First Time DLR

[Donald Duck Dad]

First time for us. Trip of a lifetime for DS and myself.
DS's HS Marching Band (Conroe Tiger Band, Conroe, TX) will be in
the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Our trip calls for a day at DLR on 12/29 or 12/30 (can't remember which day).

Questions:
What are the crowds like?
Where is the best Counter Service Meal?
Which attractions are a MUST DO?

We will be there from around noon time to park close.

DS and myself have been to WDW 3 times and know the routine. We are a huge DISNEY family. We were upset that DW,DS, and DD unable to go
with us, but we did do WDW in JUly for 14 days at the Poly resort.

Any and all comments are welcome

 

[HydroGuy]

It will be super crowded and the fact that you cannot get there until noon will make for a challenging day because FASTPASSes for the major rides will be mostly gone. Also, since you only have part of one day I would skip DCA and only do DL.

With that, the MUST DOs for a WDW vet are:

1. Indiana Jones
2. Matterhorn
3. Space Mtn (light years better than the MK version - it had a 2 1/2 year refurb a few years ago)
4. POTC
5. Small World (it will have the special holiday overlay which reaaly makes it different than MK)

After the above:

6. HM (with its holiday overlay)
7. Alice in Wonderland
8. Finding Nemo Sub Voyage - very unique, different from Epcot, but not that great of a ride
9. ToonTown - just to see it - you do not need to ride anything except maybe Roger Rabbit which is an OK ride

Best counter service at DL? We like Redd Rockett's Pizza Port. Other good choices are Hungry Bear and Rancho del Zocala.

 

[letthembelittle]

How exciting for your family! When I was in High School my band was in the parade too and got to spend New Years Eve at Disneyland, it was a madhouse!!! But as a high schooler it was fun. I would read reviews of the rides and watch the videos on YouTube and then decide what are your must dos, I think they are different for everyone! Have a great trip!

 

[pixiewings71]

While I agree with Hydro Guy about the parks being VERY crowded I also wanted to point out that ALL AP's except the Premium will be blocked at that time......so that will definitely help with crowd levels, but yes, it will be packed. For best CS we like Rancho, Pizza Port, River Belle Terrace, Hungry Bear in that order, we also like to take a break and watch Billy Hill while eating chicken nuggets and cheese sticks. Oh another one that's supposed to be good to grab and go is skewer stand over by Indiana Jones, we have yet to try it but it smells heavenly......

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Make sure to take advantage of Single Rider lines ~ Indiana Jones offers it for sure, maybe Splash Mtn. There's a couple more at DCA but I'm not sure if you'll visit that park. Try, try, try to get there earlier would be my tip!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Here's my 2 cents

Not-to-miss rides-I'm going to concentrate on those that are at DLR but not at WDW, especially considering you wont' be arriving until about noon.

Here goes...

DL
Indiana (get FP for this)
Matterhorn (no FP available)
IASW
Space (FP)
HM (FP)
POTC (no FP)

Maybes
Tiki Room-hasn't been redone like at WDW.
Splash (though I don't like to get wet if it's cold)
Jungle Cruise


DCA
Screamin' (FP also has Single Rider)
ToT (different than WDW-FP)
Maliboomer( No FP but has single rider option)
Do Animation Academy-you get to keep your drawing for free! (unlike DQ)
TSM (you can do this but there are no FP and rumor has it the SR line is now gone-it was always hit and miss anyway)
Grizzly River (depending on the weather or you can wear ponchos)
See Aladdin show if you can-it's very good.

Best Counter Service in the parks
Pizza Port in TL. Great chicken fusilli and chinese chicken salad.
Plaza Inn is also good. A little more $$ but they also have good pasta. Their fried chicked is very good, and alot of it.

Best CS outside the park-White Water Snacks in GC hotel. Great lunch choice. You can get there from DCA and return through special entrance.

Single rider is not available at Indy or Splash. Sorry. Screamin', Soaring, Maliboomer, Mulholland Madness, at DCA have SR lines. (off and on)

Have fun!

 

[perlster]

Single rider is not available at Indy or Splash. Sorry.

was good until this point - both have Single Rider lines at Disneyland Park

 

[pixiewings71]

was good until this point - both have Single Rider lines at Disneyland Park

Yup, they both have SRL, we rode Splash on Thursday, they were definitely loading from the SRL that day. Same with Indy when we got to it later that weekend.

 

[lcasa]

If there's anyway to adjust that schedule and get there closer to openning you'll have a much better chance to go on the must-do rides - most people show up around noon. I went on Veteran's day and it was a breeze to do everything up until around 1pm - and a nightmare after that - hard to walk even!

The AP blackouts will help a lot though.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I agree w/ what the OPs listed as must dos for rides in DL.
But for counter service places, I like:
French Market
Rancho del Zocalo
Plaza Inn
Little Red Wagon (gotta love the corndogs!)

 

[pixiewings71]

I agree w/ what the OPs listed as must dos for rides in DL.
But for counter service places, I like:
French Market
Rancho del Zocalo
Plaza Inn
Little Red Wagon (gotta love the corndogs!)

How could I forget the French Market!? OMG, they have the BEST baked pasta...sooooooooo good, and that's one I don't share! LOL I also like the Plaza Inn. DBF and I get one chicken plate and a side salad and share. Plenty of food there!