Any Advice/info On Disneyland

[sandygirl]

I know there is a separate board for Disneyland, but there really isn't much on it. WDW is my turf. I visited Disneyland once and that was in 1980. I have seen some mention of Disneyland on this board and thought I would send out a cry for help. The DISers have always come through for me on this board and the DCL board.

My DD and I will be at Disneyland in Aug to celebrate her 6th birthday. We are DVC members and will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel on points. We will arrive on a Tues and depart on Sat. Her birthday is Wed.

What special thing should I plan for her birthday? What should we not miss? Should we do DCA or not? I hear mostly "not". I have been told to make time for the San Diego Zoo. A friend told me If we don't go I will regret it.

HELP I'm counting on you Disneyland experts out there!

 

[JimC]

Try here:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/parkupdates/dlr/index.htm

and here:

http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyland.html

and here:

http://www.passporter.com/dl/

and here:

http://www.mouseinfo.com/disneylandresort/

You will enjoy your trip. DL/DCA/DD is a more intimate setting. It is very easy to park hop -- everything is within walking distance.

Favorite resort -- Grand Californian (upgrade view) -- even if you do not stay there, visit it. Signature restaurant is Napa Rose -- quite elegant and expensive.

Favorite restaurant -- Blue Bayou (make PS arrangements and ask for table by the water - you can do this in advance if a Disney travel company package guest)

Second favorite restaurant is Hook's Pointe at DLH

Favorite ride - Indiana Jones in DL and Soarin in DCA

Must do: Aladdin show at DCA (extremely popular!!), Electrical Parade at DCA, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (DL Main Square) and take time for the pre-show as the history on Walt is quite good.

Take in all of the rides that share with WDW -- Pirates, Haunted, Small World, Train -- there are subtle differences that make each unique and I must say that I actually prefer DL Pirates more!

The tour A Walk in Walt's Footsteps is very interesting and a great way to learn about DL -- the only park Walt built.

 

[JimC]

For San Diego:

The Old Town Trolly Tour is a trip! and gives you lots of local folk lore and an overview of Balboa Park.

Leave a day for the Zoo and if you have time you could spend two days at the Wild Animal Park. Balboa Park is another day - easy.

There are combination passes that you will want to consider to save on admission.

Here are some web sites to check out:

http://sandiegozoo.com/wap/homepage.php3

http://sandiegozoo.com/zoo/homepage.php3

http://www.balboapark.org/

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Disneyland offers different birthday celebrations, among them a birthday party celebration with Mickey & Minnie at the Plaza Inn on Main Street. It's $10/person, and they have this twice a day (you can get priority seating for this). At various restaurants, you can get a birthday bucket. Ask a the hotel which restaurants offer the bucket, etc.

When you enter Disneyland, get a birthday sticker, and the birthday girl is sure to get attention.

I second the Aladdin show - it's wonderful.

Are you getting multiple day tickets? If you are, they already include entry to both Disneyland and California Adventure. I like the park, and there are things your 6 year old should have fun doing. Does she like to get wet? They have a couple of play areas where you get wet, and they have a Redwood Creek Challenge Trail - younger kids love it. They now also have Playhouse Disney.

Although the Blue Bayou is a great restaurant - some kids don't like it because it's dark in there (think bayou at dusk). I know my own at 6 yrs old would rather sit at the Hungry Bear Restaurant with a burger, and feed the bread to the ducks who hang out in that area in the river.

Kids also like Rainforest Cafe, which is in Downtown Disney, and near the Disneyland Hotel.

You might consider a character meal or two. Each of the hotels have character breakfast, and Goofy's Kitchen at the DL Hotel also offers lunch & dinner (similar to Chef Mickey). There's a Pooh character breakfast at DL, and Ariel & friends for lunch & dinner at DCA.

The San Diego Zoo is world famous. Be ready to walk on a lot of hills, though.

 

[ADisneyPrincess]

Definately visit DCA! If you have a park hopper (which you probably do), it doesn't hurt to head over there and check it out for yourself. They've added the new Flik's Fun Fair section for smaller kids so there are rides for a 6 year old. As a previous poster said, the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is great for kids. There are rope swings, suspension bridges, trails and they do a kind of story time with a "park ranger." Soarin' Over California is one of the best rides ever and if you DD isn't too small, she can ride this (I'm not sure of the height requirement). Even the Paradise Pier area has rides that smaller kids can ride on. She may not want to do Maliboomer (I don't want to do this one!) or California Screamin', but there's the Sun Wheel and King Triton's Carousel and the Orange Stinger. In addition to Aladdin, which is a great show, there's a new Disney Playhouse show with Bear in the Big Blue House and other characters. I really like DCA. It's no DL, but it's not meant to be. It has it's own feel and it's a really pretty park.