First Trip - Many Questions!

[GoofySon'sMom]

I am a WDW Vet and can plan a trip there with my eyes closed! We are planning our first family trip to Disneyland in July 2010 (I was there one day back in 1986!). I am a bit overwhelmed with all the differences!

I currently have us booked at HoJo's and feel fairly comfortable with that decision. The actual Disney hotels are just way out of our budget!

I have seen several places to get discounted park tickets ... which is the most reputable?

What are the dining must dos either inside or near the Parks? I am a character junkie so I am thinking Goofy's Kitchen and Storytellers Cafe for breakfasts. Are the resort hotels easy to get to from HoJos? Would we have to drive?

Are there any must dos for lunch/dinner? Napa Rose may be out of the budget although I haven't completely ruled it out.

Do most people make Priority Seatings 60 days out? I know at WDW it is sometimes hard to get what you want at 180 days out!

Are 4 day passes enough? Not thinking we will be there from open to close all four days as we want to see some other sites and are hoping to get to an Angels game (to see the Red Sox! )

THANK YOU for reading this far and any help you can provide in my planning! I am feeling a bit out of my element!

 

[sonnyjane]

I'll answer what I can, and the vets will take care of the rest.

1) HoJo is a great choice!

2) As far as discounted tickets, if you order online tickets directly from Disneyland.com, you can usually get a discount vs. getting them at the park the day of your visit.

3) 60 days out probably won't be necessary for all PS restaurants, but places like Blue Bayou will fill up more quickly. I know I'm going to book mine 60 out just to be safe.

4) Whether or not 4 days is enough depends on the number in your family and their ages. I think 3 is the magic number for me, but that is going to the park early, taking a mid-day break, then returning at night, "commando style". You may want longer than 4 days, especially if you're thinking about seeing other sites as well. Also factor in that you'll be going in July, when it's more crowded, so you might need more time to do everything you'd like.

5) DH is from the Cape, so I'm a Sox fan by marriage lol

 

[c&m]

I have seen several places to get discounted park tickets ... which is the most reputable?

We either use getawaytoday.com, Flight Centre, or AAA. AAA hopper passes are good to get if you are renting a car; the passes include daily free parking at the DL parking lot. Flight Center offers passes at CDN rates and sometimes does not factor in the exchange fluctuation. I buy Flight Center hopper passes online and show the vouchers at the ticket booth when I get to the main gate. I've saved anywhere from $10-$20 per hopper pass.

What are the dining must dos? I am a character junkie so I am thinking Goofy's Kitchen and Storytellers Cafe for breakfasts.

We love Goofy's Kitchen but would never do Storytellers Cafe again due to a horrid experience we had there on our last trip. It seems to me that their service and food quality have declined each year we go.

Are there any must dos for lunch/dinner? Napa Rose may be out of the budget although I haven't completely ruled it out.

- Whitewater Snacks at the GCH for lunch
- Cafe Orleans in DL is great for lunch (make a PS). Love their gumbo soup, pomme frites, and Mickey beignets! DH loves the montecristo.
- Mimi's Cafe (next to HOJO) is good for all meals
- Restaurants at the Anaheim Garden Plaza (includes CPK, Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gump's, PF Changs): longer walk, you may prefer to take a car

Do most people make Priority Seatings 60 days out? I know at WDW it is sometimes hard to get what you want at 180 days out!

I do. Just so I can get the time I want.

Are 4 day passes enough? Not thinking we will be there from open to close all four days as we want to see some other sites and are hoping to get to an Angels game (to see the Red Sox! )

We can do DL/CA in 3 days. But 4 days is always better!

Have a great time!!!

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

While I had access to Disneyland when I was a child, my grandmother lived nearby, I went for several decades only visiting Walt Disney World. We now live in the Western part of the U.S. and it is "only" a 12 hour drive to get to Disneyland, and we have fallen in love with this park.

You will not have any trouble walking to the Disney hotels for character meals. Compared to Florida, everything is so much closer together. Disneyland, California Adventure and DTD are all adjoining. You can flit back and forth between them with no trouble.

I would suggest you hit the park when it opens, which is SO much easier to do if you are coming from a timezone from the east. Then hit the character meal for a late breakfast seating. It will feel like lunch to you.

I think four days will be enough to enjoy the experience, but it will be high season so the park will be open long hours and everything, or almost everything, will be runnning. Even though it can be warm here I have never experienced the "hotter than the surface of the sun" phenomenon which often occurs in Florida, especially in July. I hope your family is as delighted by the weather as ours is.

As to things you must do, there is a great sticky with the differences between the parks. I suggest you make a schedule to include those rides/experiences.

Our favorite differences are:

The Broadway Style muscial presentation in California Adventure of Aladdin
The REAL/Original Tiki Room
Matterhorn
Sailing Ship Columbia
New Orleans Square
Pirates of the Caribbean
Blue Bayou (Eat here once if at all possible. I suggest trying to get the first sitting of the day. Lunch has less expensive options and if you are there first thing it is easier to get seated next to the water.)
Fantasmic
Indiana Jones Ride
Cove Bar in California Adventure. I love the Lobster Nachos.


Have fun planning your trip, and buy RideMax software to help you maximize your visit. It is very easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and so helpful in getting the most out of Disneyland.

 

[pixiewings71]

I currently have us booked at HoJo's and feel fairly comfortable with that decision. The actual Disney hotels are just way out of our budget! HoJo is GREAT, you won't regret your choice.

I have seen several places to get discounted park tickets ... which is the most reputable? Getaway Today is good, don't buy from eBay or Craig's List, those sellers may be scammers......

What are the dining must dos either inside or near the Parks? I am a character junkie so I am thinking Goofy's Kitchen and Storytellers Cafe for breakfasts. Are the resort hotels easy to get to from HoJos? Would we have to drive? I would go to Minnie & Friends over Goofy's Kitchen any day. We had a horrible time at GK but M&F was great, food and characters were great. Storyteller's, I have not eaten breakfast there, only dinner and YUM!!!! It's sooooooo good!!! If you have a young girl or Princess fan in your group consider Ariel's Grotto, the food there is great!

Are there any must dos for lunch/dinner? Napa Rose may be out of the budget although I haven't completely ruled it out. I would say do Blue Bayou, but not everyone agrees with me. BB has a great atmosphere and the food is good!

Do most people make Priority Seatings 60 days out? I know at WDW it is sometimes hard to get what you want at 180 days out! not always but it's best if you want to make sure you get your desired time/place to do it as close to 60 days as you can.

Are 4 day passes enough? yes, but our favorite was when we went for 5 days. Then we upgraded to APs so it didn't matter.

 

[Tasmen]

Our favorite differences are:

Matterhorn
New Orleans Square
Pirates of the Caribbean
Blue Bayou (Eat here once if at all possible. I suggest trying to get the first sitting of the day. Lunch has less expensive options and if you are there first thing it is easier to get seated next to the water.)
Fantasmic
Indiana Jones Ride
Cove Bar in California Adventure. I love the Lobster Nachos.

These are some of our favorite differences too and things I would highly recommend as well. You really need to make a point of eating in Blue Bayou at least once so that you can say you've experienced eating inside the pirates ride.

As other posters have pointed out, everything is much closer at DLR. It's a lot easier to get around with only the aid of your own two feet.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We enjoyed Storyteller's both times we've eaten there. I love the stuffed french toast (while they have a buffet there's also a menu you can order from ~ DD & I share the french toast).

Minnie's is our favorite character meal ~ lots of characters!

We love the HoJo.

Call me crazy but I plan to take DD for her B-Day (7/3) we'll be there 7/3-7/6 doing just DLR.

No you don't need to drive to Goofy's definitely not Storyteller's ~ HoJo to Goofy's is a bit of a trek but if you plan for a brunch you could hit the parks early and make your way back to Goofy's later in the morning ~ we actually preferred our dinner at Goofy's over our breakfast there. You could also take a cab from HoJo to Goofy's.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Wow, thank you all so much! I was wondering about Blue Bayou ... going to put it on our definite list!

I did read that it won't be "hotter than the sun" ... we are used to WDW in July so hoping Calif won't be that bad for us even with the crowds. Hey we are braving WDW Christmas week this year so crowds don't care us!

I am liking the 5 day passes idea, gives us that one extra day to be flexible.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU all! Any additional opinions/advice are more than welcome! Disers truly Rock!

 

[All About The Mouse]

You can do Lilo and Stitch character breakfast at the Paradise Pier hotel. Way fun and the food is yummy. Adults can even order off a regular menu and not have to eat the buffet.

Hojo's is nice. Walls a bit thin but we have stayed there 2x now and like it. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

We will be there in July too, it will be hot but mostly think hot without all the humidity. It can be crowded but depends on which day of the week. SoCal passes are blocked out in July so that helps with the crowds. Use the fastpass system at DL and DCA. Helps a lot.

Definitely see the new fireworks show that debuted this summer. Magical. It is a great show and has Dumbo in it! I have heard it is the new summer fireworks show from now on.

For regular good and tasty food book a PS at Carnation Cafe and hopefully you can meet Oscar who has worked there since 1956. He does not cook anymore but is the unofficial ambassador for the restaurant. The potato soup is yummy and the turkey on soft pretzel bread it great. For kids they have a paint platter of pb&j, marshmallows, raisins, etc.. that is fun to eat.

 

[Flitterific]

I guess I'll chime in too...

I've only been to two character meals (Goofy's Kitchen for brunch and the Minnie & Friend's breakfast). I have to say that I prefer GK to M&F. They have a greater variety of food and everything tastes superior to the stuff served at M&F. The character interaction was also a lot better as well.

Napa Rose is a must-try if it is within your budget. Otherwise, Cafe Orleans is pretty good (love their pomme frites, gumbo and salmon salad). Carnation Cafe is okay but their menu is pretty limited. I also like the Jazz Kitchen (the Bourbon Street Sampler is yum!).

It is not pertinent for you to make PS arrangements 60 days in advance but it is highly suggested especially if you go during peak season. Like a PP said, it's best to make them as early as possible to ensure that you get the times you want.

I hope your family will have a magical first trip together

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

You can do Lilo and Stitch character breakfast at the Paradise Pier hotel. Way fun and the food is yummy. Adults can even order off a regular menu and not have to eat the buffet.

Definitely see the new fireworks show that debuted this summer. Magical. It is a great show and has Dumbo in it! I have heard it is the new summer fireworks show from now on.

DS loves Stitch, not sure why I didn't think of going to that one! Will add it to my list!

I just heard about the fireworks and watched Dumbo on YouTube. How very, very cool!

as well.

Napa Rose is a must-try if it is within your budget. Otherwise, Cafe Orleans is pretty good (love their pomme frites, gumbo and salmon salad). Carnation Cafe is okay but their menu is pretty limited. I also like the Jazz Kitchen (the Bourbon Street Sampler is yum!).

I hope your family will have a magical first trip together

Thank you! I keep debating Napa Rose and really think we'll have to pass but it does look delicious! I was looking at the Jazz Kitchen menu and thought it looked fun as well. Thanks for the positive review!

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with all the posts above & definitely agree with Mouse's post below....especially the opinion that you'll find SoCal in July warm to hot....but w/o the oppressive humidity of the parks in the swamp.

You can do Lilo and Stitch character breakfast at the Paradise Pier hotel. Way fun and the food is yummy. Adults can even order off a regular menu and not have to eat the buffet.
.....
We will be there in July too, it will be hot but mostly think hot without all the humidity. It can be crowded but depends on which day of the week. SoCal passes are blocked out in July so that helps with the crowds. Use the fastpass system at DL and DCA. Helps a lot.
.......
For regular good and tasty food book a PS at Carnation Cafe and hopefully you can meet Oscar who has worked there since 1956. He does not cook anymore but is the unofficial ambassador for the restaurant. The potato soup is yummy and the turkey on soft pretzel bread it great. For kids they have a paint platter of pb&j, marshmallows, raisins, etc.. that is fun to eat.

Since you're a WDW vet, review HG's thread if you haven't already:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

& all the rest of his tip threads are worth a read as well.:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's park.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yes, it's hot in July, but it's a dry heat not a humid heat so it's much better then FL in July...and yes, I've been to FL in July! LOL Not to WDW but to FL and we spent most of our time wilting or sitting in the ocean. LOL

 

[BlondeMinnie]

As a Disneyland vet that planned two successful trips to WDW, I'll offer my advice and comparisons:

You say you love character meals, but in my mind there are two different kinds. Those that are solely for the kids and those that will appeal to both kids and their parents (or single adult couples, we love characters too!). Anyway, Goofy's Kitchen, to me, falls in the first category. I would liken this meal to Chef Mickey's in WDW. It's loud and feels crowded, but the food isn't quite as good as Chef Mickey's. Minnie's Breakfast and Lilo and Stitch are more in the second category, with the tables spaced further away from each other and a larger variety and better quality of food. I have not done the Storyteller's character meal so I cannot speak to that one. So think about what you want in a character meal and plan accordingly.

Heat in July? It'll be a cake-walk for you! I remember the first time I went to WDW (in August...) and realized what "hot" really was. In summer here in L.A. it'll get to upper 90's, but it's really not bad, esp. if you're in the shade.

And lastly, when you see our castle, be nice. Yes, it is much smaller than you are used to, but hey, it's cute! Just prepare yourself or you will be underwhelmed... as opposed to me, when I went to WDW and was stuck in awe of the castle for 10 minutes thinking, "Wow, it's so big!"

Enjoy your vacation! And be sure to leave enough time to get to things in the parks, walking takes a lot longer when the narrow walkways are crowded in July.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

As a Disneyland vet that planned two successful trips to WDW, I'll offer my advice and comparisons:

Anyway, Goofy's Kitchen, to me, falls in the first category. I would liken this meal to Chef Mickey's in WDW. It's loud and feels crowded, but the food isn't quite as good as Chef Mickey's. .

And lastly, when you see our castle, be nice. Yes, it is much smaller than you are used to, but hey, it's cute! Just prepare yourself or you will be underwhelmed... as opposed to me, when I went to WDW and was stuck in awe of the castle for 10 minutes thinking, "Wow, it's so big!"

Wow Chef Mickey's food is better, huh? That's a bit scary as I don't think CM's food is all that great ... but I do love the character breakfast experience there so it sounds like Goofy's will work for me! And Goofy is DS's favorite - not so much Minnie!

I am definitley prepared to be underwhelmed by the Castle. Especially since I will be seeing the WDW one all decked out in the holiday lights this year! I do appreciate it for what it is ... Walt's first dream. And that is good enough for me!

 

[disneedee]

only dis over planners! i am so one of those.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

only dis over planners! i am so one of those.

Well considering that I have been a 180 days WDW overplanner, 60 days doesn't seem like nearly soon enough!

 

[firefly87]

We either use getawaytoday.com, Flight Centre, or AAA. AAA hopper passes are good to get if you are renting a car; the passes include daily free parking at the DL parking lot. Flight Center offers passes at CDN rates and sometimes does not factor in the exchange fluctuation. I buy Flight Center hopper passes online and show the vouchers at the ticket booth when I get to the main gate. I've saved anywhere from $10-$20 per hopper pass.

Have a great time!!!

I thought I would also add that you get an Early Entry day if you buy from AAA as well as the free parking. Since you're going in the summer, getting into the park an hour early one day while it's cool and not crowded is a plus!

 

[pixarmom]

As a Disneyland vet that planned two successful trips to WDW, I'll offer my advice and comparisons:

You say you love character meals, but in my mind there are two different kinds. Those that are solely for the kids and those that will appeal to both kids and their parents (or single adult couples, we love characters too!). Anyway, Goofy's Kitchen, to me, falls in the first category. I would liken this meal to Chef Mickey's in WDW. It's loud and feels crowded, but the food isn't quite as good as Chef Mickey's. Minnie's Breakfast and Lilo and Stitch are more in the second category, with the tables spaced further away from each other and a larger variety and better quality of food. I have not done the Storyteller's character meal so I cannot speak to that one. So think about what you want in a character meal and plan accordingly.

Heat in July? It'll be a cake-walk for you! I remember the first time I went to WDW (in August...) and realized what "hot" really was. In summer here in L.A. it'll get to upper 90's, but it's really not bad, esp. if you're in the shade.

And lastly, when you see our castle, be nice. Yes, it is much smaller than you are used to, but hey, it's cute! Just prepare yourself or you will be underwhelmed... as opposed to me, when I went to WDW and was stuck in awe of the castle for 10 minutes thinking, "Wow, it's so big!"

Enjoy your vacation! And be sure to leave enough time to get to things in the parks, walking takes a lot longer when the narrow walkways are crowded in July.

Thank you! Thank you! Hydroguy's outstanding post on DL for WDW vets, and these kinds of comparisons are so valuable! Really helps those of us who are WDW vets get a sense of what to expect and how to plan.

 

[jenseib]

This is great info....Now where can I find out about the different restaurants and character meals offered at DL? When you stay at a good neighbor hotel do you get to get in early? Even if you don't book it through Disney? And do they have late hours too?