A WDW's 1st time at DL-help!!!

[Mini Sorcerer's Mom]

Hello! We are going to Disneyland for the first time. I have a few questions regarding the resorts and am hoping you can help.

1) We are DVC members and are staying at Disneyland hotel. Can we poolhop?

2) Are the extra magic hours for disney resort guests only? The tickets we purchased offered the Extra Magic Hour?

3) Do you need to make dining reservations as far in advance as you do in WDW?

I'm sure I'll think of many more soon.

Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

2. They aren't exactly EMH's they are MM morning madness and only like the name implies for the morning. Anyone who has a 3 day or more ticket can use one MM.

Resort guests do get a ticket to enter toon town for a special party fo sorts before it ipen to general guests.

3. ADR's are not needed as much in DLR as compared to WDW this is why the pre time to make Reservations is so short. Also basically DLR has about 10 places that take them, so you should count on eating more counter service than you would at WDW.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hello! We are going to Disneyland for the first time. I have a few questions regarding the resorts and am hoping you can help.

1) We are DVC members and are staying at Disneyland hotel. Can we poolhop?

2) Are the extra magic hours for disney resort guests only? The tickets we purchased offered the Extra Magic Hour?

3) Do you need to make dining reservations as far in advance as you do in WDW?

I'm sure I'll think of many more soon.

Thanks!

1. No pool hopping.

2. Magic Mornings at DLR are very different from WDW. See "Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

3. As PP said, DLR dining is also different because of the crowd mix. Reservations are taken 2 months in advance and are not in high demand.

 

[GrandBob]

And make sure you read Hydroguy's most awesome DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It's amazing. I swear, if he would just publish it and sell it on eBay, he could retire and spend his days at DLR!

 

[Muddy Rivers]

You are going to love it! We went to DLR last June after nearly 2 dozen WDW vacations. We loved it. Of course WDW is still our favorite there are many wonderful things about DL.

Make sure you read up on how the FASTPASSES differ. It really worked out well for us. Don't miss the Matterhorn and of course Pirates. This is one ride that is definitely better in DL.

Like they said above, Dining is not as tough to get ADRs as in WDW.

Try a Tigger Tail. Make sure you split it with somebody because they are sweet. You can get them in the gift shop/candy store near the Winnie the Pooh ride in Critter Country.

Many people told us that we would be disappointed because DL is so small. However we really found that we really loved many things about DL. Have a great time.

 

[jimreuter]

If you plan to eat at Blue Bayou, particularly in the popular dinner hour (5:00 to 8:30) book as far in advance as you can - at least a week ahead, particularly on the weekends.

 

[disneyfanbecky]

Really? No pool hopping? I have stayed at all 3 hotels and at least at Disneyland Hotel I was told I could use PP's pool? Can't remember if they said anything about GCH.

 

[heatherleigh]

I specifically asked while making our reservation, and they said no. I am even considering changing hotels just because of that... I wonder if they really enforce that. We are staying at the DLH, but my kids loved the waterslide at the PPH.

 

[disneyfanbecky]

wow guess it has changed - or maybe just changed based on the cm!

I can tell you that we have never been asked for resort id's (although also have never been during a super busy time) and at PPH there is no additional key card security to the entrance. Although we weren't aware at the time that pool hopping wasn't ok in DL!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Hello! We are going to Disneyland for the first time. I have a few questions regarding the resorts and am hoping you can help.

1) We are DVC members and are staying at Disneyland hotel. Can we poolhop?

We are DVC members too. Unlike WDW, you cannot pool hop at DLR. Also, you cannot use the VGC pool unless you are staying there on points.

2) Are the extra magic hours for disney resort guests only? The tickets we purchased offered the Extra Magic Hour?

No, the Magic Mornings is not only good for DLR guests. Like mentioned, any guest with a three or more day park hopper ticket is eligible for ONE MM during their stay. MM are offered at DL on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. However, we found out during our stay, DLR guests can attend ALL the MM offered during their stay (as long as you have a 3+ day ticket).

3) Do you need to make dining reservations as far in advance as you do in WDW?

You can make Priority Seating (another name for ADRs for us WDW pros ) reservations 60 days in advance at (714) 781-3463 .

We made the first available PS for lunch at the Blue Bayou. I asked for a waterfront table at check-in and got it. So, if you really want to eat at BB waterfront, book the first PS of the day. Another DISer gave me this tip and it worked out perfectly!

Someone mentioned FastPasses and Park Hopping. FYI - The FP machines for the two parks (DL and DCA) are NOT connected. So, you can park hop between the two and get additional FPs. Just make sure to get your handstamped when exiting a park. They don't use a biometric reader at DLR like at WDW. They rely on the old handstamp method to avoid ticket fraud.

DLR is "different" than WDW. So, don't go in trying to compare the two. To us, they are totally different experiences and we cherish both. The first thing I always read about WDW pros visiting DL, they comment that Sleeping Beauty Castle is so small "compared" to Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. However, it really fits the park and it's charm. IMO. DL is a magical park. Knowing Walt walked that Main Street and stayed in the apartment above the Fire Station makes me appreciate the park and Walt's vision. You are going to have an amazing trip. Every Disney fan should visit DL at least once in their life.

Have a magical trip!

Jennifer