DL...over New Years holiday

[njmomboys2]

Hi there..we will be at DL (staying at Grand California as DVC member) from Dec. 28th-Jan 1st.

We are planning on doing DL & DCA on Dec. 30th/31st..as we are busy with Rose Parade activites 28th & 29th (my son's high school band is in the PARADE on Jan 1st!!!!)...

Anyway...some questions:
1) Is there a park entrance for both parks from our hotel or just DCA?
2) What full service restaurants in DDisney would you recommend (party of 5..4 adults and our 13 yr old son).
3) How does Fantastic & World of Color work? Seating? Fast passes? 2nd show less crowded?
4) What grocery store do you recommend for shopping for light meals (breakfast/lunch)?
5) Will it be warm enough to use the pools when we are there?

Thanks!!!

 

[furb & dez]

Read the sticky posts in this forum. Your questions have already been answered.

 

[DLR29]

1) There is an entrance to DCA in the Grand Californian. It may not be the best to use in the morning because people who enter from the front gates at DCA tend to get to the major attractions quicker (there are more turnstiles open), but the entrance works well for afternoon breaks or at the end of the day. You'll have to use the regular entrance for DL or take the monorail, which isn't really closer than just walking.

2) I'm a fan of most restaurants in DTD. Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is awesome and has some really tasty food. Naples can be good if you can all decide on a couple pizzas. Tortilla Jo's is also great food and has very large portions. The ESPN Zone and Rainforest Cafe have decent food but you go to them for the atmosphere more than the food.

3) Fantasmic usually has 2 shows (it may have 3 when you're there due to crowds). The 2nd show is always less crowded than the 1st. People start saving spots for the 1st Fantasmic 4+ hours before it begins (like 5:00PM for a 9PM show). The thing is if you see the 2nd Fantasmic the maximum you'll wait is an hour because the first show will clear out by 9:45 and the 2nd show begins at 10:30. I recommend the 2nd show, but you'll still have to be aggressive. Seating is on the hard ground unless you buy a dessert package for like $60 (i think) which gets you a chair and a box of dessert. Fantasmic Super Thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983

For World of Color if you want to see it from the viewing area you will need a FP. FPs are distributed throughout the day. Even with a FP you will need to get to the viewing area 1-2 hours before the show starts if you want a good spot. For WoC it's standing room only. The shows will be equally crowded. World of Color Super Thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2443719

4) Can't really help sorry.

5) It depends. The pools should be heated and open. It also depends on where you're coming from. A native Californian like me would never go swimming on a 60 degree day, but someone who's used to colder winters in most other places in the country may have a different opinion.

 

[fitzaboo]

I can answer two.

Anyway...some questions:
1) Is there a park entrance for both parks from our hotel or just DCA?
Only DCA, it's right across from Grizzly River Run

2) What full service restaurants in DDisney would you recommend (party of 5..4 adults and our 13 yr old son).

We've done ESPN Zone and House of Blues with a large group. Both were good. But I will say the trip to and meal at ESPN Zone took over three hours... and if I did it again, I would not spend that much time NOT in the parks.