first time

[scriv2]

Hello..hoping someone can help.

I have been to Disneyworld many times, but I am going to Disneyland for the first time this month on business. I will have 1 full day and several nights after the conference to explore. I don't know where to begin and what not to miss. Also, I would like to book some dining reservations. Can you tell me the best places to go? It will be myself and a co-worker and we love rides and shows.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Michele

Also - how far is the Anaheim Marriott from Disney? Can I walk?

 

[raftislander]

Ok, here is a map that will show you your hotel in relation to the park and entrance plaza

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

Here are my not to miss attractions at DLR/DCA for a WDW vet (in no particular order). This list tends to include things that are unique to California or are so much better or different than the WDW version that you should not miss them. Several things like HM, BTRR, Splash, Peter Pan, ToT are attractions that I love, and while there are differences from WDW, they are no so different as to rate "Not to be missed."

DL
1. Pirates
2. Indiana Jones
3. Matterhorn-
4. Space Mt.
5. Alice
6. Storybookland Canal boats - very charming at night -amazing bonzai
7. Fantasmic! - more important to see this than the fireworks IMO
8. Nemo Subs
9. Mr. Toad and the original Tiki room if you miss them in WDW.
10. IASW
11.The light in the firehouse window.
12 Mr Lincoln
13. The WDW train between Tomorrowland and Main Street Station- to see dioramas from 1964 World's Fair
14. Columbia Sailing ship
15. Davy Crockett Canoes - these are not motorized- the guests do the work
16. Sleeping Beauty Castle walk through
17. Buzz
18. New Orleans Square - prowl its streets stick your nose into its nooks and crannies


DCA
1. Aladdin -the best show that I have ever seen in a Disney park
2. World of Color-To see the World of Color show I would book a dinner or a picnic to get a fast pass to see it from a fairly good seat.
3. California Screamin
4. GRR
5. Monster's Inc - Mike and Sully to the rescue
6. Bug's land - Even if you do not ride anything here, it has wonderful themeing.

If you like disney history/memorabilia, I encourage you to prowl around the lobby of the Disneyland hotel. Check out the Grand Cal. Hotel just because it is fabulous

 

[ChickenCarlos]

Anaheim Marriott is very close and you can walk, but for like $5 you can take the ART bus which is pretty fast and stays on schedule arriving about every 15 minutes, and if your bus is not there at your hotel or at Disney when you are trying to leave, you can also take the Hilton bus because it is pretty much the same stop as for Marriott. Hope you have a great time.

 

[SD33]

Ok, here are my own personal recommendations for rides and restaurants...

Disneyland:

Matterhorn (unique to DL)
Space Mountain (much better than WDW's version)
Pirates of the Caribbean (also much better than WDW's version)
Indiana Jones (unique to DL)
Big Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
Nemo
Peter Pan

California Adventure:

Grizzly River Rapids (hands down the best raft ride in the country)
Tower of Terror
California Screamin (maybe Disney's best coaster?)
Soarin (better queue than WDW's)
Aladdin (best broadway style show in any Disney park)
World of Color (this is what is making all those East Coast natives so jealous)

Dinning:

Blue Bayou (one of the best themed restaurants on property...you eat under starlight on the Bayou next to the Pirates of the Caribbean river as the boats pass by)
Napa Rose (the flagship dinning experience at the Grand Californian Hotel...one of Anaheim's best gourmet experiences)


Hope this helps and hope you have an awesome time!!!

 

[jimreuter]

Alice in Wonderland attraction is closed until January, 2011.

Restaurant reservations are available up to 60 days in advance through the Disney Dining Line at 714-781-DINE. Reservations are pretty much required for Blue Bayou, and a good idea for dinner at Cafe Orleans or breakfast at Carnation Cafe. Big Thunder Ranch BBQ (all you can eat, and live entertainment starting at 12:30) is usually fine for a walk-in, but a reservation might reduce your wait time.

Good options at counter service restaurants are also available at Redd Rocket's Pizza Port (the chicken fusilli is very popular, plus pizza and salads), Plaza Inn (fried chicken, roast beef, salads, pasta dishes), Riverbelle Terrace (breakfast, salads and sandwiches) and French Market (a personal favorite is their many cheese pasta, topped w/bread crumbs and baked in a mini casserole - plus they have Salmon, Jambalaya, salads). Tomorrowland Terrace has recently upgraded their offerings, so if you're looking for burgers and fries kind of meals try there.

 

[mrswh]

15. Davy Crockett Canoes - these are not motorized- the guests do the work

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but how have I never heard of the Davy Crockett Canoes? Where are they? Is there a height restriction?

 

[DLR29]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but how have I never heard of the Davy Crockett Canoes? Where are they? Is there a height restriction?

It's a self-paddled trip around the Rivers of America in a canoe that holds like 15 people plus 2 guides. It only runs "seasonally" and on weekends I think, so you might have missed it. No height restriction.

I agree with raftislander's list but I would also add Pinocchio and Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin because they are not found at WDW and I really like them!

 

[scriv2]

Thank you so much for all the information! I am calling Disney dining right now to book. I really excited to go on some of the rides that you say are better than in the World.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Alice in Wonderland attraction is closed until January, 2011.

We've seen posts that make it seem like progress is being made on Alice... and orginally I think Disney said it would only be closed "a few weeks." So we'll see... watch the calendar on disneyland.com for updates on what is or is not closed!

 

[Funball]

Trip planners unite!!

Just kidding! No but seriously. The online maps are fine and dandy, but they are not that great, I can send you a set in the mail if you’d like…I am after all the park map fairy-just kidding no I’m not..but I do have maps and I do send them out to my fellow diser’s who need them and it seems like you need them at least to see the layout of the parks before you come.

 

[SD33]

I'm really excited to go on some of the rides that you say are better than in the World.

Can't wait to hear what you think of them. There are many things that are better about WDW than DLR, but DL tends to take the cake in terms of rides. They seem to update them more frequently there...probably in order to keep the appeal up for AP's. Space Mountain alone will knock your socks off. You'll have to do a trip report afterwards to let us know your thoughts. I know I am not the only one curious to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of DLR vs. WDW

 

[Flitterific]

Since you already know the rides to hit up, I'd like to add Napa Rose to the list of restaurants to try. The food is amazing and the Chef's Counter is sooo much fun. Of course, there is a hefty price tag that goes along with it but it's sooo worth it if you have the money. I also like Cafe Orleans a lot (they actually share a kitchen with Blue Bayou and have similar items on their menu minus the surf and turf but it's also a lot more affordable). Jazz Kitchen in DTD is also a lot of fun (more authentic Cajun/Creole food).

Like others have mentioned, World of Color, Fantasmic and Aladdin are must see shows! You need to get a fast pass for the World of Color show (at the Grizzly River Fun fast pass dispensers). These tend to run out early (if you get there after 1pm, you'll most likely be getting FPs for the 11:15pm show).

Have fun!

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, Can DL dining Reservations be made online?? Thanks, Joan

 

[Lissame]

Hi, Can DL dining Reservations be made online?? Thanks, Joan

Nope, you have to call the Dining phone number, and the time frame is 60 days in advance (exactly, so you can't call at 60 days from your first day and make reservations for the last day)

It's really not super critical to do the reservations at exactly the right time as it is at WDW. In fact, Blue Bayou is the only place we've really had to have reservations to get in...the other places you might have to wait a bit but you can still get walk up seating. Even Carnation Cafe at breakfast.

 

[Joan S.]

Nope, you have to call the Dining phone number, and the time frame is 60 days in advance (exactly, so you can't call at 60 days from your first day and make reservations for the last day)

It's really not super critical to do the reservations at exactly the right time as it is at WDW. In fact, Blue Bayou is the only place we've really had to have reservations to get in...the other places you might have to wait a bit but you can still get walk up seating. Even Carnation Cafe at breakfast.

Thank You for this info! Not sure if we will be doing Blue Bayou?? This is a last minute trip(I decided on Sunday 8/8 and booked for 8/22-29!!) and I need to decide which days we will actually be in the parks?? We arrive on a Sunday and I am thinking M-TH would probably be the best days for the PARKS?? We are really excited to be going to DL and DCA!! Joan