DL First Timmer: Needs Help

[ImaDVCwannabe]

I have only been to DL once, and that was when I was a small child so I remebmber very little. Anyway I have a trip planned for my daughters 6th birthday and need to know the do's and must do's from some of you veteran DISer's.

I want to know:

1) which attractions my daughter must experience (and the ones we could skip if we had to)
2) which resturants to try
3) and which stores carry the best Souvenirs for my little princess.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jenlynn0808]

Had to laugh...I posted basically the same questions at the same time...and I'm in WA too!

 

[Belle2007]

We are going to DL in September for our first time! I'll be checking out the posts too!

 

[ImaDVCwannabe]

Had to laugh...I posted basically the same questions at the same time...and I'm in WA too!

That is kind of funny. Great Disney lovers think alike!!!

 

[Sherry E]

OP, how long will you be at DLR? Is this a multi-day trip or just a one-day trip? Are you a veteran of WDW? These things make all the difference in what to tell you to see, ride, do, etc.

Is your daughter a big Princess fan? She may enjoy a character meal with Ariel and other Princesses at Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure. If not there, then there are 4 other character meals around the Resort (Minnie & Friends in DL, Storytellers Cafe Critter Breakfast in the GCH, the new Surf's Up with Mickey meal in the PPH and Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH).

Non-character meals worth trying are (table service):

Carnation Cafe in DL (a cute P,B & J palette for kids and yummy food for adults)
Cafe Orleans in DL
Wine Country Trattoria
Storytellers Cafe (the non-Critter meals)
PCH Grill
Rainforest Cafe in DTD
ESPN Zone in DTD
Naples in DTD

Counter/quick service places of note are:

River Belle Terrace in DL
French Market in DL
Stage Door Cafe in DL
Bengal BBQ in DL
Blue Ribbon Bakery in DL

Taste Pilot's Grill in DCA
Pacific Wharf Cafe in DCA

Places like Steakhouse 55 in the DLH, Blue Bayou in DL (this is the ride that is located inside POTC) and Napa Rose in the GCH may be a little 'adult' for your young daughter, and they are also more expensive, but worth a try.

As for souvenirs, the Emporium, the China Closet and Disneyana on Main Street are all good. The Gag Factory in ToonTown is good. Enginears in DCA is good.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

If your DD is into the princess scene, you might want to consider taking her to Bippitty Bopitty Boutique for her birthday to have her hair done princess style. We did this for my DD's 7th birthday and it was one of her highlights of our trip.

 

[ImaDVCwannabe]

OP, how long will you be at DLR? Is this a multi-day trip or just a one-day trip? Are you a veteran of WDW? These things make all the difference in what to tell you to see, ride, do, etc.

Is your daughter a big Princess fan? She may enjoy a character meal with Ariel and other Princesses at Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure. If not there, then there are 4 other character meals around the Resort (Minnie & Friends in DL, Storytellers Cafe Critter Breakfast in the GCH, the new Surf's Up with Mickey meal in the PPH and Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH).

Non-character meals worth trying are (table service):

Carnation Cafe in DL (a cute P,B & J palette for kids and yummy food for adults)
Cafe Orleans in DL
Wine Country Trattoria
Storytellers Cafe (the non-Critter meals)
PCH Grill
Rainforest Cafe in DTD
ESPN Zone in DTD
Naples in DTD

Counter/quick service places of note are:

River Belle Terrace in DL
French Market in DL
Stage Door Cafe in DL
Bengal BBQ in DL
Blue Ribbon Bakery in DL

Taste Pilot's Grill in DCA
Pacific Wharf Cafe in DCA

Places like Steakhouse 55 in the DLH, Blue Bayou in DL (this is the ride that is located inside POTC) and Napa Rose in the GCH may be a little 'adult' for your young daughter, and they are also more expensive, but worth a try.

As for souvenirs, the Emporium, the China Closet and Disneyana on Main Street are all good. The Gag Factory in ToonTown is good. Enginears in DCA is good.

We are going to be there for 3 days and 4 nights. It will be just my daughter (who will turn six on the 3rd day of our trip) my mother and myself. We are looking at doing a princess charater meal because yes my daughter loves them, as I think all little girls do.

I wouldn't say that I'm a vet of WDW but I have been there and I am therefore more familiar with it. However with that said I have looked at everything I can find on DL and know what rides and attractions are offered. I just haven't experienced them since I was little or with my children (my WDW experience was on my honeymoon so this trip will be much different)

Hope that helps. Thanks again for the great restaurant and shopping ideas.