What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR

[bakerudall]

This thread makes me NOT want to visit WDW! LOL! I just dont do well being on a schedule during vacation. I like to eat when I'm hungry, not when I thought I might be hungry six months ago.

I agree. And what is this I am reading about a cancellation fee at WDW? We are going to WDW for the first time next year. We will be going with some WDW vet relatives, so they are taking care of the ressies and planning, but I'm thinking maybe we should do the dining plan on every other day to give our stomachs some time to empty out. I have to admit, though, that the food porn thread on the WDW board is much more arousing.

 

[DISHoppy]

This thread makes me NOT want to visit WDW! LOL! I just dont do well being on a schedule during vacation. I like to eat when I'm hungry, not when I thought I might be hungry six months ago.

For our recent trip to DLR we had to reservations. One for Minnie and Friends and one for BB. That was it for 5 days! Love how laid back dining is at DLR. And we really do enjoy the food and the options.

1.) Food is much more integral to the WDW experience for many (if not most). Especially in Epcot.
2.) If you have kids, then you get the meal scheduling a bit more. Of you don't, someday you will. Real world meltdowns due to lack of blood sugar and/or empty tummies aren't like those cute Snickers commercials.

-Kevin

 

[DISHoppy]

I agree. And what is this I am reading about a cancellation fee at WDW? We are going to WDW for the first time next year. We will be going with some WDW vet relatives, so they are taking care of the ressies and planning, but I'm thinking maybe we should do the dining plan on every other day to give our stomachs some time to empty out. I have to admit, though, that the food porn thread on the WDW board is much more arousing.

Yes. Cancellations are required 24 hours in advance to avoid a $10 charge. This is due to abuse of the ADR system, which until recently had allowed multiple ADRs @ a given day and time. Last summer/fall I was able to book multiple ADRs until our group could decide what sounded good and then cancel the others or not w/o charge if I was lazy or lacked courtesy. They've since fixed this to allow only one ADR for a given day and time.

-Kevin

 

[DISHoppy]

WDW has conditioned many Worlders to salivate and perspire and instinctively reach for your nearest web browser whenever the word "dining reservation" is mentioned. It can be hard getting used to DLR's more relaxed offerings. But try!

What's that bell?

I'm tryin', Hydo...I'm tryin'. Now, if only I could get the CMs over there to stop passing me bogus info and just say I don't know instead.

-Kevin

 

[bakerudall]

Yes. Cancellations are required 24 hours in advance to avoid a $10 charge. This is due to abuse of the ADR system, which until recently had allowed multiple ADRs @ a given day and time. Last summer/fall I was able to book multiple ADRs until our group could decide what sounded good and then cancel the others or not w/o charge if I was lazy or lacked courtesy. They've since fixed this to allow only one ADR for a given day and time.

-Kevin

Thanks, Kevin. 24 hours is definitely reasonable. I was worried that if our trip got canceled due to some unforeseen event, our relatives would get stuck with cancellation fees for 30 reservations.

 

[HydroGuy]

What's that bell?

I'm tryin', Hydo...I'm tryin'. Now, if only I could get the CMs over there to stop passing me bogus info and just say I don't know instead.

-Kevin

On my first visit to WDW I got so much misinformation from well-meaning WDW CMs it made my head spin!

One night I was at JC when SpectroMagic was passing and wanted to get to the other side so we could ride Splash. The CM there told me not to bother because Splash always closes at dusk.

DLR and WDW both give out misinformation. We all notice it more on our first trip because we are so needy for good info. After we know the ropes we stop asking questions and we stop getting incorrect answers.

 

[ladeedeb]

There is an episode on food network about holiday dining in disneyland and there was some really good looking t-day stuff. It might be on youtube or netflix. It was guy's disney holiday or something like that. It originally aired in 2009 so some things have changed or may no longer be relevant, it re-airs every year, I first saw it this past thanksgiving.

Thanks, I'll have to check that out. Watch as many of those shows at Disney as I can find. Never saw that one before. I will try and find it.

 

[DISHoppy]

Thanks, I'll have to check that out. Watch as many of those shows at Disney as I can find. Never saw that one before. I will try and find it.

It will only be shown around the holidays...usually after Thxgiving. FoodTV replaced the Raven Simone Holidays @ WDW special that had aired for several years, but had become somewhat dated. The Simone show was circa ~2005 and showed the Epcot holiday lights and character dining @ LTT in the MK, neither of which happen any longer. You can also sign up for the Kirby Bartlett-Sloan weekly newsletter for notification on WDW and Disneyland related shows @ http://www.bartlett-sloan.net/tv.

-Kevin

 

[Judy from Boise]

well, I recently returned from a WDW rip, we ate CS at sunshine food court, China and Morocco, and TS at the Biergarden, Teppanyaki, and Sci fi diner.
I enjoyed them all except for Sci fi where I was fairly miserable because of the sub zero air-conditioning.( don't worry I was a trooper and no one else in my family knew I was gritting my teeth) The fabulous must do we enjoyed was the "wishes" dessert buffet. I am not one to eat past satiety , but I willingly stuffed myself because it was just so good ! Also had a great view of the fireworks.

and even having enjoyed them........not sure there aren't just as nice experiences to be found at DLR if you are open to them. At least you can stay outside and not be frozen by the AC !

ps we had lots of meals at Picabu at the Dolphin, and Ice cream bar replaced one meal each day !


PS at Universal we had a great TS meal at Lombardos, and I do recommend the butter beer !

 

[Judy from Boise]

bump for a great thead

 

[cmwade77]

Also, don't forget Carthay Circle on the places you should dine starting June 15th, they will be the signature restaurant for DCA

 

[kmrein]

Thank you so much for this great info! My husband and I are planning our first DLR trip for Sept 23-29 this year and as very seasoned WDW vets we are trying to find anything we can about what to expect. This was SUCH a relief to read. This is totally a dining mind-set I can get behind, and WDW has trained me to worry about these types of things so early that I was positively gleeful to read about the reservation (NOT ADR!) system. Awesome!

 

[HydroGuy]

Also, don't forget Carthay Circle on the places you should dine starting June 15th, they will be the signature restaurant for DCA

Way ahead of you in the OP.

Is There Any Place Special We Should Dine?

Probably the most special and unique place to dine at all of DLR is the Blue Bayou at DL. It is built into the POTC ride and it is fun to sit and watch the guests float by. The Blue Bayou is DL’s signature restaurant. The Big Thunder Ranch BBQ at DL is also an all-you-can-eat affair that reminds me of Whispering Canyon. The NAPA Rose at the GCH is a top notch restaurant. The new restaurant at the Carthay Circle Theater in DCA is expected to offer signature dining. Ariel’s Grotto at DCA offers indoor and outdoor dining. The outdoor dining during is right on the Paradise Pier Lagoon and a nice place to sit and take in the park on the water – especially during warmer times.

 

[cmwade77]

Way ahead of you in the OP.

Sorry, don't know how I missed that. We will be eating there on Saturday, so I will try to post a review in a new thread after that.

 

[TillyMarigold]

I am one who prefers DLR dining because of the emphasis on quick and tasty counter service with the opportunity to eat outdoors. I think DLR counter service restaurants have as many "ethnic" choices woven through their regular menus. What DLR lacks are the themed dining enviornments........that again I find intrusive so I don't miss them.

The one WDW restaurant I would love to have at DL is Boma !

I agree--the quick service food at DLR is so much better. At WDW we do the dining plan and try to do two signature restaurants in a week stay and at least one sit-down meal per day (and we love all of them, from Narcoossee's to Boma to Sci-Fi!). The quick service options are so much better at DLR, and the weather is so much nicer (so you're not dying to get into the a/c or out of the rain) that I'd rather sit outside with a quick meal than spend two hours in a restaurant.

 

[Judy from Boise]

yea ! A kindred spirit.
I should also add Flame Tree BBQ at AK as one of my fave WDW CS meals, got to love those ribs!

I need to try the DL frontier land BBQ to compare.

 

[HydroGuy]

yea ! A kindred spirit.
I should also add Flame Tree BBQ at AK as one of my fave WDW CS meals, got to love those ribs!

I need to try the DL frontier land BBQ to compare.

BTRBBQ reminds us more of Whispering Canyon which if I remember is not among your faves.

We also like FlameTree and go there every trip.

 

[dsneygirl]

I agree--the quick service food at DLR is so much better. At WDW we do the dining plan and try to do two signature restaurants in a week stay and at least one sit-down meal per day (and we love all of them, from Narcoossee's to Boma to Sci-Fi!). The quick service options are so much better at DLR, and the weather is so much nicer (so you're not dying to get into the a/c or out of the rain) that I'd rather sit outside with a quick meal than spend two hours in a restaurant.

I agree.

We just got back from 5 days at DL and only did 2 sitdowns, Minnie's breakfast and BTRBBQ (which we loved) there are so many good QS options (Flos is great too), also did Jolly Holiday, Pacific Wharf (for the bread bowls, yum).

One night Dh's dinner consisted of 2 scoops of ice cream in a waffle cone

I also find at DL there aren't the insane line ups for popcorn etc right before a parade but Dole Whip always had a line up.

 

[SplashMo]

A lot of the seating is outside. Reservations can be made much shorter time in advance. It is nice to plan a few nice meals during the trip... It is good down time.

 

[Judy from Boise]

BTRBBQ reminds us more of Whispering Canyon which if I remember is not among your faves.

We also like FlameTree and go there every trip.

Good memory ! WCC is not my cup of tea, but not because of the food......it is the "hijinks" aspect. I pay people not to ask for ketchup LOL ! My family so loves BBQ that it becomes another "suck it up and act happy" meal. Only my DIS buddies know the truth........