Quantcast First trip to DL since 1996....dining suggestions?
 
INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Mousehut Mail WebDisney News INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Guide
News Discussion Theme Parks Resorts Info Central Shop Interactive Podcast INTERCOT Navigtion
Site Sponsors
  magical journeys travel agency
  INTERCOT shop

INTERCOT Affiliates
  disney magicbands & accessories
  disneystore.com
  disney fathead
  disney check designs
  amazon.com
  priceline.com

News
  site search
  headlines
  past updates
  discussion boards
  email update

INTERCOT Other
  advertising
  sponsors
  link to us
  contact us
     

INTERCOT Ads
 

 
 

Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default First trip to DL since 1996....dining suggestions?

    We go to WDW every year, and have eaten at the majority of the TS restaurants there. We almost always get the dining plan, and love to experience the restaurants.

    We're now saving up to go to DL next January for four days, and as mentioned in the title, we have been there since long before California Adventure & associated hotels were built.

    So, is there a DL equivalent to the WDW dining plan? What restaurants are there at DL, and what is recommended?
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  2.     Please Support INTERCOT's Sponsors:
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 1999
    Location
    California
    Posts
    12,252
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Disneyland has a dining plan, but it's totally bizarre. I don't recommend it at ALL! You prepay for vouchers which you then turn in for meals. Not worth doing. It provides a convenience for huge groups who are travelling, but that's about it.

    On the other hand, Disneyland Resort has some excellent dining options. Overall, the Counter Service food found at DLR is far superior to that found at WDW. There is more variety and the quality of the food is higher.

    In addition, Downtown Disney and the resort hotels offer lots of excellent dining options.

    Where will you be staying? Have you gotten that far in your planning yet?

    What kind of food do you like? How often do you plan a TS meal vs. CS meal?
    Natalie
    INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BrerGnat View Post
    Disneyland has a dining plan, but it's totally bizarre. I don't recommend it at ALL! You prepay for vouchers which you then turn in for meals. Not worth doing. It provides a convenience for huge groups who are travelling, but that's about it.

    On the other hand, Disneyland Resort has some excellent dining options. Overall, the Counter Service food found at DLR is far superior to that found at WDW. There is more variety and the quality of the food is higher.

    In addition, Downtown Disney and the resort hotels offer lots of excellent dining options.
    Great info. Thanks!

    Quote Originally Posted by BrerGnat View Post
    Where will you be staying? Have you gotten that far in your planning yet?
    Nope, but we want to stay on-site. We have five in our family, though....I haven't even looked to see what the three on-site hotels are like.

    Quote Originally Posted by BrerGnat View Post
    What kind of food do you like? How often do you plan a TS meal vs. CS meal?
    At WDW, we usually eat a breakfast in the room, a QS for lunch, and a TS for dinner. We will go with a TS for breakfast sometimes, if there is a good character breakfast. That seems to work for us pretty well.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Davenport, FL
    Posts
    3,321
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Stay away from the dining plan. Like Natalie said you get vouchers. If your meal/snack is under the amount of the voucher, you do not get any change back. If your amount is over... you pay OOP.


    There are a few character meals. Ariels Grotto with the princesses at DCA. Minnie and friends breakfast in Disneyland. Surf's up breakfast at PPH Micky and friends. Goofy's Kitchen at the DLH. Finally (our favorite) is Storyteller's Cafe at the GCH with Disney critters.

    Table services are both at DL and DCA, the Disney hotels and DTD. I haven't been to any of the DTD restaurants with the exception of the Rainforest Cafe. The newest one at DCA has not opened yet, which is the Carthay Circle Theater.

    There are a lot of c/s at both DCA and DL. Jolly Holiday is now one of our favorites. At DCA we like Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta and the Pacific Wharf Cafe. We mostly eat at Whitewater Snacks at the GCH. It is less crowded and gets us out of the parks for a bit.

    Although they have not started on the renovation yet, The Earl of Sandwich is supposed to open in DTD.

    Hope this helps with your planning
    Marci

    Many visits. Live 20 minutes from the parks.
    Work at Universal Studios in Diagon Alley. Ollivanders/ wand magic.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    2842 Miles From DLR
    Posts
    39,457
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by azcavalier View Post
    What restaurants are there at DL, and what is recommended?
    I highly recommend;

    Carnation Cafe
    Ralph Brennan's in Downtown Disney
    Big Thunder BBQ
    Steakhouse 55
    Wine Country Trattoria
    PCH Grill

    If you are looking for some counter-service the Wharf at California Adventure offers great options.
    ¨¨*:•

    "Here You Leave Today and Enter the World of Yesterday, Tomorrow and Fantasy!"



  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Posts
    1,012
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Carol View Post
    If you are looking for some counter-service the Wharf at California Adventure offers great options.
    I agree that the Wharf has some great options. If you have your heart set on a bread bowl, though, make sure you get there right when it opens. Otherwise you'll be standing in line for a good 45 minutes.
    Aryn

    I am the rebel spy.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Seattle, Washington
    Posts
    961
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    The few times we have gone to Disneyland we have eaten at Steakhouse 55 and it has become a family favorite. It is now a must do on every trip!

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    8
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I was just there in November and 2 years ago in October. These are some of our favourites (and had great service to boot)

    Disneyland Park:
    Blue Bayou (dine-in, reservations a must)
    Cafe Orleans (outside patio/dine-in)
    Blue Thunder Ranch BBQ (outside dining but the BBQ ribs and chicken are de-lish!)

    California Park:
    Wine Country Tattoria (yummy Italian type food)

    Character Meals:
    Ariel's Grotto (California Park) - food was good
    Goofy's Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel) - buffet had a good selection, food very fresh and you've got to try PB&J pizza...yum

    Downtown Disney:
    Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria
    Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
    WDW 2012
    Disneyland 2011
    Disneyland 2009
    Disneyland 2003
    Disneyland 1993
    Disneyland 1992

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

 
Company
Advertising
Guest Relations
Community
Discussion Boards
Podcast
Newsletter
Shop
Social
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive our newsletter:
INTERCOT Logo PRIVACY STATEMENT / DISCLAIMER | DISCUSSION BOARD RULES
© Since 1997 INTERCOT - a Levelbest Communications Website. This is not an official Disney website.
> Levelbest Network Site