Anyone for February?

[madhttr]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and was wondering if anyone is going in February? My parents suprised myself, DH, my brother, and his GF with 2 hoppers and they are paying for our hotel. So basically all we have to come up with is food and souviner money! We are so excited! I have a few questions.

The last time I went to DL was before DCA was there (1996). Is DCA alot like disneyland? I have heard that it is more for the adults with the rollercoasters and such.

What is Downtown Disney? Someone told me that it is more for the adults at night but I dont reallly believe that. Then again, anything is possible )

For 4 adults, what are a few fun things to do? We are not going to have any kids with us so pretty much anything is game!

Do the character breakfasts and the Aladdin show cost anything or is that included with admission to the park?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!

 

[shellyof4]

I'll try to answer what I can! We're going in January, but there are others going in Feb like you.


1. I, like you, was last at DL before DCA was open though it was aallllmost done. Anyway, I hear that no, it is not much like Disneyland. It doesn't have as many rides and there is not as much to do there for little kids, and it seems as though most people don't like it very much though most agree it's getting better with rides like Soarin', Tower of Terror and Monster Inc. I hear you can pretty much do it in a day. I figure I'll like it because I loved MGM at WDW and it sounds a bit like that.

2. I have been to DownTownDisney at WDW not at DL, but it's basically the same idea. Shopping, nicer dining, a movie theater. I know at WDW they have clubs and stuff that's open late. I haven't checked for DL because we're going with our kids, but I'm sure someone else will be able to answer that.

3. Again, I'll leave that to the ones who've been without kids...but I know there's lots!! Tours, restaurants, etc.

4. THe character breakfasts cost extra. Aladdin or any other show in DCA or DL are included with your park hoppers, BUT they do have "special seating" for some shows like Fantasmic that you pay for. But again, you can still see it for "free"--included in the ticket. I have no idea if there are "Shows" in DownTD, but those would be extra as you don't need a park hopper to go to DTD at all.


Veterans, feel free to correct me! I'm sure I got something wrong....but I hope that helps a little

 

[HydroGuy]

The last time I went to DL was before DCA was there (1996). Is DCA alot like disneyland? I have heard that it is more for the adults with the rollercoasters and such.

I doubt anything will ever come close to DL itself, and DCA is no exception. I would agree it is not as geared towards little ones as is DL, but my youngest is 10 and he has enjoyed DCA since he was 8. So I would not agree that it is "more for adults".

While one could easily spend 2-3 days touring DL, DCA can be visited in one day. However, since it is so close to DL (a one minute walk gate to gate), there is no need to dedicate a specific day to DCA. Since parkhopping is so easy, it is best to spend several parts of different days at DCA, IMO. When we visit DLR, it is typical for us to spend parts of every day at both parks. Overall, a good rule of thumb is to plan to spend 20-25% of your total park hours at DCA.

FWIW, here is what you must see at DCA:

1. Soarin Over California - absolutely, positively, 100% certainly, do not miss this ride. It is Disney imagineering at its best, unlike anything you have ever experienced. While it is a headliner, it is not a "thriller" ride, and is enjoyed by children and elderly alike.

2. Turtle Talk With Crush - this is in the DCA Animation Studios and will have you scratching your head, "how in the world did they do that?"

3. Tower of Terror

4. California Screamin - if you like rollercoasters, this is a fun one - although it is the most weakly themed coaster, IMO, of all of those at DLR and WDW.

5. Grizzly River Run - this is much better when it is warmer because you are likely to get wet, and you may want to skip it in February - depends on the weather that day and how close you are to a hotel where you can get a change of clothes if necessary

6. Aladdin - 40+ minute Broadway quality stage show inside a nice indoor theater - the best of its kind at all of DLR or WDW, IMO.

 

[jemilah]

We will be there that week!

 

[madhttr]

Thank you for the information! We are getting so excited! Turns out that we may have another couple going with us so we may have more than expected!
And... We are going to leave thursday night so that we will get there in enough time so that we can have an extra day to spend at Universal Studios! DH and the couple we are going with have never been! So it will be a total suprise for DH. That night we are also going to have dinner at Medievil Times. So it will be a filled-fun packed weekend!

 

[mommy2mrb]

We are going Feb 22-25 with friends (4 adults and 3 4, 6 and 6). It is a totalling different experience without the kids. My last "grown-up" only trip was Feb 2004, loved being able to do and see what we wanted. But also love going with my DD .

DTD is a great, fun place. Lots of shopping, and most nights (especially weekends) there's a bunch of live entertainment throughout DTD. If you are into the character experience, we love Goofy's Kitchen at DLH, we always see adult only groups.

Have a great time.

 

[kelmac284]

We will be there in Feb as well. We are going to be there the 19th through 24th.

We have AP's so we go a LOT. I think as adults you will enjoy DCA a lot esp if you like the thrill rides like TOT and Screamin. You def can do it in one day though.

Some fun things to do to would be a meal at Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans. A character meal or perhaps a tour.

You will have a GREAT time!!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I was planning on going the 12th but now I think Im going to try and go the
9th instead so I can see Fantasmic before they shut it down for the looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time they are *sniff*

 

[Skroops]

We are going the 12-15th! I am soooo excited! It's just by chance that my DH has a convention that he has to attend, so the family is joining him to go to CA! Wahoo! We'll have the evenings together as a family, but daytime is for playtime (for us!).
I've learned how to plan for WDW, but I'm a newbie for DL, since I haven't been there for a few years...so I'm kind of nervous because I am a planner and we only have a few weeks to go!

I'm sad to hear that we'll miss Fantasmic....