Great time to visit?

[moviekid21]

I haven't been to DL in a long time, and didn't even go to DCA last time I went to DL.

This Fall, me and a friend (we're both in our early twenties) are wanting to go visit.

I was wondering if anyone can help tell me a good time to go with the following factors:

-Not too busy.
-We DO want to see the Haunted Mansion Holiday.
-We do want to visit most if not all rides at DL.
-What rides are MUST SEE at DCA?
-Good Dining Options in the Parks?
-Which resort on property should we stay at?

I know it's a lot to ask, but I'd appreciate the help greatly!

Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

I haven't been to DL in a long time, and didn't even go to DCA last time I went to DL.

This Fall, me and a friend (we're both in our early twenties) are wanting to go visit.

I was wondering if anyone can help tell me a good time to go with the following factors:

-Not too busy.
-We DO want to see the Haunted Mansion Holiday.
-We do want to visit most if not all rides at DL.
-What rides are MUST SEE at DCA?
-Good Dining Options in the Parks?
-Which resort on property should we stay at?

I know it's a lot to ask, but I'd appreciate the help greatly!

Thanks!

How many days were you considering for this trip?

Okay, as far as your first two criteria: October has been getting increasingly busy. Halloweentime begins on September 25 this year and so I am guessing the Haunted Mansion Holiday will be up on that day. I think the tail end of September will be less crowded and cheaper at the Disney hotels than if you wait until later in October. So I would say go sometime in those last few days of September.

As for the next two criteria after that: In DCA, you definitely want to ride Toy Story Midway Mania, Soarin' Over California, Monsters, Inc., California Screaming, explore the Animation Building and see the Aladdin musical. If you allow yourselves 3-4 days, you can see most of DL and DCA. If you only have two days to work with, it is still manageable, but you will have to plan your time wisely to squeeze in everything in DL and much of DCA.

As for dining, if you want counter service in DL, River Belle Terrace (with the famous Mickey pancakes) is good, Bengal BBQ, Rancho Del Zocalo, Plaza Inn...If you want table service, there is Carnation Cafe (Mickey waffles), Cafe Orleans, Blue Bayou (located in the POTC ride)... In DCA, Taste Pilots Grill is a good counter service restaurant. Wine Country Trattoria is a good table service place. Then there are 5 character meals throughout DLR - one at each hotel and one in each park. Downtown Disney has a lot of good restaurants too, but they are not Disney exclusives. Disneyland Hotel has Steakhouse 55, Paradise Pier has PCH Grill (with the sinful and enormous "Kitchen Sink" dessert) and Grand Californian has Storytellers (it's only a character meal for breakfast but a regular restaurant the rest of the day) and the upscale Napa Rose.

As for which on-property DLR hotel, I like all 3 of them for different reasons. Is money a concern? If not, the Grand Californian is lovely and very close to the entrances of both parks. Disneyland Hotel is the most 'Disney' out of the 3 hotels and has beautiful, lush grounds. Paradise Pier is the hotel with kind of a beach/surf theme, and is the least expensive one of the three, as its property is small.

 

[moviekid21]

Thanks for that!

We were thinking of being there three days to play. We've done the WDW versions of Toy Story Midway Mania and Soarin. Unless there is something signifigantly different, we'll probably pass those up.

My room mate (the other person coming, she's a CM) is getting the hotel at a discount, so the cost isn't too much of an issue with those.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for that!

We were thinking of being there three days to play. We've done the WDW versions of Toy Story Midway Mania and Soarin. Unless there is something signifigantly different, we'll probably pass those up.

My room mate (the other person coming, she's a CM) is getting the hotel at a discount, so the cost isn't too much of an issue with those.

You're welcome!

No, I don't think TSMM and Soarin are different at DCA than they are in Florida, but since you will have 3 days (probably), you will have more than enough time to ride them along with everything else!

That's fantastic that you can get a CM discount at whichever hotel you pick! GCH is technically the best location, as it is very close in proximity to the entrances of both parks (and both parks are right across the esplanade from each other). If you can afford that, go for it!! I have stayed there twice and wish I could stay there more often. But the DLH is the original hotel and has lots of cute Disney touches around the grounds, so you may want to try that too - it is beloved by many DIS-ers here!

 

[l’amore bella]

Early November is a great time to visit. The crowds are low, the lines are short, and you can see Haunted Mansion Holiday.

I personally like Paradise Pier Hotel the best, but it depends on which theme you like. They are all great places to stay, so I don't think you can go wrong when choosing a Disney hotel.