Disneyland conversations?

[dizneedoll]

Is there a DIS meet or something of the like happening at Disneyland? I heard Pete mention something but never heard more about it. I can't find any info. Are there details about when and where etc. I live in San Diego and have been hoping they would plan something out here.

 

[Mish19]

Hi!
What's your favorite DL hotel, why? I have been thinking about visiting DL in July-August, is it brutally hot there?

 

[daneenm]

Hi!
What's your favorite DL hotel, why? I have been thinking about visiting DL in July-August, is it brutally hot there?

We love GCH! Once we stayed there, even the DLH was not the same to us. Don't get me wrong, I like the DLH, but we just really LOVE GCH. I would stay every time I went if I could. This is where we are staying in Sept.

It will be hot in July and August, but not humid like it is in NY in the summer. Hot and dry...welcome to Southern CA Joking aside, we use the same tips we used in WDW - get there at rope drop, leave after lunch, go to the pool, come back around dinner time. This should make the heat manageable.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Re good neighbor hotels - in all seriousness, I found the Holiday Inn by accident one time when I was booking a stay. I don't know much about the other options. I was thinking what good neighbor hotels are walking distance to DLR? Don't know about thrill for hotel -- I try to avoid it with hotel stays usually (except Hollywood Tower Hotel). So, how about Wow or Charm for 20?

I can't say for sure, but I thought she was referring to the question about what to ride first in asking about thrill, charm, etc. In any event, you won't get any Wow or Charm hotel for $20. Not even an Eww or Ick.

Many people on the DLR board like Hojos. I have never stayed there so I don't know. I've always stayed a couple miles from DLR. We stayed at Holiday Inn Express in Garden Grove and that was very good. This time we are staying at Embassy Suites South.

First ride for us usually ends up being Space, or at least first FP, but it depends on the time of day.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Re good neighbor hotels - in all seriousness, I found the Holiday Inn by accident one time when I was booking a stay. I don't know much about the other options. I was thinking what good neighbor hotels are walking distance to DLR? Don't know about thrill for hotel -- I try to avoid it with hotel stays usually (except Hollywood Tower Hotel). So, how about Wow or Charm for 20?

Hey Ros! Too Funny! Your post must have snuck in there when I was naswering Belle's last question. I never thought to apply those conditions to hotel!

Wow would be the GCH. Charm is the DLH (for good neighbor, maybe the Candy Cane Inn? Or maybe the exterior of the Sheraton - also by Mickey and friends). Thrill - maybe the Pirate pool at the HoJo counts....

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Is there a DIS meet or something of the like happening at Disneyland? I heard Pete mention something but never heard more about it. I can't find any info. Are there details about when and where etc. I live in San Diego and have been hoping they would plan something out here.

Yes there is!!!! Over Labor Day weekend! There is another thread on the first page here that has a roll of who's coming, who's doing the races, and such.

They have not announced the details yet - they need to get through the podcast cruise, and it's subsequent wrap-up, before they can move on to this next project. Pete has assured me they have group space for those interested, so hang tight for details!!!!

Can't wait to have you along! Head over to the other thread and get your name on the list!

 

[BriarRosie]

I totally want to chime in, because I've gotten a couple of trips in, the latest being the Adventures by Disney tour of Hollywood and Disneyland.

Airports: I love the John Wayne airport. It's smaller than LAX, and I found that getting to DLR from there via SuperShuttle was a breeze. Long Beach airport was smaller than John Wayne, but I felt it was if the cast of "Wings" were going to pop up out of nowhere. It was a culture shock to arrive there from my home base airport: O'Hare International.

Hollywood: I really liked the Renaissance Hotel, and I agree that all the crazy people hang out on Hollywood Blvd. People in low-class ghetto versions of character costumes wander about, looking for tourists who'll pay them to pose for pictures. And those are just the costume crazies. I saw my share of crazy people who you don't make eye contact with and walk past very, very quickly.

But then again, I did enjoy the Hollywood and Highland Center. I found decent sushi at the place that also served shabu shabu, can't recall the name. And I got to act a bit spontaneous and see Kathy Griffin perform at the Kodak Theater. I kept thinking how cool it was that I was in the theater where they hold the Oscars.

Oh, and when I saw the Chinese Theater, I realized that Disney definitely must have built the one at WDW from the blueprints. It was so nearly identical that I felt it was anti-climatic. I did enjoy seeing the hand and footprints of the golden age of Hollywood stars, though.

El Capitan: I didn't get to see a movie there, but I have to tell you that everyone should see a movie there. If I had extra time I would have. It costs a bit more than a normal movie, but there's a pre-show that I think everyone should see. It's awesome. (I saw it as part of the ABD tour.)

Hotels: I really liked both the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian, but I think the Grand Californian is the one I like more. Of the good neighbor hotels, I've only stayed at Candy Cane Inn. I wasn't impressed by their pool area, but the room and its amenities reminded me of a moderate resort at WDW. The free continental breakfast was good, too.

I've been there in August of 2003 when it was about 100 degrees. I felt it was easier to deal with than August at WDW. Lack of humidity by comparison makes a huge difference. It was hot on Disneyland's 50th birthday week, too, but again, it wasn't terrible compared to WDW.

 

[NC Belle]

Which carts/food service places has the best churros, popcorn, and corndogs?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I know one thing for sure - don't get the Chimichangas in DCA across from TSMM. They are made in Disneyland and brought over. That's a long haul.

But then, I wouldn't get the chimichangas anyway - they are kind of nasty (but have a loyal following, so no flames please...)

There is currently only one place to get the Corn Dogs - Disneyland's Red Cart at the top of Main Street.

Not sure on the churro wagons, but everyone knows to buy the popcorn as/or right after it's being popped.

 

[NC Belle]

I know one thing for sure - don't get the Chimichangas in DCA across from TSMM. They are made in Disneyland and brought over. That's a long haul.

But then, I wouldn't get the chimichangas anyway - they are kind of nasty (but have a loyal following, so no flames please...)

There is currently only one place to get the Corn Dogs - Disneyland's Red Cart at the top of Main Street.

Not sure on the churro wagons, but everyone knows to buy the popcorn as/or right after it's being popped.

I know a great place here for chimichangas.


Okay...what place in DL serves the best in the healthy foods?

Who makes the best sushi?

 

[BriarRosie]

I know a great place here for chimichangas.


Okay...what place in DL serves the best in the healthy foods?

Who makes the best sushi?

I had a chimichanga once just because they were never offered at WDW. I believe the cart was on a path near the Matterhorn on the way to Tomorrowland. It was not completely nasty, just semi-nasty. I managed to eat it.

I thought the best place for healthy foods: DCA's Farmer's Market area. They had a cart that sold all sorts of fresh fruit and veggie snacks. And they sell bread in the Pacific Wharf area near Boudin Bakery. I bought a chicken wrap at the Farmer's Market counter service place last year that I thought was really good and a lot healthier than most items. I don't know if it's still around this year or not.

I only had sushi at Yamabuki at Paradise Pier Hotel. It was pretty good.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Now that Yamabuki is closed there isn't any sushi on property (unless the Napa does some kind of variation).

That being said - salvation is close at hand. There is a Roy's (Hawaiian Fusion) in Garden Walk. They have some wonderful sushi and don't forget to try the Poketini (a traditional raw ahi "cocktail").

Pacific Wharf Cafe is good for sanwiches and salads in DCA. The salads are also good at Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. Other good options are scattered throughout the resort. Sandwiches at the River Belle Terrace, healthier options at French Market and Carnation Cafe - like the chef salad there.

 

[NC Belle]

DCA ---
*Does the queue for the Muppets has surprises like the queue at the Studios? an ex. key under the mat at the entrance

*Are there quiet spots that are out of the way for couples?

 

[NC Belle]

Have you ever wondered how many Idaho potatoes it would take to equal the weight of Mr. Potato Head at TSMM?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

1) Muppets - You know I never looked for the key. Zoe's still kind of hesitant to go see that show, so we haven't really focused on it.

That being said, half of the queue was turned into seating for Award Weiners last year, so there really isn't any spectacular queue. There are a few items of wonder - a crashed Pigs-In-Space ship and a couple prop-shop type things outside, but nothing extra.

2) There are plenty of out of the way romantic spots.

In DL, you have Snow White's Grotto, the path to the left of the castle, the bottom level of the hungry Bear in Critter country, along the water in New Orleans Square, as well as the little courtyards in the square itself. Tarzan's Treehouse on a quiet day, The Riverboat upper decks, Tom Sawyer's Island, The path to Big Thunder Ranch. Back by the Princess Fantasy Faire Theater. The upper level of Innoventions. The Carnation Gardens (when there are no performers).

In DCA, there is the backlot to the right of Monsters. The path around the back of Grizzly River Rapids. The path to the right in the Expedition Trails play area. Really. The firetowers there, too. The outer patios of Ariels Grotto. The Bountiful Farms flower gardens.

The Grand Californian Hotel has many quiet little nooks. Those are our favorite......

 

[wendyinoc]

Now that Yamabuki is closed there isn't any sushi on property (unless the Napa does some kind of variation).

That being said - salvation is close at hand. There is a Roy's (Hawaiian Fusion) in Garden Walk. They have some wonderful sushi and don't forget to try the Poketini (a traditional raw ahi "cocktail").

Pacific Wharf Cafe is good for sanwiches and salads in DCA. The salads are also good at Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. Other good options are scattered throughout the resort. Sandwiches at the River Belle Terrace, healthier options at French Market and Carnation Cafe - like the chef salad there.

If you are in need of Sushi I would go over to the Block at Orange (Its on the ART Route). The restaurant is called Koji's. Plus they have my favorite Shobu Shobu. and an excellent Plum Wine Sake Martini

 

[NC Belle]

I might need some liquid courage before trying sushi. NC Beast had it once and coated his first bite of a Tokoyo Roll with wasabi. He wants to make sure to include more healthy options on our future trips.

 

[BriarRosie]

Have you ever wondered how many Idaho potatoes it would take to equal the weight of Mr. Potato Head at TSMM?

LOL! No, but I wonder why we're still awake at this hour.

 

[NC Belle]

LOL! No, but I wonder why we're still awake at this hour.

I'm doing laundry.

In case some of you wondering---no, I have not been posting under the influence. We just need a vacation.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I just finished sending 2 recorded and edited segements to Pete for future shows. I haven't even thought about laundry....

Now to bed!!!


PS - I don't touch wasabi if I don't have to. i love sushi plain or with whatever special sauce they make for it!