1st trip to Disneyland

Schucraig

Disney World is my World!
Joined
Jan 30, 2004
Messages
1,999
Hello all!

We are planning our 1st trip to Disneyland and we are staying at the Grand California on our DVC points. Are there any discount tickets for DVC members or AAA members? Also, are there any must try restaurants there? Our boys are 14 and 17 so we are open to anything! TIA!
 
AAA told us they have discounted 3-day park hoppers but we live in NJ and our AAA office only stocks WDWbtix. They will order them for us, though. I believe it saves $10 per adult ticket.
 
Re: Restaurants
We like the Blue Bayou restaurant for the ambiance and view of the Pirates ride. It is pricey, you can check menus online. A know a lot of people like Ariel's Grotto in DCA.
Reservations are required for both.
 
alot of the places to eat in DtD ur boys would prob like since they are older they prob wouldnt really want character meals, cafe orleans would prob be a good choice depending on their food taste
 

AAA told us they have discounted 3-day park hoppers but we live in NJ and our AAA office only stocks WDWbtix. They will order them for us, though. I believe it saves $10 per adult ticket.
Good to know! Thank you so much!
 
Re: Restaurants
We like the Blue Bayou restaurant for the ambiance and view of the Pirates ride. It is pricey, you can check menus online. A know a lot of people like Ariel's Grotto in DCA.
Reservations are required for both.
Thank you so much!
 
Frech Market in New Orleans Square is one of my go to favorites. Counter service with qualtiy food and good portions and usually plenty of seating. As close as you can get to a table service place without having to make an ADR.
 
Character meals can be for all ages, not just for the little ones! When we go with groups of adults, we have a blast. Once the characters know that we are open to photos and interaction, they do some of the funniest play acting with us. If your boys are up for this, you may get some really good photos and memories. Plus, since most of the character meals are buffet style, they work will with teenage appetites.
Plaza Inn is a favorite for the fried chicken dinners. Very generous portions!

Also, here are 2 links with lots of helpful info for you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets and DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!.
 
Last edited:
Hello all!

We are planning our 1st trip to Disneyland and we are staying at the Grand California on our DVC points. Are there any discount tickets for DVC members or AAA members? Also, are there any must try restaurants there? Our boys are 14 and 17 so we are open to anything! TIA!

Carnation Cafe is one I would suggest to try. It's in DL on Main St. Food is good here along with the atmosphere. I think your boys will like Whitewater Snacks in the Grand Californian Hotel too. Plenty of items to choose from with decent size portions and reasonable prices.
 
Character meals can be for all ages, not just for the little ones! When we go with groups of adults, we have a blast. Once the characters know that we are open to photos and interaction, they do some of the funniest play acting with us. If your boys are up for this, you may get some really good photos and memories. Plus, since most of the character meals are buffet style, they work will with teenage appetites.
Plaza Inn is a favorite for the fried chicken dinners. Very generous portions!

Also, here are 2 links with lots of helpful info for you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets and DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!.

Thank you so much for the info and the links!
 
Carnation Cafe is one I would suggest to try. It's in DL on Main St. Food is good here along with the atmosphere. I think your boys will like Whitewater Snacks in the Grand Californian Hotel too. Plenty of items to choose from with decent size portions and reasonable prices.

Thank you for the advice!
 
Thank you for the advice!

You are welcome! I have 3 teenagers (2 girls, 1 boy) and I know how much they can eat, even after having a big dinner! Whitewater Snacks has prepackaged foods too (everything from bagels, peanut butter, yogurt parfaits, etc). Some people will have a delivery from Vons (which is Safeway where I live, which was bought out by Albertsons!) for grocery items and forgotten items like sunblock. We enjoy staying at the Grand when we can. Each Disney property has it pluses!
Another place we like to have a meal is at Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland. I think it is renamed as Galactical something or other, but I know it as Tomorrowland Terrace. After doing Magic Morning and riding rides, everyone starts to get hungry, so we will have breakfast there. Hubby will get the breakfast burrito, two of my kids will get the breakfast platter, I order a yogurt parfait, and we get a fruit platter to share and my other child will pick off of everyone's plate. If we order her something for herself, she won't eat it, but she will pick off of everyone's plate! She only does this for breakfast. I know, weird. The fruit at Disneyland is very good. Flo's Diner in California Adventure has the same fruit platter too. When ever there is an option for a fruit platter, we will get it and put it in the center of the table so everyone pick at it!
I didn't see when you are going, but I would suggest getting a case or two of bottled water. That adds up fast in the parks and I am very fortunate to have kids that love drinking water! Have a wonderful time.
 
One more piece of advice. Make a list of all things that were closed, not open to see, etc so you know what to schedule your NEXT trip around! Take plenty of pictures and don't rush. Enjoy the parks, the weather and the wonderful feeling you get when you walk through the gates to Disneyland. It is truly magical.
 
You are welcome! I have 3 teenagers (2 girls, 1 boy) and I know how much they can eat, even after having a big dinner! Whitewater Snacks has prepackaged foods too (everything from bagels, peanut butter, yogurt parfaits, etc). Some people will have a delivery from Vons (which is Safeway where I live, which was bought out by Albertsons!) for grocery items and forgotten items like sunblock. We enjoy staying at the Grand when we can. Each Disney property has it pluses!
Another place we like to have a meal is at Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland. I think it is renamed as Galactical something or other, but I know it as Tomorrowland Terrace. After doing Magic Morning and riding rides, everyone starts to get hungry, so we will have breakfast there. Hubby will get the breakfast burrito, two of my kids will get the breakfast platter, I order a yogurt parfait, and we get a fruit platter to share and my other child will pick off of everyone's plate. If we order her something for herself, she won't eat it, but she will pick off of everyone's plate! She only does this for breakfast. I know, weird. The fruit at Disneyland is very good. Flo's Diner in California Adventure has the same fruit platter too. When ever there is an option for a fruit platter, we will get it and put it in the center of the table so everyone pick at it!
I didn't see when you are going, but I would suggest getting a case or two of bottled water. That adds up fast in the parks and I am very fortunate to have kids that love drinking water! Have a wonderful time.
Great advice! Thank you so much!
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom