A few questions on DL/CA from a WDW perspective!

[heatherenae71]

Is the link to pre-order the photopass CD good for pics taken at DL/CA?

Is pin-trading with CMs a big deal at DL/CA as it is at WDW? My kids *loved* pin trading with every CM we saw at WDW - haha!

There are pressed penny machines all over DL and CA, right?

Are there potato head parts sold in DL/CA? If so, where?

Is there a place for pick-a-pearl? Is it as neat as the one in Japan at Epcot?

Does DL (or CA) have an opening/welcome show like at MK?

Thanks!

 

[DisMike]

Is the link to pre-order the photopass CD good for pics taken at DL/CA?

Is pin-trading with CMs a big deal at DL/CA as it is at WDW? My kids *loved* pin trading with every CM we saw at WDW - haha!

There are pressed penny machines all over DL and CA, right?

Are there potato head parts sold in DL/CA? If so, where?

Is there a place for pick-a-pearl? Is it as neat as the one in Japan at Epcot?

Does DL (or CA) have an opening/welcome show like at MK?

Thanks!

1. Don't know.
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. I believe so. For sure in DTD at WOD
5. Don't know what pick-a-pearl is.
6. Not that I'm aware of. Might depend on the time of the year. I've never seen one and I've been there for rope drops.

 

[starshine514]

Good morning! I have answers to a few of your questions:

Is the link to pre-order the photopass CD good for pics taken at DL/CA?

If you're just doing DL/CA picts, there is no pre-order. The regular price of the CD is only $59.99. So, it's cheaper than the pre-order WDW price. If you're doing a trip to both WDW and DLR, then yes, you can include DLR picts on the WDW (pre-order) photopass CD.

If you're just doing DLR and would like some stock picts as well, there is a value pack CD you can purchase in either park (the Kodak store in DL or I bought mine at the little store setup across from Soarin' the last time I was there). It is also $59 and includes a voucher for the CD online (and includes free shipping).

Is pin-trading with CMs a big deal at DL/CA as it is at WDW? My kids *loved* pin trading with every CM we saw at WDW - haha!

I'm not sure I can make the comparison, but there are a lot of CMs to pin trade with.

There are pressed penny machines all over DL and CA, right?

Yup! I believe there are also pressed dime machines. I've heard tale that you can get a map of where they are from City Hall.

Are there potato head parts sold in DL/CA? If so, where?

Yes, but I'm afraid I don't know where they are currently being sold. Hopefully someone else can help you with that.

Is there a place for pick-a-pearl? Is it as neat as the one in Japan at Epcot?

Hopefully someone can help you with this as well. I've heard of it, so I'm inclined to say that there is, but I don't know.

Does DL (or CA) have an opening/welcome show like at MK?

No welcome show. I think they do say a few words at rope drop (and it seems like they pull someone from the audience to help) on the days that they've allowed people onto Main Street before opening, but that's about it.

Thanks!

Have fun!

 

[heatherenae71]

Thanks for the great info!

I didn't know the price of the photopass CD at DL...awesome that it's cheaper!!

 

[Huff]

Pin trading is about the same at DLR as WDW. CM's around the park have pins to trade but like WDW not all of them do. At stores inside parks, resorts or Downtown Disney the CM's often have pins to trade behind the counter so ask to see them.

There is a pick a pearl kiosk in Downtown Disney. I believe its $14.99.

I haven't looked for Mr. Potato head parts but I would think they are most likely in shops in DCA.

There are many pressed penny machines throughout the parks and DTD.

 

[jetskigrl]

Is the link to pre-order the photopass CD good for pics taken at DL/CA?

Is pin-trading with CMs a big deal at DL/CA as it is at WDW? My kids *loved* pin trading with every CM we saw at WDW - haha!

There are pressed penny machines all over DL and CA, right?

Are there potato head parts sold in DL/CA? If so, where?

Is there a place for pick-a-pearl? Is it as neat as the one in Japan at Epcot?

Does DL (or CA) have an opening/welcome show like at MK?

Thanks!

For the pin-trading, many CMs will have lanyards on to trade and some have the teal colored lanyard or belt hanger that means they can only trade with kids.

There are tons of pressed penny machines (we go all the time and are still finding ones we hadn't noticed before, LOL).

Before they open the main gates, they do a countdown to park opening. They will pick a family from the crowd to open the park (and give them honorary citizen buttons). I don't know if they do it every day or not but it is only when they open the outside gates (so if it is an MM morning, it will be before MM starts). When we were picked, it was my son's birthday so they also announced his name and occasion so everyone yelled Happy Birthday to him before the countdown.

 

[pixiewings71]

Is the link to pre-order the photopass CD good for pics taken at DL/CA?

I don't know, we don't really do PP

Is pin-trading with CMs a big deal at DL/CA as it is at WDW? My kids *loved* pin trading with every CM we saw at WDW - haha!

Yes, it's very popular and there will also be traders out with books. some say to avoid the traders but we've met some fun people that way and we love trading with our book!

There are pressed penny machines all over DL and CA, right?

Yes, and in the hotels as well. There are also dimes, nickles and quarter machines.

Are there potato head parts sold in DL/CA? If so, where?

They used to have them in DCA but with the remodeling I don't know where to find them now. Sorry.

Is there a place for pick-a-pearl? Is it as neat as the one in Japan at Epcot?

Yes, it's in DTD between the pin store and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. We've picked 6 pearls there in total, it's fun! I believe the price is up to $12.99-14.99 now. It's an outdoor kiosk, when you pick your pearl they have you say something and ring a bell, then they open it up for you and you see what you got.

Does DL (or CA) have an opening/welcome show like at MK?

Don't think so, but we are never there at opening so I don't know for sure.

Thanks!

I hope that helps!

 

[heatherenae71]

Oh yay - so happy there IS pick-a-pearl DD and I never got around to doing this at Epcot back in November.

It's crazy to me how many things I never would think of from WDW are at DL/CA. We're going to get to see Turtle Talk with Crush again...LOVED THAT! And my DD is stoked she'll get to see the Disney Jr. show again.

We missed out on It's a Bug's Life and doing the drawings at the Animation Academy on our WDW trip - so woot - hopefully we can do them in June!!

I have never been to California Adventure...I can.not.wait.!!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

...It's crazy to me how many things I never would think of from WDW are at DL/CA....

I think all of your questions were answered so I am just going to address this comment.

Remember that WDW came after Disneyland. Much of the Magic Kingdom is based on Disneyland.

What is going to be tough for you to do, but I strongly suggest it for your own enjoyment of DLR is to NOT shrug off rides, shows, etc because you have seen them at WDW. There are a TON of things that are the same, but different at the exact same time. Some you will like better. Some will drive you crazy. Try to embrace the little details. Many of them are unique to DL. Also, don't skip things just because, "We have that at WDW." They may be different. Ex: Pirates of the Caribbean at DL is almost twice as long a that at WDW. Fantasyland has all sort of rides that don't exist at the MK. Even shows like Fantasmic! are different (though similar).

Okay, you get it. I could go on and on, but I won't. Just enjoy the original ... and be prepared for the castle, but remember it was built with every last penny Walt had at the time, and it's not the center focal point of the Park, that giant white mountain to the right that does not exist at the MK, is.

- Dreams

 

[heatherenae71]

Hehe....Oh I am much more of a fan of Disneyland than I am Magic Kingdom I think I've been to DL more than I've been to the parks in Florida.

And I just found out that the height requirement for Space Mountain at DL is only 40 inches...so DD will be able to ride it (she couldn't at MK).

Okay, another question...Jedi Training Academy. Is there a sign-up for this show like how it's done at DHS, or are kids just picked at random before each show? This was a big highlight of the trip for my son and now my daughter wants to hopefully do it, too!

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Okay, another question...Jedi Training Academy. Is there a sign-up for this show like how it's done at DHS, or are kids just picked at random before each show? This was a big highlight of the trip for my son and now my daughter wants to hopefully do it, too!

This is one of those similar, but different things that I was mentioning above. There is no sign-up at DL. for Jedi Training Academy. At the beginning of each show, they will pull kids out of the crowd. There is no guarantee that your daughter will be selected. She will want to be VERY energetic and enthusiastic. when selecting people. If she does not get selected, you can always try again. And again. And again. At the next show.

- Dreams

 

[pixiewings71]

And for goodness sake, do NOT forget to do the Sleeping Walk-Thru!!! I love walking thru the castle!!

For Jedi Academy, many people bring signs, best size is a cereal box cut open, write on the inside something similar to "the force is strong with this one" and have your child hold it up, 9 times out of 10 kids with signs get picked. Just know when you take it in that it must be folded up otherwise they will not let you take it in.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Okay, another question...Jedi Training Academy. Is there a sign-up for this show like how it's done at DHS, or are kids just picked at random before each show? This was a big highlight of the trip for my son and now my daughter wants to hopefully do it, too!

There was a recent thread on this topic (essentially how to get your kid picked for JTA). You might want to find the thread...my memory was that a sign seems to help and there's seems to be fewer kids on the Fantasyland side of the stage so maybe a better possibility to get picked from that side (as they pick pretty evenly from both sides). Wearing star wars drag might help. good luck to your daughter.

 

[heatherenae71]

Making and holding up signs...how cute is that!