First Time DL, WDW Pro

[vickyp91]

Hi there! My fiance and I are planning our trip first trip to Disneyland October 18 and 19. We will only be going to the park these two days, one park per day. I was a CM at WDW, and I've visited tons of times but I'm a newbie when it comes to DL. Are there any must dos for DL? We aren't really interested in shows, more so rides and restaurants. We would like to have a sit down dinner or lunch at least once. Any suggestions for restaurants? Or any tips at all? Thanks!

 

[GatorChris]

If you're coming to DL only once, you need to go to the Blue Bayou - restaurant on the Bayou section (this part is not at WDW) of Pirates of the Caribbean. Think San Angel Inn, but better ambiance and no terrible Mexican food.

We also liked eating at Flo's V-8. The food is OK, but eating inside of the Cars movie is something special.

As for rides, make sure and do Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland as these dark rides recently got some cool overlays. Try Toad's Wild Ride since that attraction got the boot from WDW. Space Mt is a lot better than it's WDW counterpart - very smooth. Matterhorn is NOT ExEv - you will get beat up and there's no fun drop, but the new Yeti is cool. Try out the Subs, too.

 

[Micahisgood54]

Just an FYI the parks are close enough Park hopper add on is worth the cost imo...but I love matterhorn as a DL only, and splash/pirates and the other rides are going to be different. For lunch I would hit the corn dog wagon!

 

[John93]

Agree with what both people above me have said so far. I've been about five times in the last few years so I'll give you my two cents.

- Blue Bayou is not to be missed. Literally in the Pirates Ride. Request a table by the railing and wait for it - makes the experience so much cooler. This is about 100x better than San Angel Inn.
- Add on a park hopper to both of the days, it is worth every penny. You should be able to hit almost everything in between your two days, but its nice to change parks whenever you want to.
- Peter Pan, Alice, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Pirates of The Caribbean, Astro Blasters, and Fantasmic! are, in my opinion, drastically better than the WDW versions. The attention to detail and recent refurbs of all of these rides make them incredibly experiences.
- Check out the overlay-ed themed rides (Space Mountain will be different but very cool, as will Haunted Mansion).
- Do not miss Radiator Springs Racers (especially at night), Matterhorn, and Indiana Jones - you'll regret it.
- The windows of the Emporium there were recently redone, and look incredibly cool.
- Do the castle walk through; the entrance is just behind the castle.
- If you love Disney movies, check out the Story Book Canal; short wait and not to be missed.
- Soarin' and the area which it sits have both been redone recently. Soarin' has a new projection system and domed screen (both new).
- Definitely check the Resorts out, and get a drink at Trader Sams by the Disneyland Resort.
- Skip the sit down meals at DCA, they arent worth it in my opinion.
- Don't wait in the line for Space Mountain, only Fastpass it.
- The Plaza Inn breakfast is overrated and expensive - should probably avoid.
- Big Thunder BBQ is a great all you can eat sit down meal

Thats what I have off the top of my head. Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[aymekae]

Everyone has such great tips! The only thing I can add is that my new favorite restaurant in Disneyland is Carnation Cafe on Main Street, and in particular, their fried pickle spears.

Oh, FastPass. You can hold an active FP for each park. So easy to park hop, so I might stop in first to DCA, grab a FP to Soarin', then head over to DL, grab a FP to Star Tours, and then hit some of the short wait rides in the meantime.

I'm in the opposite position... I'm a Disneyland veteran, been to WDW once 7 years ago, and currently planning a return trip for March! I know what I know, but I don't know what I don't know, know what I mean? But planning it is half the fun of a vacation, in my opinion!

 

[tarheelalum]

If you want great food go to carnation cafe, Plaza Inn, and any place that sells corndogs. Cafe Orleans sells a great affordable basket of garlic and cheese pomme frites and is wonderful for people watching while siting outside. The gumbo there is also great. But if you value great embiance but with a high price, and ok food, go Blue Bayou in DL.

 

[vickyp91]

Thanks everybody, y'all have been extremely helpful! I will look into park hopper add ons! Any opinions about Ariel's restaurant?

 

[V.I.N.C.E.N.T.]

Thanks everybody, y'all have been extremely helpful! I will look into park hopper add ons! Any opinions about Ariel's restaurant?

Ariel's is a god option to meet all of the princesses, if that's not a high priority, I would only do it if you want to get the World of Color seating reservation. If the day is nice, siting near the water is pretty cool. Food is decent, nothing to flip out over.

 

[mcjaco]

No love for Indiana Jones??? That's a must ride!

Things I must hit up when I do DL:

Indy
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Storybookland
Matterhorn
Nemo Subs
Alice
Mr. Toad
Tiki Room
Roger Rabbit

 

[Nicolette11785]

There is a halloween party going on Oct 19th so I would do DCA that day so you don't have to leave DL early.

I know you're not into shows but Paint the Night Parade and Forever Fireworks are amazing!

 

[DHSbutcher]

Hi! Current WDW CM and I've been to DL a few times, with an upcoming trip in September, so I might be able to add some advice!

• If you can add park hopping to your tickets- do it!!! There are times you just *want* to be in the other park, like lines get too long or you just want a change of scenery, and also depends on what night time show you want to see.
• Going around DL, my must rides are: Alice in Wonderland, Buzz Lightyear (The guns actually come out of the holster so its easier to shoot with!!), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes if its open, The monorail (It's a totally different experience, and a great way to view DTD from up above), must ride the railroad all the way around the park too, Finding Nemo Sub Voyage, definitely check out toontown, its adorable to explore in, Indiana Jones is a must- the ride breaks down a lot so try to hit that one as soon as possible incase it isn't running later on, its a small world is also different, usually no wait, and there are some hidden characters on the ride too, ride the teacups at night, must ride the matterhorn even though it might leave you in pain, same with roger rabbits cartoon spin, mr toads wild ride is a must do, same with snow white's ride and pinnochios- they are small and short but such classics! pirates is a MUST, its longer and way better, and space mountain is super awesome with the halloween layover- completely different than wdw, much smoother ride, the storybook land canal boats are cute but another alternative it riding the casey jr train and you can see a lot of the canal ride and the storybook scenes set up(although from a distance).
• Must do's in DCA are: california screamin, radiator springs racers+ just enjoying cars land, we loved the theming of luigi's flying tires and maters junkyard jamboree but watching from a distance is fine if you're pressed on time, snacks from cozy cone motel is a must do though. Definitely ride mickey's fun wheel, grizzly river run, monsters inc ride(cute and different- but by no means the best), enjoy riding the trolley up and down buena vista street, toy story is the same as what is in hollywood studios- but much less of a wait- we enjoy it a lot still. You could easily ride every ride in DCA in a day with no trouble, but I really enjoy this park. It is much larger spread out and not as claustrophobic as DL is for me, and very similar to WDW.
• Food: I loved eating at rancho del zocalo(good mexican), plaza inn(fried chicken) and market house(orleans style food) for quick service in DL, and for a table service meal Cafe Orleans was delicious!! There are so many awesome snacks (must try the beignets!) around the park as well, i'd say the food is much more diverse in California compared to Florida! In DCA we ate at wine country trattoria a couple times which IMO could easily be skipped, but we had time to kill before world of color and fast passes daily so we kept ending up there We also ate at storytellers cafe at the Grand Californian and it was delicious! DTD also has some great restaurants such as Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and Catal- we enjoyed both of those.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

Following your thread I'm the same WDW Pro, 1st time DL and DCA.
Love the comments so far.