A WDW fanatic finally heading to DL/DCA - any tips?

[teri]

Lisa, I assume you already read through the thread about Other Things to Do In Southern California, at the top of the page.

Wild Animal Park is the best, highest quality animal park we have ever visited, ever. Be sure to take the monorail ride, which is about an hour long. If you can, go on a cool, cloudy, day. The San Diego Zoo has hills and is HUGE. It is a beautiful, beautiful zoo, worth a full day's visit, but be prepared because it is hard on the knees. Sea World is very nice, if you are into it. Belmont Park has an historic coaster that is a fun, nostalgic ride, but that is about it for that place. San Diego has alot to offer.. we were there for 5 days and were busy the whole time, barely scratched the surface.

Blue Bayou is the *best* themed restaurant in any Disney park or resort, anywhere. The food is OK, too. Don't miss it!

 

[Dana_Buckley]

I would even consider staying in SD a night or two! Personally, I like the zoo better than the Wild Animal Park. It will be a bit of drive, 2-2 1/2 hrs. It's not too bad though, you can take the carpool lane for awhile. I go up & back in the same day with my 2yo. SeaWorld is close to the zoo (that is why I suggested staying a night down here) You could drive down to SeaWorld in the morning, stay the night, hit the zoo early (animals are more active), take advantage of the escalators up the hills! Then head back to DL. I can't help with hotels though, never stayed in one here Have a great trip!

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

Looks like we are going to do a night in SD after reading all the things to do.

I can't wait to see everything.

teri - thanks for the knee advice. teri knows my knee situation and I really appreciate the heads up.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

bump

 

[tinagirl]

Hi,
I thought I would post some restraunts at the resort that are hardly ever open. I know some folks do the "plan your day" thing on Disneyland.com, and end up with restraunts that aren't open on their agenda.
In Disneyland
- Cafe Orleans - Open on Weekends, but typically not during the week. Also closes earlier than French Market. It's a shame, because it has a really good Chicken Salad in a bread boule.
- Village Haus - Usually open, has a cute theme, but during the Fantasyland refurbs, and changes to the carousel, has been closed more often than usual.
- Any food in Toontown - Usually closes early and often.
- The "healty" side of Tomorrowland Terrace. One side serves burgers and Chicken Sandwiches (which is always open), while the other has veggie wraps and such (which is sometimes closed).
- Troubadour Treats (next to the Fantasyland theater) - Open just before any shows there (currently Mickey's Detective school). The only place in the park to serve Funnel cake year round. Also has other food, but make sure you go when you have the chance, as it is open so rarely.
- Blue Bayou - Closes between Lunch and Dinner for about an hour. Not really a big deal, but important to know. Usually the last lunch ressie is for 3:45, and they officially close from 4:00 - 4:45 or so.
- Golden Horseshoe - During the shows (Billie Hill or on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the Variety show with Dana Daniels {really great, funny, cool, so. cal magician and comic - you'll love Luigi, trust me}) it is open, but otherwise isn't. Has burgers, Chili, Fries, Pretty much standard fare, but the mile high cake...oooh 5 layer chocolate cake is enough to sooth any tired mom, im my humble opinion.

At DCA:
- All 4 restraunts in Hollywood & Dine - Closed during revamp of Superstar Limo. May open for summer, but has been closed for a while.
- Soap Opera - Open for dining on Weekends, but you're only going to get a tour on the Weekdays.
- Maliburritos - I have NEVER seen this place open in the 50+ times I've been to this park. Even during preview Days, It was closed!
- Lucky Fortune Cookery - Good teriyaki bowls, but usually closed on Weekdays.


That's about it, I hope this helps you to steer away from restraunts that aren't usually open.

One more DCA food tip. If you are going with young kids, I like to take my younger cousins to Taste Pilots Grill, to get popcorn chicken and happy potatoes. The potatoes are in the shape of little happy faces, and they really seem to like it.

Just a tip.
All my best
~Tina

 

[BobbiKK]

These tips are wonderful!! Tina--i am going to email you!

 

[klwally]

Wow!! this is a great thread.

I myself am also going for the first time to DL this weekend for a 4 day girls only trip! I've been to WDW so many times (vacation club member). So this is a real treat for me. Your tips here helped out greatly. Thank you! Btw, staying at the Grand Californian with a DCA view - couldn't resist it!

 

[ivanova]

Hope you enjoy our little ol' park we'll be there ourselves hopefully Sunday morning for a few hours.

BTW there's a kid's only (ages 3-9) pin trading meet from 1:30 - 3:30 PM at DL if you didn't already know about it.

Make sure to report back to us here and let us know your thoughts!!

 

[almostGoofy]

Tinagirl, you have a ton of great tips but I have to disagree with you on the Lucky Fortune. Last summer my 4 year old daughter and I had a girls day out at DCA. I had the Terriyaki chicken and my dd had the childs meal. The Terriyaki bowl was the worst I ever tasted! The chicken pieces were tiny slivers of boiled chicken with terriyaki sauce poured over it and not a very good sauce at that. My daughter's childs meal was an eggroll on a stick. There might have been some rice to go with that too; don't remember exactly. It was the only child's meal they had at this place.

Otherwise, I think all of your tips are perfect. The only amendment I would make for your DL tips is if you have small children, I would head to Fantasyland first if you are there at opening. The line for Dumbo is shortest then and just gets longer and longer as the hour passes. This ride is such a huge favorite for the preschool set but is such a slow loader. It only shortens late in the evening closer to closing when most families with young children have left the park. The line for Peter Pan also gets long quickly and stays long for a good part of the day. Unlike WDW, there is no fastpass for this ride or, for that matter, for any ride in Fantasyland.

 

[tinagirl]

Almost Goofy:
I do agree with you about Dumbo. All kids (even big kids) want that black magic feather at least once in their Disneyland day. (Even though the CM's do take it away from you before you even fly...hrmph...hehe)

I also agree that small kids can start their day in Fantasyland, although I typically start my cousins in Toontown. The reason is that they always want to go on Gadget's go coaster, but will often lose their nerve if they wait until later in the day. Then, one in particular gets frustrated with himself, and gets a bit grumpy.

I think most of all, folks need to find out what works for them. So all your opinions are valid, in that they will help others figure out the best thing for their trip.
For that Kudos to all of you.

~Tina
P.S. - I really do enjoy the cookery. I feel that the Teriyaki Chicken bowl is great for a quick meal while waiting for the Eureka or Electrical parades, and I'm sorry that you had a poor experience there. I have eaten there many times, and though it isn't comprable to blue bayou or something, I feel it is similar to a Teriyaki bowl at Jack in the box. If you like those, you'll like these. You may be right about the kids'meal though. When visiting with the cousins (the only kids our family has), we usually get the kid's meal at Taste Pilots or Whitewater, or one of the many options at Hollywood & Dine. I am definitely no expert on Kids meals, so just do what seems good for your kids.

 

[ivanova]

Tiggersmom:

Had we discussed trying to do a pinmeet at DL while you were there? I lost most of my email so I don't remember!!!

 

[boo72]

Thank you everyone, especially tinagirl, for all the great tips and ideas!! My DH and I are going to DL/DCA the first week in September for our 1 year anniversary. I have pondered all the same things as tiggersmom. I will be printing out all the suggestions for us to take a long! I am even more excited for our trip after reading this!

If I have any more questions, I know where to go!

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

Just bumping this up because of the great tips listed.

 

[*Flower*]

We'll be out there in August, and my DH has an allergy to MSG.

How can I find out if it is in any food there?

Any information or phone numbers to contact someone abou this would be helpful!!

Thanks-

 

[tinagirl]

I was under the impression that Disney stopped using MSG in all of their food long ago, if ever included.

Here's how to make sure.

Call Disney Guest Relations @ (714) 781-7290.

They should either know or should transfer you to Disney Dining.

I wish I knew of an 800 # but unfortunately, I don't.

Maybe someone else will know.

~Tina

 

[*Flower*]

Thanks Tina!

I knew the WDW doesn't, I just wasn't sure about DL.

You're such a help!!

 

[geffric]

Thanks for all the tips, I was just checking in to say that we have been at WDW for the past 10 years, we are DVC .

And now for the very first time we are going to where it all started -- Disneyland. We are arriving 8/3 - 8/11. I am looking for tip and hints. We like the Cyrstal Palace at MK are there any places like that at Disneyland??? - meaning a character buffet??

What happened to the Country Bears???

Thanks
Susan

 

[raidermatt]

The Country Bears were taken out to make way for the Pooh dark ride (still under construction).

Not sure about the character buffets. I know the hotels have some, but I don't think the park does (but again, I'm not positive about that).

I heard that they were converting one of the restaurants for character meals, but once again, am not completely positive about that.

 

[ivanova]

The Plaza Inn in DL on Main Street has a character breakfast (pseudo buffet style; is all you can eat) with the Pooh characters.

Don't know if the lunch & dinner meals or character or not.

 

[tinagirl]

The plaza is the only character dining in DL, and yes, it is only for breakfast. I find that character dining isn't really necessary here. Because of the intimate nature of the parks, I have never had a hard time finding characters (when I wanted to), except perhaps around September, which is always the most empty time of the year, but allows for plenty of quality time in toontown.
Plaza Price
Breakfast - $17.99 Adult/$9.99 3 - 11/no charge under 3

As per everywhere else:

DCA:
Avalon - Character dining at Lunch and Dinner ( I am unsure about Breakfast). It is an order off of the menu place, but I have had a more relaxing, yet character interacted meal here than anywhere else. I loved the food, and have always had a hard time finishing it. Kids meals are served in a sandpail with condiments in the shovel. (I think they do this at a resort in WDW, but I don't remember which one - maybe Cape May). Has many options from Pastas to Pot Pies to Seafood. Older reviews were very poor, (when it first converted from Wolfgang Pucks to Character dining), but since early June, every time I've gone was fantastic. The penne pasta is my fave. Mmm.
For the Lunch Price, you get a starter (soup or salad) an Entree and Cotton Candy for dessert. (You can order other deserts for a fee, but it is much less than $5 for cake everywhere else..I think it was $2.50 - The chocolate cake with Carmel Corn extra was very good. For the dinner price (though I have never been) you are supposed to get a starter, Entree, Choice of Yummy desert plus cotton candy. Drinks are extra.
Lunch - $12.95 - Unsure about kids
Dinner - $19.95 - Unsure about kids


Disneyland Hotel:
Served Buffet Style:
Goofy's Kitchen - Features character buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast buffet has a yummy spread including Mickey Mouse waffles, and the lunch and dinner buffets feature carved beef and ham as well as several other entrées, a dessert bar, and salad bar. While you eat, the "classic" characters come around for a visit. Last time I went (a while ago) they had a kids buffet with chicken nuggets (mickey shaped of course) mac' and cheese, and mini corn dogs.
Breakfast - $16.95 Adult/$9.95 3 - 11/$3.95 under 3
Lunch - $17.95/$9.95/$3.95
Dinner - $26.95/$9.95/$3.95

Grand Californian:
Storytellers:
Happy Campers Breakfast with Chip & Dale.
This offers a breakfast buffet, but if your kids are picky eaters, and you're not, or vice versa, you also have the option of picking individually priced a la carte items off of a menu.
Buffet Price
Breakfast - $17.95/$9.95/$3.95

Paradise Pier Hotel:
Minnie & Friends breakfast:
Haven't been to this one. I know that some folks like it and some don't...however, I do know that often they have hard to find characters like Merlin & Gaston.
Breakfast - $16.95 Adult/$9.95 3 - 11/$3.95 under 3

Practically Perfect Tea:
Tea Cakes & Crumpets - Ah, Poppins
Only available on Wednesdays & Weekends this is a really fun experience. There are two teas - Breakfast and afternoon. While breakfast serves crepes, crumpets, cakes, scones and quiches (and of course Mickey waffles), some items change to sandwiches and deserts at noon. This has very limited seating, and is a fun experience, even though it is the most expensive in the DL resort!
$21.95 for adults and $13.50 for anyone under 11. Make an 11:30 ressie, and you may be able to have a taste of both teas.


~Tina



All of these places can be contacted by calling for priority seating at (714) 956-6755.