First DL visit on our 5th Anniversary

[Goofy618]

My wife and I will be going to DL 9/9/08 - 9/12/08 for our 5th anniversary (no kids).

We have been to WDW many times but this will be our first trip to DL. We have purchased 4 day park hopper passes and I think this should be plenty.

I have done a little research and it looks like Haunted Mansion may be closed for holiday makeover when we go, is it very different than WDW inside ?

I know that Small World will be closed and while I would like to see everything I will not be crushed to miss this.

The one thing I am trying to do is figure out a way to surprise my wife with an anniversary lunch or dinner at Club 33. I have been 'networking' to everyone I know to see if anyone knows someone who knows someone who might be a member and could get us an invite (Any help would be appreciated )

Also, I was considering a Ridemax subscription but I am not sure that it will be worth it for September.

Any tips / ideas / suggestions would be GREATLY APPRECIATED !

Thanks !

 

[audrabolster]

Congrats on the almost anniversary I think Disneyland is a great place to celebrate occasions!

Best of luck finding someone with a connection! I know that it is very rare to make connections here on the board, people are very wary of helping strangers, as it is their membership that could be on the line if something were to happen.

You could always go for the Blue Bayou or one of the nicer hotel restaurants? If you eat at a hotel you can even order an anniversary cake?

I'm not sure what is different about the Haunted Mansion, I know the outside is different, but I am not sure about the inside.

Make sure to get Anniversary pins from City Hall!

 

[Danauk]

I hope you have a great trip. DH and I are going to DL in August for the 1st time for our 10th anniversary, also no kids. As much as we too would love to eat at club 33 we don't stand a chance of knowing a member as we are in England, so we decided to book the chefs table at Napa Rose for our meal instead. Perhaps you could also do this instead?

 

[dewdrinker19]

Good luck getting into club 33, that one could be hard. If it doesn't work out then I second the Blue Bayou idea. The restaurant is inside the Pirates ride so that is really cool. Call ahead, make an appointment with Disney Dining, show up early and request a seat by the water.

 

[audrabolster]

Good luck getting into club 33, that one could be hard. If it doesn't work out then I second the Blue Bayou idea. The restaurant is inside the Pirates ride so that is really cool. Call ahead, make an appointment with Disney Dining, show up early and request a seat by the water.

Also, when you make the res, tell them youre celebrating

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm a Disneyland veteran and I've never used RideMax. I have gone at that time in September and the crowds are manageable. I enjoy the "Unofficial" guides more than anything else. If you just familiarize yourself with what's on FastPass, you'll be fine.

I second both the Blue Bayou and the Napa Rose for special dinners. Maybe BB for lunch one day and NR for that special dinner. I wouldn't count on Club 33.

 

[avalon451]

I'd suggest Napa Rose in the GCH for dinner. Very elegant.

Ridemax is just fun to play around with-- and it also has some really good tips and info. However, if you read Hydroguy's tips and get familiar with them, and maybe get the Unofficial Guide, for reference, you'll be just fine. September will probably not be that busy crowd-wise. That said, personally I'm getting Ridemax again before our Oct. trip just 'cause I like to fool around with it.

Sounds like a wonderful anniversary trip! Have fun planning!

 

[Goofy618]

Wow, thanks for all of the tips. The Blue Bayou seems like a great choice, also, I like the idea of getting there early and requesting a table near the water I didn't even know that there were tables near the water ... lol...

I can't wait

Thanks again !

Any info on when is the best time to see Nemo Subs (shortest wait)

 

[disneyfaninaz]

For Nemo, my suggestion is if you walk by and the line is under an hour, get in!

Have a great Anniversary. My DH and I celebrated our Anniversary at DL last year. We had dinner at the Storyteller's Cafe and I ordered a cake from Disney. It was delicious. They will deliver to any Disney restaurant on property or Disney hotel. I also second getting the Anniversary pins.

 

[avalon451]

Some people swear by getting in the Nemo line just before the park closes.

We did the MM Nemo dash at 7 a.m. on a Thursday, got on the first sub. But, we didn't think it was worth all the fuss.

 

[audrabolster]

I think it is better to go at night, I think it looks cooler! So if you can go just before closing, you won't have to wait as long. But if the wait is under an hour- go for it!

 

[HydroGuy]

This thread has lots of advice and tips:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Have a great trip.

 

[NWPrincess]

I hope you have a great trip! We will be right behind you arriving on September 15th. My parents will also be celebrating their Anniversary .

We went in 2006 at the same time you are going. It was great. It was a little hot, but the crowds were very low and we had a wonderful time!

 

[tofubeast]

We are doing a belated anniversary dinner at Napa Rose - Chef's Table. So looking forward to it.

I just got a ridemax sub. for our trip in August. So while I haven't put it to the test yet, I am having a lot of fun pre-planning. Of course I won't no my final itinerary until closer to the trip. School will be back in session while you are there. Crowds should be light if not during the weekend.

 

[Hound 109]

My wife and I will be going to DL 9/9/08 - 9/12/08 for our 5th anniversary (no kids).

We have been to WDW many times but this will be our first trip to DL. We have purchased 4 day park hopper passes and I think this should be plenty.

I have done a little research and it looks like Haunted Mansion may be closed for holiday makeover when we go, is it very different than WDW inside ?

I know that Small World will be closed and while I would like to see everything I will not be crushed to miss this.

The one thing I am trying to do is figure out a way to surprise my wife with an anniversary lunch or dinner at Club 33. I have been 'networking' to everyone I know to see if anyone knows someone who knows someone who might be a member and could get us an invite (Any help would be appreciated )

Also, I was considering a Ridemax subscription but I am not sure that it will be worth it for September.

Any tips / ideas / suggestions would be GREATLY APPRECIATED !

Thanks !

First tip would to be read HydroGuy's link above.....& then all the rest of his tips:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

You'll be coming from the East Coast & DL doesn't open till 10am (noon eastern time) on Tues/Wed/Thurs.....so definitely take advantage of MM when available.

Where will you be staying?

What time will you arrive on Tues & what time will you depart on Friday?

I agree with all the advice given above.

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's park.

 

[Goofy618]

We just got our 4 day hoppers in the mail ! Can't wait !

We will be staying at the Park Vue Mon 9/8 - Sat 9/13

While in CA we are also going to see the Disney Soda Fountain Ice Cream Shop and Pinks Hotdogs in Hollywood (saw it on FoodTV).

I am nervous about the Haunted Mansion being closed for the holiday changeover but I called DL and the friendly operator said they didn't have a schedule yet but she thought it would be 'late' September. Hope it is open at least one of the days we are there.

 

[HydroGuy]

We just got our 4 day hoppers in the mail ! Can't wait !

We will be staying at the Park Vue Mon 9/8 - Sat 9/13

While in CA we are also going to see the Disney Soda Fountain Ice Cream Shop and Pinks Hotdogs in Hollywood (saw it on FoodTV).

I am nervous about the Haunted Mansion being closed for the holiday changeover but I called DL and the friendly operator said they didn't have a schedule yet but she thought it would be 'late' September. Hope it is open at least one of the days we are there.

HM usually goes down right after Labor Day and re-opens 2-3 weeks later. Matterhorn usually goes down for refurb in Sept as well. After a busy summer I would not be surprised if several other rides are also taken down for refurb after Labor Day.

If you are nervous about HM or other rides being closed consider going before Labor Day or sometime after mid-November.

See the following for more info.

"HydroGuy's High Season/Off Season Tradeoff Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199852

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

 

[Goofy618]

I just saw on Disneyland.com that the HM will be closed starting 9/8 ... our first day there, we will miss it !

Oh well, I guess we will have an excuse to come back !

 

[Goofy618]

I can't wait for this trip ... September is so far away !!