advice for New Years Eve

My husband and I along with our 2 boys aged 7 and 12 will be going to DL from the 30th of Dec to Jan. 5.I have 5 day hopper passes so even with the huge crowds we are hoping to see most of the park.We are actually staying in Garden Grove because it was the only place I could book.I was wondering if anybody had some suggestions for eating dinner in the park on the 31st.This is our first trip to DL so any suggestions would be appreciated.Also is there somewhere we should be going to see the fireworks on the 31st that would be easier for us to get the art bus back to the hotel after the fireworks were finished.

advice for New Years Eve

Hi,

I would recommend either The French Market or Café Orleans in New Orleans Square. The Blue Bayou is considered the nicest restaurant in Disneyland. It has table service and is inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride (sort of, it’s by the water across from the loading dock). But reservations (called “priority seating”) are required far ahead of time and it is expensive. No beer or wine there, in fact no where inside Disneyland.

The French Market is my personal favorite and has a cafeteria type queue, good full meals with soups and salads and dinner rolls, refillable sodas. Reasonable prices with large servings. It is an outdoor seating with a canopy and a nice view of the Rivers of America and Haunted Mansion. Sometimes there is a jazz band on their small stage.

The Café Orleans is a step up in service and food and if you want something special this might be a good choice. It has table service and a more gourmet menu than The French Market. It is expensive (a little less so than the Blue Bayou) and requires reservations (“priority seating”). The reservations are easier to get than the Blue Bayou, but for either of those restaurants 30 days ahead, at least is best. The Café Orleans has a view of the Rivers of America and covered outdoor seating available.

The interesting thing about “priority seating” is that guests sometimes still have to wait a while to be seated. It’s not quite like having reservations, where you can count on being seated right away. I have recently eaten at both the Blue Bayou and the Café Orleans. Just to give you a little idea of the minor differences, the Café Orleans has guests wait in a line near the walkway and the Blue Bayou has guests wait in a lobby type area with seats. Service seems quicker in the Blue Bayou.

Wherever you decide, do try to eat an early dinner to avoid the dinner “rush”. Also, remember that New Year’s Eve is the busiest day of the year for DL. Get in the park early. Stay away from planning to have dinner in Downtown Disney. Stay in Disneyland. To arrange priority seating see the official Disney website and get in touch with Disney Dine.

Here are some websites, in addition to Trip Advisor, that can help you get familiar with DLR and get specific information.

Visions Fantastic has a nice interactive resort map. If you click on Disneyland, for instance, you will then be able to click on each “land” inside the park and that will come up with restaurants, rides, and shops in the land you click on. And you can find out about each restaurant, ride or shop.

www.visionsfantastic.com/main.php…

Intercot also has forums with knowledgeable people who can answer your trip planning questions.

intercot.com/discussion/forumdisplay.php…

P.S. I answered your question regarding the fireworks in your other thread.

advice for New Years Eve

I just wanted to thank you for the advice.I will try to get priority seating for both of the restaurants you suggested.I think the French Market sounds perfect for us on New Years Eve.My kids like simple food and refillable soda is always a hit.I will see if I can get seating at the Cafe Orleans on New Years Day.

I guess if the art is not running late on New Years Eve we will have to try to get a taxi back to the hotel. I am going to go now and check out the other sites you suggested.Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions.

I usually find that the restaurants in Downtown Disney are less expensive, easier to get in and out of, and offer more variety than those inside the park. There is a monorail from Tomorrowland right to the area near where Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone, the restaurants of the Disneyland Hotel, and the Jazz Kitchen and House of Blues restaurants, which is quick and convenient.

Within the park, consider the Redd Rockets Pizza Port, and the Carnation Cafe (breakfast and lunch only), if New Orleans Square%26#39;s restaurants are too crowded (this happens often, especially on holidays like New Year%26#39;s Eve, which will be super crowded).

With some of the Disneyland restaurants, you can make a free reservation by calling (714) 781-DINE up to 30 days ahead of time, and it get you in faster - that%26#39;s not a bad idea if you want to have the options of a reservation ahead of time.