Another New DLR Visitor

[BethanyF]

I've been reading and soaking up whatever info I can find and Im starting to realize how much easier planning this trip is going to be.

So far all I have done is reserved our room for 4 nights....Paradise Pier, checking in on Sunday, out on Thursday in June 2009

a couple questions I have so far....

~~Is pool hopping allowed between the Disney resorts? My son really wanted to stay at DLH for the pool, but I didnt have enough points (we're DVC members) left. So, we're at PPH. I assume it's no problem to wander through the DLH and GCH just to see them.

~~Am I safe in assuming the only real PS' that I'll need will be for character breakfasts? From what I've looked at so far, we can very happily survive on the counter service options for lunch & dinner.

~~Getting to the parks...I've read walking to the gate or walking to DTD and using the monorail. What about the DCA entrance through the GCH? Is it true those staying at PPH can use that entrance?

~~The early hours (or whatever it's called)....if we don't have purchased tickets are we exempt from the early hours or would we still get the hours because of staying on-site? (we're using CM admissions)

I'm sure I'll have a million more questions, but for now those are the couple I didn't see the answers to or wanted more of an explanation.

 

[HydroGuy]

~~Is pool hopping allowed between the Disney resorts? My son really wanted to stay at DLH for the pool, but I didnt have enough points (we're DVC members) left. So, we're at PPH. I assume it's no problem to wander through the DLH and GCH just to see them.

I am not the one to answer this as I have never done it. I believe you can but someone else will need to help here.

~~Am I safe in assuming the only real PS' that I'll need will be for character breakfasts? From what I've looked at so far, we can very happily survive on the counter service options for lunch & dinner.

If all you want are the character meals then that is a safe assumption.

~~Getting to the parks...I've read walking to the gate or walking to DTD and using the monorail. What about the DCA entrance through the GCH? Is it true those staying at PPH can use that entrance?

It is usually fastest and most reliable from the DLH and PPH hotels to walk to the gates thru DTD - unless you are leaving late and do not care about early arrival. Yes, I believe you can use the GCH entrance to DCA. Again, never done it myself so someone else should confirm.

~~The early hours (or whatever it's called)....if we don't have purchased tickets are we exempt from the early hours or would we still get the hours because of staying on-site? (we're using CM admissions)

Magic Mornings - if you are staying at Disney hotel you can use this each day it is available (Sun/Tue/Thu/Sat).

For more info see "Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

 

[BethanyF]

If all you want are the character meals then that is a safe assumption.

Thanks for the quick answers..

as far as dining, I think I need to do some more research.
For comparison sake, when at WDW we usually plan for one big table service meal a day, usually breakfast or a late lunch. Then we rely on counter service for small meals or snacks if/when we get hungry.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

The following link has menus for many DLR restaurants:

http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

HTH

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

~~Is pool hopping allowed between the Disney resorts? My son really wanted to stay at DLH for the pool, but I didnt have enough points (we're DVC members) left. So, we're at PPH. I assume it's no problem to wander through the DLH and GCH just to see them.

No, you may not pool hop, but yes you may wonder around any resort to take a look see

~~Am I safe in assuming the only real PS' that I'll need will be for character breakfasts? From what I've looked at so far, we can very happily survive on the counter service options for lunch & dinner.


I think any restraunt that you feel is a must do, you should plan to make PS.
I also think ALL character meals (not just breakfast) and places like Blue Byou (OK I know I spelled it wrong) even though it is not a character meal you should plan to make PS

 

[Hound 109]

I've been reading and soaking up whatever info I can find and Im starting to realize how much easier planning this trip is going to be.

So far all I have done is reserved our room for 4 nights....Paradise Pier, checking in on Sunday, out on Thursday in June 2009

a couple questions I have so far....

~~Is pool hopping allowed between the Disney resorts?

No pool hopping.

My son really wanted to stay at DLH for the pool, but I didnt have enough points (we're DVC members) left. So, we're at PPH. I assume it's no problem to wander through the DLH and GCH just to see them.

No problem.

~~Am I safe in assuming the only real PS' that I'll need will be for character breakfasts? From what I've looked at so far, we can very happily survive on the counter service options for lunch & dinner.

PSs would be recommended for Blue Bayou at any time... or for Carnation for Breakfast... or the Trattatoria (in DCA) for Dinner.

~~Getting to the parks...I've read walking to the gate or walking to DTD and using the monorail.

IMO, the Monorail would be the third option, since you'll have to walk the wrong way to catch it & deal with lines etc.....but I'm sure you'd want to ride it once. The first two options would be thru the GCH.

What about the DCA entrance through the GCH?

The DCA entrance/exit is a great option when walking back to the PP for your mid day break....or back into the parks after your break....or (god forbid) you don't go to DL for MM or morning rope drop.

But most days should begin with a leisurely stroll from PP front door.....across the street into the GCH....out the side door into DTD.....& down 100 yards to the DL front gate. (& the end of your day would be the reverse).

Hopefully someone will post a link or map on that route, but imo it's VERY important to understand (visualize) both the GCH Side Door route (entrance) into DTD....& also the GCH supersecret entrance into (& out of) DCA. These two routes will save you ALOT of steps & time on your stay at PP. In fact I'd ask a CM at the GCH (when you first walk in) to point out BOTH of these routes & check them out first.

Is it true those staying at PPH can use that entrance?

Yes.

~~The early hours (or whatever it's called)....if we don't have purchased tickets are we exempt from the early hours or would we still get the hours because of staying on-site? (we're using CM admissions)

Its MM (short for Magical Mornings) formerly known as EE. Good question on the CM admissions....I don't have a clue....but keep your PP hotel slip with you in case they do let you in for MM (since you'll need it).

I'm sure I'll have a million more questions, but for now those are the couple I didn't see the answers to or wanted more of an explanation.

Have a great time visiting Walt's Park.

 

[cheshiregirl]

Being that this is your first visit to DLR, you will not want to miss the Blue Bayou restaurant, which is actually located inside of POTC (the boats float by the diners who are sitting on a patio under a perpetually twilight sky). It is pricey (but most things at DLR are even when compared to WDW).

Lunch is slightly less expensive than dinner, of course, and they used to do a split plate that for $4 allowed you and another guest to split an entree and each receive full helpings of the sides and salad. However, some disboarders have recently reported that people have only received half portions of everything lately, thus depending on how big your family's appetite is, this may or may not work for you.

Additionally, not everyone is crazy about their food. Personally, I think it is okay, but nothing spectacular. However, in order to soak up the ambience, I would recommend making at least a dessert reservation. They have an amazing dessert called the cookie boat (which is easily shared by 2-4 people) and they also make great creme brulee.

If you do decide that you want to dine at Blue Bayou you will definitely want to make a PS (DLR equivalent of ADRs). While you don't need to use the same tactics that you do for ADRs where you call at 7am 180 days before the first day of your vacations, for Blue Bayou in June I would call at least 30 days out, if not at the 2 month mark (which is when you can begin making PSs).

Also note that if you only want to make one call, you should call at the 2 month mark from the date of your LAST requested PS, not the FIRST. DLR does not work the same as WDW in allowing you to use the 1st day plus 10 rule.

 

[Queenbillabong]

I'm hoping someone will post a link or map to the super-secret GCH entrances too (we're staying at PP in October )

 

[avalon451]

QueenBillabong, shame on you, I've posted that link lots of times and you didn't book mark it?! ...just kidding

From Paradise Pier, you cross the street and cut through the Grand Californian Lobby to their Downtown Disney entrance; it cuts about a third off your walk to the park. Go into the lobby, turn left at the signs pointing to Downtown Disney entrance... go down the hallway that runs next to the conference rooms... out the automatic doors on your right... turn left into the passageway into DTD. You come out between Sephora and Libby Lu.

The DCA entrance, you would keep going straight across the lobby and follow the signs toward DCA and the pool. It routes you through the courtyard, past Storytellers, turn right and then left into the passageway to DCA. It has its own security table. If you line up there in the morning you have to prove you're staying onsite or you ate in the hotel; the rest of the day anybody can use the DCA entrance.

If you would like to look at room layout and lobby maps of GCH, go to TinksTravel dot com (link won't paste, have never figured out why) and click on GCH, and then click on the hotel pictures on the sidebar at right.

The "secret" entrance really would only help if you were actually staying over in that area of the hotel, not if you're offsite. You have to go to an upper floor in the NE wing, and take the stairs down to the locked fire door at the ground entrance. You can only get out this way, you can't get back in. Here's the link with the article "How Far Is It?" where he talks about it and links a map: http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

Hope that helps!

 

[Hound 109]

My bad....when i said "secret" entrance.....i was referring to the GCH/DCA entrance...not the unmarked side door into DTD (which I had forgotten about & wouldn't be applicable to the OP's question).

& if anyone has trouble with the maps or the instructions here....just ask a CM when you enter the GCH the first time. No worries, once you walk these routes a couple of times you'll have them down.