On a 4 night stay in The Grand Californian, we ate in the parks, in Disney hotel restaurants and in Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney was the best value BY FAR. The restaurants here are independent, so you don't get saddled with the "Disney premium." There is plenty of variety to choose from, so something for everybody. The quality of food and service here at all of the places we ate was every bit as good, if not better, than the Disney locales. We just wish we figured it out sooner.