A couple questions

[TiffanyW1]

We are considering our very first trip to Disneyland next year. We have been to WDW too many times to count

1. Does Disneyland offer a dining plan?
2. Do the TS restaurants take reservations, and if so how important are they to have (in FL .. no reservations=not eating at most locations)?
3. How many days should we be looking at staying (we are not doing anything but Disney & will stay at one of the Disney hotels)?
4. Which Disney hotel is the most "Deluxe"?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sy-]

1. Yes, but I hear there is no benefit over paying $ for you meals
2. Yes, 2 Months in advance. Very important if you don't want to wait an hour.
3. 2 days in DL, 1 in CA minimum.
4. Grand Californian Hotel is most deluxicious!

 

[tofubeast]

From everything I have read, the Disney dining plan at DLR is so not worth it. It is nothing like the WDW version. And if you hear people talking about PS on here...that is the same as ADRs on the WDW boards. PS standing for Priority Seating which can be made 60 days in advance.

There is a sticky on this board.... DLR for WDW vets...good read to get yourself acquainted with DLR!

Have a great trip. And study a map...the lay of the land at DL is a bit different than MK.

 

[sameyeyam]

I go to both DL & WDW and they are definitely different places. As far as PS, it depends what time of the year you are going. In general I find DL to be easier to find a sit down place to eat without reservations, then WDW. But I don't normally go during the busy summer months. The DL dining plan is nothing like WDW dining plan.

Unlike WDW - DL, DCA, DTD and the 3 DL hotels are located right together within walking distance. No buses needed like at WDW. It takes about 1 minute to walk across the courtyard to & from each place.

I took my family last June before school was out and we stayed 5 days. It was a bit much. Unlike DW where you can spend 2 weeks and not see everything, DL you can pretty much do everything in about 3 days or so.

Check into the offsite hotels for big $$$ savings. They are right across the street within walking distance. Some that are a couple of blocks away have shuttle or ART bus transportation available. The Grand Californian is considerd the Deluxe hotel, but I would say that the other two are also Deluxe (as compared to WDW deluxe hotels).

There are also many restaurants offsite that are within walking distance (Mimi's, McDonalds, Tony Romas, etc).

Have Fun!

 

[cccdisney]

We are considering our very first trip to Disneyland next year. We have been to WDW too many times to count

1. Does Disneyland offer a dining plan?
2. Do the TS restaurants take reservations, and if so how important are they to have (in FL .. no reservations=not eating at most locations)?
3. How many days should we be looking at staying (we are not doing anything but Disney & will stay at one of the Disney hotels)?
4. Which Disney hotel is the most "Deluxe"?

Thanks in advance!

Be sure to read the sticky on this board. There are many differences between WDW and DLR and and the more you know beforehand the better the trip will be!
1. The dining plan at DLR is nothing like the one at WDW. You get vouchers to turn in for certain food/meals. It doesn't save $$ like WDW. Most don't recommend it.
2. PS is not as important in DLR as WDW, but still recommended for popular restaurants such as Blue Bayou or one of the character meals. The biggest difference is that there is not even close to as many places to eat at the DLR as WDW.
3. If you'd like to take your time and leave time for swimming and such I would get a 4 or 5 day Park Hopper. The great thing is that the two parks are VERY CLOSE to each other so park hopping is very easy! You will love the closeness at DLR - no buses!
4. Grand Californian is absolutely the most deluxe and VERY CLOSE to both parks! A wonderful and beautiful hotel - but pricey!
HTH!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

again i will be the only one i love the meal plans so dose my family


Minnie's 5 Days of Disney Dining Plan
Disney's special dining plans make it easy for you to sample a bit of everything while using vouchers instead of cash. For an extra touch of magic, don't miss our Disney Character Dining experiences, available at these locations (priority seating required*) :
• Goofy's Kitchen
o Disneyland® Hotel (serving breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Lilo and Stitch Aloha Breakfast
o Disney's Paradise Pier® Hotel
• Chip 'n Dale Critter Breakfast
o Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa
• Minnie and Friends Breakfast
o Disneyland® Park
• Disney Princess Celebration Character Lunch/Dinner**
o Ariel's Grotto in Disney's California Adventure® Park
Minnie's 5 Days of Disney Dining Plan
13 Disney Dining choices per person.
Adult/Junior Meals included
Character Breakfast 1
Character Lunch or Dinner 1
Dinner with Goofy 1
Breakfast in the Park 1
Snack Voucher 3
$5 Meal Voucher 1
$10 Meal Voucher 3
$15 Meal Voucher 2
Child Meals included
Character Breakfast 1
Character Lunch or Dinner 1
Dinner with Goofy 1
Breakfast in the Park 1
Snack Voucher 3
$5 Meal Voucher 2
$10 Meal Voucher 4
*Priority Seating is required for all table service restaurants in Disneyland® Park, Disney's California Adventure® and the Resort Hotels. Please call Disney Dining up to 60 days in advance to arrange Priority Seating (714) 781 - DINE
Some restaurant locations may charge a nominal fee for guests 2 years and under.
** Voucher for Princess Celebration Character Lunch/Dinner may be applied to the cost of any meal at a Resort Table Service restaurant open for lunch or dinner, including Character Dining. Daily operating hours may vary. Applicable Table Service locations include: Ariel's Grotto, Steakhouse 55, Hook's Pointe, Goofy's Kitchen, PCH Grill, Yamabuki, Storyteller's Cafe, Napa Rose, Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Vineyard Room, Wine Country Trattoria.
13 Disney Dining choices per person Adult/Junior
$188.87
Child
$132.78
-------------------------------------------
Mickey's 6 Days of Disney Dining Plan
Disney's special dining plans make it easy for you to sample a bit of everything while using vouchers instead of cash. For an extra touch of magic, don't miss our Disney Character Dining experiences, available at these locations (priority seating required*) :
• Goofy's Kitchen
o Disneyland® Hotel (serving breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Lilo and Stitch Aloha Breakfast
o Disney's Paradise Pier® Hotel
• Chip 'n Dale Critter Breakfast
o Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa
• Minnie and Friends Breakfast
o Disneyland® Park
• Disney Princess Celebration Character Lunch/Dinner**
o Ariel's Grotto in Disney's California Adventure® Park
Mickey's 6 Days of Disney Dining Plan
15 Disney Dining choices per person.
Adult/Junior Meals included
Character Breakfast 1
Character Lunch or Dinner 1
Dinner with Goofy 1
Breakfast in the Park 2
Snack Voucher 3
$10 Meal Voucher 4
$15 Meal Voucher 3
Child Meals included
Character Breakfast 1
Character Lunch or Dinner 1
Dinner with Goofy 1
Breakfast in the Park 3
Snack Voucher 2
$10 Meal Voucher 4
$15 Meal Voucher 1
*Priority Seating is required for all table service restaurants in Disneyland® Park, Disney's California Adventure® and the Resort Hotels. Please call Disney Dining up to 60 days in advance to arrange Priority Seating (714) 781 - DINE
Some restaurant locations may charge a nominal fee for guests 2 years and under.
** Voucher for Princess Celebration Character Lunch/Dinner may be applied to the cost of any meal at a Resort Table Service restaurant open for lunch or dinner, including Character Dining. Daily operating hours may vary. Applicable Table Service locations include: Ariel's Grotto, Steakhouse 55, Hook's Pointe, Goofy's Kitchen, PCH Grill, Yamabuki, Storyteller's Cafe, Napa Rose, Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Vineyard Room, Wine Country Trattoria.
15 Disney Dining choices per person Adult/Junior
$219.41
Child
$158.32

 

[DLR29]

The dining plan at DLR is inferior (IMO and many others here) to WDW's because:
a) It doesn't save you as much money
b) You get a set amount of dollar amount vouchers and when you use those vouchers you don't get change. So for example if you want to pay for something that costs $4.95 with a $5 voucher, you will lose 5 cents. That's not a big deal, but if you have run out of $5 vouchers, you need to either pay in cash (which defeats the purpose of a dining plan) or pay with a $10 voucher and lose $5.05 (which can add up significantly)
c) You can't use the vouchers at Downtown Disney restaurants

Also just to let you know, all 3 of the onsite hotels would be considered "deluxe" by WDW's standards. However, like other posters have said, the Grand Californian is the nicest. But if you don't mind staying at a non-Disney hotel (although you might be spoiled by WDW), there are lots of offsite hotels within closer or the same walking distance to the parks as the onsite hotels for a much cheaper price. The concept of onsite vs. offsite is very different at DLR.