First trip to DL and CA

[hogwild]

Hi all!
We are planning out first trip to DL and CA for the week of June the 15th, and I need some help! We are long time lovers and AP holders for WDW so we are excited about seeing DL. My first question is how many days do we need to plan on being at each park? What will the crowds be like during that time? And is it too late to make ADR, and where should we make them? Our favorite WDW resturants are Ohana's and Princess storybook breakfast at Norway. Is there anything like that at DL or CA?

Thanks!
Karen

 

[DLR29]

Well first you need to start at Hydroguy's guide to DLR for WDW vets:
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Different from WDW, I don't recommend visiting one park on one day. The closeness and compactness of the resort makes it so easy to park hop every day. The parks are literally a minute's walk from each other. So to see both parks and Downtown Disney at a quick pace I would say 3-4 days. If you want to relax a bit and take it easier 5 days is good.

Crowds are hard to judge because that is the opening week of Toy Story Midway Mania at DCA. Combine that with "school getting out for the summer" crowds and it could be very crowded. Your best bet to avoid crowds is to arrive at the parks early early early and use FastPass as much as possible.

At DLR the dining thing is less of a big deal. They aren't ADR's, they are called Priority seating (PS) and you can make them 60 days in advance. So it is just about the right time to start making those, although unlike WDW, PS's aren't a neccesity.

 

[davidsprincess]

There is a plethora of advice here. You will love DL. Maybe even a little bit more than WDW . Have fun planning your trip and when you get back or even during, make sure you do a TR so that we know what you think of our beloved DL!

 

[HydroGuy]

Well first you need to start at Hydroguy's guide to DLR for WDW vets:
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599e

Thanks for linking this thread (again).

To the OP, if it is crowded while you are there do not get freaked out. Avoiding crowds at DLR is easier than at WDW for several reasons including the nearby walking distance hotels (hope you have one of those ), the longer park hours, and the near zero transportation time from hotel to the parks to DTD - and back.

If the OP wants more info on DLR here are a few more threads to review:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

"Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

Fastpass at DLR has some loopholes that do not exist at WDW. The OP will want to understand these because as DLR29 said the crowds may be a bit busy that week. This link discusses them:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

 

[Hound 109]

Hi all!
We are planning out first trip to DL and CA for the week of June the 15th, and I need some help! We are long time lovers and AP holders for WDW so we are excited about seeing DL. My first question is how many days do we need to plan on being at each park? What will the crowds be like during that time? And is it too late to make ADR, and where should we make them? Our favorite WDW resturants are Ohana's and Princess storybook breakfast at Norway. Is there anything like that at DL or CA?

Thanks!
Karen

Welcome to the DL side.

Read the tip threads mentioned above & be aware that this is NOT WDW...those in the know go to EACH park everyday. Park hopping is VERY easy...not at all like WDW.

I recommend 4 full days (park hopping each day). Here's a thread with this thought in mind:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

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

 

[SnowWhite12]

Most similar for a princess meal would be Ariel's Grotto. Can buy discount meal vouchers from getawaytoday.com. But before you buy them, make sure you get your reservations first through Disney Dining.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

From my experience last summer, three days in the parks wasn't enough. I would also recommend at least four days. I agree with DLR29 – five days would give you more time to relax, and more time to re-ride favorites, etc.

I learned from the DIS about park hopping to DCA everyday, and I agree with Hound 109, it works really well. Some days we'll stay in DCA for a couple of hours and other days we might stay for a few hours. I like how it keeps things flexible. Also, if you start your day at DCA (between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m.), then you would miss the first hour or two at DL, and you really don't want to miss those early hours.

I also recommend the princess meal at Ariel's Grotto (in DCA). We went there for lunch last October and my DD5 really enjoyed meeting Ariel, Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, and Princess Minnie. It's not exactly cheap, but we really enjoyed the experience. I think the princess meals are available for lunch and dinner.

The window for Priority Seating (PS) reservations at DLR is 60 days. DLR doesn't have the 180+10 (like WDW), so I think to call on the 60th day you will need to make a phone call each day.

FYI, I recommend the Aladdin Show (in DCA), but it's dark on Mondays and Tuesdays.

FYI, all of HydroGuy's tips can be found at the HydroGuy Tips Compilation.

HTH

 

[disneymayz]

Well first you need to start at Hydroguy's guide to DLR for WDW vets:
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Different from WDW, I don't recommend visiting one park on one day. The closeness and compactness of the resort makes it so easy to park hop every day. The parks are literally a minute's walk from each other. So to see both parks and Downtown Disney at a quick pace I would say 3-4 days. If you want to relax a bit and take it easier 5 days is good.

Crowds are hard to judge because that is the opening week of Toy Story Midway Mania at DCA. Combine that with "school getting out for the summer" crowds and it could be very crowded. Your best bet to avoid crowds is to arrive at the parks early early early and use FastPass as much as possible.

At DLR the dining thing is less of a big deal. They aren't ADR's, they are called Priority seating (PS) and you can make them 60 days in advance. So it is just about the right time to start making those, although unlike WDW, PS's aren't a neccesity.

Has this been anounced?

 

[HydroGuy]

Has this been anounced?

Sort of. Some folks on MiceChat said the new DLR park maps showed TSM with an opening date of June 17.

 

[toocherie]

My only opposite advice to DLR29 is that I do think you need Priority Seating reservations for busy times at the most popular restaurants (i.e., Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, Minnie's Breakfast). Although you may get in eventually (although Blue Bayou on a busy day you could get shut out completely), you will save time by having the PS.

 

[HydroGuy]

My only opposite advice to DLR29 is that I do think you need Priority Seating reservations for busy times at the most popular restaurants (i.e., Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, Minnie's Breakfast). Although you may get in eventually (although Blue Bayou on a busy day you could get shut out completely), you will save time by having the PS.

What DLR29 might have meant is that you do not need them far in advance. Many folks seem to be able to get a PS the day before for places like BB. I usually make it at least a month ahead of time, but we have a big crew.

Other than that I agree with you that a PS is a good idea. And there is no reason to not make them 60 days in advance if you can.

 

[december]

Hydroguy, I've printed out everything I can find from you on TGM and here! I'm going to DL at the end of May with a group of in-laws, and won't have much control over my days. Do PS have to be made ahead of time, or could I do it in the morning for an afternoon meal. I know we'll be in CA from 5/24 thru early June, but not what days we are doing what. It is all up to my mil's sister, and I'd love to do at least one character meal.

 

[hogwild]

Most similar for a princess meal would be Ariel's Grotto. Can buy discount meal vouchers from getawaytoday.com. But before you buy them, make sure you get your reservations first through Disney Dining.

thanks for the tip. Is there a specific area of their sit that deals with the meal vouchers? I couldn't seem to find the info on that.

Karen

 

[HydroGuy]

Hydroguy, I've printed out everything I can find from you on TGM and here! I'm going to DL at the end of May with a group of in-laws, and won't have much control over my days. Do PS have to be made ahead of time, or could I do it in the morning for an afternoon meal. I know we'll be in CA from 5/24 thru early June, but not what days we are doing what. It is all up to my mil's sister, and I'd love to do at least one character meal.

We have never done a character meal so other people can respond there. For other places like the Blue Bayou and Storytellers, for example, you can just make the PS anytime up to 60 days in advance. There is nothing to bind you to those days. If it was me and I was not sure which days I would be there, I would make a PS for all possible days and then when I decided which days I will be there I would cancel the ones no longer needed. No penalty there.

In answer to your question if you must do it or can do it the day before, most people report success with this approach. But if it is important to you then you should not count on it. If it is not that important then go ahead with this approach and be prepared there is a chance you might miss something.

 

[december]

We have never done a character meal so other people can respond there. For other places like the Blue Bayou and Storytellers, for example, you can just make the PS anytime up to 60 days in advance. There is nothing to bind you to those days. If it was me and I was not sure which days I would be there, I would make a PS for all possible days and then when I decided which days I will be there I would cancel the ones no longer needed. No penalty there.

In answer to your question if you must do it or can do it the day before, most people report success with this approach. But if it is important to you then you should not count on it. If it is not that important then go ahead with this approach and be prepared there is a chance you might miss something.

Thanks for the info. Since I have no control over the days, I think I'll just wait. We've done tons of these at WDW in 2 trips, so we aren't missing anything. I just won't mention it to the kids beforehand.