I have a couple questions!

[Feathers]

First of all, our trip is next July and we are booking the hotel soon. What I want to know is, how early should we make reservations for meals? We are having dinner at the Blue Bayou, Ariel's Grotto (WoC) and the Rainforest Cafe. Usually the RC doesn't need to be booked but I figure if we want a good place to sit then I should reserve a table, especially at the start of peak season. And is Fantasmic desert seating worth it? Or can we just stand behind the speakers/spotlights that rise and get a fine view that way?

What buttons does the City Hall offer? Some people have said they get 1st visit pins there, and we'll have one genuine first visitor as well as three people who haven't been in so long that they don't remember anything at all. xD
Are there Graduation pins? Since that is why we're going...
Is there anything else we should be aware of for first timers? 2 of the 6 people coming (me and a friend) are basically in charge, but we go to Disney very often so we aren't sure what to do for the firsties.

I've heard a lot of mixed things about Goofy's kitchen. We plan to have a breakfast there, but we would really like it if the characters would actually interact with us. I've heard that they sometimes skip you if you don't have kids, and we'll be a group of 17/18 year olds... what do you think?

And lastly, has anyone ever taken the train to CA? We are flying there from BC and possibly back, but we are also considering the train option in case we decide to carry back a lot of things. Where is the station in relation to Disneyland? How can we get there?

Thanks!

 

[DizNee Luver]

First of all, our trip is next July and we are booking the hotel soon. What I want to know is, how early should we make reservations for meals? We are having dinner at the Blue Bayou, Ariel's Grotto (WoC) and the Rainforest Cafe. Usually the RC doesn't need to be booked but I figure if we want a good place to sit then I should reserve a table, especially at the start of peak season. And is Fantasmic desert seating worth it? Or can we just stand behind the speakers/spotlights that rise and get a fine view that way?

What buttons does the City Hall offer? Some people have said they get 1st visit pins there, and we'll have one genuine first visitor as well as three people who haven't been in so long that they don't remember anything at all. xD
Are there Graduation pins? Since that is why we're going...
Is there anything else we should be aware of for first timers? 2 of the 6 people coming (me and a friend) are basically in charge, but we go to Disney very often so we aren't sure what to do for the firsties.

I've heard a lot of mixed things about Goofy's kitchen. We plan to have a breakfast there, but we would really like it if the characters would actually interact with us. I've heard that they sometimes skip you if you don't have kids, and we'll be a group of 17/18 year olds... what do you think?

And lastly, has anyone ever taken the train to CA? We are flying there from BC and possibly back, but we are also considering the train option in case we decide to carry back a lot of things. Where is the station in relation to Disneyland? How can we get there?

Thanks!

I'd suggest calling at the 60 day mark for your priority seating....that way you have a better choice of times. We always reserve at Rainforest Cafe because they are always busy!!

We enjoy doing the Fantasmic Dessert Seating......you get a great view, a chair to sit in, you don't have to wait for a long period of time before the show, you get a tray full of asst goodies & you get free drinks (non-alcoholic) for the entire show. If you book the first showing, then you also get to stay in your seats to watch the fireworks!

You can get your 1st Visit, anniversary, birthday, just engaged, just married, we're celebrating, etc at City Hall. A lot of the sit down restaurants & shops have the buttons as well.

Goofy's Kitchen will be a great place for breakfast. The buffet is huge & if you react to the characters as they come near.....they'll most definitely stop. If you're having any problems.....let the Character Host (the CM that watches over the characters) know.

Can't help with the train thing.....but I believe you can have souvenirs shipped home from the World of Disney Store in DTD.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Just wanted to point out that Rainforest Cafe takes reservations 1 year in advance. So if you really want to make sure you get the time you want -- you could call now.