I will be going to Disneyland at end of May for a few days with my adult daughter and sister. Does anyone recommend the Blue Bayou restaurant for lunch or dinner? Any other restaurants you'd recommend either at Disneyland or Calif Adventure. Thanks.

On thing I miss about living in Southern California is the Monte Cristo sandwiches at the Blue Bayou. We used to get them every time we went to Disneyland. The Blue Bayou is probably a bit overpriced, but it's fun to sit and watch the fake fireflies and the gliding boats. Try to get a table next to the water.

The Blue Bayou is probably the best restaurant in Disneyland proper. It has a nice atmosphere due to its shared space with the Pirates of the Carribean ride. You're just far enough away from the crowds that they're not watching what you're eating.

If you're looking for better food, I'd recommend you take the Monorail to Downtown Disney and eat at one of the restaurants in that area. We ate at the ESPN Zone and had decent food, plus it was nice to get away from the park for a little while. And you can have a beer or glass of wine, something not available in either park.

Just be sure to get your hand stamped before you exit the monorail so you can get back in to the park.

Here are some of the restaurants in Downtown Disney:
http://tinyurl.com/78hg5

Blue Bayou is definitely a "must eat" -- the food is actually very tasty, and you get to eat while folks on the Pirates of the Caribbean float by!

Napa Rose, in the Grand Californian, is another good choice. Very pricey, but very good -- it's one of the best restaurants at any Disney property around the world.

Walk over to the Blue Bayou as soon as you get to the park. They will be taking reservations, choice times go quickly.
The food is good but the atmosphere is amazing.

Thanks for the replies. We will definitely have to eat at Blue Bayou. The Monte Cristo sandwich is only served at lunch, so maybe we will do lunch there and go to Downtown Disney for dinner. I also found out that you can make reservations at Blue Bayou 60 days in advance, so I will do that.

I would definitely make your reservations as far in advance as you're able. I've always had problems getting a reservation (at a decent time) otherwise.

If you want to optimize your chances of getting a waterside table, making a lunchtime reservation for as soon as the restaurant opens is usually the easiest way to get it.

Get there about 15 minutes before your reservation time to check in and request a waterside table.

VSD, I believe you can now make phone reservations for the Blue Bayou. Check on the Disneyland website under dining and I think they have the number for reservations there?

I always wanted to eat there as a kid, and my parents refused to wait for a table. I loved finally getting to do it with my own kids -- not great food, definitely overpriced, but worth it for the experience. Now, however, I do concur with the suggestion to try Downtown Disney. A glass of wine with lunch makes long line standing much more bearable!

we always stay at the Grand California Hotel and they have a lovely little cocktail lounge off the lobby. you can get small food and they have a great CA wine selection. you can also take your food and drinks out to the lobby which has a huge fireplace and hearth.

there's an entrance to GCH from downtown disney.

enjoy!

Thank you for all the replies. We definitely will eat at Blue Bayou and the Grand Californian sounds like a nice place to go - maybe go there the first nite we are there. Are there any other restaurants at Disneyland that you'd recommend? I know there is one called Cafe Orleans - anyone eaten there or any other restaurants at Disneyland? thanks.

On my last trip to Disneyland last October, I knew I wouldn't be able to get reservations to Blue Bayou (it was a last minute trip) so I decided to try Cafe Orleans as a walk up.

The restaurant wasn't open yet, but there was this huge mob of people waiting at the podium. Not sure if they all had reservations or were walk ups, but I didn't want to wait forever to eat lunch. Too bad, because the menu looked interesting. You can look at the menu here:
http://tinyurl.com/5hm39g

That is another place that if you want to try, you should make reservations if possible.

I've always enjoyed Ralph Brennan's in Downtown Disney.

Blue Bayou has great atmosphere but is shockingly expensive, even by Disney standards. However they do allow you to share, and even to order the child's Prime Rib (if that's what you want). The food isn't fabulous although it isn't really bad.

The Monte Cristo is also served at Cafe Orleans. I've been tempted to try the PB&J Monte Cristo but I don't think my doctor would approve.

(714)781-DINE. Immediately. If you wait until you get to the park and it is busy, you may not get seated at Blue Bayou. I think Cafe Orleans may also be on the reservation system.

In Disneyland I also like Plaza Inn for broasted chicken, Rancho del Zocalo has a nice patio and some items are good (the chicken caesar). Both are fast-serve cafeteria style.

In California Adventure the best food is at the Vineyard Room, but they have limited hours and it's also fairly expensive. The downstairs restaurant called Wine Country Trattoria is also good. Both are on the reservation system. Inside the Grand Californian (they have an entrance to Cal Adventure) the Whitewater Cafe is good for hot sandwiches and quick service. I don't like the Mexican restaurant inside DCA. There is alcohol available in DCA. The wine tasting sampling isn't bad, (the port and blue cheese is recommended). The Karl Strauss beer truck is near Pacific Wharf Cafe which serves the sourdough bread bowls with sandwiches or soups. (You mostly get bread, but it's good).

Check www.allears.net for updated restaurant menus.

http://www.allears.net/dlr/tp/dca/dca_rest.htm

Thank you for info. Now just to decide where to eat for sure since we are only going to be there for three days.