Must Do's at the Disneyland Resort

[Cosmic Commando]

And I know that this might be sacrelige, but I've never actually has a Dole Whip...

Let the stoning begin.

You belong in a museum!

 

[Figments Friend]

Need to try this too...I know..I know.

Oh yes, definately put that on your list for WDW then Dr. Jones.
A Citrus Swirl is to WDW what Churros are to DL.

There is only ONE place on property to get a Swirl too....at the home of the Orange Bird, the Sunshine Tree Terrance in Adventureland.
Yum.
If for some odd reason you step up to the counter and are told they are *out* of them, come back later and they should. I had this happen a couple of times...apparently they were selling so fast they had to keep refilling the machine that provides them !

All this talk about Citrus Swirls, Dole Whips, and Churros is making my teeth ache.....

 

[IndianaJones]

Oh yes, definately put that on your list for WDW then Dr. Jones.
A Citrus Swirl is to WDW what Churros are to DL.

There is only ONE place on property to get a Swirl too....at the home of the Orange Bird, the Sunshine Tree Terrance in Adventureland.
Yum.
If for some odd reason you step up to the counter and are told they are *out* of them, come back later and they should. I had this happen a couple of times...apparently they were selling so fast they had to keep refilling the machine that provides them !

All this talk about Citrus Swirls, Dole Whips, and Churros is making my teeth ache.....

You know I've been a WDW passholder for years and I've walked by the Sunshine Tree Terrace hundreds of times but I've never stopped.

That changes next day trip.

And who doesn't love a churro?

 

[IndianaJones]

You belong in a museum!

You guys are making me want to watch these films.

 

[Figments Friend]

Dr. Jones, i found something else for you to put on your list!

Finding some of the fun, hidden *distractions* located in and around the Parks.

One is Shrunken Ned, located in the Adventureland Bazaar.
He is a little novelty...and worth visiting. Heed whatever advice he gives you!

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

Dr. Jones, i found something else for you to put on your list!

Finding some of the fun, hidden *distractions* located in and around the Parks.

One is Shrunken Ned, located in the Adventureland Bazaar.
He is a little novelty...and worth visiting. Heed whatever advice he gives you!

You will also find Aladdin's lamp in the Bazaar.

 

[IndianaJones]

Dr. Jones, i found something else for you to put on your list!

Finding some of the fun, hidden *distractions* located in and around the Parks.

One is Shrunken Ned, located in the Adventureland Bazaar.
He is a little novelty...and worth visiting. Heed whatever advice he gives you!

Awesome! I'll check it out.

You will also find Aladdin's lamp in the Bazaar.

I think I knew about this one but am unsure.

Thanks for both of these.

 

[Figments Friend]

Ooo...Aladdin*s lamp is there too?
NIce..i will have to see if i can find it.

Thanks for the tip, Rufus !

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

We love Blue Bayou and Carthay Circle. But I've heard wonderful things about Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55. (Next trip will be tough. I doubt is be able to swing all 4..)

And I know that this might be sacrelige, but I've never actually has a Dole Whip...

Let the stoning begin.

Don't hesitate to swap out Napa Rose for Carthay on your next trip (or Steakhouse 55 for Blue Bayou for that matter). Napa Rose will make you forget all about Carthay.

 

[IndianaJones]

Don't hesitate to swap out Napa Rose for Carthay on your next trip (or Steakhouse 55 for Blue Bayou for that matter). Napa Rose will make you forget all about Carthay.

So I've got to ask all you folks who have been to Napa Rose. What is it that makes it so special? And I haven't heard as much about Steakhouse 55 as I have Napa Rose, but the same question there. What makes them so great?

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

So I've got to ask all you folks who have been to Napa Rose. What is it that makes it so special? And I haven't heard as much about Steakhouse 55 as I have Napa Rose, but the same question there. What makes them so great?

Napa Rose is actually a fine dining experience (Carthay is not) - food is sublime, service out of this world and ambiance is fabulous. While Carthay is physically beautiful, the service standard is very low for the price point (as is the food quality). Napa Rose is as close to Victoria & Albert's as DLR gets, and it's worth every penny.

Steakhouse 55 is similarly a fine dining experience, but in the vein of Ruth's Chris or other high end steakhouses. It's not that you're going to die unhappy if you don't eat here, but it's superior to Bayou and Carthay.

Bayou's only shining point at this time is its incredible location and atmosphere. Disney knows people will pay out the nose to eat there, so they're more than happy to cut quality corners on the food to boost profit margins and turn tables faster.

Carthay is run by people who for the most part have no fine dining experience (one manager is from ODV), and a recent dinner visit made this incredibly clear. Despite six servers standing around talking about Facebook and sports scores next to my table, I had to beg for refills, the check and World of Color passes. Combine that with mediocre entrees and desserts, and you won't find me back there again unless the price is cut in half. For the same amount of money, I can have a genuinely wonderful experience yards away at Napa.

 

[IndianaJones]

Napa Rose is actually a fine dining experience (Carthay is not) - food is sublime, service out of this world and ambiance is fabulous. While Carthay is physically beautiful, the service standard is very low for the price point (as is the food quality). Napa Rose is as close to Victoria & Albert's as DLR gets, and it's worth every penny.

Steakhouse 55 is similarly a fine dining experience, but in the vein of Ruth's Chris or other high end steakhouses. It's not that you're going to die unhappy if you don't eat here, but it's superior to Bayou and Carthay.

Bayou's only shining point at this time is its incredible location and atmosphere. Disney knows people will pay out the nose to eat there, so they're more than happy to cut quality corners on the food to boost profit margins and turn tables faster.

Carthay is run by people who for the most part have no fine dining experience (one manager is from ODV), and a recent dinner visit made this incredibly clear. Despite six servers standing around talking about Facebook and sports scores next to my table, I had to beg for refills, the check and World of Color passes. Combine that with mediocre entrees and desserts, and you won't find me back there again unless the price is cut in half. For the same amount of money, I can have a genuinely wonderful experience yards away at Napa.

Okay I will be the first to say, that I've not done a lot of "fine dining" in my 27 years. I've been to Ruth Chris and a few similar places, but not a lot.

So maybe that's why I've always been so impressed with the restaurants that I've been too. (BB and Carthay) Because you aren't the first to tell me that about Carthay Circle, which is crazy to me because we had absolutely none of the issues that you spoke about. (Our server was great, we enjoyed the food, and she brought us our WOC tickets without asking.)

But I've now made it my goal to hit both of these next time. Looking at the menu's both seem to be comparable in price and the menu's look fantastic.

A few questions:

1) I'm sure there is a dress code of some sorts for both, especially Napa Rose. What are they?

2) Since Napa Rose is sort of in California Adventure, do you know if it is possible to get WOC tickets thru them?

Guys, this discussion has been fantastic. I really appreciate all of your knowledge and feedback. Glad I finally came out of hiding and began posting.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

A few questions:

1) I'm sure there is a dress code of some sorts for both, especially Napa Rose. What are they?

2) Since Napa Rose is sort of in California Adventure, do you know if it is possible to get WOC tickets thru them?

Guys, this discussion has been fantastic. I really appreciate all of your knowledge and feedback. Glad I finally came out of hiding and began posting.

Napa Rose does not offer World of Color tickets and does not enforce a dress code. It's a fancy joint so I wouldn't recommend showing up in a thong and flip flops, but casual clothing will not be out of place.

And I don't want you think I'm some dining snob, cuz I'm not - I just know what Blue Bayou USED to be like, and it's fallen from its peak in the name of profitability (though not near as badly as several restaurants at WDW have done). My Carthay experiences simply didn't line up with the price point they charge - for that much money, I need the food to be incredible, not just good, and the service to be spectacular. I'm glad your experience with them was good!

 

[IndianaJones]

Napa Rose does not offer World of Color tickets and does not enforce a dress code. It's a fancy joint so I wouldn't recommend showing up in a thong and flip flops, but casual clothing will not be out of place.

And I don't want you think I'm some dining snob, cuz I'm not - I just know what Blue Bayou USED to be like, and it's fallen from its peak in the name of profitability (though not near as badly as several restaurants at WDW have done). My Carthay experiences simply didn't line up with the price point they charge - for that much money, I need the food to be incredible, not just good, and the service to be spectacular. I'm glad your experience with them was good!

Oh I didn't think you were a food snob at all. If it came across that way I apologize. There are many people out there who have had way more experiences then I have and I want to hear about them. So I appreciate your input.

Right now I'm trying to convince my wife and our potential traveling companions why we need to eat at all 4 of the ones talked about.

 

[Figments Friend]

Guys, this discussion has been fantastic. I really appreciate all of your knowledge and feedback. Glad I finally came out of hiding and began posting.

T'm glad you did too !


Speaking of food, another yummy item i would recommend trying if you have not already is the 'pomme frittes' at Cafe Orleans.
These are french fries that are covered in parmesan cheese and garlic.

Of course the famous Monte Cristo is availible here as well as the Blue Bayou, but i believe the pricing is slightly more reasonable at the Cafe.

 

[IndianaJones]

T'm glad you did too !


Speaking of food, another yummy item i would recommend trying if you have not already is the 'pomme frittes' at Cafe Orleans.
These are french fries that are covered in parmesan cheese and garlic.

Of course the famous Monte Cristo is availible here as well as the Blue Bayou, but i believe the pricing is slightly more reasonable at the Cafe.

Added to the prospective list. I'm trying to convince my wife or a buddy to run out to MK with me soon. Pick up a Citrus Swirl or Dole Whip. So hopefully I can come to you guys with a rating soon.

 

[Figments Friend]

Added to the prospective list. I'm trying to convince my wife or a buddy to run out to MK with me soon. Pick up a Citrus Swirl or Dole Whip. So hopefully I can come to you guys with a rating soon.

Great!

A Citrus Swirl is a nice dessert treat after a CS meal.

When you step up to the counter at Aloha Isle to order your Dole Whip, be sure to say that you want a *pineapple float*.
If you just say * Dole Whip*, you will only be given the soft serve pineapple ice cream..NOT the World famous *Dole Whip* beverage you keep hearing about.

I mention this as i had a friend who visited and wanted to try one, but she had made that simple ( and easy to do for a newbie ) mistake.
She wondered what the big deal was...as it *it was just ice cream*..!

SO don*t let this happen to you!
On the menu they are two completely different items.
Dole Whip - Soft serve pineapple ice cream only
Pineapple Float - ( aka the much loved and coveted *Dole Whip* you want )


Adventureland ( at WDW )also has some amazing cinnamon glazed almonds that are sold at a cart to the right of the Jungle Cruise. Well worth trying if you dig nuts...they are amazingly tasty!
The cart is usually only open when the Park is busy, but if open definately try them.
Quite yummy.

Who knew Adventureland had all the awesome snacks/treats....?

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Hmm...Matterhorn is a classic, so I hit that when I go there. Aladdin is the greatest show Disney has ever done at a park, so I make sure to hit that one. There's this nice old abandoned hotel that I like to stay at when I go. Silly Symphony Swings...for some reason I like this one a lot. Even though the music is from The Band Concert. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. On my last trip to WDW this past August they randomly started playing the music on the bus ride and I was very excited. And Pirates: The Complete edition.

I usually go for six days so there's plenty of time to do EVERYTHING!!!

Also, I was in WDW for two weeks and did Pirates maybe three or four times. I was in Disneyland and did it probably 10 times. Um...yup.

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

Hmm...Matterhorn is a classic, so I hit that when I go there. Aladdin is the greatest show Disney has ever done at a park, so I make sure to hit that one. There's this nice old abandoned hotel that I like to stay at when I go. Silly Symphony Swings...for some reason I like this one a lot. Even though the music is from The Band Concert. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. On my last trip to WDW this past August they randomly started playing the music on the bus ride and I was very excited. And Pirates: The Complete edition.

Does this nice, old hotel happen to have a problem with it's elevator system?

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Does this nice, old hotel happen to have a problem with it's elevator system?

Yes it does. They seem to be up and down quite a bit