DCA: drinking and dark rides

[justinslot]

So for the past five or so years I've been fortunate enough to be able to spend a week or so in downtown Los Angeles (one of my favorite places to eat and drink) and I've always devoted an evening to Disneyland during that time--catching up as an adult with a park I had only visited once before, as a child. I only really need an evening, I've always thought, since there are only about six attractions that I feel like I must do at DL: Pirates, Mansion, Tiki, Small World, and Messrs. Toad and Lincoln (those last two being possibly my very favorite attractions at any Disney park, and of course Anaheim is the sole source left on the planet for both.) (I'd do more of the Fantasyland rides if the lines weren't usually prohibitive.) I have ignored California Adventure entirely during this time...I might glance at it on my way in and think "why would I want to go into a California-themed theme park? I'm already in California!" With the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster I dismissed it as a Great Adventure with Disney stuff instead of Warner Bros stuff.

This year, though, I have a conference in Anaheim and thus will be spending a good amount of time there. So I did a little research, trying to see if a park hopper ticket would be worth it and...wait, you can drink at DCA? And Radiator Springs Racers is one of the best dark rides at any Disney park? Dark rides and drinking are my Disney jams (like I consider the World Showcase to be one of the great adult drinking experiences.) I just have some follow up questions:

--Radiator Springs Racers is a true dark ride in the sense that it's unthrilling, right? Like my limit on thrills is that little dip in the beginning of Pirates, which I dread but get through to enjoy the rest of the ride. I watched a RSR video and it looks like there's some speed near the end and a small dip. Speed i don't mind, it's dips that I hate (why I avoid roller coasters.)

--Are the other DCA dark rides worthwhile? I've never been on Toy Story and Soarin' at Orlando (and I know Soarin' isn't exactly a dark ride but the motion appears to be illusory.) I definitely want to go on the Monsters Inc ride which sounds like a true Disney dark ride (and I'm sorry I never had the opportunity to ride Superstar Limo, which sounds like the kind of incredibly stupid experience I would get a kick out of.) Little Mermaid I was not super impressed with when I went on it in Orlando.

--The lounge at Carthay and the Lamplight Lounge seem to be the two must-see bars at DCA. I already know to get the lobster nachos at the latter, and I'm excited about the classic cocktail menu at the former. Any other bars inside DCA, and is there a recommended time of day (weekday or weekend, I'll have both this trip) to get a seat at the bar? I will probably be a party of one.

Thanks!

 

[rentayenta]

RSR is not a true dark ride; it’s more like Test Track at Epcot. The dark part is tame but not the outside part.

I like The Little Mermaid ride at DCA. Monsters is cute too. Fantasyland at DL has the most dark rides but no booze outside Club 33......yet.

I’d get the hopper.

We enjoy the Golden Vinery (above Wine Country Trattoria) in DCA. Nice charcuterie plate and heathy wine pours.

Also the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has the Hearthstone Lounge which makes great drinks and has good appetizers. We much prefer the chicken nachos at Hearthstone/WWS over the lobster nachos at Lamplight.

Plus there’s Trader Sam’s at the DLH but get there at opening because their seating protocol, or lack thereof, is maddening at best.

 

[sweethannah]

The dips on RSR are like the dips you feel when driving on a road with a small hill. It feels like you are going faster than you actually are.

We liked the alfresco tasting terrace. It's quiet and shady, plus disney cats!

 

[justinslot]

RSR is not a true dark ride; it’s more like Test Track at Epcot. The dark part is tame but not the outside part.

I like The Little Mermaid ride at DCA. Monsters is cute too. Fantasyland at DL has the most dark rides but no booze outside Club 33......yet.

I’d get the hopper.

We enjoy the Golden Vinery (above Wine Country Trattoria) in DCA. Nice charcuterie plate and heathy wine pours.

Also the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has the Hearthstone Lounge which makes great drinks and has good appetizers. We much prefer the chicken nachos at Hearthstone/WWS over the lobster nachos at Lamplight.

Plus there’s Trader Sam’s at the DLH but get there at opening because their seating protocol, or lack thereof, is maddening at best.

Does the DLH Trader Sam's make you wait in line for the bar like the one at the Polynesian does? And I'm not even a rum drinks person...Sam's is a low priority for me. Carthay's drink menu is what I'm most excited about.

Thanks for the tip re: the Hearthstone Lounge, now I have something else on my to do list. If I'm not staying there I can't use the DCA entrance to the Grand Californian, correct?

(I did get the hopper.)

 

[justinslot]

Another vote for Alfresco! Okay, I guess I'm doing that too.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Monsters Inc is one of my favorites! Such a great dark ride. Toy Story is also lots of fun. Carsland is truly amazing and I love RSR. My 3 year old rides it and I don’t think it’s too intense. The dark part is amazing. Carthay lounge is awesome... you’re going to have a fun time! I truly love DCA... it’s a close second to DL for me. Wasn’t always the case... when it first opened it was lackluster but they have done great things with it!

 

[avalon451]

Thanks for the tip re: the Hearthstone Lounge, now I have something else on my to do list. If I'm not staying there I can't use the DCA entrance to the Grand Californian, correct?

Yes, you can. They generally won't let you use the entrance going IN to DCA first thing in the morning unless you are staying there, but you can certainly enter and exit later in the day.

DH and I spent some quality time in the the Hearthstone with Glowtinis when it got too hot in DCA.

RSR is not to be missed, and Little Mermaid and Monsters, Inc. are great dark rides, too.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I have ignored California Adventure entirely during this time...I might glance at it on my way in and think "why would I want to go into a California-themed theme park? I'm already in California!"

They have pretty much removed all the California stuff from the park. It's nothing like it was when it first opened. Literally, NOTHING like it used to be.

Radiator Springs Racers is a true dark ride in the sense that it's unthrilling, right?

It is considered a thrill ride. I have several types of vertigo and I didn't ride the ride for years because I was afraid it would make me sick. It does not make me sick and is one of my favorite rides. I recommend you try it and use the single rider line. I don't know if it has any dips that would bother you, I think there is a small one, but the ride is mostly a story that ends with a race. The fastest it goes is slower than I drive on the freeway.

Are the other DCA dark rides worthwhile? I've never been on Toy Story and Soarin' at Orlando (and I know Soarin' isn't exactly a dark ride but the motion appears to be illusory.) I definitely want to go on the Monsters Inc ride

Toy Story and Monters Inc are very fun. I also like Little Mermaid, but it sounds like you won't like it.

Not a fan of the new Soarin, but you may like it. Not worth any type of wait for it, though.

The lounge at Carthay and the Lamplight Lounge seem to be the two must-see bars at DCA.

Carthay Lounge is a nice break. I haven't been to Lamplight Lounge.

As already mentioned above, Hearthstone Lodge in the Hotel lobby is a great place to kick back and get a drink/snack.
Trader Sams is also fun, but has very mixed reviews on the service. I've been there inside once and outside several times. I don't like people hovering over me waiting to get my chair when I am finishing up.

 

[Nonsuch]

...Thanks for the tip re: the Hearthstone Lounge, now I have something else on my to do list. If I'm not staying there I can't use the DCA entrance to the Grand Californian, correct?

You may exit DCA to GCH at any time, but the opposite direction is for GCH guests only prior to 11AM.
The Napa Rose is adjacent to this exit.

The Napa Rose Lounge has a small appetizer menu, but the full Napa Rose restaurant menu is available in the lounge. This is a full service bar, perhaps the best in the resort. There can be a wait for seats in the lounge, but a stool at the bar is often available with no wait — I have had excellent meals seated at the bar.

 

[LoriLovesMickey]

Try Pimms Punch at Carthay Circle, it is amazing. I like Wine Country Trattoria as well and we usually have dinner there with the World of Color dining package. I agree with everyone else, DCA has really improved and it is a must see.

 

[skyblue17]

Just a thought... hopping at DLR is much easier than at WDW so technically, you could get a nice buzz going at DCA, hop over to Disneyland with your buzz and go on a few dark rides in Fantasyland, or Pirates, or Haunted Mansion, then hop back to DCA for another refreshment, rinse repeat as necessary.

 

[midnight star]

You can also mobile order beer at DCA and stroll around the park.

 

[ExcitedMama]

I am not a thrill rider so I understand where you’re coming from. RSR is an amazingly themed ride so it’s worth checking out. I think it’s best at dusk or later to really enjoy the experience. It’s definitely a bit fast with a few dips, about three little hills, so you get a tiny bit of air as you do them but no actual drops. I can’t do actual roller coasters and it’s nit my favorite but I do it at least once per trip.

DD feels the same way and we love Soarin’ and the Toy Story ride. Both are lots of fun so we would recommend them.

Ariel is a quick ride that’s worth checking out. The line is usually non-existent so skip it if there’s an actual line.

Monsters is a fun little ride.

 

[bumbershoot]

I might glance at it on my way in and think "why would I want to go into a California-themed theme park? I'm already in California!"

I wasted two years of my life thinking this, too.

And then I went. And fell in love. They’ve destroyed it a bit with all the changes they’ve made, and are continuing, but it’s still a good park.

So go.

RSR is a dark ride plus a zippy car drive.

Little Mermaid I was not super impressed with when I went on it in Orlando.

I have found that the enjoyment of LM is inverse to the time you waited. It’s a dreary awful ride at MK. But at DCA it’s great. Same ride, but 15 minutes to wait at DCA vs two hours at MK.

 

[Niltiac]

The dips on RSR are not too bad, but I would say they are more intense than Pirates. I have always had issues with drops and I've gradually worked my way up to real coasters, but I still feel the need to grab on to something for the last dip on RSR. The dips are all at the same part of the ride, one after another, so you can relax for the rest of the ride. If you can stretch a little outside your comfort zone I think it would be worthwhile.

Toy Story is a lot of fun, but it's a competitive game so some of the fun might be lost riding solo. Of course you can still try for a good score and have fun with it. Soarin is alright - IMO it was better when it was the California version. I would give both those rides a try if you can spare a FP for them.

Rides aside, to me DCA is more pleasant to just hang out in. There's more open space and seating available. There are quiet areas to be found if you need a break. There's lots of street entertainment. I find it to be a more relaxing experience than Disneyland.

 

[Love Tink]

I have found that the enjoyment of LM is inverse to the time you waited. It’s a dreary awful ride at MK. But at DCA it’s great. Same ride, but 15 minutes to wait at DCA vs two hours at MK.

This might be the weirdest thing I have ever read on the Disboards.

At MK, Little Mermaid is usually a walk on. Also, FPs are available for immediate boarding all day.

 

[crystal1313]

When is your conference? DCA will also have the holiday foods marketplace Nov. 9 and that has tons of food and drink options too! And try RSR once, it's pretty amazing!

 

[alvernon90]

If you like dark rides, Radiator Springs Racers is worth the risk. The "thrill" part is more exciting than scary, but the dark ride parts are among the best in all the parks. The version of Radiator Springs inside the ride is really awesome, and would be even more so if you hadn't just walked through the full scale version to get on the ride in the first place.

At Carthay Circle, I would stick to the drink menu if you like cocktails. I once ordered an old fashioned with expensive bourbon, and the bartender muddled some neon red cherries and orange slices into glop before pouring bourbon over the top of it all. Their bartenders have less training than a typical hotel poolside bar, so just go with what is on the list because they cannot possibly screw it up.

 

[justinslot]

You may exit DCA to GCH at any time, but the opposite direction is for GCH guests only prior to 11AM.
The Napa Rose is adjacent to this exit.

The Napa Rose Lounge has a small appetizer menu, but the full Napa Rose restaurant menu is available in the lounge. This is a full service bar, perhaps the best in the resort. There can be a wait for seats in the lounge, but a stool at the bar is often available with no wait — I have had excellent meals seated at the bar.

I have heard very good things about Napa Rose, so this may be another thing to add to my list.

(I may have more things on my list than I have time and/or space in my stomach for at this point, but that's obviously okay.)

 

[justinslot]

I have found that the enjoyment of LM is inverse to the time you waited. It’s a dreary awful ride at MK. But at DCA it’s great. Same ride, but 15 minutes to wait at DCA vs two hours at MK.

That wasn't my problem when I rode it at MK, I had no line (it was either extra magic hours or the Halloween party.) It just lacked a certain spark or something...I dunno. Maybe a reride will change my opinion.