Going to DL next summer...need help please

[loribell]

Hi everyone. We are going to go to DL next July instead of WDW. It has been so long since we have been I don't have a clue what I need to actually plan for.

I am planning on booking the DLR with points as soon as I figure out exact dates and Memeber Services will let me. We will also be doing other things in California including Yosemite, the Redwood Forest, DS wants to go somewhere and pan for gold, possibly go to gem mine if anyone knows of any. We will most likely arrive & tay offsite on a Saturday night & then check in to the DLR first thing Sunday morning before heading to a park. We will stay Sun - Thurs night, checking out on Friday.

What do you recommend for Character Meals? When do I make ADR's or whatever they are called at DLR? When we are WDW we normally do 3-5. Should we do all of them? And is Mickey really not at any of the DLR character meals????

What about touring plans, do I need a plan like at WDW? What is the best way to tour the parks? Which park of which day or does it matter? I'm am sure we need to be there for opening, which should not be a problem for us since the time zone is so much friendler than the time zone in Florida.

Where else should we eat, in the parks & out? Do we need ADR's for everywhere?

If anyone has any other suggetions for the other things we want to do we would appreciate all of it.

Thanks so much for the help,

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Hi everyone. We are going to go to DL next July instead of WDW. It has been so long since we have been I don't have a clue what I need to actually plan for.

I am planning on booking the DLR with points as soon as I figure out exact dates and Memeber Services will let me. We will also be doing other things in California including Yosemite, the Redwood Forest, DS wants to go somewhere and pan for gold, possibly go to gem mine if anyone knows of any. We will most likely arrive & tay offsite on a Saturday night & then check in to the DLR first thing Sunday morning before heading to a park. We will stay Sun - Thurs night, checking out on Friday.

What do you recommend for Character Meals? When do I make ADR's or whatever they are called at DLR? When we are WDW we normally do 3-5. Should we do all of them? And is Mickey really not at any of the DLR character meals????It depends on what characters you want to see. Minnie and friends are at the Plaza, Stitch and Lilo are at Paradise Pier, Chip & Dale & friends are at the Storyteller and Goofy is at Goofy's Kitchen. I think it would depend on park hours too. Unless you have a PS (Priority Seating) for Plaza, you don't want to waste your opening hours at breakfast. And, unfortunately, Mickey is not at any character meals.

What about touring plans, do I need a plan like at WDW? What is the best way to tour the parks? Which park of which day or does it matter? I'm am sure we need to be there for opening, which should not be a problem for us since the time zone is so much friendler than the time zone in Florida. There are only 2 parks. They are right across the plaza from each other. A touring plan probably isn't necessary, but there are some good tips in the Sticky section of this site.

Where else should we eat, in the parks & out? Do we need ADR's for everywhere? There is a Downtown Disney district with some good restaurants. If you want to eat at the Rainforest Cafe, you will need reservations. Check out the Disneyland website for phone numbers.

If anyone has any other suggetions for the other things we want to do we would appreciate all of it.

Thanks so much for the help,

You could also check out allearsnet.com for information.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi everyone. We are going to go to DL next July instead of WDW. It has been so long since we have been I don't have a clue what I need to actually plan for.

Here is a starting point:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

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

What do you recommend for Character Meals? When do I make ADR's or whatever they are called at DLR? When we are WDW we normally do 3-5. Should we do all of them? And is Mickey really not at any of the DLR character meals????

I will let others help you here.

What about touring plans, do I need a plan like at WDW? What is the best way to tour the parks? Which park of which day or does it matter? I'm am sure we need to be there for opening, which should not be a problem for us since the time zone is so much friendler than the time zone in Florida.

In the summer, having a plan of some sort will be really helpful. Whether it is a detailed itinerary, that depends on how you like to tour. The best resource for touring plans at DLR by far is Ridemax - www.ridemax.com.

It does matter which days you go to which parks. The choice of days revolves around Early Entry (EE) at DL, and entertainment options (e.g., the excellent Aladdin show at DCA is dark on Mondays and Tuesdays). Be advised that parkhopping at DLR works differently at DLR because DL and DCA are so physically close (a one minute walk). See the DLR guide link above for more info on this. The reason it is important to grasp this difference from WDW is that at DLR you can experience more if you park hop early and often. Dedicating entire days to DL or DCA can be done, but it will reduce what is possible.

Where else should we eat, in the parks & out? Do we need ADR's for everywhere?

DLR dining is there, but is a distant second to WDW's offerings. ADRs (which are called PS - Priority Seating - at DLR) are not as important. You can make PS for some table service locations 60 days ahead of time. We usually make 2-3 of these and for the rest we do DTD or counter service as there are just not that many table service locations at DL or DCA.

 

[loribell]

You could also check out allearsnet.com for information.

Thanks for the tips Wendy. I had checked out some of the stickies yesterday. It just seemed much of it was from several years ago, didn't know if there was more up to date info anywhere.

I have checked out the info available on the Dis's main DL page & on allears, will keep checking it out since it is still under construction.

Here is a starting point:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

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

I will let others help you here.

In the summer, having a plan of some sort will be really helpful. Whether it is a detailed itinerary, that depends on how you like to tour. The best resource for touring plans at DLR by far is Ridemax - www.ridemax.com.

It does matter which days you go to which parks. The choice of days revolves around Early Entry (EE) at DL, and entertainment options (e.g., the excellent Aladdin show at DCA is dark on Mondays and Tuesdays). Be advised that parkhopping at DLR works differently at DLR because DL and DCA are so physically close (a one minute walk). See the DLR guide link above for more info on this. The reason it is important to grasp this difference from WDW is that at DLR you can experience more if you park hop early and often. Dedicating entire days to DL or DCA can be done, but it will reduce what is possible.

DLR dining is there, but is a distant second to WDW's offerings. ADRs (which are called PS - Priority Seating - at DLR) are not as important. You can make PS for some table service locations 60 days ahead of time. We usually make 2-3 of these and for the rest we do DTD or counter service as there are just not that many table service locations at DL or DCA.

Trey - thanks so much for the links. I will check them out. Will also check out ridemax. That sounds really interesting. We do like to maximize our time, more then anything to make sure we have plenty of pool & relaxation time.

I have been to DTD once to eat a couple of years ago so I knew how wonderfully close the parks were to each other. What do you propose when it comes to hopping? Or does ridemax explain all of that?

Other than the RFC do any of the other DTD restaurants take PS's? Do you have any recommendations on favorites at DTD?

Again thanks to both of you for your help..

 

[tink2dw]

Where else should we eat, in the parks & out? Do we need ADR's for everywhere?

PS ressies are always best in DL especially for the first 2 restaurants I have listed!!

Inside DL - Blue Bayou - is a fabulous place to sit beside The Pirates of the Caribbean ride that passes thru the restaurant and watch the fire flys glow in the trees, and the food is awesome! Try the Monte Cristo sandwich it is a real treat!!

Plaza Inn - The Chicken Dinner is awesome!! Skip the other dinner chose it doesn't even compare to the Chicken Dinner, and chicken isn't even one of the things I like, so it has to be great for me to recommend it!! There is a Pooh Bear Character Meal at breakfast that is very fun, and the food is self serve so you can pick your favorites.

The Golden Horseshoe - this lunch with a Musical Showdown and the Best Chicken Strips at the Best price in all of Disney!! Go early before the lunch rush. Skip the desserts they are expensive and very disappointing!! [side note my Dh bought me a Tinker Bell Straw that glows, it turns on and off, I love it!]

Everyone is always looking for a cheap meal at DL, in Downtown Disney,
Wetzels Pretzels, has pretzel hot dogs, that are really good, you pick what dip you would like, I chose melted chedder cheese. Yummy!!

Food/ Fast Food Thread - Lots of Idea's
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1564897

 

[HydroGuy]

What do you propose when it comes to hopping? Or does ridemax explain all of that?

RideMax does not help you with parkhopping. The DLR Guide link has a section on parkhopping. It gives a DLR parkhopping "philosophy" which is different than a WDW philosophy.

Other than the RFC do any of the other DTD restaurants take PS's? Do you have any recommendations on favorites at DTD?

The only place we have eaten at DTD is at RFC - a family favorite. I second the recommendation for Blue Bayou at DL. Make a PS 60 days in advance and request a waterside table.

 

[keishashadow]

hi lori!

they are a patient & wise bunch on the DL board

we're going out end of next June/beginning of July too

while i've got WDW down pat, I'm finding planning a DL trip very confusing/challenging; lots of the hotels haven't even released their rates yet lol.

i bought Passporter & UG, reading the Econoguide now - when you figure it all out, let me know.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Here's a trip for all of you WDW saavy people.

Plan your trip to Disneyland like you would the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure like you would the Disney Studios. There are a lot of similarities among them.

 

[loribell]

RideMax does not help you with parkhopping. The DLR Guide link has a section on parkhopping. It gives a DLR parkhopping "philosophy" which is different than a WDW philosophy.

The only place we have eaten at DTD is at RFC - a family favorite. I second the recommendation for Blue Bayou at DL. Make a PS 60 days in advance and request a waterside table.

Got it! I will check out the links this weekend. I have heard so many rave reviews about the Blue Bayou I will definetly have to book it.

hi lori!

they are a patient & wise bunch on the DL board

we're going out end of next June/beginning of July too

while i've got WDW down pat, I'm finding planning a DL trip very confusing/challenging; lots of the hotels haven't even released their rates yet lol.

i bought Passporter & UG, reading the Econoguide now - when you figure it all out, let me know.

Hi Janet! I wish we could be there at the same time. We can't leave home until the 5th of July though. DS has to finish with baseball first.

I feel so lost knowing nothing about DL in comparrison to what I know about WDW. We will just have to hel each other figure it out, with the help of these guys that is!

Here's a trip for all of you WDW saavy people.

Plan your trip to Disneyland like you would the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure like you would the Disney Studios. There are a lot of similarities among them.

Okay, got it. DL - MK, CA - MGM or DS.

 

[DLR29]

Here's a trip for all of you WDW saavy people.

Plan your trip to Disneyland like you would the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure like you would the Disney Studios. There are a lot of similarities among them.

However there are many differences (especially between DCA and MGM/DHS). I would actually not plan my days the same way. At DL, I BTMRR is not nearly as popular. At WDW, Fantasyland only has 3 dark rides (4 if IASW counts) and DL has 5 + IASW, but also Winnie-the-Pooh, Roger Rabbit, and Monster's Inc at DCA which are not in FL. DL Fantasyland rides don't have FP. There's a lot to consider while planning.

Here's a basic plan of at least the mornings what I'd do for a 4 day July trip (DL hours: 8-12, DCA: 10-9)

Day 1 (Sunday): Check in to hotel, go to DL, enter by 9 (if check in goes smoothly), tour left side of park (Adventureland, NOS, Frontierland, Critter COuntry) grabbing Splash and Indy FPs ASAP (Splash ahead of Indy because of heat) lunch, afternoon break.

Day 2 (Monday): EE, get to DL gates by 7:45, tour Fantasyland during EE, use Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness if you want to enter TT early, exit DL via train (make sure you go at least from Tomorrowland to Main Street), hop over to DCA and grab Soarin and GRR (unnetworked) FPs and then leave for lunch and an afternoon break.

Afternoon: Go back to DCA and tour the park in the afternoon/evening, use your previously obtained FPs.

Day 3 (Tuesday): EE (a second because you're staying onsite), get to DL gates at 7:30, head straight to Nemo, ride and tour Tomorrowland grab Space FPs ASAP, browse Main Street shops, take monorail back to hotel (unless you're staying at GCH), lunch at hotel, afternoon break.

Day 4 (Wednesday): Use this day to visit favorites or rides that you didn't get a chance to ride the other days.