Help, a wdw expert headed to disneyland

[Wilsonfamily4]

My daughter and I have decided to head to Disneyland the last weekend in August while the boys in our house are out in the woods. So I haven't been to Disneyland since 1984. We will stay at Hojo but other then that I don't know where I should start.

We will only be in the parks 2 days.

How bad will crowds be?
Is there a program I can use to help me figure out crowds?
Do I need dining reservations like in WDW?


Anything else I should think about?

 

[HydroGuy]

My daughter and I have decided to head to Disneyland the last weekend in August while the boys in our house are out in the woods. So I haven't been to Disneyland since 1984. We will stay at Hojo but other then that I don't know where I should start.

We will only be in the parks 2 days.

How bad will crowds be?
Is there a program I can use to help me figure out crowds?
Do I need dining reservations like in WDW?


Anything else I should think about?

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

Not to scare you but crowds will be bad because the APs will be unblocked - except for Saturday which will probably be a little better. That just means you should get an early start at the parks each day and use FASTPASS a lot.

RideMax can help you figure out crowds - www.ridemax.com

You do not need dining reservations like WDW - but it is a good idea to make them anyways. For more info see * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

If you can, go see World of Color at DCA. WOC rocks!

 

[DLR29]

My daughter and I have decided to head to Disneyland the last weekend in August while the boys in our house are out in the woods. So I haven't been to Disneyland since 1984. We will stay at Hojo but other then that I don't know where I should start.

We will only be in the parks 2 days.

How bad will crowds be?
Is there a program I can use to help me figure out crowds?
Do I need dining reservations like in WDW?


Anything else I should think about?

Since World of Color has been a huge hit and many of the Southern CA Annual Passholders have been blocked out for most of the summer, I think we can expect crowds in late August to be extremely high unfortunately. On Friday and Sunday especially, expect a surge of APs coming to see World of Color. If you want to see WoC (which I highly recommend), I would see it on Saturday (although I do not know exactly which days you will be there).

Is there a crowd predicting program? Not like TGM. There is RideMax but honestly I think the best program is just the DISboards. Asking specific questions around here is extremely helpful and everybody around the DLR DIS is very nice and willing to assist.

Dining reservations are not as essential at DLR as at WDW. However, if you want to have a nice dinner at the Blue Bayou, reserve a WoC dinner package, or eat at a character meal, I would recommend calling soon.

Also, check out our wonderful Hydrogy's "DLR tips for a WDW vet" thread (it's fantastic): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599 EDIT: oops, didn't realize that Hydroguy had already posted!

 

[skiingfast]

Dining reservations are not as essential at DLR as at WDW. However, if you want to have a nice dinner at the Blue Bayou, reserve a WoC dinner package, or eat at a character meal, I would recommend calling soon.

I would also look at the Fantasmic dessert package. Assuming you haven't seen Fantasmic at WDW, it isn't somthing you want to miss and the dessert package will save you lots of time and drama with any crowds that may be there. Even if you have seen Fantasmic it may be something you want to consider.

 

[mkarizona]

If you want to eat at Blue Bayou, calling ahead is a must!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I would also look at the Fantasmic dessert package. Assuming you haven't seen Fantasmic at WDW, it isn't somthing you want to miss and the dessert package will save you lots of time and drama with any crowds that may be there. Even if you have seen Fantasmic it may be something you want to consider.

I am a WDW Vet that just returned from DLR. Fantasmic was sooo much better in DL than it is in DHS! I would definitely see it if you can fit it in and the dessert package did make it much easier!

World of Color was amazing as well ... again made much easier by the dinner package at Ariels. If you have two nights, I would recommend both shows. If you can only choose one, I'd go with WoC since WDW doesn't have anything like it.

 

[SD33]

Anything else I should think about?

All I can say is, there are some attractions you do not want to skip, even if you think you have already been on them enough times at WDW. There are certain attractions that are just plain better than their counterparts at WDW. Here they are:

Space Mountain (killer soundtrack and effects)
Pirates of the Caribbean (you gotta ride it to see why...)
Grizzly River Rapids (much better than Kali River Rapids)
Soarin (better queue)

And of course, Indiana Jones (not at WDW, but better than the Dinosaur ride that it is often compared to)

Have a great trip!

 

[pixarmom]

I'm also a WDW vet / AP holder, and haven't been to DL since the late 70s/early 80s! We're going to DL August 21-23, and then to Newport Beach for the week - sorry I won't have internet access, or I would post again with additional information for you!

We are so used to ADRs at WDW, and we really like to have ADRs for both lunch and dinner each day. Because we are unfamiliar with DL, and love having those two breaks during the day at a TS place, we did make priority seating reservations at the 60 day mark. I've called back to change a few, and never have difficulty with availability. It seems DL doesn't open up lunch PS as early as we would like (no lunch PS at Carnation until 1pm and at Wine Country until 12noon) and they seem to save certain times for walk-ins. In addition to Carnation and Wine Country, we also have PS for Blue Bayou, Storytellers (a breakfast and a dinner) and Cafe Orleans.

The CM on the phone thought I was pretty funny calling on the 60-day mark. In fact, most of the DL CMs I've spoken with seem very amused - earlier this year, one asked how on earth we knew so far in advance what we would be doing in August!

 

[disneydreamer74]

Ditto what everyone has posted, but....if you can..you MUST see Aladdin at DCA..it is a fabulous show and may be replaced soon! I will be going the last weekend of Aug. as well and have opted to see WoC on Sat. as well for the chance of lessened crowds! I will say this: if you are a WDW vet, you will have no problems with the crowds here. The only difference is that the parks are a little smaller so it can seem really crowded at the latter part of the day. Definitely read all the great info on these threads and trip reports. It will ready you for sure!

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

See Aladdin for sure. I think it is the best of any Disney theatrical show and it may be your last chance. You might want to consider an AP at Napa Rose. I would recommend the chefs counter. I think this is the best dining experience at DLR.

 

[HydroGuy]

I would also look at the Fantasmic dessert package. Assuming you haven't seen Fantasmic at WDW, it isn't somthing you want to miss and the dessert package will save you lots of time and drama with any crowds that may be there. Even if you have seen Fantasmic it may be something you want to consider.

Ditto what everyone has posted, but....if you can..you MUST see Aladdin at DCA..it is a fabulous show and may be replaced soon! I will be going the last weekend of Aug. as well and have opted to see WoC on Sat. as well for the chance of lessened crowds!

OP, if you pay attention you will find out what other WDW vets are finding out. DLR - that little, tiny, must-be-less than WDW resort out in California has four - count em', four - shows that are all significantly better than anything comparable at WDW.

o World of Color - unique, amazing, spectacular
o Fantasmic - just so much better at DL even counting for the fact that there is no stadium seating
o Aladdin stage show - 45 minutes of gut wrenching laughter - the Genie is awesome!
o Remember Dreams Come True (seasonal fireworks/laser/special effects - will not play in late August - but incredibly good)

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

Thank you guys!!!

Some great advice and hopefully I can follow most of it.