Just back from DL...

[hookedup]

Just spent a quick weekend getaway at the DL hotel and 2 days at DL and DCA. Had a great trip. The parks were fairly busy both days but we still managed to do a lot. Of course the fact that Splash Mtn, BTMRR, Space Mtn, and Haunted Mansion being closed did not help the lines on other "E" ticket rides, but with fast pass we still did fine and rode Matterhorn early in the day, so there was no wait there. In fact we found the mornings to be very nice - and on Saturday morning the park opened at 8:00, so it was really uncrowded until around 11ish. We went to Fantasyland and our ds got to do Dumbo and Casey Jr and all his favorites with no wait! What a treat that was for all of us!
Another biggie for us was that my ds is 40"s tall! We had no idea and we checked his height on Saturday night and were surpirsed he could go on Star Tours!
He loved Soarin' Over CA - I think we did it 3 times.
That made our trip even more memorable since it was kind of a milestone for us.

Let's see - the DL hotel was great. It had been a long time since we had stayed there (in fact since DCA has opened we have only stayed at GC and PP) and I was so pleasantly surprised at how nice it was and how great the rooms are.
We just got back from a week at WDW and staying at the GF, and both dh and I agreed that our room at the DL hotel was more spacious (don't get me wrong I LOVE the GF but it's hard not to compare when you have just done a trip recently).
I was a bit dissapointed in the Neverland Pool area - actually there is nothing wrong with it - I think I was just expecting too much. Very crowded and kids way, way out of control at times. I have to say I like the GC's pool areas better personally.

A few other highlights & lowlights...
Loved our breakfast at the Plaza Inn - it was uncrowded and delicious. Our late lunch at Blue Bayou was dissapointing. I don't think we will be going back there for a while. Ate a late dinner at the DL hotel in the Lost Bar area - just burgers but they were quite good and it was way easier than fighting the DTD Friday night crowds or waiting for room service at 10 p.m.

The area around Big Thunder is still all boarded up and the walkway from Fantasyland is still closed up too. I heard a lot of folks complaining to CM's about all the closures. But as usual most people were having a magical time and we certainly did too.
Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[roymccoy]

Hookedup....Great report! Glad you had a good time! Can I ask you a question about the Plaza Inn breakfast. We have always wanted to go to it but never have. Is it a character breakfast?
How much did it cost? What type of food and quality?

Thanks in advance!

Roy

 

[hookedup]

Roy -
We do love the breakfast at the PI. We have done it many times. I think one of the reasons it is always so uncrowded is because so many people are rushing to do the rides first thing in the morning so they don't want to spend time here. The other reason is probably because it is not cheap - $19.99 per person (I think 10.00 for kids 3-10) and with our AP is an additional 10% discount.
It is a character breakast with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eyeore. Since it is so uncrowded you get lots and lots of character interaction. When I left to refill my plate I came back to the table to find Pooh sitting in my chair and my ds and dh laughing their heads off. We always get some great pictures here too.
The food has always been good. Omlette station where they make them to order as you request. Hot eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, potatoes, bisquits and gravy, french toast. All are served to you by CM's at stations (which I like since that keeps people and kids from digging through food that I am going to eat - LOL!) There is also an area with fruit, pastries, waffles with toppings area, yogurt, cereals, juices, soda, coffee, milk, chocolate milk. Plenty and plenty of food and very fresh too.
I have always enjoyed going here over Goofy's Kitchen because of the crowds and I like the food better too.
I guess the two big negatives are that you can't make PS's (which you don't need anyway) and the fact that it doesn't open until the park does. But if you want a relaxing breakfast - go right as the park opens and enjoy the fresh food and some of the best character interaction ever!

 

[roymccoy]

thanks for the report, hookedup. We'll definitely give it a try!


Roy

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Where is the plaza inn?

 

[hookedup]

The Plaza Inn is right at the end of Main Street as you head toward the Castle it is on your right.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Thank you

We shall give it a try next week. We have some free breakfasts to use up so I'll see if I can use them here.

Thanks for the tip,

MDF

 

[okie from muskogee]

We have late lunch at Blue Bayou in two weeks. What problems did you have? Any advice for us?

 

[preshi]

We ate at Blue Bayou last Tuesday the food was ok , the service wasn't great (our waiter was very grumpy) Dh said his crab cakes were ok (he's a food snob) My Monte Cristo was AMAZING!!! I highly recommend it... delicious. DS had pasta which he ate most of. We had a waterview in the corner (warning: it's COLD in there!!)

Overall I'd go back for the Monte Cristo but thats about it I think it was $54 for 2 adults and our 4 yr old. We had salads before hand as well.

 

[hookedup]

You know - I think BB is an experience worth trying at least once. We have been many times over the years but last weekend it just seemed rushed service, too crowded and overpriced. Actually that is how it always is but it is very cool to check it out and I would still recommend it to someone thinking about trying it. The Monte Cristo is very good and worth trying (one about every 3 years will do ya! )
Definately do a late lunch (before 4:00) and it will save you some $$$$ and then you can also try the Monte Cristo too.

 

[disneypremium]

just a grumpy waiter shoudnt be disapointting.

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by disneypremium
just a grumpy waiter shoudnt be disapointting.

Well better Grumpy than Sneezy.

 

[disneypremium]

Finnally, THANK YOU!

 

[westjones]

We will be going to DL and DCA parks in the spring for our first visit and I was wondering if we did stay at the Disneyland Hotel, would we be able to walk to both parks?

I really like the idea of being right on property (we love Beach Club Villas at WDW because we can walk to Epcot and MGM).

Thanks!
DJ

 

[hookedup]

westjones -
you can easily walk anywhere within the Disneyland Resort area - including the 3 hotels, Downtown Disney and the 2 parks DL & DCA. There is a monorail that serves the DTD area and is close to the DL hotel, it goes into the park to Tomorrowland and that is the only stop.
Last weekend we walked a couple of times and actually beat the monorail as they were only running one monorail so it was faster to walk if you missed the timing to board right away.

 

[diathoney]

I was amazed at how close everything was! You can play in CA, walk across to DL and then to DTD for lunch. If you are used to the sprawl of WDW, it's definitely a different feel. Everything is much closer together.