Disneyland Favorites

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

Well I just returned from my solo Disney World trip and my next Disney trip isn't until September but this time it's Disneyland! It's my first time ever and I just wanted to know what your must-do's are! Let me know!

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[theluckyrabbit]

This thread will give you lots of great information: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Come on back with any questions!

As far as "must dos," what are you interested in? Rides? Food? History? Shopping? Tell us a bit about your interests and we'll pile on the recommendations!

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

This thread will give you lots of great information: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Come on back with any questions!

As far as "must dos," what are you interested in? Rides? Food? History? Shopping? Tell us a bit about your interests and we'll pile on the recommendations!

I've read the thread, lots of good information! I literally like everything, and want to do a little bit of all of those things, which is why I kept it so broad. Lol.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you don't mind sharing a table, book the WOC Dessert Party. That is the most luxurious way to view the show -- real chair, waiter service, drinks (alcohol and non) and a generous dessert plate, good/great view of the show. Very fun! PTN is a must see, and the long parade route at DCA makes it fairly easy to get a good viewing spot now, especially if you don't have to be in the front row. A F! Dining Package might be fun -- how about Blue Bayou? That way you get to eat inside POTC and get a FP to the most centered reserved viewing area at the same time. Do you like tours? The Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour now includes a stop in Walt's apartment above the firehouse. If you like Disney history, that's a great tour. Do you like dancing? The Royal Swing Ball on Saturday nights features a different live band each week. No partner required! Let us know you'll be coming and we'll roll out the welcome mat! Like fine dining? How about a meal at the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose? 2 seatings each night. Even dining in the lounge or the main dining room there is a fun, relaxing way to spend an evening. Also, speaking of lounges, drinks and appetizers in the Carthay Circle Lounge -- totally fun! And such a lovely break from being in the parks. The bartenders are very nice, as are all the servers. A great way to take a breather.
How's that for starters?

 

[midnight star]

I haven't done many shows in Disneyland..hopefully since I now have a pass I can change that, but....I've done a lot of attractions and foods and shopping.

My favorite rides at are: Space Mountain, Pirates, Indiana Jones, and Haunted Mansion (I may be one of the few people who like the holiday layover better than the regular one lol), Silly Symphony Swings, and Soarin'

My food favorites: churros (regular; not the pixar ones that are out), Rancho del Zocalo (tacos), Carnation Cafe (baked potato soup), Royal Street Veranda (clam chowder in bread bowl), and Cafe Orleans (garlic fries, beignets, and Bourbon chicken)

The shopping is a little broad at the parks. I find this sort of hard because when I want something, many times I have to walk clear across the park, or park hop to get what I want. it's based off of the theme you are looking for. If you want a lot of Star Wars merchandise, I would check out Tomorrowland. If you are looking for a cool hat, I would check out the Mad Hatter. And right now, since Pixar Fest is going on, Knick Knack has all pixar items.

Since you are open to many things, I would try a little bit of each lol..so some rides (read up on them and pick what you can't leave the parks without doing), some shows, quick counter service, snacks, and a sit down restaurant so you get a variety.

 

[Frozen2014]

Unique to Disneyland....I loved loved loved Radiator Springs Racer (and the whole Cars land) at DCA and Indiana Jones at Disneyland. Also really loved the Pirates version and Soarin version.

For shows, loved WOC...if in budget, the dessert party is a great way to view it.

Had a yummy meal at Cafe Orleans (monte cristo and the fries) and the bread bowl at...hmm...forget the name offhand but in DCA.

 

[Gaugersaurus]

My must-dos unique to DLR are Matterhorn, Radiator Springs Racers, GotG Mission Breakout, and Haunted Mansion holiday(since you'll be there for Halloween). Personally I don't really care for Blue Bayou, I think it's overpriced for the quality of food but you are paying for the "experience" of dining in Pirates. Carthay Circle is a good choice for a quick bite as you can head to the lounge.

Had a yummy meal at Cafe Orleans (monte cristo and the fries) and the bread bowl at...hmm...forget the name offhand but in DCA.

Bread bowls are at pacific wharf cafe, they use the fresh bread from the bakery in the building.

DLR is definitely a place you can do more on a whim than WDW. I've gotten some pretty good same day dinner reservations so you don't need to meticulously plan out every detail of your trip. Just have a loose plan of what you'd like to do an try to get as much done as you can.

 

[Frozen2014]

Gaugersausys...yes Pacific Wharf. That's the name of the DCA place with the yummy bread bowls. Thanks.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

Indy
Radiator Springs Racers and Cars Land
World of Color
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Guardians of the Galaxy
Grizzly River Rapids

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

PTN is a must see, and the long parade route at DCA makes it fairly easy to get a good viewing spot now, especially if you don't have to be in the front row.

I can't WAIT to see the Paint The Night parade, it looks so amazing! I miss when WDW had a night parade...*sigh*

My favorite rides at are: Space Mountain, Pirates, Indiana Jones, and Haunted Mansion (I may be one of the few people who like the holiday layover better than the regular one lol), Silly Symphony Swings, and Soarin'

I think I'm most excited about seeing the original Pirates that Walt worked on

Had a yummy meal at Cafe Orleans (monte cristo and the fries)

My perfect meal: Monte Cristo, the fries, and beignets!

Carthay Circle is a good choice for a quick bite as you can head to the lounge.

This one is already on my list, love the menu options!

Haunted Mansion Holiday

I am so excited to see this version! And Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy!

 

[gerilyne]

My must does include all the mountains (Splash, Space, Matterhorn), Indy, Pirates, Jungle Cruise at night, Haunted Mansion. For food Blue Bayou and Plaza Inn are ones I cannot miss.

 

[figment_jii]

Some of my favorite Disneyland Resort things...

Food: Cafe Orleans (TS) for the pomme frites, seafood gratin, and gumbo. The beignets are also very good, but I generally get them at the Mint Julep window (nearby) because of the seasonal flavor that they tend to offer (Cafe Orleans sometimes has it, but not always). The Plaza Inn has amazing fried chicken (lunch and dinner) and I really like the desserts at Jolly Holiday (Raspberry Rose Macron, seasonal offerings). Over in DCA, the Cove Bar (which should be re-opened as the Lamplight Lounge by September) has amazing Lobster Nachos. It's also usually worth checking out Schmoozies to see what kind of seasonal snack they are offering.

Attractions: There are so many, but my favorites include Haunted Mansion/Haunted Mansion Holiday (it should be HMH by the time you get there in late-mid-September), Space (should be Ghost Galaxy when you go), PotC (they're changing the Red Head scene right now), IaSW (better facade, has some Disney characters, and some different scenes), Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster (better than the MK version - blasters have more range of motion and you can email yourself the ride photo for free), RSR, and TSMM (pretty much the same as DHS).

Entertainment: This is a hard one to predict. Usually by September, some of the nighttime entertainment goes to a weekend only schedule. Historically, Fantasmic! and fireworks are only on Fri (when there is no MHP), Sat, and Sun. WoC was presented nightly. They haven't said whether PtN will continue beyond the end of Pixar Fest or not. F! has the same basic story as the one at DHS (Mickey's imagination and the Forces of Good and Evil), but the elements and effects are very different. DHS has a better seating arrangement, but I think DL has a better show (my favorite differences are the dragon and the Mark Twain).

Other Things: By the time you, HalloweenTime should have started. Last year, they expanded the decorations into DCA, so hopefully those will be back this year. They haven't said anything about the Mickey's Halloween Parties yet (usually mid-Summer is when the announcement is made), so that's something to keep an eye on. The party is a lot of fun...there are some similarities to MNSSHP and some differences (and if the rumors of the party moving to DCA come to fruition, then there will be more changes made).

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I'll second the World of Color dessert party (a chair and crowd separation) and Blue Bayou (a meal with pirate boats, sign me up!). Oh, Cozy Cones is really fun for a snack. I really enjoyed doing the rides that are in Disney World also - overall, it was really fun to be somewhere that felt new and familiar at the same time.

 

[AndreAggie]

My only suggestion is to get a corn dog. The quick service food at Disneyland is much better than WDW.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Forgot to add: watch the neon lighting on Rte. 66 in Cars Land! Google the time for sunset on your chosen day, be on Rte. 66 about 10 minutes beforehand ( a bit more if you want to grab a snack first at the Cozy Cones), find a nice spot (in front of Flo's or the Curio Shop works), then wait for the Sh-boom song to start and watch the magic!