Going to Disneyland in about a month!

[IndyChik]

I'll be turning eighteen while I'm there! So excited! (:

My mom is letting me plan everything that we'll be doing, where we're staying, what kind of tickets we'll be purchasing, the whole nine-yards. With that said, I'm looking at the Fairfield Inn that's apparently located right across the street from the park; has anyone stayed there before? If so, what was it like? Would you stay in that hotel again?

Any suggestions for a good restaurant to go to for a birthday dinner? Can be in either park or in DTD. I know a lot of the restaurants there, but I like so many of them that it's too hard for me to choose! :P

[crystaltink]

That's actually where I usually stay! I love it there. It's not anything fancy, but the rooms are clean and there are two restaurants on site (McDonald's and Millie's) as well as a Pizza Hut inside the hotel. The staff are very friendly, the rooms are nicely kept, and the location is the biggest reason why I stay. It's right by the main entrance so I don't have to worry about a car rental. I didn't stay there my last visit and I regretted it. I was at the Holiday Inn and the rooms there don't compare, and neither does the location. You'll love it!

I know Blue Bayou is pricey, but I always try to make a reservation for one night while I'm there. The food is wonderful and you can't beat the ambience. I'd love to have a birthday there! You will need a reservation if you decide to dine there, they book up pretty quickly.

[IndyChik]

Fantastic! (: We're staying at that hotel then! Haha.

I've eaten at the Blue Bayou many a time and I think it's a fantastic restaurant, but I want to try something new; it seems like almost every trip I've made there with family, we have eaten either lunch or dinner there during our stay. Not that that's a bad thing of course because it's a good place to eat, but there are a plethora of other restaurants I've never even been in.

[crystaltink]

Are you looking for something nicer or something a little more low key? I'm a big fan of the Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery. I prefer to have a good bowl of pasta and a glass of wine and enjoying my evening. I also like Ariel's Grotto at night. It's not as nice, but the view is beautiful and it doesn't hurt that a friend of mine works there so we always get great service! A little more low key? I've always been a big fan of the Rainforest Cafe and the French Market. Rainforest is pretty self explanatory. French Market, I absolutely love the surroundings. Plus, I get my Mint Julep fix!

[disneylover]

If you're looking for something a little more high end, Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland hotel is wonderful! I have eaten there twice and had yummy food and fantastic service both times. It is pricey though, and more upscale (stuffy). Check out the Disneyland website, they have the menu for Steakhouse 55 online.

A the Anaheim Gardenwalk (just down the street) there's a Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gumps, and Roy's too. Down Harbor blvd there is a Ruth Chris as well.

What a fun trip, and what an awesome mom for letting you do all the planning! Have a wonderful trip and happy early 18th birthday!

[adrianne]

Storytellers restaurant in the Grand Californian is very nice, too. The decor is beautiful, and the food is great! You get a choice of ordering off the menu or enjoying the buffet.

[IndyChik]

Are you looking for something nicer or something a little more low key? I'm a big fan of the Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery. I prefer to have a good bowl of pasta and a glass of wine and enjoying my evening. I also like Ariel's Grotto at night. It's not as nice, but the view is beautiful and it doesn't hurt that a friend of mine works there so we always get great service! A little more low key? I've always been a big fan of the Rainforest Cafe and the French Market. Rainforest is pretty self explanatory. French Market, I absolutely love the surroundings. Plus, I get my Mint Julep fix!

I've eaten at the Rainforest Cafe and French Market and liked them both, I've never tried the Trattoria though so maybe I'll look into that. (: Thanks for the suggestions!

If you're looking for something a little more high end, Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland hotel is wonderful! I have eaten there twice and had yummy food and fantastic service both times. It is pricey though, and more upscale (stuffy). Check out the Disneyland website, they have the menu for Steakhouse 55 online.

A the Anaheim Gardenwalk (just down the street) there's a Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gumps, and Roy's too. Down Harbor blvd there is a Ruth Chris as well.

What a fun trip, and what an awesome mom for letting you do all the planning! Have a wonderful trip and happy early 18th birthday!

Never tried Steakhouse 55, might have to go another time! I'm just trying to keep costs down as much as I can for this trip since my parents are still paying for it and everything. I love the Cheesecake Factory and Bubba Gumps though! Mmmm. And thank you! (: I'm super stoked for this trip.

Storytellers restaurant in the Grand Californian is very nice, too. The decor is beautiful, and the food is great! You get a choice of ordering off the menu or enjoying the buffet.

I've eaten there before as well and I absolutely love the atmosphere and the food; if my friends and family are willing to hike over to the hotel, we might just eat there. Who doesn't love a buffet? Haha.

[Narnia Fan]

The Golden Horseshoe/Stage Door Cafe in Frontierland has some really good chicken strips! We order them everytime while we wait for Fantasmic! They are very delicious! The price is not too bad. If I recall, I think last time an order of chicken strips with french fries cost me about 8 or 10 bucks. Around that range. So yeah, it's worth the deal.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disn...den-horseshoe/



Rancho del Zocalo is pretty good too. I only ate there once back in 2004 and haven't eaten there since then.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disn...o-restaurante/


If you're into pizza, you can go to Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. I've never eaten there, so I'm not sure.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disn...ts-pizza-port/


As for Downtown Disney, try looking into Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. Looks like a pretty good restaurant to me!

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/down...-jazz-kitchen/



Overall, if I were to choose one, I would recommend eating at the Stage Door Cafe/Golden Horseshoe. I found the park/DTD dining menus online, so I'm gonna pass them onto you so you can read their descriptions and help you narrow the list to decide which one is best. (:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dini...rnia-adventure (park dining)

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dini...owntown-disney (DTD dining)


Hope this helps!

Have fun!

[GoofyFlamingo]

My favorite restaurant, and where I went for my birthday dinner, is Cafe Orleans. It's by the French Market, and it's a sit down with a lovely view of the Rivers of America. They have Monte Cristos and crepes, and if you tell them it's your birthday you get a mickey shaped beignet with sprinkles and a candle. And the Pomme Fries are amazing!

[crystaltink]

^I'm seconding that Pomme Frites. I had them for the first time when I went in September and they were every sort of utopia. I know what to order next time!!