Disneyland for a newbie,....

[Twinprincesses]

I have not been to Disneyland since I was about 14 and I need to know where to eat and if it is similar to WDW???

We are thinking of going the last week of October. MY DH family lives out there so we are going to visit them. How many days do you suggest we spend there.

 

[Michelle2]

How long to spend in Disneyland...that is a tough question because everyone's opinions are so different. Some are satisfied with one or 2 days. Most people think 3 days are enough. I like being there 5 days because I can be a little more laid back and enjoy things more. I have a friend that likes going 7 days each time, but her family goes in the busier summer, so she wants to take it easy a little more also. I would think that 3 days would be the limit to really see everything????

To me, I actually like Disneyland more than WDW (I am mostly in the minority there) because everything is so much more convenient. You have Downtown Disney, all the Disney hotels, and both theme parks within walking distance. I feel it is more magical, and it even has better rides (to me). Some are disappointed in DL because WDW is bigger, but all the best rides are all spread out between 4 WDW parks. Here, they are easier accessible, and are only between 2 parks that are right across the way from each other. Be sure to enjoy the differences that Disneyland has to offer like Indiana Jones...a different version of Splash mountain and a little longer Pirates...the list could go on and on. Oh, and there are not as many restaraunt choices as WDW. Some favorites to try are the Blue Bayou in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH, and Ariel's Grotto in DCA.

When it comes to October, the weather is beautiful, but the crowds are picking up at that time more and more each year. We do not even go then anymore (that is all we used to go) because it is starting to get a little too crowded for us. But it is still manageable. I hope this all helps!

 

[hlbtimes2]

I havent been to WDW, so all I can go on is what I've read. Its my understanding that DL dinning is not great compared to WDW. The choices are limited and the prices higher. In DL there are only two places that are sit down service restuarants- blue bayou (currently closed until end of June) and Carnation cafe on main street. There are a couple places in DCA that have service, and plenty in DTD and in the hotels. The good news is, the parks are very close together, unlike WDW. And because most places are walk up service you dont have to plan 6 months in advance when and where you'll want to eat.

You can make PS (priority seating) 60 days in advance. You'll want to do that for character meals. There are many threads on here with opinions on them if you search.

Length of time- I always go for as long as I can! LOL I would say 3-4 days, more if you can swing it.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm really not a restaurant expert. There are a bunch in Downtown Disney, and of course a number in the park.

With your two little ones, I assume you will be skipping the thrillers. You will probably want to do everything in FantasyLand, Small World, Tiki Room and ToonTown. At DCA you will have fun at Animation Studios - I think they will like Turtle Talk with Crush - but my youngest is 9 and I can't speak for three-year-olds.

There are some rides for youngsters in Bugs Land. There is also Muppets and Playhouse Disney.

I would think two days would be sufficient, unless the adults want to fit in some thrillers using child swap. If you want to try a few shows and parades, maybe three days. I suspect they will like Parade of Dreams at DL and probably Electrical Parade at DCA.

If you do 2 days, plan to spend 1/2 day at DCA, and the rest at DL.

 

[TSRE]

How many days is a hard question to answer - we do 6 days so we can really take it easy and do everything at least once (and Buzz roughly 8 million times ), and I guarantee we won't want to leave at the end of the trip, not because we haven't gotten to do things, but because we are so relaxed and have so much fun there. We have two boys, by the way, 3 & 6.

Tastes are individual, but here are my fav. places to eat in DL:
Blue Bayou (when its open)
Carnation Cafe (breakfast or lunch - make a PS definitely)
Plaza Inn (huge meals you can easily split)
Rancho del Zocalo
Pizza Port (good salads & pizza)
Hungry Bear (for burgers)

Like I said, everyone has their own tastes, but hopefuly this will help a little. We don't ike to eat burgers the whole week, so we look for different foods, and we are there ong enough that we sit and take our time for most every meal.

Hope you have a great time!