Disneyland Tips from my unplugged crew

[exwdwcm]

so i know i should/could ask this on the DL board, and I will there as well, but wanted to get the expert opinions of the folks here! I think i trust the opinions here over anything else anyhow (don't even mention the community board! lol)

anyhow- mom, my cousin and 2 sisters and I are doing a girls trip over my birthday weekend (sept 10-13) to DL. We haven't been since i think 1989. so it is almost like we are newbies. We'll arrive early on a friday, leave on a monday afternoon, so we will have basically 3.5 days. We are all booked through Dreams already with 4 day hoppers. We want a moderate pace. Mom has to go a little slower with her vision issues. Will probably rent a car.

so any tips? we love food. All our family events revolve around it to the point that I get embarrassed sometimes, lol. So we of course want to know where are the must eat places, sit-down, fast food or otherwise. plus favorite, must try dishes. we plan to do lots of shopping too, so any tips on the best places to shop (in the parks, DTD or even off site). After seeing the ABD trip, we might try and make a quick stop down in hollywood and check out the soda fountain and studio store, which i didn't even know existed before.

any recommendations are appreciated. We are staying at the residence inn maingate, so not on site, but close. i didn't have any DVC points to spare with trips I already have planned for WDW. thanks in advance!!!!!!

okay, lunch break is over, time to get off the DIs for a bit and actually work.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Hmmm....lots of questions...where to start.

Lets talk about transportation/hotel first. You say your hotel is close, but I wouldn't consider it walking distance, so you'll either need to rent a car or take the shuttle every day. For 4 days the shuttle will run you $14 each ($10/3-day pass + $4/1-day pass). If you rent a car, don't forget to figure in the $14 per day fee for parking at DLR.

As far as food, there are very few "must do's" at the DLR. Most people will mention Blue Bayou, but that's mostly for the atmosphere...not for the food itself.

Check out the restaurants available at Downtown Disney (Jazz Kitchen, Naples, Catal) and at the DLR Hotels (Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose).

Your hotel is also pretty close to Anaheim Gardenwalk, so you might want to check out the restaurants there too (Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Bubba Gump).

Sounds like a fun trip.

 

[Tonya2426]

If it were me, I would not make a special trip to Hollywood just for the soda fountain and studio store. Although it is cute and nice to have a little bit of Disney in the middle of all the craziness of the area, it was a little dissappointing - it is small and not much to buy there either. We did have fun in Hollywood though - seeing Grauman's and the Walk of Fame was great.

During the ABD trip we didn't really have a lot of time to explore the restaurants but all of the meals that we did eat (Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe) on our own were very good. (Well, maybe the meal we had at the chinese place in California Adventure wasn't all that great but was edible.)

 

[oc_tony]

As far as food, there are very few "must do's" at the DLR. Most people will mention Blue Bayou, but that's mostly for the atmosphere...not for the food itself.

Check out the restaurants available at Downtown Disney (Jazz Kitchen, Naples, Catal) and at the DLR Hotels (Steakhouse 55, Napa Rose).

I agree with Tom. Dining at DLR is not as big of a deal as at WDW, and many will suggest Blue Bayou, but the food is not that great, IMHO. But, BB is special since you are basically eating in POTC.

At the resorts, we like Steakhouse 55 at the DL Hotel, and Storytellers and Napa Rose at the Grand Californian. In the parks, we like Pacific Wharf Cafe at DCA, and Cafe Orleans in DL. ADRs can be made 60 days out, but can often be made just a week in advance. BB is the one exception. If you want eat there, make your ADR earlier.

For shopping, there is a big World of Disney store in DTD as well as many other Disney and non-Disney shops. The DTD is not as spread out as in WDW. In the parks, you'll find many of the same type of shops as at MK, but also some unique spots like in New Orleans Square.

Much has changed since 1989, so you'll have a great time noticing all the differences since your last visit. Have a great trip!

 

[auroralark]

I totally agree about not doing a special trip for the soda fountain in Hollywood. It's very small and there's not much to do there besides have some ice cream and buy some Disney merchandise.

Disneyland is so fun and easy to get around. DH, who is not a huge Disney fan, LOVED it. DTD at Disneyland is very nice even though it's smaller than the one at WDW. (I LOVED Vault 28, and the staff there was FANTASTIC. They went crazy to help me get a t-shirt I wanted in my size!) I would also take the time to visit the Disneyland Hotel. I had a random encounter with Goofy there that was one of the highlights of my trip!

 

[allison k]

Don't forget California Pizza Kitchen in Garden Walk! Our favorite fancy pizza place...

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Hey Michelle! We are there the weekend before for my birthday (the 6th)! If we can come back the next weekend, I'll let you know. Would love to see you!

I know you have them in your neck of the woods, too, but I'm especially fond of Roy's in both Hawaii and Las Vegas, so imagine my happiness to know there was one at Garden Walk. Great Hawaiian Fusion.

I never make Priority Seatings (as we call it out here) and I never have trouble. Also, the French Market and The Plaza (discreetly) offer take out, so you can stake out that prime "front of the castle" spot for fireworks or Fantasmic. Not sure if the latter will be running past Labor Day, though. We just toss out a blanket and one of us runs for food while the other hangs out.

4 days is the best chill-out, especially when staying off property, so make sure to spend your downtime hanging out with a snack or drink at the Grand. White Water Snacks is very tasty and a better value than most. You could also book a "slightly expensive" spa treatment at the Mandara Spa there. The Lost Bar at the DLH has good drinks and snacks, too.

That's all I'm good for tonight. I'll try to come up with more later.

 

[exwdwcm]

Thank you all! sounds like maybe the studio store and fountain aren't a big draw then.

definitely want to check out the DL hotel and the pool there (I am a huge Peter Pan fan!!!). I saw the menu for BB and wasn't a huge fan (don't eat seafood), but we might have to do it for the atmosphere........

Nancy- would love to meet up- i'll keep you posted as we get closer to the trip!

We have a Roy's, Cali Pizza Kitchen and all that here, so would love to try something different (and we eat PF Chang's all the time). I would like to try In and Out for once (might have to wait for my Vegas work trip in July). although it is nice to know all that is right there if we get tired of park food.

So STeakhouse 55 and Napa Rose sound pretty good- i'll have to check out the menus. It would be nice to do one really nice sit down meal for my bday (the big 37!).

and just found out my little sis (33) is pregnant with her first!!! so she will probably be 6 months along on this trip, so i know she'll be hungry! lol so excited for her (she was afraid she would have issues like me!).

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I was at the park every month when pregnant with the girls, so she'll be fine. First Aid is a great place to prop her feet up if she needs a break.

Also, I dong want you to get your hopes up, but it is difficult to really check out the pool at DLH or ant resort, due to the large keycard security fences. Not like WDW, where you can walk right up. Keeps locals from thinking the can make it part of their day (which would definitely happen here).

As far as food goes, hidden gem is PCH Grille in PPH. Inexpensive and tasty. I would skip DCA's Tratorria. Service isn't great and it is pricey.

 

[jpeka65844]

We went to DLR for the first time last summer and fell in love! We were just amazed at how close together and compact it was!

As for food, we did enjoy BB, DH had the Monte Christo and I had the ribs. It was $$ but it was one of those "must-do's" for us. Like other posters, I would suggest NOT missing Napa Rose and S'house 55. DH and friends are going to LA in May and are thinking of making a drive to the DLR district, just to go to NR. Yum yum yum.

Also, we were pleased with the quality of DLR counter service. It seems like in WDW, variety is hard to find among CS restaurants. In CA, it seemed like every CS place offered something different than others. It wasn't just all chicken fingers and hamburgers.

If it's running, you might consider the Fantasmic dessert seating. Some argue that it's not worth the $$, but after a long day of flights and hitting the parks hard, having a guaranteed seat and some goodies really hit the spot with us. Plus, it would be a good "special occasion" thing for all of your girls to experience

 

[Miss SD]

I agree with YellowMickeyPonchos about Whitewater Snacks. Good food (used to be great, but they changed the menu last year) and it's usually pretty quiet. DH loves the chicken sandwich, and the burgers are pretty good. Service is friendly and efficient.

Also, I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this but the Cove Bar in DCA is terrific! DH is a big fan of the lobster nachos.

At DLand try the Big Thunder BBQ.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Just FYI...the Disneyland board has a food porn thread too in case you need help making decisions. Haha.

The blueberry muffins in Disneyland are far superior to the ones in WDW (if you like blueberry muffins). We like the Plaza Inn for counter service. We ate at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD once and we both liked it.

Have fun!

 

[daneenm]

So glad you are coming out here! I would like to recommend HydroGuy's threads/stickies on the DL board. I find them very well thought out and balanced.

Some of our old and new favorites..

• Cafe Orleans (new)
• BB, if just for the atmosphere, but can get most of the same food at Cafe Orleans.
• Storyteller's
• Jazz Kitchen
• ESPN Zone
• Steakhouse 55 (very pricey though)

Hope you have a great time!

 

[exwdwcm]

I was at the park every month when pregnant with the girls, so she'll be fine. First Aid is a great place to prop her feet up if she needs a break.

Also, I dong want you to get your hopes up, but it is difficult to really check out the pool at DLH or ant resort, due to the large keycard security fences. Not like WDW, where you can walk right up. Keeps locals from thinking the can make it part of their day (which would definitely happen here).

As far as food goes, hidden gem is PCH Grille in PPH. Inexpensive and tasty. I would skip DCA's Tratorria. Service isn't great and it is pricey.

so the Trattoria isn't that great? is there a good sit down place in DCA? thanks for the tip on the pool, i didn't even think about that. is there a way to view it from up high somewhere in the hotel? I Looked at hook's pointe menu, but we aren't seafood eaters.

We went to DLR for the first time last summer and fell in love! We were just amazed at how close together and compact it was!

As for food, we did enjoy BB, DH had the Monte Christo and I had the ribs. It was $$ but it was one of those "must-do's" for us. Like other posters, I would suggest NOT missing Napa Rose and S'house 55. DH and friends are going to LA in May and are thinking of making a drive to the DLR district, just to go to NR. Yum yum yum.

Also, we were pleased with the quality of DLR counter service. It seems like in WDW, variety is hard to find among CS restaurants. In CA, it seemed like every CS place offered something different than others. It wasn't just all chicken fingers and hamburgers.

If it's running, you might consider the Fantasmic dessert seating. Some argue that it's not worth the $$, but after a long day of flights and hitting the parks hard, having a guaranteed seat and some goodies really hit the spot with us. Plus, it would be a good "special occasion" thing for all of your girls to experience

i think we will have to do BB for the atmosphere and just to say we did!!! lol

I agree with YellowMickeyPonchos about Whitewater Snacks. Good food (used to be great, but they changed the menu last year) and it's usually pretty quiet. DH loves the chicken sandwich, and the burgers are pretty good. Service is friendly and efficient.

Also, I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this but the Cove Bar in DCA is terrific! DH is a big fan of the lobster nachos.

At DLand try the Big Thunder BBQ.

i've heard great things about WW snacks before, so we will definitely try it out too. Is Big Thunder similar to Hoop Dee Doo food? We just did that in December at WDW, so might pass on it. not sure.

Just FYI...the Disneyland board has a food porn thread too in case you need help making decisions. Haha.

The blueberry muffins in Disneyland are far superior to the ones in WDW (if you like blueberry muffins). We like the Plaza Inn for counter service. We ate at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD once and we both liked it.

Have fun!

thank you- heading to check it out now!!!

So glad you are coming out here! I would like to recommend HydroGuy's threads/stickies on the DL board. I find them very well thought out and balanced.

Some of our old and new favorites..

• Cafe Orleans (new)
• BB, if just for the atmosphere, but can get most of the same food at Cafe Orleans.
• Storyteller's
• Jazz Kitchen
• ESPN Zone
• Steakhouse 55 (very pricey though)

Hope you have a great time!

i think we definitely want to do Carnation Cafe, BB and i am thinking Steakhouse 55 and then either Storytellers or Ariels for our character breakfast. I like Cafe Orlean's menu too.

thank you all for the great recommendations.

what is your favorite character meal there? keep in mind we are five adults (all ladies!), but we do enjoy a good breakfast buffet and characters.

 

[Miss SD]

I've never been to Hoop De Doo (or WDW for that matter), but the Big Thunder BBQ is an outdoor restaurant on the pathway from Big Thunder Mountain to Fantasyland.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Is Big Thunder similar to Hoop Dee Doo food? We just did that in December at WDW, so might pass on it. not sure.

I wouldn't say that Celebration Roundup & BBQ is that similar to Hoop Dee Doo. Celebration has barbecued chicken & ribs (and smoked sausage at dinner) served family style outside on picnic tables. While it's served family style, I don't think it's all you can eat.

And there might be a musican or character show up during your meal, but it's nothing compared to the awesome show at HDDR.

Lunch is $19.99/Dinner is $24.99.

 

[CamColt]

For a nice meal I would highly recommend Steakhouse 55. My husband and I, and my parents, dined here in February (we traded off with the kids that night). All 4 of us agree it was absolutely wonderful!

While I wouldn't make a trip to Hollywood for just the Soda Fountain, we really enjoy taking a day to explore Hollywood. On our recent trip we had lunch at the "famous" Pink's Hot Dogs and drove around to see some of the sites. We visited Beverly Hills and the Griffith Park Observatory (great view and photo ops of Hollywood sign). I also have to admit we found the real Melrose Place building that is used on the TV show (it actually isn't on Melrose Ave) .

We then parked at the Hollywood & Highland Center where we walked some of the Walk of Fame, saw the Chinese Theater, visted some of the cheezy shops, LOL, and had dinner at Micelis(an Italian restuarant with the real Hollywood feel...waiters sing and play the piano).

All in all it was a great way to explore the city, and quite inexpensive.

 

[BriarRosie]

Steakhouse 55 is actually the place I like the most, ever since my favorite place (Vineyard Room) closed for good a few years ago. I thought Napa Rose was good, too.

I liked the Trattoria's food, but since I'm not local like Nancy, I couldn't tell you if I just lucked out with ok service. I also went when they first opened, so that might be the case.

My favorite walk around snack at Disneyland is from Bengal BBQ in Adventureland. You can pick up some meat skewers (but prepare to wait a LONG time in line) and go see the fireworks.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

My favorite walk around snack at Disneyland is from Bengal BBQ in Adventureland. You can pick up some meat skewers (but prepare to wait a LONG time in line) and go see the fireworks.

Or some bacon-wrapped asparagus. Yum.

 

[OKW Lover]

Or some bacon-wrapped asparagus. Yum.

Sounds like a waste of perfectly good bacon.