Disney's grand Californian villas

[lovetotraveltx]

First time at this villa. And, not that familiar with Disneyland. Leaving in 2 days! Pointers please! Also what not to miss, ie attractions, meals, etc! Thank you for your help.

 

[rentayenta]

2 days? I'd go over to the Disneyland section of the DIS. They've got a ton of stickies for first timers.

Disneyland still honor expired FPs.


I think Carnation Cafe is down. Blue Bayou is a must but you might not be able to get a PS. Disneyland's version of an ADR. Blue Bayou is inside the POTC ride. Get a water table.

Do not miss the World of Color. You can get a FP for it by Grizzly River Run in Cal Adv or buy a picnic or dinner package.


The Matterhorn is down for refurb. Don't miss Indy, the Tiki Room, POTC- it's far superior to WDW's. Fantasyland is very cool too. Oh and Disneyland's IASW is amazing.


Grab a FP for Indy then ride Peter Pan for sure and Dumbo if you've got small children.

Whitewater snacks at GCV makes the best nachos if you partake in that sort of junk food. The lobby bar has a great vibe. DH and I enjoyed our nights down there after the parks. Napa Rose is supposed to be insanely good but we still haven't made it. Storytellers is a fun character meal and it's at the GCV. Disneyland Hotel has Goofy's Kitchen but we found the food and service last time to be subpar.

At Cal Adv, don't miss Screamin' or Soarin' or TSMM. They also have the Aladdin show, live, which is pretty cool. The Animation Studio is really fun too and perfect for a midday break. I think though, there's a lot of wastes space in DCA. The theme in Bug's Land is adorable- may want to skip the rides if you don't have kids with you but it's worth taking a stroll through.

 

[Greysword]

There is an excellent thread on the Disneyland thread written by HydroGuy about DLR for WDW vets. Excellent read!

 

[chalee94]

There is an excellent thread on the Disneyland thread written by HydroGuy about DLR for WDW vets. Excellent read!

here's the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Hopefully you know you can enter California Adventure early through the special gate at GCH. You can ride Soarin' 30 minutes beore opening (and grab WOC FP's beforehand.) Line up at the GCH about 45 minutes before the official open.
(Please someone correct me if I'm wrong on the timing. I'm a WDW vet with a little DL experience.)
After riding Soarin, go line up for the mad dash to TSM.

FPs at DCA and DL are on different systems so you can obtain FPs at both parks simultaneously if it works out for you. (We would grab a FP before park hopping if we would be back later that day. (Since you can still use FPs past expiration there.)

 

[wbl2745]

At the GC they have a tour (daily?) of the hotel and the architecture. So much effort was put into the design of the hotel that you'd never realize how all of the architecture, but inside and outside, fits together. Check at the concierge desk for times. It is free and available to anyone who wants to take the tour.

In the mornings guests of the GC, either hotel or villas, can participate in a power walk in DCA before it opens. As if you need more exercise during a Disney vacation, but it is fun.

They used to have Segway tours of DCA, but with all of the construction that might not be happening any more. These also took place before the park opened to the public.