DL for the WDW nut.

[Cookie55]

I too am a hardened WDW vet (and Pats fan BTW ) I won't repeat the tips given here already...suffice it to say they are all good...Just remind yourself that you are where it all began...Take the time to take it all in especially the differences from WDW...IMO Disneyland is FAR better than the Magic Kingdom...no comparison...The only problem is there is no Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon or less important MGM...I agree that DCA gets an underserved bad rap...Accept it for what it was intended to be and I don't think you will be disappointed...I don't mind that others think its not worth their time because that means the lines are always shorter than across the plaza...My number one tip is that the best thing about Disneyland and DCA is that they are in CALIFORNIA!!! So many other GREAT things to do and see...It is that perk that has won me over...No offense to those in Florida but I'll take So Cal any day over Florida...Have fun!!!

 

[jnjusoioa]

If you like corn dogs, the Corn Dog Castle in DCA or the Corn Dog cart at the end of main st. in DL...the best!

Also get a Mint Julep at either Blue Bayou, French Market, or the window behind French Market (get the fritters at that window, too! ).

Oh! and if you can, get a Mickey sourdough bread from DCA before you go home...

I had made a post awhile ago and someone else had suggested the fritters and a mint julep and now my mouth is watering for both of these, they sound yummy but I have no idea what they are, could someone explain?? Thanks.

 

[Tinkerbell424]

I was just wondering this but what is The StoryBook Ride?Like What is it like?

I have seen it on travel channel and on a disneyland sing along and I have always wondered..Thanks

 

[Amy&Dan]

I was just wondering this but what is The StoryBook Ride?Like What is it like?

I have seen it on travel channel and on a disneyland sing along and I have always wondered..Thanks

Its the Storybookland Canal Boat ride and I love it! You board small boats (maybe they seat like 10-12 people total). You have a boat captain who narrates as you float pass miniatures of Disney movie classics. The various castles, Alice in Wonderland's house the Neverland Ship etc. Its just a very sweet, charming ride. There is another ride that travels along somewhat the same route called the Casey Jr. Circus Train. Its also very cute but I don't think as charming as the Canal Boat ride. And the fumes from the little locomative smell like a lawmower! But if you have any Dumbo fans its worth it since thats what its based on and the Dumbo music of Casey Jr.'s Comin Down the Tracks plays during the ride. These are both Disneyland classics and unique to that park alone.

 

[Tinkerbell424]

Its the Storybookland Canal Boat ride and I love it! You board small boats (maybe they seat like 10-12 people total). You have a boat captain who narrates as you float pass miniatures of Disney movie classics. The various castles, Alice in Wonderland's house the Neverland Ship etc. Its just a very sweet, charming ride. There is another ride that travels along somewhat the same route called the Casey Jr. Circus Train. Its also very cute but I don't think as charming as the Canal Boat ride. And the fumes from the little locomative smell like a lawmower! But if you have any Dumbo fans its worth it since thats what its based on and the Dumbo music of Casey Jr.'s Comin Down the Tracks plays during the ride. These are both Disneyland classics and unique to that park alone.

Thank you I have always wondered what that was.I always saw the whale's mouth and was like "Hmm wonder what that is" lol..I would love to visit DisneyLand one day and go on that ride.

Thanks again!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you I have always wondered what that was.I always saw the whale's mouth and was like "Hmm wonder what that is" lol..I would love to visit DisneyLand one day and go on that ride.

Thanks again!

Oh, you're welcome! I love WDW but have to say the charm of Disneyland's Fantasyland, that includes this ride, makes DL very special to me and my daughter. Between this one, the circus train, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio and the Alice in Wonderland ride, DL's Fantasyland is a paradise if you love those old Disney classics! You definitely need to go there at least once!

 

[snowwhitemom]

Dont' miss the MUCH BETTER tiki room - NOT under new management, thank heavens.

OMGosh...I cant wait for that, we rarely if ever visit the tiki room anymore cause we do not care for the new mangement.

 

[Grendel]

How many days will you be there ?

we will be at DL for 4 days...but were thinking of taking one day to do somethign in LA or Hollywood...not sure what yet though..

so 3 days in the parks..

 

[Cookie55]

we will be at DL for 4 days...but were thinking of taking one day to do somethign in LA or Hollywood...not sure what yet though..

so 3 days in the parks..

From my experience, three days will be perfect...We always buy three day hoppers and have plenty of time to do everything we want...Do however take advantage of early entry...It is on that day that we hit Fantasyland and ride everything there before the park opens for the rest of the guests...Lines can get long there quickly...besides there is nothing better than catching the first ride on Dumbo!!!

 

[jnjusoioa]

Can someone explain to me a little about the fritters and mint juleps, I have heard these are not to be missed when visiting DL, what do they taste like, etc. They sound yummy but wasn't sure what they were. Thanks in advanc for your help.

 

[Grendel]

From my experience, three days will be perfect...We always buy three day hoppers and have plenty of time to do everything we want...Do however take advantage of early entry...It is on that day that we hit Fantasyland and ride everything there before the park opens for the rest of the guests...Lines can get long there quickly...besides there is nothing better than catching the first ride on Dumbo!!!

sounds good...at WDW were not so park centric...in that we get up slower..enjoy our mornings..usually by the pool...i think this is more of a park trip for us...so i can see is doing the early entry and planning times more seriously. thanks again..... Go Pats!

 

[cryssi]

Can someone explain to me a little about the fritters and mint juleps, I have heard these are not to be missed when visiting DL, what do they taste like, etc. They sound yummy but wasn't sure what they were. Thanks in advanc for your help.

Fritters are just fried dough (like cream puff dough) with sugar, but they serve it with this apple custard dip that is really, really good. Mint juleps, as DH puts it, taste like carbonated toothpaste . They are like a lemon-lime drink with mint syrup...I've tried to recreate them with creme de menthe Torani syrup, limeade, and sprite...if that gives you an idea of what they taste like. I really don't drink regular soda, ever, but I will have a mint julep at DL...

hth!

 

[jnjusoioa]

Fritters are just fried dough (like cream puff dough) with sugar, but they serve it with this apple custard dip that is really, really good. Mint juleps, as DH puts it, taste like carbonated toothpaste . They are like a lemon-lime drink with mint syrup...I've tried to recreate them with creme de menthe Torani syrup, limeade, and sprite...if that gives you an idea of what they taste like. I really don't drink regular soda, ever, but I will have a mint julep at DL...

hth!

Thanks so much, can't wait to try them!!!

 

[nurse.darcy]

My son and I will be there tomorrow and Wednesday. This is a mother-son trip and we are pass holders so we sometimes take these trips to do all the things we can't get dad to do.

Couple of must sees - you must go to the Disneyana Museum upstairs above the POTC ride. It was going to originally be an apartment suite for Walt and family but ended up never getting finished. Great history lesson up there. Also, there is an alcove in New Orleans Square where the door for Club 33 is. Another great little out of the way spot and often missed.

I will take pix of the food we eat. We usually don't go too fancy but may take on Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans this trip. I was just there a couple weeks ago and the only thing I ate was the clam chowder in the sourdough bread bowl at Fishermans Wharf in DCA. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that stuff. . .

Anyway, if there is anything you want me to check out for you while I am there, let me know. I'll do it so you can know the answer.

 

[caribbound]

Thanks Grendel for making this thread and for all the info in this and the other link everyone provided. I'm going in a month to meet up with our VMK friends. Having just been to WDW this helps tremendously.
Have yourself a great trip!

 

[nurse.darcy]

Okay, we are just back from our two days there. We had a great time even though the crowds were HUGE. We still managed to go on EVERYTHING and then some in the 2 days we were there. Since we are AP holders, we go often but usually just for the day. Once a year or sometimes 2 times a year we stay in a hotel out there and just enjoy ourselves at the parks for 2 days.

Since you are interested in food, we didn't eat at Blue Bayou but we did eat at the French Market (a Counter Service restaurant if you wanted to know). This is BY FAR the best value for counter service that I can find in the parks anywhere. I had the down home beef stew in a sourdough bread bowl. It comes with a side salad. This was $10.75 and absolutely HUGE. I could not finish it because I have had gastric bypass, but a normal human might still have trouble. . .lol. My son had the Southern fried chicken with fries. This also comes with a side salad. This is nearly 1/2 a chicken. It is a breast, thigh or wing (choice here) and a leg. The server took one look at my son and kept piling on the fries (country cut for those who care or "steak" fries for those who know). My son is 14 and 6 ' 2" so most people think he must eat a ton. My son ate the thigh and leg and did not touch the breast. He maybe ate 1/3 of the fries and all the side salad. We also had this dessert that we shared - a chocolate ganache tarte with cinnamon apples in the bottom of the chocolate cookie crust. This was THE MOST yummy dessert we have ever tried. I took two bites and that was enough for me. My son finished it. Anyway, the fried chicken plate was 30 cents more than my beef stew and very tasty. This meal could easily have been split for two. With drinks and dessert our bill came to $34. This was a great value at dinner, we were VERY satisfied and the meal was great. If you are on the dining plan this IS a counter service meal. The french market also has jambalaya, red beans and rice and louisiana sausage. Very tasty stuff.

 

[Grendel]

Okay, we are just back from our two days there. We had a great time even though the crowds were HUGE. We still managed to go on EVERYTHING and then some in the 2 days we were there. Since we are AP holders, we go often but usually just for the day. Once a year or sometimes 2 times a year we stay in a hotel out there and just enjoy ourselves at the parks for 2 days.

Since you are interested in food, we didn't eat at Blue Bayou but we did eat at the French Market (a Counter Service restaurant if you wanted to know). This is BY FAR the best value for counter service that I can find in the parks anywhere. I had the down home beef stew in a sourdough bread bowl. It comes with a side salad. This was $10.75 and absolutely HUGE. I could not finish it because I have had gastric bypass, but a normal human might still have trouble. . .lol. My son had the Southern fried chicken with fries. This also comes with a side salad. This is nearly 1/2 a chicken. It is a breast, thigh or wing (choice here) and a leg. The server took one look at my son and kept piling on the fries (country cut for those who care or "steak" fries for those who know). My son is 14 and 6 ' 2" so most people think he must eat a ton. My son ate the thigh and leg and did not touch the breast. He maybe ate 1/3 of the fries and all the side salad. We also had this dessert that we shared - a chocolate ganache tarte with cinnamon apples in the bottom of the chocolate cookie crust. This was THE MOST yummy dessert we have ever tried. I took two bites and that was enough for me. My son finished it. Anyway, the fried chicken plate was 30 cents more than my beef stew and very tasty. This meal could easily have been split for two. With drinks and dessert our bill came to $34. This was a great value at dinner, we were VERY satisfied and the meal was great. If you are on the dining plan this IS a counter service meal. The french market also has jambalaya, red beans and rice and louisiana sausage. Very tasty stuff.

thanks for the info...sounds like it was another good visit for you..

 

[nurse.darcy]

Any time spent at the land is a good trip. You will have a blast. Take advantage of fast pass, it will save you immeasurable amounts of time. Do Fantasyland first thing before the parents get there. You can do the entire area before 0930. Roger Rabbit cartoon spin and Grizzly River Rapids are OFF NETWORK for fastpass. Get those passes early. If it is busy, Space mountain, Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain and Soarin' fastpasses will be sold out before noon. Get to those early. During DL parades DCA is pretty much a crapshoot as far as crowds. Usually a bit emptier, you can pretty get on what you want.

Don't be intimidated by a 30 minute wait sign at POTC. It rarely takes more than 15 minutes to get on that ride. Don't be scared off by the lines at the Matterhorn. That ride moves pretty fast through the line as well. Use the back side first. DO be scared by the wait time at Space Mountain. Add 10 minutes to the posted ride time and you should come out just fine.

Other questions? just PM me. . .

 

[KatGarcia]

This thread has been very helpful for the planning of my June trip. We are a little bit last minute but its my birthday and i wanna do something Disney... and we have plans for a WDW trip in Jan so this is perfect!

I am curious about extended the passes..say we buy a 3 day but decide to go to the parks another day can we add on?
How long does it take to get to the other parks like sea world, and even to get to LA? Is it hard to find driving because I have never been to Ca before and would hate to get lost!
Any outside of DL hotels anyone wants to reccomend from experience would be awesome too!

Thanks so much!