Both outside, though, if that makes a difference. Now that I think about it, most DLR quick service is outside tables.

 

[Kit Jackson]

It's been awhile since I went so it may have changed, but Flo's V8 in CarsLand in DCA has a ton of seating. It's also really fun theming too if anyone is into the Cars movies or mid-century design/imagery.

 

[orangecuse]

I found Hungry Bear, Rancho, Galactic Grill, Alien Pizza planet and Smokejumpers always had seats. Also Red Rose Tavern.

Blue Bayou is nice table service and Cafe Orleans you need reservations. Also River Belle Terrace usually is always available need reservations or join waitlist. River belle is never crowded.

Thank you! Of course our dates don't open for a bit for reservations but when I look at the days that *are* open it seems nothing is available. I am guessing if I am on as soon as they open I will still have some luck getting reservations?

 

[joseph821]

Yes you will get reservations. For blue bayou and cafe Orleans be ready at 6am pst 60 days before the date. For blue bayou I would go for an early lunch at 11am and get there at 1045am for checking and ask for a waterside table. For cafe orleans you can go anytime.

 

[LKing]

Good suggestions by @joseph821
If you go to Hungry Bear, you order on top, but there is extra seating (and restrooms) on the bottom floor.
Rancho del Zocalo also has restrooms close to the restaurant

 

[lindyv321]

I’m DL Rancho Del Zocalo has a ton of seating and decent food. Alien Pizza planet also has a ton of seating. Hungry Bear is one of my favorite places for a rest but it can get packed!

In DCA Flo’s, Sanfransokyo and the Paradise Gardens area where there are a few restaurants

 

[DLgal]

It's easier for us to tell you which places DON'T have a lot of seating. Overall, seating at restaurants isn't an issue. You can sit for as long as you want at the counter service places. The Table Service places kind of rush you through your meal so if a prolonged rest is needed, do counter service.

These places pose a seating challenge at peak meal times (11a-1pm, 5-7pm)

Disneyland:
Red Rose Tavern
Docking Bay 7
French Market (Tiana's Palace)
Jolly Holiday Bakery

DCA:
Pacific Wharf Area (San Fransokyo)
Sonoma Terrace
Award Weiners
Pyms Test Kitchen

Everywhere else has PLENTY of seating. My favorite place to sit and rest in Disneyland is either the downstairs part of Hungry Bear or the outdoor breezeway seating at Alien Pizza Planet. Both are out of the elements and have bathrooms nearby.

At DCA, we like sitting over at the Paradise Gardens area where they frequently have live music or at Flo's V8 Cafe.

 

[orangecuse]

It's easier for us to tell you which places DON'T have a lot of seating. Overall, seating at restaurants isn't an issue. You can sit for as long as you want at the counter service places. The Table Service places kind of rush you through your meal so if a prolonged rest is needed, do counter service.

These places pose a seating challenge at peak meal times (11a-1pm, 5-7pm)

Disneyland:
Red Rose Tavern
Docking Bay 7
French Market (Tiana's Palace)
Jolly Holiday Bakery

DCA:
Pacific Wharf Area (San Fransokyo)
Sonoma Terrace
Award Weiners
Pyms Test Kitchen

Everywhere else has PLENTY of seating. My favorite place to sit and rest in Disneyland is either the downstairs part of Hungry Bear or the outdoor breezeway seating at Alien Pizza Planet. Both are out of the elements and have bathrooms nearby.

At DCA, we like sitting over at the Paradise Gardens area where they frequently have live music or at Flo's V8 Cafe.

Thank you all!

Since one of our park days is the Friday Christmas season starts, would it be wise to have table service for lunch and dinner to guarantee a place to sit and eat that day? Or is that overkill?

 

[DLgal]

Thank you all!

Since one of our park days is the Friday Christmas season starts, would it be wise to have table service for lunch and dinner to guarantee a place to sit and eat that day? Or is that overkill?

Overkill IMO. You aren't going to be without a place to eat. Use mobile order. Don't say you are there and ready for your food until you find a seat.

Honestly, the sit down restaurants at Disneyland aren't the greatest. If you must, choose a Downtown Disney restaurant. We like Naples.

 

[Pluto468]

Thank you all!

Since one of our park days is the Friday Christmas season starts, would it be wise to have table service for lunch and dinner to guarantee a place to sit and eat that day? Or is that overkill?

It might be nice to have at least one sit down meal. You don't have to do something super fancy if you don't want to. Some ideas:

DL~
Carnation cafe
River Belle Terrace
Cafe Orleans

DCA~
Wine Country Trattoria

Fancier:
Blue Bayou ~DL
Napa Rose~ Grand Californian

Non ADR:

Just have to say I agree about Hungry Bear, it's one of my favorite places in the park. The upstairs has alot of trees and overlooks the river. Tons of seating. I've often seen one of the Disneyland cats there

Plaza Inn has plenty of seating inside and outside. Jolly Holiday has ample seating and great food, too.

A nice place for a break is the Tiki Room. There are benches in there where you sit and watch the show, and there's a Dole Whip stand right outside.

Also of note, you'll see benches all over the park, which makes it easy when someone needs a break. I have a bad back so spend half our park time sitting on a bench waiting for my family to finish rides.

There are oddly hardly any benches in Galaxy's Edge, though, so it's difficult for me to hang out in that land for long.