What would be your prefect/dream dining reservations & quick serve for 5 days(or really any days)

[Disneysince82]

Last time I went to Disneyland I didn't have very good experience with food. This was 100% my fault I didn't really plan anything when it came to dining and was fairly ignorant to the whole dining process. We did 2 character dinings Goofys Kitchen & a Mickey one that was at DCA(pretty sure that one isn't there anymore) which those were fun. The other food we got was eh and I am pretty sure I won't be trying Hungry Bear this time LOL

So this time I am trying to do it right! It will be 2 adults & 15/5 yr olds. We are thinking of doing Napa Rose & Carthay Circle just DH & I for special dinners. I am also planning on doing the Disney Princess Breakfast(I am probably way to excited for this!!!) with our 5 yr old daughter. I am also thinking of trying to book any reserved seatings I can snag for fireworks and parade. We are also thinking of doing WOC dessert party which I have found is a either really loved or despised lol

 

[GBRforWDW]

Lamplight Lounge is a definite must for us. We’re on our third year in a row going there.

WOC, you can use the Virtual Queue to get a good seat, so if you’re worried about the dessert quality, just do the VQ and after you get a good spot, have someone run and grab snacks while you’re waiting for the show.

Blue Bayou and cafe Orleans are both good options as well. Blue bayou is fun being at the beginning of the pirates of the Caribbean ride.

 

[Disney102015]

We loved Napa Rose and Lamplight Lounge! We didn’t love the food at Carthay Circle but the cocktails were excellent. And the princess breakfast is pricey but was worth every single penny for my Princess loving 2.5 year old.

 

[LKing]

If you are looking for quick serve other than burgers,
Alien Pizza Planet (my kids like the pasta)
Ronto Roasters/Docking Bay 7
Pyms Test Kitchen
Cocina Cucamonga (good Birria tacos)
Cozy Cone (not my favorite, but my kids like it)

 

[clallen72]

Even if you plan well, the food experience can fizzle out. I am an extreme planner, but things change. Quality has shifted a lot these last couple years.

Disneyland:
For breakfast food we found Red Rose Tavern was easy mobile ordering, nice selection, decent serving size.

Lunch we tend to do any dining packages for special seating. With Fantasmic down, right now that's just the Parade seating package at Plaza Inn. Their fried chicken is good and the portions are large.

Blue Bayou has really cool atmosphere. Its fun, and while they had some hiccups in quality a couple years ago, most current reviews are positive now. I have been waiting to hear this to try it again. I use to really enjoy it.

DCA:
Our favorite breakfast/brunch was at Lamplight Lounge. It did suck up a lot of park time (the service wasn't bad, but not exactly speedy).

There's so much food in DCA - more quick service type. We usually only do one day there, so going to try more grazing that sit down meals.

I have very nice, relaxing meals at Wine Country Trattoria - if you want to do a WOC package for better viewing than the general virtual queue.

We are going to try Carthay Circle, more for the experience/atmosphere. Been on our list to do for years. (We have done Napa Rose several times. Excellent food, priciest option).

We enjoyed the WOC dessert party and will do it again. The desserts were fine, not amazing, but there's variety. And more than we could eat at a sitting. For us the value is having a very nice place to sit, not being squished in with others after a long day (of being squished in with others). My kiddo, 10 yrs old, picked that over doing a character meal for our next trip.

DD:
CrazyShake Window. We get one to share because they are truly crazy huge and topped with treats.

 

[Disneysince82]

Lamplight Lounge is a definite must for us. We’re on our third year in a row going there.

WOC, you can use the Virtual Queue to get a good seat, so if you’re worried about the dessert quality, just do the VQ and after you get a good spot, have someone run and grab snacks while you’re waiting for the show.

Blue Bayou and cafe Orleans are both good options as well. Blue bayou is fun being at the beginning of the pirates of the Caribbean ride.

I didn't know you could VQ the WOC! Blue Bayou is 100% on the list & I am hoping(willing to wait) to get a table by the water We also have Cafe Orleans on the list also -- how similar is the food to BB?

 

[Disneysince82]

We loved Napa Rose and Lamplight Lounge! We didn’t love the food at Carthay Circle but the cocktails were excellent. And the princess breakfast is pricey but was worth every single penny for my Princess loving 2.5 year old.

I have heard that about Carthay Circle & wondering if maybe we should just try to grab cocktails there -- I have notice a lot of people say that. The Princess Breakfast I know is a splurge but it is one I am fully ready to do! I will probably enjoy it as much as she will!

 

[Disneysince82]

If you are looking for quick serve other than burgers,
Alien Pizza Planet (my kids like the pasta)
Ronto Roasters/Docking Bay 7
Pyms Test Kitchen
Cocina Cucamonga (good Birria tacos)
Cozy Cone (not my favorite, but my kids like it)

I have heard those Birria tacos are good & I already am planning packing Zantac so I can eat several of them LOL

 

[Disneysince82]

Even if you plan well, the food experience can fizzle out. I am an extreme planner, but things change. Quality has shifted a lot these last couple years.

Disneyland:
For breakfast food we found Red Rose Tavern was easy mobile ordering, nice selection, decent serving size.

Lunch we tend to do any dining packages for special seating. With Fantasmic down, right now that's just the Parade seating package at Plaza Inn. Their fried chicken is good and the portions are large.

Blue Bayou has really cool atmosphere. Its fun, and while they had some hiccups in quality a couple years ago, most current reviews are positive now. I have been waiting to hear this to try it again. I use to really enjoy it.

DCA:
Our favorite breakfast/brunch was at Lamplight Lounge. It did suck up a lot of park time (the service wasn't bad, but not exactly speedy).

There's so much food in DCA - more quick service type. We usually only do one day there, so going to try more grazing that sit down meals.

I have very nice, relaxing meals at Wine Country Trattoria - if you want to do a WOC package for better viewing than the general virtual queue.

We are going to try Carthay Circle, more for the experience/atmosphere. Been on our list to do for years. (We have done Napa Rose several times. Excellent food, priciest option).

We enjoyed the WOC dessert party and will do it again. The desserts were fine, not amazing, but there's variety. And more than we could eat at a sitting. For us the value is having a very nice place to sit, not being squished in with others after a long day (of being squished in with others). My kiddo, 10 yrs old, picked that over doing a character meal for our next trip.

DD:
CrazyShake Window. We get one to share because they are truly crazy huge and topped with treats.

Ohhh I am hoping to do as many dining packages as possible for parade, fireworks(if it is offered), and Fantasmic(please be back!) as possible!

For Lamplighter do you do you do Brunch or lunch/dinner? I notice that is a huge fav fave and the lobster nachos seem to be really popular -- which is probably the one thing we wouldn't order my husband doesn't eat lobster/shellfish.

I am with you on WOC I am not expecting 'exceptional' dessert and know I am paying a for a comfy seat & view!

 

[StarlitNight05]

Brunch at Lamplight is excellent! We loved the food and had a table outside, so the view was nice. It was the perfect time to take a break too (our reservation was 10:30am).

I love Blue Bayou, but the food isn't fantastic. However, the atmosphere, if you are sat at the water, is actually pretty amazing. I am 50/50 on whether I need to do it each trip.

For quick service, we like Ronto Roasters and Rancho Del Zocalo at DLR. Rancho has an area to sit outside that has views of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (in one section at least, I learned about it from a Magic Journeys YT video) Jolly Holiday is also pretty good (tomato soup and grilled cheese, yum!). I've been meaning to try Plaza Inn, as I hear their fried chicken is amazing.

At DCA, I like Cocina Cucamonga as mentioned above and Smokejumpers. Smokejumpers isn't fantastic, but it's reliably good.

ETA: I also LOVE Craftsman Grill at GCH! So many options and everything I've tried has been good!

 

[DisneylandFan22]

The only sit down dining I would do in the parks is Blue Bayou for the ambiance by the water. I do like like the monte cristo and my daughter really likes the gumbo.

Outside of the park I would eat at Naples. They have the best pizza and my girlfriend loves the eggplant parmesan with gluten free noodles.

We also would get beignets from the express. Way better than the ones in the park.

We have no problems with Country Bear. Decent burgers and good fries.

Corn dogs are a must. Either from Red Wagon or Corn Dog Castle.

The frozen coke is delicious. They now have different types of frozen Fantas as well in Toon Town.

I recently had the mac and cheese with bacon in a cone from Carsland and really liked it. My kids love the mac and cheese in a bread bowl.

The best pizza in the parks is at Boardwalk. They have good pasta too.

Bengal BBQ is usually a winner.

Docking Bay 7 has the best carrots I have ever had. And is conveniently close to the Milk Stand for Blue Milk.

I haven't even gotten to desserts. Lol

 

[Nonsuch]

...I am also planning on doing the Disney Princess Breakfast(I am probably way to excited for this!!!) with our 5 yr old daughter

Princess Breakfast is great for photos, so your princess should wear her best gown. Perhaps prepare with a visit to bibbidi bobbidi boutique

 

[Disneysince82]

Princess Breakfast is great for photos, so your princess should wear her best gown. Perhaps prepare with a visit to bibbidi bobbidi boutique

YES!!! That is actually what I was planning on doing I am hoping to get the 1st appointment if possible at BBB and then hitting up the Princess Breakfast right after

 

[irlandaise]

Bengal BBQ is usually a winner.

+1 on Bengal BBQ. Tasty skewers!

 

[mouschievous]

I have way fewer at DL than at WDW.

At DL, the list is super short - Blue Bayou, brunch at StoryTellers, a Dole Whip...That's about it.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

These are my must dos every trip:

Lamplight Lounge brunch
Carthay Circle Lounge
Cafe Orleans for monte cristo (only way to get pommes frites now)
Docking Bay 7
Plaza Inn
Carnation Cafe dinner (this is mostly because of tradition, I’ve heard it’s hit or miss but we’ve always had a good experience)
Blue Bayou only if you want the ambience (I’m bitter because they took away my favorite entree, favorite salad, and the rolls)
Trader Sam’s

 

[Disneysince82]

These are my must dos every trip:

Lamplight Lounge brunch
Carthay Circle Lounge
Cafe Orleans for monte cristo (only way to get pommes frites now)
Docking Bay 7
Plaza Inn
Carnation Cafe dinner (this is mostly because of tradition, I’ve heard it’s hit or miss but we’ve always had a good experience)
Blue Bayou only if you want the ambience (I’m bitter because they took away my favorite entree, favorite salad, and the rolls)
Trader Sam’s

Oh No What did they take away? I am going to go for ambiance(and I've never been able to go) but TBH my expectations for food quality is low. I had originally planned to do the Fantasmic dining package but we will see how that goes in December!

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

Oh No What did they take away? I am going to go for ambiance(and I've never been able to go) but TBH my expectations for food quality is low. I had originally planned to do the Fantasmic dining package but we will see how that goes in December!

I loved the filet/lobster entree, it was on the menu for years. I also loved the house salad and they changed that too. TBF my last time eating there was summer 2021 so things might not have been up to par since they had recently reopened. If you’ve never been you won’t know what you’re missing lol. The atmosphere will be great and hopefully the food is ok. I will probably go back again someday, it’s just not a must do for me anymore.

 

[Howry]

We always eat at Rancho Del Zocalo. Tostada Salads are so good and they come in a tortilla shell bowl you can eat. Its our go to. The price is super good as well. $12.79 for the Chicken version and its so big you could share it.

 

[LKing]

We always eat at Rancho Del Zocalo. Tostada Salads are so good and they come in a tortilla shell bowl you can eat. Its our go to. The price is super good as well. $12.79 for the Chicken version and its so big you could share it.

Don't most tostadas come in edible tortilla shells?