Meals and Reservations

[Dana Scarborough]

Hello everyone!
We are going to DL on Aug 31 - Sept 4. We have vouchers for two different Character breakfast's and the Goofy's 4 day meal plan. (one of the character breakfast is included in the meal plan and one was purchased seperately.)
Can someone(s) please tell us if we need to make reservations for the character breakfast's and which ones would be most fun for a 8 yoa girl and what a 13 yoa boy might like as well?
Which dinner places are good and good value and what time is the best time to eat in the evening and how difficult are reservations to get?
Should we reserve now?
Any help and advice would be appreciated.

[3Princesses1Prince]

Absolutely make PS reservations now. I think top choice for a fun experience would be Goofys kitchen.

[Toocherie]

Yes, definitely make PS. Goofy's is a good choice; if you want a breakfast my fave is the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier--a lot of people like the Minnie's breakfast because it's in the park. If you do Minnie's ride some rides first and pick up some fastpasses before (i.e., make your PS for about an hour and a half after park opening).

[Dana Scarborough]

Yes, definitely make PS. Goofy's is a good choice; if you want a breakfast my fave is the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier--a lot of people like the Minnie's breakfast because it's in the park. If you do Minnie's ride some rides first and pick up some fastpasses before (i.e., make your PS for about an hour and a half after park opening).
I am sorry...Noob here.
What is PS?
I understand your advice but just don't know what that is.
Also, could you comment on Dinner suggestions and best times for that as well?
Thank you so much?

[MammaSilva]

PS = Priority Seating...the dine line phone number is 714 781 3463. You can call the dine line and start making PS's 60 days out from your arrival date.

Disneyland resort doesn't do reservations in the traditional sense, they do Priority Seating...you call and ask for the times you want, if you're lucky you get close to your idea of 'perfect' sometimes, if you wait then often the particular restaruant fills up.

If you have two different character breakfast meal vouchers then I highly recommend doing Goofys kitchen as a late brunch/lunch. You get a 90 minute window to interact with the characters and eat your fill. We've done 9am, 10 am and 1pm and we liked them all...1pm would give you a late lunch and you could do a lighter dinner that day if you wanted.

As for meal times, it really depends on the day and your family. We like to eat a light breakfast unless we're doing characters, and as for your second meal I highly recommend the Lilo & Stitch over at Paradise Pier because the food is excellent and there are characters you just don't see in the parks. Lilo & Stitch would be more breakfast times than brunch tho. I'd suggest early times for that meal.

As for other PS you might consider, Blue Bayou is a must have PS to even think of getting in, they do take walk ups ON occassion but not often. Carnation Cafe is a lovely breakfast place and for lunch or dinner the loaded baked potato soup is to die for yummy.

The only places that take PS inside Disneyland for meals are Miss Minnie and friends breakfast, Carnation Cafe all 3 meals but closes early evening so early dinners only. Blue Bayou - lunch and dinner, open later in the evening. Cafe Orleans, lunch and dinner but hours are depending on the crowd level of the parks. Over in DCA as far as I know the only place that takes PS is the Ariels Grotto for breakfast, lunch or dinner, another option for your character meal. I 'think' you could use one of your breakfast coupons towards a lunch there and pay out of pocket for the difference but I'm not 100 percent sure of that. The other PS location is an Italian restaurant, Wine Country 'something' I can't spell LOL. You also need PS for places like Napa Rose, Steakhouse 55 or Hooks point.

Hope that helps a bit.

[Toocherie]

PS = Priority Seating...the dine line phone number is 714 781 3463. You can call the dine line and start making PS's 60 days out from your arrival date.



LOL--yes, sometimes we forget our little acronyms aren't recognizable to everyone! So, what that means is that you should call NOW.

The Wine Country place in DCA is Wine Country Trattoria--has pretty good lasagna and other Italian type meals. Blue Bayou is an "experience"--but in my opinion the food is sub-par for the price--you'd be better off food-wise at Cafe Orleans.

[Dana Scarborough]

Thank you so much...that was VERY helpful information!

[Dana Scarborough]

Not sure if my earlier post made it....
Thank you VERY much for the very useful information!!

[fairestoneofall]

Yes, definitely make PS. Goofy's is a good choice; if you want a breakfast my fave is the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier--a lot of people like the Minnie's breakfast because it's in the park. If you do Minnie's ride some rides first and pick up some fastpasses before (i.e., make your PS for about an hour and a half after park opening).

I'm with you on this strategy Toocherie! It's what we usually do.

We'll be there around the same time....I guess I should get right on my PS ressies....I'm slacking. I usually do that right at the opening of the 60 day window.

FYI....DL Half Marathon is that weekend and hotels are booked....not sure if that's an indication of large crowds or not. Last year we were there the Fri of Labor Day weekend and the crowds were managable. Our dates are 9/4-9/7.