DL Newbie

[PatsGirl]

Hi Everyone! We're headed to SoCal and DL mid-April 2011 and have booked the Candy Cane Inn for now. I looked at the on-site hotels but wow! are they expensive As WDW vets, we are accustomed to staying onsite but I've read the many threads on hotels, etc. and understand why it is not as big an issue at DL. That being said I will keep looking to see if the rates go down because it is a special trip and the CCI doesn't have a WOW factor

Can anyone recommend an off-site hotel with WOW factor? We won't have a car but if it isn't too far away, I would consider a shuttle or taxi.

Also, we normally like to have dinner in a nice restaurant each evening. What restaurants will require reservations? and what are your recommendations? I did check one menu, the Napa Rose I think, but again, very expensive and unless it is going to be fantastic, I don't like to spend that much. Any ideas?

BTW, this is for my 50th birthday trip with DD who will have just turned 14 but prefers kid-food still. Thanks, Brenda

 

[DmaxHawk]

A favorite on here is Howard Johnson, I've heard nothing but good things about them.
As far as restaurants go, Steakhouse 55 I've heard is good. Not sure about needing a reservation thought, I would assume so.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi Everyone! We're headed to SoCal and DL mid-April 2011 and have booked the Candy Cane Inn for now. I looked at the on-site hotels but wow! are they expensive As WDW vets, we are accustomed to staying onsite but I've read the many threads on hotels, etc. and understand why it is not as big an issue at DL. That being said I will keep looking to see if the rates go down because it is a special trip and the CCI doesn't have a WOW factor

Can anyone recommend an off-site hotel with WOW factor? We won't have a car but if it isn't too far away, I would consider a shuttle or taxi.

Also, we normally like to have dinner in a nice restaurant each evening. What restaurants will require reservations? and what are your recommendations? I did check one menu, the Napa Rose I think, but again, very expensive and unless it is going to be fantastic, I don't like to spend that much. Any ideas?

BTW, this is for my 50th birthday trip with DD who will have just turned 14 but prefers kid-food still. Thanks, Brenda

Blue Bayou is expensive but worth doing at DL. But lunch is often a better choice for BB. At DCA look at Ariels Grotto or maybe Wine Country Tratorria. In DTD there is the love it or hate it (we love it) RainForest Cafe. Tortilla Jo's is also good and often has less need for reservations. StoryTellers at GCH is pretty good too.

 

[PatsGirl]

DmaxHawk ~ I would probably compare HoJos to the Candy Cane after reading the reviews here but I'm really looking for something a bit nicer.

HydroGuy ~ I left this thread to look at the dining sticky and Blue Bayou (lunch) appears to fit the bill for a nice experience, glad you recommend it. Should I make reservations and how far in advance? Thanks. What would you recommend for off-site dining? How is the California Pizza Kitchen? I like to try things we don't have close to home or WDW or we'd go to RFC too. We eat there for our special mall trips about 90 miles away

 

[HydroGuy]

DmaxHawk ~ I would probably compare HoJos to the Candy Cane after reading the reviews here but I'm really looking for something a bit nicer.

HydroGuy ~ I left this thread to look at the dining sticky and Blue Bayou (lunch) appears to fit the bill for a nice experience, glad you recommend it. Should I make reservations and how far in advance? Thanks. What would you recommend for off-site dining? How is the California Pizza Kitchen? I like to try things we don't have close to home or WDW or we'd go to RFC too. We eat there for our special mall trips about 90 miles away

As you have probably read already reservations at DLR are in much lower demand than at WDW. You could pretty easily get a BB res a week ahead of time. You can however make them 60 days in advance. If you know a day that works you should do that. if you make the res for 11:30AM when they open - and arrive a little early by 11:15 - you have a better chance of getting one of the waterside tables where you can more easily see the POTC boat loading and launch area. I would do it on dy 1 though. Make the res a few days in after you had a chance to ride POTC once or twice. Then the BB will feel even more fun!

As for off-site we just do not do it because it is too much of a hassle. If I did I would look at Cheescake Factory at Garden Walk nearby.

 

[skiingfast]

Hi Everyone! We're headed to SoCal and DL mid-April 2011 and have booked the Candy Cane Inn for now. I looked at the on-site hotels but wow! are they expensive As WDW vets, we are accustomed to staying onsite but I've read the many threads on hotels, etc. and understand why it is not as big an issue at DL. That being said I will keep looking to see if the rates go down because it is a special trip and the CCI doesn't have a WOW factor

Can anyone recommend an off-site hotel with WOW factor? We won't have a car but if it isn't too far away, I would consider a shuttle or taxi.

I'm not sure you going find some WOW anywhere.


CCI was a good idea if you want something more than basic.

Hojo has a great pool. But other than that it's just an ok hotel like most of Anaheim.

Annabelle is a nice place but a little further of a walk than some like.

If you go to the Marriot or Crown Plaza by the convention center you will get a business hotel not a vacation hotel.

In WDW there are Bonnet creek hotels and Gaylord Palms with giant pool areas. Unfortunately at DLR only the Disney hotels have the extra that one may hope for.

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

Steakhouse 55 is great, and Napa Rose is fantastic. Worth every penny if you're a foodie, I think. You can call them and ask about a kids menu, if you don't think you're daughter will eat from the regular menu. Happy Birthday!

 

[PinkBudgie]

See the link in my sig for a review of Embassy Suites South. It is a nice hotel with a little bit of "WOW" (see pics of lion and turtles in the lobby). We loved it and stayed there a week. However, it is about a mile from DLR. We walked there one day when our APs were blacked out and just went to DTD. It would be way too long of a walk after walking all day in the park. ART does go there so you could take that. But personally, I hate waiting for shuttles so we just drove.

We just got back today from our second stay at CCI. We also plan to stay there again this summer. The convience of the easy walk combined with the free breakfast (decent but not nearly as good as Embassy) easily overcomes any desire for "WOW" for us. We can leave CCI about 10 minutes to park opening allowing us not rush so much in the morning.

I'd love to stay onsite sometime but we would rather spend the money to stay more days. If we ever find a good deal I'd love to try the DLH.