Disneyland Hotel Questions...just booked first ever trip!!

[Bugsmom73]

You can walk just about anywhere in no more than 15 mins.

The rides at Disneyland for the most part are grouped in the same "lands" at Disney World" Everythingn is much closer together though. It is still set-up as a wagon wheel design.

You will have so much fun. We are WDW vets but LOVED Disneyland.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Congrats on your trip! We just stayed at DLH for the first time in Nov and it was so magical I loved it!!!

To answer the monorail question, the monorail is between the hotel and the parks at the start of DTD, it is maybe a 5-10 minute walk depending on excitement, time of day and where your room is located. The monorail actually takes you INSIDE the park to Tomorrowland right above Nemo.

If you wanted to get to DCA or the main gates, you would pass the monorail station and head all the way through DTD to the entrance. That is a 15-20 minute walk again depending on the above.

The entrances of the parks literally look at each other, there is next to no time getting from gate to gate.

Transportation for DLR is only about getting to the parks from the Airport, getting to any tourist sites you might want to see and any off sit restaurants. If you stay at DLH and only want to do Disney stuff, you will mostly be on your own two feet the whole time, no buses, monorails, boats whatever necessary!!! Which as a DLR native I love!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't make fun of me, but I just printed your response and put it in my trip planning folder.
I noticed you're a vegetarian from your signature. I have been a vegetarian for 7 years now. I always have very good luck at WDW with the food because the chefs are always willing to work with me (I have allergies as well). Do you have good luck food-wise at Disneyland? Any tips you care to share? I usually don't have too much of a problem at table service restaurants, but counter service can be tricky. Any restaurants in particular you would suggest?

Thank you for the pictures!! I had been looking for pictures to show our 4 year old, who doesn't remember staying there. (And heaven forbid I actually pull out our picture CD's and sift through them... ) Now she is even more excited, especially about the pool! We reserved a pool-view, also. And we saved $100 off our existing ressie with the military discount!
For the OP, having grown up going to DL and having been to WDW only twice, I have to say that DL and WDW are kind of like cousins. They are both entirely different, with similar traits, but distinct characters.
DLH is most like the Contemporary in that the theme is loose. But I do love the wallpaper borders in the room!

Thanks for the insight!

Mycutekitties...great pics. LOVE the baskets. Wonder if my friends would be as responsive to treat baskets as your girls were.

Ok, so the differences in my opinion. Goofy's kitchen is much smaller than Chef Mickey's. So, the personal touch with the characters is MUCH better. The food, there may not be as big of a selection, but I thought that Goofy's was better. The characters all get together at Goofy's and dance around and sing with anyone in the restaurant that wants to, very FUN!

I have only been to breakfast at both places, so I cannot comment on any other meals.

HAve a wonderful time!!

Are ADR's as necessary at Goofy's as they are at Chef Mickey's? Maybe on a non park day we can go to breakfast. It would be nice to be able to decide once we get there and see the restaurant.

I just have to say Mycutekitties, your children are so very cute! And you did a great job with the baskets, I love how they throw the Disney $$ aside and go straight for the candy - HA!

I love the DLH, there are so many things to see and do just at the resort. Have a great time.

Thanks!

You can walk just about anywhere in no more than 15 mins.

The rides at Disneyland for the most part are grouped in the same "lands" at Disney World" Everythingn is much closer together though. It is still set-up as a wagon wheel design.

You will have so much fun. We are WDW vets but LOVED Disneyland.

I am glad to hear that from WDW vets. I was a little worried that I would feel "underwhelmed" due to the smaller size, but it sounds like it will actually be very nice.

 

[fairycat]

Don't make fun of me, but I just printed your response and put it in my trip planning folder.
I noticed you're a vegetarian from your signature. I have been a vegetarian for 7 years now. I always have very good luck at WDW with the food because the chefs are always willing to work with me (I have allergies as well). Do you have good luck food-wise at Disneyland? Any tips you care to share? I usually don't have too much of a problem at table service restaurants, but counter service can be tricky. Any restaurants in particular you would suggest?


Thanks for the insight!

I am glad that it helped you!

Yes, I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian from way back! I have to say I found eating veggie at DLR much easier then WDW at CS. But that is because we had a lot of issues our first trip and stuck to TS our other trips. Bumbershoot is the best person to ask about allergies, since her son has issues and they are veggie. But I can at least give you a list of the common veggie treats at the CS places.

MS- is mostly snack treats and one TS

Adventureland- Bengal BBQ has a veggie Kabob, but I haven't had one in so long I have no idea what they were, but I know mostly grilled veggies

NOS- Veggie Gumbo served in a Bread Bowl YUMMY!!!!!

Frontierland- Rancho is more of a Cafeteria style place for "mexican" food that is pretty good and has several options, my favorite is the huge tostada I always get to share, I know they also have bean and cheese burritos, cheese enchiladas and more

Critter Country and Fantasyland- mostly veggie burgers

Tomorrowland has veggie burgers, and I think another sandwhich option, and the Pizza Port with pizza and veggy pasta dishes


There is a number to call for all TS, and you can make notes on PS (ADR's at WDW) and chef will come out to talk to you. At CS you can ask to see the ingredients listings and that should help as well.


If you have more questions just ask as you can tell we have a lot of DLR know it alls around here each with their own specialty

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I am glad that it helped you!

Yes, I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian from way back! I have to say I found eating veggie at DLR much easier then WDW at CS. But that is because we had a lot of issues our first trip and stuck to TS our other trips. Bumbershoot is the best person to ask about allergies, since her son has issues and they are veggie. But I can at least give you a list of the common veggie treats at the CS places.

MS- is mostly snack treats and one TS

Adventureland- Bengal BBQ has a veggie Kabob, but I haven't had one in so long I have no idea what they were, but I know mostly grilled veggies

NOS- Veggie Gumbo served in a Bread Bowl YUMMY!!!!!

Frontierland- Rancho is more of a Cafeteria style place for "mexican" food that is pretty good and has several options, my favorite is the huge tostada I always get to share, I know they also have bean and cheese burritos, cheese enchiladas and more

Critter Country and Fantasyland- mostly veggie burgers

Tomorrowland has veggie burgers, and I think another sandwhich option, and the Pizza Port with pizza and veggy pasta dishes


There is a number to call for all TS, and you can make notes on PS (ADR's at WDW) and chef will come out to talk to you. At CS you can ask to see the ingredients listings and that should help as well.


If you have more questions just ask as you can tell we have a lot of DLR know it alls around here each with their own specialty

My allergy is peppers. Red peppers, green peppers, bell peppers, you name it. It seems like there are peppers in every dang vegetarian dish known to man! At WDW I always ask to speak to the chef and they're always very accommodating and usually make me something that isn't on the menu. I get really frustrated when I have to eat side dishes (like just fries) because a counter service place has nothing I can eat. I usually pack some snacks, but I like to get to eat with my family, not just watch them.

What is MS? NOS?

 

[fairycat]

My allergy is peppers. Red peppers, green peppers, bell peppers, you name it. It seems like there are peppers in every dang vegetarian dish known to man! At WDW I always ask to speak to the chef and they're always very accommodating and usually make me something that isn't on the menu. I get really frustrated when I have to eat side dishes (like just fries) because a counter service place has nothing I can eat. I usually pack some snacks, but I like to get to eat with my family, not just watch them.

What is MS? NOS?

MS= Main Street
NOS= New Orleans Square

You should be safe at a few of the places no problem, with your allergy, but would ask for the ingredients lists. Maybe some one knows if you can get a CS list before your trip, allergies are not my specialty.

 

[SunLillyFairy]

For veg eating I would suggest you go the menu section and look at what the restaurants have to offer and then make a little print out to bring along. That's what we do.

There are a lot of places that offer Boca burgers, but that gets boring.

If you eat eggs and diary, it makes it easier.

I don't eat dairy, but I do eat eggs and fish. My DH eats dairy, but no meat. And we find a lot of selections, it just gets a little boring sometimes.

In DTD there are good options @ RainForest Cafe and Tortilla Joes.

In DCA they offer vegetarian chili at Pacific Warf Cafe.

The Veggie gumbo is very, very good.

All the sit-down, pricey places, have vegetarian options and will cook to order, BB has a great portabella mushroom dish.

One of my favorites: Several places offer a "kids meal" that is a PB&J with apples or grapes or carrots (depending on where you buy it)., it comes with milk or you can choose another small drink.

Red Rocket offers some good salads and pizza choices.

White Water Snacks @ the Grand CA offers grilled cheese and egg salad. You'll also find fruit, yougurt, and granola there.., which many places carry.

We also tend to bring in a lot of our own snacks as we drive.

 

[HydroGuy]

What is MS? NOS?

See DLR Abbreviations List - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520784

 

[McCall]

To the OP, have you verified with the Hotel that the pool work will be complete and it will be open by then? it is currently under renovation. I would think it would be done by then but would not hurt to ask.

 

[bumbershoot]

"My allergy is peppers. Red peppers, green peppers, bell peppers, you name it. "

Oh, I think that will make the vegetarian gumbo and chili a "no" for you, BUT ask anyway. You could call Disney Dining and ask to be put through to the chef who deals with food allergies. Leave a specific question(s), give name and number, and then when he calls back, ask about that. I do think the gumbo has bell peppers...the chili might not...but it's good to know.

Might want to ask about the brand/style of veggie burger served at the parks. We've only had one, over at Hungry Bear (is that right? suddenly sounds wrong) place over in Critter Country, and it tasted like the Boca black bean burger...which might have peppers.

They should be able to help you at the very least with info, if not coming up with things for you.

But know that they don't want anyone to be sick from eating.

By the way, the beans at Rancho del Zocalo and Cocina Cucamonga are vegetarian. By doing so they make many people happy all at once...vegetarians, those who avoid certain types of meat products (for instance, if they used pork fat in their beans you'd lose a couple big religions right there), dieters...

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thank you to everyone! I am writing down the good food suggestions!! When I make our PS's for the sit down restaurants, I will have them make a note about the special diet/allergy. I'm sure I'll have no trouble, but like some of you said, things get a little boring when you're limited in terms of what you can eat. It's really only the counter service I'm worried about. I find that at WDW the CMs at the counter service location really don't seem to know what's in the food. I'll just make sure to ask lots of questions and have back up snacks packed. Now that I have a good feel for the hotel I'm working on a loose schedule. I'll have to start a new thread for that one!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Are Rancho del Zocalo and Cocina Cucamonga the same thing as the cafeteria place in Frontierland?

 

[ThisLittleLightShine]

Ok, so the differences in my opinion. Goofy's kitchen is much smaller than Chef Mickey's. So, the personal touch with the characters is MUCH better. The food, there may not be as big of a selection, but I thought that Goofy's was better. The characters all get together at Goofy's and dance around and sing with anyone in the restaurant that wants to, very FUN!

I have only been to breakfast at both places, so I cannot comment on any other meals.

HAve a wonderful time!!

Is Goofys a buffet restraurant? I am trying to figure this out.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Sherry E]

ThisLittleLightShine - Goofy's is a buffet-only restaurant, for breakfast, brunch and dinner. It's all-you-can-eat, and the characters are there for every meal. There is no off-the-menu ordering at Goofy's. They have a really wide variety of choices to pick from. I prefer breakfast/brunch over the dinner selections, but other folks love dinner. Breakfast/brunch is cheaper than dinner, but sometimes more characters come out during dinner because it is a busier time. It differs, though. In any case, the food quality is excellent for an all you can eat buffet, and the array of food is vast!

 

[ThisLittleLightShine]

ThisLittleLightShine - Goofy's is a buffet-only restaurant, for breakfast, brunch and dinner. It's all-you-can-eat, and the characters are there for every meal. There is no off-the-menu ordering at Goofy's. They have a really wide variety of choices to pick from. I prefer breakfast/brunch over the dinner selections, but other folks love dinner. Breakfast/brunch is cheaper than dinner, but sometimes more characters come out during dinner because it is a busier time. It differs, though. In any case, the food quality is excellent for an all you can eat buffet, and the array of food is vast!

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for the help.

You're welcome!

 

[mechurchlady]

Are Rancho del Zocalo and Cocina Cucamonga the same thing as the cafeteria place in Frontierland?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/dining/menus-detail.cfm?restaurant.ID=507
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill is a counter service that serves a few Mexican dishes such as burritos. It has always been where you get your food and sit out doors.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/dining/menus-detail.cfm?restaurant.ID=523
Rancho del Zocalo has always been full meals with indoor and outdoor dining. You can get carne asada with beans and rice and sit in the area formerly run by Frito Lay for eons or so it seems.

Contact Chris and the Disneyland staff for help with dining. If a guest cannot eat from the buffet they will make a special plate for the guest. Table service usually will walk a guest through the menu and buffet if the guest has special dietary needs. The dark ages of DLR dining are over with but counter service may take a while to get a special meal or may mess up the order by accident. Table service is safe.