Help! First time to DL - next month

[ufalum]

I'm looking for any help/suggestions that I can get. My husband is in the Navy and we just received orders to move to Japan. We go through LA, so we thought that we would take our girls (4, 3) for one last trip before heading overseas (July 31 - Aug. 3).

We have never been to DL before (WDW 3 times in the past year) and are looking for hotel, character breakfast, and attraction suggestions for the girls. The DL hotels are all booked using the military discout (which doesn't stop me from calling everyday!). We are looking for a hotel within walking distance that would be classified as a moderate or deluxe.

I would love to take the girls to a character breakfast. I have seen people mention Groofy's (I forget the full name). Is this a good idea?

Again, any help would be appreciated as we are in a short time frame. Thank you very much!

 

[daannzzz]

Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel has character breakfast and dinner. I don't know if they have lunch. At the Grand Californian Hotel, Storyteller Cafe has a character breakfast.
In the parks, The Plaza Inn at Disneyland has a character breakfast. At Disney's Calkifornia Adventure Ariel's Grotto has character lunches and dinners. I have done Goofy's for breaksfast and Ariels for lunch and dinner and found the food to be good at both and the character interaction great.
As far as hotels go the Hilton and Marriot are just down the street a hair and while walkable I wouldn't do it with little kids. They do have a shuttle. The moderate range motels that are right across the street are the best bet. My Favorites are The Howard Johnson (The only one on that part of the street with interior corridors) and the Candy Cane Inn. Here are 3 links to give you a good idea of whats available. The closest decent place to the cross walk over to the parks is the Best Western Park Place Inn.

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/where_to_stay_BIG.htm

Here is a link to another great Disneyland forum. Go to their Discussion Boards and to the trip planning thread. Everyone there will give you loads of help.
http://www.laughingplace.com/default.asp
As far as what is good for the kids. I would pick similar things as what's at WDW. Check out the following dark rides Alice in Wonderland, Pinnochio's Daring Journey and Mr. Toad's Wild ride along with Casey Junior Circus Train and the Storybookland Canal Boats all in Fantasyland. Tootown is much different here and great fun and has the Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin. In DCA they have Flick's Fantasy Fair where there are three nicely decorated carnival styl rides in a good setting. The animation exhibit and the Alladin show would also be good.

 

[ufalum]

Thanks for the quick info! I will start checking on some of the character meals today and also hotel prices. Thanks!



Yeah, one more trip to Disney before 3 years in Japan!!!!!!!

 

[ADisneyPrincess]

Goofy's Kitchen does offer a lunch buffet. I think it goes to about 1:30 or so. You can call the dining line to find out the last seating. I would definately make a PS for whichever character meal you choose.

Do you think you'll be able to visit Tokyo Disneyland while you're overseas?

 

[ufalum]

We have thought about Tokyo Disneyland, but have heard that it is very expensive and totally geared towards Japanese clientele (which makes sense). It is not even owned by Disney. We will have to see and ask around once we get to Okinawa.

Thanks for the advice on Goofy's Kitchen. I'll have to call and see if there are even any PS's available for our time frame. Our girls really liked the other character meals that we have been to at WDW.