1st timer at Disneyland - Week after Easter Question

[Axelskater]

HI Everyone - Branching out to Disneyland for the 1st time ever (probably 60-70 WDW visits though)

I am tying this to a Vegas visit due to fear of flying - I will do it if I have to - but only if it is way too far to drive. The best Vegas times to get a huge suite for very little money are Easter weekend and Mother's Day weekend - apparently people don't spend these times in Vegas...

Still trying to work out the points logistics, but I understand the week after Easter will be crowded and we will be there Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday afterwards. Has anyone been there at that time? I understand how to plan Disney with FP, ADR, early mornings, etc. and we will be on property at VGC. We almost always leave parks after lunch and go back after dinner, usually a TS dinner. Can anyone tell me how the week will be - crowd wise? And - if the planning is very judicious (we are only 2 adults) - will it be bearable? asking for all opinions. THANK YOU

PS - I know school will be out then

 

[Girimama33]

It will be busy, but bearable.
Use EMH...especially for DCA. Getting to the parks at opening is great. You can get a lot done the first few hours.
Planning is very different from WDW. You can make ADRs 60 days out. People are not clamoring to make reservations for DLR when the window opens like they are at WDW. You can even walk in and get a table most of the time (with a wait). If you know where you want to dine, I would definitely get an ADR.

 

[figment_jii]

You can even walk in and get a table most of the time (with a wait). If you know where you want to dine, I would definitely get an ADR.

I've found that this is becoming less and less true, especially during busier times of the year and at peak dining times. I've been there when they've been turning away walk-ups at Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, and Carthay Circle. You can often still get "same-day" or "day-before" ADRs, but getting a walk-up seems increasingly difficult.

I agree with Girimama33, that DLR will be busy the week after Easter in 2016 but I don't think you're going to see capacity level crowds. School District Spring Breaks seems to be scattered throughout March and April, with the highest concentration the week before and after Easter (see the 2016 Calendar of Events & School Breaks thread). I would also plan to arrive at rope drop (or a little before), make use of EMH/MM (depending on which you are eligible for), and use FP (and SRL, if those are an option). Crowds or not, I think DLR is always fun, so as long as you go expecting crowds, I think you can still have a good time.

Another option is, rather than go back to the hotel in the mid-afternoon, you might consider going to see one of the shows (e.g., Aladdin, Mickey and the Magical Map, etc.). Those can take a bit of time and might be a nice way to relax.

 

[SMD]

Also, there is not as much emphasis on TS restaurants at DLR. There are few signature options and really only 2 (I'd say 1.5, really) in the parks. At DLR it often makes more sense to do your TS for lunch as a break, then spend a shorter time taking an afternoon break and do CS for dinner. There is only one character meal for dinner, so most people will also do that for breakfast as their one non-CS for the day.

 

[Axelskater]

Thank you all - I feel like such a novice - I guess I am!!
here is a bit of my plan - perhaps you can comment if it is doable. We are 2 adults who enjoy eating & drinking. I don't think we will eat in DL Park because they don't serve alcohol and being in CA, we will want to drink wine and maybe local craft beers. We also don't eat quick service food. We arrive Monday at 1PM, and we will try to walk around DL and get the lay of the land, or we may skip it and enjoy GC hotel. We will take a nap and eat at Napa Rose in our hotel. Perhaps walk around DTD after dinner. We will probably need it.

Tuesday morning we will go to DL, grab a fastpass then ride a few rides & use the pass. I am interested in Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Space Mountain & Indiana Jones. Four rides for one morning is enough. We will have a reservation for lunch in DCA park & head there. I am not familiar with the rides there but "midway style" rides, and butterfly inducing ferris wheels won't do it for me. My husband will probably want to ride something fast, so I suppose he will get a FP for something there. We always nap after lunch, since lunch always entails wine. We will walk over to DL park at night after dinner to enjoy the atmosphere and watch fireworks if they have them. I am not really interested in the parades or Fantasmic. Is that a good time to try and ride a ride? - I want to see the original small world because my mom saw it at the fair as a little girl.
Dinner - Probably the Steakhouse 55 unless someone can recommend something else? Actually, the big question is - does Trader Sam's serve any bar bites or alcohol only? We could eat there.

Wednesday - Up early to ride any remaining DL rides we missed - are there any recommendations? If there are EMH we will use them. To be honest the only other ones I was thinking about was Thunder Mountain (FP), Peter Pan and Mister Toad...if it is still open? I hope so. There is a lack of theming where large toads go to hell in most amusement parks today. I miss it at WDW.
Lunch as DCA again, then maybe a ride at DCA with a FP, and then to the airport for a red eye home.

So the priorities (in order) are ...
Food & Wine
Enjoying the Disney Atmosphere & getting a taste of the "original"
Rides
Naps

Anymore help, advice, opinions, etc would be welcome.
We own 2 DVC's now. It has helped us feel like we don't have to rush around, because we will always be going back sometime (though not always the West coast) so is the above sounding doable? THANKS!

 

[figment_jii]

Tuesday morning we will go to DL, grab a fastpass then ride a few rides & use the pass. I am interested in Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Space Mountain & Indiana Jones.

Indy and Space consistently have FPs. HM does have a FP, but the machines are not always in use. Tuesdays are usually one of DL's EMH/MM mornings, so Space will probably already have a line by the time you get there if you don't make use of EMH/MM. HM, PotC, and Indy are not included in EMH/MM. Personally, I would probably grab a FP for Indy, then head to HM and PotC. Then (hopefully) by the time you make it over to get a FP for Space, it'll be for a late evening time.

My husband will probably want to ride something fast, so I suppose he will get a FP for something there.

That would probably be either Screamin' or Tower of Terror...there is also RSR, which is probably one of DLR's best attractions. It's very popular, so the line builds quickly (it does use the FP system and it does have SRL).

Is that a good time to try and ride a ride?

I don't really think F! or the fireworks or parade really impact attraction lines all that much, other than they can make it tough to navigate the parks. Getting through NOS can be tough during F!.

Actually, the big question is - does Trader Sam's serve any bar bites or alcohol only? We could eat there.

Trader's Sam Enchanted Tiki Bar does seem small bites: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland-hotel/trader-sams/menus/

Wednesday - Up early to ride any remaining DL rides we missed - are there any recommendations? If there are EMH we will use them.

There is no EMH/MM at DLR on Wednesday normally. DL usually has EMH/MM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. DCA usually has EMH on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It can vary depending on special events, but for the most part, the schedule is consistent.

To be honest the only other ones I was thinking about was Thunder Mountain (FP), Peter Pan and Mister Toad...if it is still open?

Yes, DL still has Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in FL. For iconic DL attractions, there is also the Matterhorn (no FP, but it does have a SRL) and the Jungle Cruise. Other popular attractions include Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (better that WDW's version!), Star Tours (same attraction), Autopia, Finding Nemo Subs, everything FL, and Splash.

 

[Axelskater]

I appreciate all of this so much. I was thinking since I am a newby I need some sort of touring plan, It sounds like we will spend out "ride time" in DL, but our lunch times in DCA, except for maybe 1 visit to radiator springs with a FP.
We just aren't TofT fans and Screamin' would not be fun for me. I have done Soarin' at Epcot many times. Can you recommend restaurants for lunch in DCA? Even if we do the same one twice, we like to have a nice lunch with a drink. I am at a loss for which to pick though. I believe we will do Napa Rose & Trader Sam's (fun factor!) for dinner.
Thank you again
Any chance FP+ will be around by Easter ???

 

[Winnowill]

I appreciate all of this so much. I was thinking since I am a newby I need some sort of touring plan, It sounds like we will spend out "ride time" in DL, but our lunch times in DCA, except for maybe 1 visit to radiator springs with a FP.

Just be aware that FPs for RSR run out by mid-late morning. As I've been watching, they're typically gone by 11:00 if not earlier.

 

[DLgal]

Just so you know, CS at Disneyland is not like CS at WDW. It is much better, and often on par with TS meals.

Some standout CS places are Plaza Inn, French Market, Rancho del Zocalo at DL and Flo'sw V8 Cafe, Cucina Cucamonga and Paradise Garden Grill at DCA.

Also, there is a Beer Tasting at Sonoma Terrace and also an outdoor wine bar at. DCA so you don't HAVE to do a TS meal to have some good wine or beer. Plus, beer is available almost everywhere at DCA. Good beer, not just Budweiser.