Florida native visiting DL for a day in 2 weeks, need advice.

[frank2271]

Hello all,

I'm taking my family to Vegas to visit family on the 19th, we will be heading to CA on the morning of the 20th and heading home the night of the 21st. My plan is to go to DLR on Sat. the 21st and head back to Vegas after closing. I have been to DL before but my 9 year old son hasn't. We live 80 miles from WDW and have visited there hundreds of times. Since we only have one day there I wanted to know a few things.

Should I get a one day park hopper so we can do DCA? We have never seen it and thought it would be nice to do.

Does anyone have the menu to the restaurant in Pirates? I think it was called the "Blue Bayou"??

Is there a significant discount for AAA members and if so where is the closest AAA office to Disneyland?

What is the phone # to get a PS for the restaurant?

I want to thank all of you ahead of time for your advice. I'm sure you will help us have a great vacation.

Thanks,
Frank

 

[snowy76]

Can't help with most of it but some DL menus are here, including Blue Bayou...
http://allearsnet.com/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

 

[kelmac284]

Well if your son has never been to Disneyland it might be tough to do both parks in one day unless you stick to things that are particular only to DL. Also I have never driven to vegas from DL but I think it is a long drive and if you plan on staying till closing that would be quite late. Also there are things like Fantasmic that in my opinion are neater at DL than DW. It is an experience to say the least and if you can afford it I would do the water side seating.

The number for PS is 714-781-3463. You will want to call ASAP for Blue Bayou if you plan to eat there as it is pretty popular and people have been able to make reservations for the last 40 or more days for the time you are going to be there.

As far as AAA goes I think they do have some discounts and you should be able to call one of their travel agents and perhaps you could get the stuff sent priority to your home or have them sent to your hotel if you are worrying about mailing time.

We don't do packages cuz I have found I can get stuff even cheaper through Getaway Today or just on my own and we have AP's for the tickets.

Good luck and have fun and feel free to ask any more questions!

 

[frank2271]

I got my PS, thanks.

If anyone has any "do not miss" suggestions I would be greatful.

 

[kelmac284]

Well I would say def things that AREN'T at DW. Like Indy, Matterhorn any of the fantasyland rides that aren't in FL etc. Again I think Fantasmic is better here then in FL so if you like that I would try to make that and also the Electric Light Parade is neat but not sure if it is going right now.

Enjoy!

 

[mad hatter fan]

Make sure to try Pirates. It is longer and much better (in my opinion) than the WDW version. Also Space Mountain has been completely redone so that would be worth trying. Indiana Jones is awsome!

California Screamin is my fave in California Adventure. It is lauched super fast right from the start and has a little bit of everything in it, a loop, camelbacks, etc, but it is a super smooth ride. And the view from the top is amazing. There is a new Monster's Inc ride that is supposed to be good. (We will try it next week!) Other than those two rides the only other thing I feel is a do not miss for a WDW vet in CA is the Aladdin show. In my opinion, it was so much better than all the other shows in WDW except perhaps the Lion King one. (I haven't seen the new Finding Nemo show so I can't compare that one.)

If you decide to only do Disneyland and have the time, it could be fun to try the rides that are at both DL and WDW and try to find the differences. My oldest son was about the same age as yours when we went to WDW for the first time. He really enjoyed trying to figure out how WDW's versions were different than DL's versions.

Have a great time!

 

[jlmarr]

There is a new Monster's Inc ride that is supposed to be good. (We will try it next week!)

I think it's very well done - lots of clever effects. It got a bad rap early on because the lines were too long, and it's a short ride. It's still a short ride but the lines aren't so long now. Along the same lines of a "new generation" dark ride, be sure to check out Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. It's worth it just for the queue.

Other than those two rides the only other thing I feel is a do not miss for a WDW vet in CA is the Aladdin show.

Definitely - a great show.

 

[Judy from Boise]

wow! Do you realise that DL has more attractions than MK ? That is a pretty ambitious plan, especially if you plan on eating!

 

[inspcramer]

ON a good day with no traffic and driving at least 75 it is 3.5 hours from Vegas to DL. Can be up to 6 - 8 hours on a bad day. Keep in mind that CalTrans is shutting down differnt sides of the 15/215 interchange on the weekends. Check out the Caltrans website to find the closure schedule. It might add a lot to the drive time.