First Time Since I Was a Kid

[cwbronco]

Instead of summer school this year the GF and I decided to do a little traveling and take advantage of the buy three get two free deal going on now. I haven't been since I was a kid and she has never been so this will essentially be an all knew adventure for us. We are staying at the Anabella June 15th through the 20th. I've read HydroGuy's tips on getting the most out of a summer visit and using the fast passes; any other good tid bits for a couple of newbies?

My big looming question is on a day at Sea World that I added to the package. When I added the tickets to Sea World I was able to add transportation for free. But there is no mention of what that transportation is and whether or not we have to arrive and leave at the park at certain times. I'd really like to take advantage of all the shows that Sea World has to offer but its hard to make a plan when I'm not sure what time we have to leave. Anybody have any experience with this? I'm thinking I may have to call to find out.

My next big question is on food. Being a couple of college students we are looking to keep our food budget down. With the package I got I get one free characters dinning thing and I wanted to do one nice dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe but other than that we wanted to keep things relatively cheap. I'm guessing that pretty much excludes all of the in-park restaurants so are there any good options just outside of it with in walking distance? Also I'll have a back pack so are we allowed to bring in water bottles? I've read topics on here that people mentioned taking water into the park but on Disneylands website they say no outside food or water is allowed in the park.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Somegirl]

I don't think bringing water in is a problem.
The meal prices at the counter service restaurants aren't bad and the portions are huge so it's easy to share. I've found that they get you with the drink prices so if you bring in water it's not too expensive.
Also go to restaurant.com and sign up with them. They have different promos from time to time. We purchased a $25 gift certificate for $2 at the House of Blues.
I also do breakfast in the room. We bring yogurt, fruit and power bars with us.

 

[DLtorgo]

I always bring water bottles and snacks in with no problems. As long as everything is sealed up and not a huge cooler or something there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Yes, bring in water bottles. It's fine. When it was just me and my husband a few weeks ago we brought in 2 water bottles that fit easily in my purse. We would refill them at the cold filtered drinking fountain in the First Aid building on Main Street. We used that $25 House of Blues GC for $2 also from restaurant.com. Check Rainforest Cafe's website for a coupon as well. I think ours was $10 off our order. You two will have a great time!

 

[skiingfast]

The PPs have good points.

If you pick the right deals in the parks on food sharing a big meal is affordable. I've also heard of people ordeing the cheap nachos at ESPN in DTD and sharing them instead of entrees.

I always stay somewhere with a free breakfast or eat poptarts on my walk to the park.


Out side the park McDonalds and Subway are the, walk to, cheap food. Both on Harbor Dr. opposite the parks.

Regarding carrying water. Don't over complicate things. There are drinking fountains about every 100 feet.

To get the most out of your visit, park hop. DL at opening then over to DCA for it's opening. If DL closes later, go DCA at it's closing and back to DL for its closing.

 

[spacemermaid]

Like a previous poster said, the prices aren't bad at the counter service restaurants in the Park, and alot of the portions are big enough to share.

I've found that the biggest portions are at Rancho del Zocalo (one combo plate can easily feed 2 hungry adults, plus drinks are refillable) and at Pizza Port (one of their big pieces of pizza, cut in half, plus one pasta entree, split, can equal 2 good-sized meals; drinks are refillable there, as well!).

Here's a link to the menus at DLR (with prices): http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm It's a real help when planning a food budget

 

[LifeIsTinkIsLife]

DBF and I have brought in all kinds of food from other places in the parks. We brought in McDonalds, opened water bottles, Gatorade, sandwiches, chips, and almost anything else you can think of. The people checking the bags have never said anything and we do this on every trip we've been on. There is a Ralph's down Ball road, you'll see a Walgreens and it is across that street. We get all of our groceries we want there and for lunch (When the park is it's most crowded) we go to our hotel and eat lunch in the room using the Microwave. I know what you mean about trying to save money, and DBF and I have it down! On our weekend trips (We're fortunate enough to have AP's) our trips only cost about $200 total. We really hold back on anything we don't need and it works out. I am a light eater too so a couple of bites from whatever DBF bought in the park and I am good. I also suggest bringing things like apples in the parks because they are very filling. I am excited for you both in this new "adventure!" You will definitely enjoy yourselves!

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Most likely the Sea World trip is the one that can be booked through Grayline. As far as I know, this is the one that is booked with most packages. We did this trip during October and it was great. They pick you up around 9:00 at your hotel and we arrived at Sea World around 11:00. We did miss being there at opening (which I think was 10 on that day), and we had to rush a little to see everything, but we did manage to see everything that we had planned to. Since it was off-season, the park closed at 5, so we only had 6 hours there. I'm not sure if the bus leaves later than that if you go during the Summer months when the park might be open later. I'd check with your travel agent and see who they booked the Sea World trip with, and then I'd check their website or give them a call.

 

[cwbronco]

Thanks for all the great tips. Good to hear there is a subway near by. Also thanks to spacemermaid's link the counter service places don't look overly expensive.

Disneyfan4ever you were right on about Grayline. I talked to them and it appears we will get there around 11 and leave at 6-6:30 which is kind of disappointing considering the park closes at 10. We are planning on doing one of the tours so that will essentially only give us 6 hours on a busy summer day. Does that seem like it would be enough?

 

[jimreuter]

Welcome back!

The restaurants (quick (counter) service or table service) are happy to serve you water - just ask for a cup of water when they ask you about your drink order.