It's My First Time - Nervous!!!!!

[disneygirl21]

In July 2004, I will be heading to Disneyland for the first time!!!! What is not to miss?
We are staying at the Grand Californian. Is that a nice resort?
How is the food, service, rides, and resorts at DL?

 

[iceskatejen]

This would be my list of do not miss rides in DL:
Indy
Big Thunder
Splash Mountain
Matterhorn
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise (ride it at night, the guides are a lot funnier then)
I'm sure others would also have their suggestions, but these are the rides I try to ride whenever I get over there. Space Mountain would be on the list, but it's down for refurb until next year.

For DCA:
Soarin' Over CA
CA Screamin
Grizzly River
Maliboomer
and I'm sure Tower of Terror belongs on the list, just isn't open yet.

For shows in DL:
don't miss Fantasmic or Believe (I love watching Believe from the river area)
I haven't managed to see it yet, but I hear the Snow White show is good.

DCA:
Aladdin is a must see (upper orchestra in the center is the best spot to see it).

I've never stayed in a resort since I'm local and just go for day trips.
For food: I prefer DCA's fast food/counter service over DL's. The fries in DCA are better (cut from real potatos and not the reconstituted stuff DL uses). I haven't done any of the sit down places in DCA since they closed the Soap Opera Bistro . I haven't eaten in the hotels either, though I hear the Goofy's Kitchen character breakfast is fun. In DL, I do like Rancho Del Zocalo pretty well for Mexican. You get a lot of food, it's pretty tasty and the price is reasonable compared to a sit down Mexican place outside the park.

 

[cathyn]

The Grand Californian is their best hotel. I have never stayed there, but it is very nice.

The Snow White show is a must see. The stage is awesome.

We like to eat at the Plaza Inn. They have a really good Cobb salad. It is also nice to eat at the Blue Bayou. It is located inside of the Pirates of the Carribean. It is one of the more expensive restaurants in DL.

I have always found the service at both DL and DCA to be very good. The cast members are very helpful and nice. They are very accomodating at the hotels.

Have a great time!!

 

[MATTERHORN]

You are going to have a blast. You didn't mention if you have kids going with you, but the ride list given by iceskatejen was great, although myself being a big kid would also add in Alice in Wonderland as I don't think they have it at WDW, and Peter Pan. In DL, we like to eat by Haunted Mansion at the French Market, and the corn dog stand at the end of Main Street is great! In DCA, we have only eaten at Taste Pilot's so I don't have much advice. The Grand Californian is beautiful and the breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe is a lot of fun. Also we like to grab food there at Whitewater Snacks by the pool for a quick bite and it is decent priced. Anyway have a great time and let us know how it goes!


Andrea

 

[Firefly777]

The Grand Californian is a great hotel. Defnitely the best on property, IMO.

The food is what you would expect to find at a theme park. Not the best, but okay. I would definitely recommend the Blue Bayou and the Gumbo at the New Orleans Square Veranda.

The service is great most of the time. I have never had a bad experience with the cast members.

The resorts are nice. The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel were both "normal" hotels later bought by Disney, so they aren't quite as theme intensive as what you might see at WDW. The Grand Californian was built from the ground up by Disney and it is on par with the WDW hotels in theming. It was created by the same arcitect who designed the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge, so you'll probably see a resemblance, especially in the lobby.

 

[OnTheRocks]

Yes the GC is the best. If you can try to get the DCA view and bunk beds if you have kids. Remember the DCA entrance at the GC hotel, nice feature.

For Rides, you must do Soaring of California and the Matterhorn. These are unique to DCA & DL and really get you in the mood.

 

[bhillier]

If they are still doing the Adladin show @ DC don't miss it!!!!
Take your time walking down main st. notice the detail. It's so great. I also love the small world. Toon town is a great place to see the characters. Also Goofy's kitchen for character interaction. Don't forget your autograph book and camera. They offer Fantasmic packages. You get a dessert buffet and private seating. It's kind of expensive but fun. Look for hidden Mickeys on all the rides. You can ask the CM where they are before you start the ride. I love the Carnation Cafe' on main st. The food is good and the cost isn't that bad. Check out the Blue Bayou. n

Can you tell I love Disney?

Don't skip the roller coaster SC @ DC. It's so much fun. They have a great corn dog stand there. I don't even eat meat often and I love it.

Have a great first trip

 

[Hermosa11]

The Indiana Jones Adventure is GREAT! This is a fast pass and utilizing FP is great! I went with my two teens the last two years and this was one of our favorites!!!

Blue Bayou is just the best (place to eat). Lunch offers better pricing. Yes, this is the most expensive meal at DL. But the atmosphere is undeniably (sp?) the best. Okay, I am getting a bit "verkempt" now just remembering, but you sit in the darkness of the evening at the very beginning of the "Pirates of the Carribean" ride, you are hearing the fiddle play, the crickets ..........my my my.....just the best. DL does not offer as many "adventure meals" as WDW, but this would be the one to go. No PS is offered here, but go early in the day (or as soon as they start taking reservations) and reserve a time.
I am 47 and have been going to DL since I was 6 yrs old....every year until I was about 18 and then off and on after that......
I remember (with parents) when I was young how the French Market was a wonderful experience. Last year it appeared a bit messy and rushed in appearance. I was somewhat dissapointed. Especially for the price.
Okay, I guess I have already gone on and on, but you can tell I just love Disneyland. I hope I will enjoy WDW as much.

 

[funnygarcia]

You can call 714-781-DINE 30 days (might be more) in advance for reservations at Blue Bayou.
No guarentees for waterside seating. You can make requests, then show up 30 minutes ahead of time and wait for waterside- it's worth the wait.
Lunch is same menu as dinner-- but CHEAPER!

 

[Hermosa11]

Yes, waterside is THE best seat. I was lucky to have sat at the Exact same table one year with parents (1970's) and then with girlfriend in 1977 !!! trivial information. But with DD and DS, we had a crappy seat right at the exit/entrance for waiters. quite busy. oh well.

Hey, you have got to try the Monte Cristo sandwich. That is their famous dish! It is quite lowfat (haaaaaaaaaaaaa, NOT) and so filling and delicious!!!!! A must have!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

The Grand Californian, overall, is the best hotel onsite. They have 3 different restaurants. Napa Rose is their high end restaurant. Storytellers is their mid-range restaurant and Whitewater Snack is their counter service restaurant. All very good. The pools have servers that will bring out food/drinks right to your chair--very nice. The Hearthstone Lounge is a great place to grab a cocktail and relax...

The pools are small and not really themed well. The Disneyland Hotel has a better themed one, but the one at the GC is fine.

DISNEYLAND

Disneyland will seem very small and congested to you. My suggestion is to go early and hit some of the must sees. Splash and Winnie the Pooh are all the way back in Critter Country. Kind of where Big Thunder is at MK in WDW. Splash has a ridiculous stand-by line so definitely try and get a FP or ride first thing in the am....

Some attractions that are DL only: Indy (Dinosaur technology, but better themed), Pirates is about a third longer, Pinocchio, Alice In Wonderland, Mr Toads, Casey Jr, Storybook, Roger Rabbit's CarToon Spin.....

Restaurants.....Redd Rockets Pizza Port is pricey for counter service, but their salads are big enough for 2. Their pastas are pretty tasty too. Blue Bayou is the must do restaurant for first timers--for the ambience--similar to San Angel Inn at the Mexico Pavilion at WS. Food in general at DL is not that memorable.

DCA

It may be impacted due to TOT opening. A previous poster or a few of them listed the must dos....I agree with them.

Food: Because of the full-service restaurants at DTD, I haven't eaten at the 3 in DCA. My favorite food is at Corn Dog Castle. The best Corn Dogs.

DTD:

All Restaurants good to very good. I've eaten at Naples, Catal, Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone--all good. I've heard Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen is good and a new Mexican restaurant, Tortilla Jo's just opened.

Good luck if you have more specific questions just gimme a holler

 

[hammertime]

I recommend that you stay out of Fantasy land until after the fireworks show or the last Fantasmic show. The hardest part is getting to fantasyland because eveyone is heading home. You can usually walk on to a lot of rides. The longest wait is always for Peter Pan and Mr Toad's wild ride.

I also recommend(kids or not) taking a breather in the afternoon to go swimming, take a nap, or just relax. That way you'll be refreshed and ready to go in the evening.

Have lots of fun.