Disneyland Observations from a WDW Regular

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Maybe someone on the WDW Restaurant board will know if the Urban Farm EATS booth remained open after the end of F&G, if it was re-located somewhere, or if it closed. I couldn't find anything about it that wasn't tied to the F&G Festival.

Say it ain't so Figs, Say it ain't so!

 

[figment_jii]

Say it ain't so Figs, Say it ain't so!

Sorry TwinPrincessMermaids, but it's not looking good...
http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=3291837

 

[GatorChris]

I wish I knew what those were. At AK I can only think of Flame Tree BBQ which we like and always do. We did Pizzafari once and that was enough.

At Epcot, I can't even think of one good CS option. The ones at the American and Mexican pavilions are pretty blah.

I just wanted to know which ones you are thinking about.

Looks like everyone got here before I could! For AK, Flame Tree is a must. I really love that place, though the beans aren't as good as they used to be. Plus, there's the Yak&Yeti quick service which has some good "chinese' like food.

As for Epcot, this place is the KING of Disney dining. You've seen everyone else's suggestions, so here's mine. Tangerine Cafe in Morocco is my favorite. I love the gyros there and the baklava is amazing. Fish & Chips at the UK are good departure from the old burger. Lotus Blossom in China is like a Panda Express, which is a lot better than chicken nuggets. The San Angel Cantina has some decent Mexican offerings, and I mean decent only. Still, a good leg up from a microwaved burger. If you mix these in with all the great sit-down places, Epcot is the best place to go and eat by far.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I haven't been yet (dying to), but I wonder if there is any place for DLR to have a mini showcase, a sort of "international taste" with mini international food stations like EP has... It doesn't need to be as big as EP, obviously (which has good points but is exhausting) but it might be neat....

 

[33FirstTimer]

We'll be taking our first trip to DL in 2015. We're WDW regulars (multiple times a year), but this will be a new experience. Looking forward to it though. Threads like these are really helpful.

 

[figment_jii]

I haven't been yet (dying to), but I wonder if there is any place for DLR to have a mini showcase, a sort of "international taste" with mini international food stations like EP has... It doesn't need to be as big as EP, obviously (which has good points but is exhausting) but it might be neat....

Prior to the opening of Carsland, they used to have a small Food & Wine Festival over at DCA. It was much more limited in scope, but it was a chance to have some new items added to the menus at DCA. There were even seminars and such. However, with the opening (and popularity) of Carsland, they haven't brought back the F&W Festival and there really aren't any rumors that might resurface.

 

[conniehar90]

Thank you for posting your observations. We are regulars to WDW and will be going to DL in a month (we haven't been in 20 years so are really excited).

Are there any rides that are exactly the same? For example, I am thinking about skipping Soarin as while we like it, we have been on a million times in WDW so why stress about getting on it?

I am really stressing about the whole RSR thing. I can't decide how to tour for this one. Ride first or get a FP first? We will defintely do single rider too but will want to ride at least once as a family.

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[figment_jii]

Are there any rides that are exactly the same? For example, I am thinking about skipping Soarin as while we like it, we have been on a million times in WDW so why stress about getting on it?

Yes, there are a few rides that are identical (although the queues might be different), a good number of rides that are similiar, and some rides that are unique. HydroGuy has a good thread for WDW vets coming to DLR. It talks about the various rides.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I am really stressing about the whole RSR thing. I can't decide how to tour for this one. Ride first or get a FP first? We will defintely do single rider too but will want to ride at least once as a family.

Are you staying onsite or off-site? If onsite, I would get there at EMH-rope drop and head straight to RSR (assuming it's up and running). Then depending on when you finish up, go grab a FP (if they're opened for the morning).

If off-site, I would go on a non-EMH morning, and get there pre-rope drop. Then you can either grab a FP or if you're near the front of the rope drop crowd, head straight to RSR.

RSR FP tend to last between 90-120 minutes after park opening, so you can probably ride it once, then get the FP for later (assuming you're there at rope drop).

 

[conniehar90]

We are staying offsite. I watched a youtube video yesterday showing the FP line at opening at about 30 minutes!

We will be there at rope drop. I am just going back and forth between heading for RSR first thing or heading to TSMM first and then getting a FP for RSR. I just really don't want to spend 30 minutes in line for a FP!

Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

We will be there at rope drop. I am just going back and forth between heading for RSR first thing or heading to TSMM first and then getting a FP for RSR. I just really don't want to spend 30 minutes in line for a FP!

As long as you're okay with riding RSR in the late-afternoon/evening, going to TSMM first is fine. If you head straight there at rope drop, my guess is you'll be done within 30-45 minutes (I've done it twice and the times ranged from 30-45 minutes!). Then head straight back to RSR FPs. The line should be considerably shorter. Just note that if RSR does not open with the park or is down, they will not distribute FPs until the ride is open or up and running.

 

[HydroGuy]

We'll be taking our first trip to DL in 2015. We're WDW regulars (multiple times a year), but this will be a new experience. Looking forward to it though. Threads like these are really helpful.

This may help you:

"What to expect for DL's 60th anniversary in 2015" - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3280301

 

[HydroGuy]

As long as you're okay with riding RSR in the late-afternoon/evening, going to TSMM first is fine. If you head straight there at rope drop, my guess is you'll be done within 30-45 minutes (I've done it twice and the times ranged from 30-45 minutes!). Then head straight back to RSR FPs. The line should be considerably shorter. Just note that if RSR does not open with the park or is down, they will not distribute FPs until the ride is open or up and running.

I agree.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you for posting your observations. We are regulars to WDW and will be going to DL in a month (we haven't been in 20 years so are really excited).

Are there any rides that are exactly the same? For example, I am thinking about skipping Soarin as while we like it, we have been on a million times in WDW so why stress about getting on it?

Exactly?

Star Tours
TSMM
ITTBAB
Soarin Over CA
LMAUA

Now, with that said, the queues are not the same. I would say the LMAUA and TSMM queues are far better at WDW. The ST and ITTBAB queues are roughly the same. And the Soarin Over CA queue at DCA is far better than at Epcot.

Why does one care about queues? Well, only a Disney fan would really understand that question. But as Soarin Over CA is my favorite ride at DCA, I have to say you should try and ride it because it will feel very different before you go into the ride. At DCA Soarin is in a part of the park called "Condor Flats" which celebrates California's substantial aviation history and culture. I love this part of DCA for many reasons including I started off my career in the aerospace industry in California.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Coming from an obsessive star wars fan.... The st queues are not the same. WDW has the freaking ewok village with a life size atat

 

[figment_jii]

Exactly?...LMAUA

I think there might be some subtle differences now. At least there might be...did the MK version get the updates to the lighting in the Under the Sea room?

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I think there might be some subtle differences now. At least there might be...did the MK version get the updates to the lighting in the Under the Sea room?

Taking about the queues though. WDW has Eric's castle and the water caves.

 

[figment_jii]

Taking about the queues though. WDW has Eric's castle and the water caves.

Yes, the queues are different, but in his list, HydroGuy was originally talking about the attraction itself. Prior to the Spring rehab, the two Little Mermaid rides were virtually identical (rather like Soarin'), but I wasn't sure if the changes made to the ride in DCA have made their way to MK.

 

[HydroGuy]

Coming from an obsessive star wars fan.... The st queues are not the same. WDW has the freaking ewok village with a life size atat

I was talking more about the inside queue and not outside. I agree the ATAT Walker and speeder bike and general outside theming is far better at DHS.

 

[HydroGuy]

I think there might be some subtle differences now. At least there might be...did the MK version get the updates to the lighting in the Under the Sea room?

Yah, you are right. The DLR version may be slightly upgraded now.

The LM queue at MK is far better than DCA's. Plus it is not called LMAUA there. Can't remember the exact name but I am sure someone around here knows.

 

[Blue32]

Yah, you are right. The DLR version may be slightly upgraded now.

The LM queue at MK is far better than DCA's. Plus it is not called LMAUA there. Can't remember the exact name but I am sure someone around here knows.

The under the sea room is noticeably better now and I don't believe MK's ride has had this treatment yet. WDW's queue is far better but the line gets way longer there too.

I think it's called journey of the little mermaid there.