DL vs. DCA

[Liz Z]

Hi all,

We need some help planning from DL Vets for WDW vets for our 2 days in Disneyland.

What are some of the "must Do's" and where to have a nice breakfast in the both parks. We're planning on Goofy's Kitchen for our departure morning. But i was thinking about the Plaza inn in DL but not sure about DCA.

We are staying at the DLH and not sure when we can make dining reservations.

We will be arriving the night of Friday August 17 and staying until Monday August 20. So Saturday and Sunday will be our days for hopping with Maxpass. We're not sure which park to do first.

I was thinking that maybe we could do DL first on Saturday. Then DCA on Sunday going back to DL if they're open later and for anything we might have missed.

We do want to see PTN parade and dessert party for WOC. Which i believe is in DCA. Not sure about fireworks in DL. Or other evening shows. We've done Fantasmic numerous times so not sure if that would be something we'd like to see again.

I know the schedule isn't out for the summer so its hard to tell what shows and events will be offered.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Liz

 

[LilyJC]

Since you're staying at the DLH, definitely take advantage of the EMH which line up with your park plans for Saturday and Sunday. You'll accomplish a lot that way especially in DCA. One of my favorite sites for DL info even as a local is Disneyland Daily. She has a blog as well as a fun Facebook page. Here's a link to a great page to start on with her site:

https://disneylanddaily.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-disneyland/

Dining usually opens up 60 days out, but sometimes the parties take a bit longer to show so be prepared for that as well. F! at Disneyland is definitely a different experience than at WDW, but if you can just pick one nighttime show, I'd go for the WOC dessert party. We tend to prefer CS over TS at DLR, but you can check out menus at allears.net for ideas as everyone has different tastes. A lot of highly recommended TS are just nasty to my family, so YMMV. Enjoy your trip and one of my faves, the DLH!

 

[figment_jii]

Both PTN and WoC are over in DCA. DL should be offering Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular (fireworks), along with Fantasmic! The fireworks show is new (it debuts on April 13th), so keep an eyes on the board for reviews after it debuts. When you say you've seen F! numerous times, do you mean in DHS or in DL? I ask because DLR debuted a new F! show last year, which has similar elements to the show at DHS (e.g., mist screens, Mickey, good versus evil, etc.), but features different characters and effects. DHS has a much better viewing set-up (seating!), but I think DL has a better show.

Dining Reservations open up 60-days in advance, one day at a time at DLR. Reservations, in general, are much easier to get at DLR than at WDW. Almost nothing completely books up on the first day (except special events). If you go online on the 60-day mark and nothing is available, it's much more likely that they haven't yet loaded those dates into the system opposed to already being fully booked.

In terms of where to dine, it really depends on what kinds of food you like and what experiences you want.

If you going to try and see fireworks, I would do that as early in the trip as possible. Fireworks in DL are often cancelled due to winds, so it can be iffy if you wait until the end of the trip to see them. WoC seems less weather dependent. F! also seems less weather dependent (except rain). Not sure about PtN, but I think it's mostly impacted by rain.

Given that you're staying at DLH, it means you'll have access to EMH/MM. So I would go to DL on Saturday (their EMH/MM morning) and DCA on Sunday (their EMH morning). Are you getting park hoppers? The two parks are only about 110 yards apart (think of DL like Epcot's FW and DCA like Epcot's WS), so it's pretty easy to park hop.

 

[Liz Z]

Thank You Thank You Lilyjc and Figment-jii That link you posted is awesome. A wealth of information!!

I knew each park had separate EMH. But i couldn't remember which one on what day lol . You have clarified that for me.

Thanx again for all your help

Liz