First time to DL; advice/help wanted

[ChloroFiend]

Hi y'all-

Burned through the sticky posts and have a decent idea of what's all going on around DLR, but wouldn't mind some tailored help from the experts.

DW and I are making our first trip to DL. We're WDW AP holders and figured we may as well take the opportunity to spend some time where it all began since she's getting sent to the LA Area for a business trip.

We're staying downtown LA Friday night, then getting up and driving to Anaheim early Saturday morning to stay at the the Holiday Inn Express that weekend (3-4 MAR). Drop the car at the lot there, then walk on over to DL and start rocking. Any idea how far/long the walk is? Seems relatively short on GoogleMaps. We expect to spend all day SAT + SUN in the parks, as we don't fly back until later MON night.

We don't really have anything set in stone, so we could use advice. We would like to see both World of Color and Fantasmic. We've got a Napa Rose reservation set for SUN at 630P, so we're thinking WoC on Saturday and Fantasmic Sunday after dinner may be the easiest. As long as I'm on the topic of food, any in-park restaurants not to miss?

Looking at the refurb list, it seems Matterhorn will be down and Carsland won't be open yet, which kind of sucks. We're looking forward to trying out the alternate versions of the WDW favorites as well as the rides not present in Florida...like Indy. Any particular method to the madness of setting a priority, things off the beaten path, or stuff to add?

How late do the bars in the hotels & DTD stay open? I see the park hours go till midnight...can we hit up Trader Sams @ DLH for a nightcap or 4 before heading back to the hotel?

Thanks in advance. Any and all comments welcome.

 

[Huff]

Two days is not enough to see everything at DLR but better than nothing! If you know how to use FP's and plan right you can see all major attractions and shows in both parks in 2 days. If you get hopper passes this will allow you to see more especially since Disneyland is usually open several hours past DCA. Hopping is very different than WDW since the two parks are only a few minutes walk between.

I assume you're staying at the Holiday Inn on Katella. It is about a 1 mile walk to the front gates of DL or DCA. You can also walk to the free Disney buses at the Toy Story lot. Its main entrance is off Harbor just south of Katella at Convention Way. That would be about 1/2 mile. Almost directly across the street from your hotel is the road where the buses come and go from the lot. If they allow you to walk through there then that would be about 3/10 of a mile to the bus loading area.

You'll want to ride Space Mountain even though WDW has it. Very different version and far better at DL. Its smooth, you sit side by side and it has in car sound like Rock'n Roller Coaster does. Much better special effects as well. Get an FP very early as they run out quick or have late return times. Early FP's for Indy and Splash are a good idea as well.

Splash and Big Thunder often have short lines 30-60 minutes before closing. Same with Nemo subs.

POTC is far better at DL that MK. Its quite a bit longer, has a few scenes and effects that aren't present at MK and theres two rather large drops.

Over in DCA, ToT's lines are often short early or late. Soar'n has a bad line almost all day.

 

[HydroGuy]

Your 6:30PM at Napa Rose will only allow you to see a late Fantasmic show at 10:30PM. Is that your plan?

Check at the Blue Bayou at DL for a unique place to dine - much more unique than Napa Rose.

As fore hotel distances, these links may help. Not sure about HIE.

"How Far Is It?" (shows actual distances in feet from hotels to DLR entrance plaza) www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

"Walking Distance Accommodations" (shows hotels within walking distance) http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/maps/...g_distance_map

"Accomodations Near Disney" - http://www.accommodationsneardisney....nd/default.asp

Anaheim Resort Map - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...84&postcount=1

Interactive Map of DLR - http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=33.809...2&z=19&l=0&m=b

Not sure about Trader sam's or other places to relax with a drink - we are usually still in the parks. Hopefully someone else can say.

As for things you will for sure want hit:

DL

Indiana Jones
POTC
Space Mtn
All of Fantasyland
Finding nemo sub Voyage if you have time

DCA

Soarin Over California (same ride as Epcot but it feels so different becase of the themed Condor Flats area)
California Screamin
Little Mermaid (preview of whats coming to MK)
Aladdin stage show (better than any of the WDW stage shows)

 

[ChloroFiend]

Thanks for the advice all.

We've decided to scrub our Napa Rose reservation as well as the Holiday Inn. Instead we'll try out one of the in-park places (I'm leaning towards Blue Bayou myself, but I'm a POTC junkie)....and now we're staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

After hearing Pete's review of it on the Podcast, we decided to go nuts and do it up right...especially since we don't expect to return again anytime soon.

Forecast is looking perfect and we're both stoked.

Anyone have anything else to chip in?

 

[Huff]

We've decided to scrub our Napa Rose reservation as well as the Holiday Inn. Instead we'll try out one of the in-park places (I'm leaning towards Blue Bayou myself, but I'm a POTC junkie)....and now we're staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

Blue Bayou has very good food and great atmosphere especially if you're willing to wait for a water front table. Prices are extremely high but its a great experience.

 

[coaches24]

Blue Bayou has very good food and great atmosphere especially if you're willing to wait for a water front table. Prices are extremely high but its a great experience.

I agree the experience is good but for me the food was just ok (except the potatoes which I really liked) and you dont get very much. We had 3 adults when we went last year in Jan and all of us walked out still hungry. I dont regret going but I wont do it again. It was worth it one time for the experience but the price, food quantity, and food quality will ensure I never go again.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Thanks for the advice all.

We've decided to scrub our Napa Rose reservation as well as the Holiday Inn. Instead we'll try out one of the in-park places (I'm leaning towards Blue Bayou myself, but I'm a POTC junkie)....and now we're staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

After hearing Pete's review of it on the Podcast, we decided to go nuts and do it up right...especially since we don't expect to return again anytime soon.

Forecast is looking perfect and we're both stoked.

Anyone have anything else to chip in?

I think that was smart. Pete certainly hyped up the DLH, haha. I have heard wonderful things about Napa Rose, but I know you really have to take your time there, and you will probably want more time if the parks with only 2 days there. Have fun! Take the time to see the Aladdin show if it is running, and keep in mind there is no "theater" for Fantasmic like in WDW, so you have to just scope out a spot very early and stand there.

 

[pixiewings71]

I agree the experience is good but for me the food was just ok (except the potatoes which I really liked) and you dont get very much. We had 3 adults when we went last year in Jan and all of us walked out still hungry. I dont regret going but I wont do it again. It was worth it one time for the experience but the price, food quantity, and food quality will ensure I never go again.

I have never left BB hungry.....in fact unless I share with DD15 I leave with food still ON my plate. DBF has never left hungry either, and he can eat, in fact last night for dinner he had like 6 full size sushi rolls and 2 small hand rolls as well.......IMO the food at BB is very good and the quantities are huge!

I would definitely suggest BB for in park dining, it's the best choice for in park! I too love PotC (favorite ride) and eating at the BB is just as cool.

 

[ArchOwl]

Definitely take advantage of Magic Morning on Saturday and Sunday and ride the slow loaders in Fantasyland at least one of those mornings.

Sorry about the Matterhorn and Carsland, but you will just have to make another visit to see them in action!

Since you are an on-site guest, you can use the Grand entrance to DCA. Grab a Soarin' FP and a WOC FP (for the earlier show if that is what you want) and ride Little Mermaid all before the park officially opens.

Another vote to make time to see Aladdin, if possible. I usually have to drag people to go see it because they don't expect much, but it usually ends up being a highlight of their visit.

I think Blue Bayou is going to be remembered for its atmosphere, not its food. Honestly the food is mid-level steakhouse, but it is worth doing just because you can dine in POTC! If possible, eat early or late and request waterside. They always say the wait for waterside is an extra half an hour, but if you go during an off time it is usually only about a 15 minute wait or so.

DH and I enjoy the new menu at Hungry Bear (counter service) especially the fried green tomato sandwich for me and the turkey for him. We also enjoy the soup and gumbo offerings at Royal Street Verandah and Harbor Galley (both counter service). Also a winner is the fried chicken dinner at Plaza Inn (we split this and add a salad). We haven't eaten at the new Jolly Holiday Bakery and Cafe, but it looks promising.

In DCA there is a really pleasant outdoor dining area in the corner near Goofy's Sky School with popcorn lighting and live music at times. There are two restaurants in that area, Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta and Paradise Garden Grill. I usually go for pasta, there is an excellent chicken and sun dried tomato fusilli and a four cheese ravioli that I like along with a nice garden salad. DH likes the Mediterranean style food at Paradise Garden Grill, especially anything in the tandoori sauce. The cucumber salad is forgettable. This way we can both get our dishes (real silverware!) and meet outside to eat. Pacific Wharf Cafe also has a nice selection of soups and salads and it is very nice to eat outside over the water.

The bars have varying closing times. We have been there very late at times and other times when they have inexplicably closed around midnight. Best to call and see before you hike over there. Trader Sam's is definitely worth a visit, what an amazing atmosphere! The eats here are only so-so, so stick to drinks mainly. And be careful where you sit.