Help with dining reservations

[mhingher]

We are DVC members and have been to WDW in Florida many times. My husband and I went to Disneyland years ago but now we're planning a trip for August. Can anyone please share input regarding where to eat, planning, must see's, etc? We'll be staying at Paradise Pier and will be in the parks for 3 days.

Is a hopper necessary? Does Disneyland have the bands like in Florida? What about the fast passes - do they still have the "old" way or do I have to schedule them?

I'm so excited but I don't know where to start! My daughters will be 7 and 4 when we're there. Thanks!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We are DVC members and have been to WDW in Florida many times. My husband and I went to Disneyland years ago but now we're planning a trip for August. Can anyone please share input regarding where to eat, planning, must see's, etc? We'll be staying at Paradise Pier and will be in the parks for 3 days.

Is a hopper necessary? Does Disneyland have the bands like in Florida? What about the fast passes - do they still have the "old" way or do I have to schedule them?

I'm so excited but I don't know where to start! My daughters will be 7 and 4 when we're there. Thanks!

No bands. No scheduling fastpasses. You still go to the fastpass machines and use your tickets to obtain fastpasses. They are enforcing fastpass times at DL as well though, so you will need to use them within the designated window.

Many will argue that a hopper isn't necessary now that they have plussed up the California park. While I see their point, I personally would always opt for the hopper still. We have APs and visit several times a year from 7 hours away. I love the flexibility of being able to go back and forth between parks whether it's just to do something we really want to do at that particular time, or to eat in a particular restaurant, or to avoid crowd patterns, or whatever. So my recommendation would be to get a hopper for the flexibility if the extra dollars aren't going to trouble you too much. The front entrances of the parks are literally right across from each other; hopping is easy.

For some of your other questions, here are some threads you might enjoy:

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

My family enjoys the counter service places at DL. We really like the French Market in New Orleans Square. The food is tasty, and if you time things right there will be a live jazz band playing. Hungry Bear in DL is nice for the location overlooking the river, and the sandwiches there aren't bad. Flo's in Carsland in DCA has tasty food and a great view of the Radiator Springs Racers ride. We don't do sit-down as often. Many will recommend the Blue Bayou since it's inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride which makes it very unique. Carthay Circle Theater in DCA is an interesting choice because it's a beautiful setting with more upscale food. I personally would really like to try Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel for dinner sometime. It's on my to-do list. They do an excellent breakfast there which I would highly recommend. I also enjoy Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney. All of these sit-down places I mentioned do accept reservations.

If you re-post in the Disneyland forum, your post will probably get a lot more attention:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

 

[Chuckers]

Cafe Orleans, in DL, has THE BEST Monte Cristo sandwich EVER! It's the same one you can get at the Blue Bayou (only at lunch), but less expensive. It's a full service restaurant.

(The "Mickey"-shaped Beignets rock also! )

I would definitely get a park hopper because the parks are SO close. I believe that when you are going, DCA will close before DL so you can end the night at DL after playing at DCA