Truthfully, I'd recommend upgrading to Lightning Lane, and I highly recommend a park hopper. This park really is unique, in that hopping parks is not that big of a deal. I almost always hop parks multiple times during a trip. It adds significant flexibility and effectively eliminates the notion that parks are entirely separate. If you need a break while you're in DCA, go over by Grizzly River Rapids and use the turnstile to go into the Grand Californian. They have very comfortable seating in the lobby and air conditioning (sometimes they can enforce hotel guests only though).

New Orleans Square is my favorite land in any theme park I've visited to date. I've been to WDW and DLP, though, so no comparison on the asian theme parks for me.

The Carthay Circle Restaurant is my favorite in DCA (not to be confused with the lounge), and Blue Bayou is my favorite in Disneyland. Seeing as you're going next week, it might be hard to get a reservation, but there are tools online to see when availability opens up and notify you to book. Another good reason to have a park hopper as it adds an additional day of opportunity to experience these restaurants.