Just back! Thoughts from a WDW vet on our first trip!

[smartlabelprint]

We're staying at Disneyland Hotel as it stands now...may switch to grand Californian...still debating.

Not interested in dumping the kids in pinocchios unless they beg for it...we've done that routine plenty of times in WDW...

We take them to California grill, Jiko, artists point, Citricos all the time...nothing new.

I've done the "chefs table" variation at 4 Disney restaurants...the Victoria and Alberts one was nice...but I think the "elegant Disney dining" thing jumped the shark long ago.

For characters plaza inn will have the most. Usually 9.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

For characters plaza inn will have the most. Usually 9.

Very good tip...thanks

 

[Aladora]

We're staying at Disneyland Hotel as it stands now...may switch to grand Californian...still debating.

Not interested in dumping the kids in pinocchios unless they beg for it...we've done that routine plenty of times in WDW...

We take them to California grill, Jiko, artists point, Citricos all the time...nothing new.

I've done the "chefs table" variation at 4 Disney restaurants...the Victoria and Alberts one was nice...but I think the "elegant Disney dining" thing jumped the shark long ago.

Totally was not saying you should "dump the kids" at Pinocchios...I was merely giving a possible alternative to you skipping Napa Rose if you feel your children are not old enough to appreciate going there.

Another thing you might want to consider is going for breakfast at SH55 or maybe the afternoon tea there if you are looking at something a bit different. The breakfast at SH55 is lovely and serene and if character buffets are getting old, then it is a good alternative to that. I've never done the tea but some people here have posted reviews recently.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Totally was not saying you should "dump the kids" at Pinocchios...I was merely giving a possible alternative to you skipping Napa Rose if you feel your children are not old enough to appreciate going there.

Another thing you might want to consider is going for breakfast at SH55 or maybe the afternoon tea there if you are looking at something a bit different. The breakfast at SH55 is lovely and serene and if character buffets are getting old, then it is a good alternative to that. I've never done the tea but some people here have posted reviews recently.

Good tips...thanks!

 

[auntiegem]

Glad you had such a great time, and thanks for sharing!

Just a note on your Grayline experience--while the driver's behavior was inappropriate, the pick up at your hotel and then bus transfer at the depot is what usually happens. Not everyone being picked up in the morning is going on the same excursion, so they pick everyone up and then separate everyone out at the depot.

 

[Ndusmama]

We're staying at Disneyland Hotel as it stands now...may switch to grand Californian...still debating.

Not interested in dumping the kids in pinocchios unless they beg for it...we've done that routine plenty of times in WDW...

We take them to California grill, Jiko, artists point, Citricos all the time...nothing new.

I've done the "chefs table" variation at 4 Disney restaurants...the Victoria and Alberts one was nice...but I think the "elegant Disney dining" thing jumped the shark long ago.

Your kids will like the pool and water slides better at Disney hotel. But if you aren't doing the pool which is heated, then grand has bunk bed rooms. Just don't get dtd view or you will be walking forever back to your room at night.

 

[Laundress]

Thank you for sharing your trip.
So sorry to hear about Sea World. Would be interesting to know what response Guest Relations has for you reguarding the inconvenience and poor behavior.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Your kids will like the pool and water slides better at Disney hotel. But if you aren't doing the pool which is heated, then grand has bunk bed rooms. Just don't get dtd view or you will be walking forever back to your room at night.

I think we're gonna stick with the Disneyland hotel as it stands now...just seems to fit the best.

Any recommendation on whether "premium" or "deluxe" rooms are better? Doesn't matter to me on price difference...

 

[Ndusmama]

I think we're gonna stick with the Disneyland hotel as it stands now...just seems to fit the best.

Any recommendation on whether "premium" or "deluxe" rooms are better? Doesn't matter to me on price difference...

Really doesn't make much difference between either room unless you get club level concierge. It's the towers that make a difference.
The fantasy tower is the main lobby tower. So having the shops below is nice. The views are sideways to dl park. So you can sort of see the fireworks at an angle from outside view but not at all from pool view.
Adventure tower has the best view of the parks. It is straight on view of dtd. These are usually the club level rooms though. And only if you're get cl otherwise pool view.
Frontier tower has the model of thunder mountain in the lobby and I feel like the biggest rooms. You won't see anything from that tower. And even though it's a farther walk to main building you can use the shortcut through the GC to get to DCA.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Really doesn't make much difference between either room unless you get club level concierge. It's the towers that make a difference.
The fantasy tower is the main lobby tower. So having the shops below is nice. The views are sideways to dl park. So you can sort of see the fireworks at an angle from outside view but not at all from pool view.
Adventure tower has the best view of the parks. It is straight on view of dtd. These are usually the club level rooms though. And only if you're get cl otherwise pool view.
Frontier tower has the model of thunder mountain in the lobby and I feel like the biggest rooms. You won't see anything from that tower. And even though it's a farther walk to main building you can use the shortcut through the GC to get to DCA.

Thank you for your advice...

It's pretty much what I expected.

I don't pay for fireworks views...it's not of what I deem to be value...

And "club level" falls in the same category...they don't provide 5 star service...so why pay $200 a night in upcharges?

 

[GatorChris]

You lost me at "we like the DL castle better". What I miss the most about my WDW trips is how big and grand it is in comparison. But to each his own.

And I think you did more character meals in one trip than I did in my last 3 trips. But DL is different. At WDW, I'm all about doing every character meal there is (especially on the dining plan). But because we have a point of comparison, it's hard to do Ariel's Grotto when we've been to Akershus, and Goofy's just doesn't match up with Chef Mickey's - probably because of Mickey and Donald being at the Contemporary. Maybe if Chip and Dale weren't at 3 different character meals, we'd do more of them at DL. Surf's Up at Paradise Pier Hotel is about the only one at DL i really liked, but I don't like spending that much for breakfast so we've only hit it once.

Glad you liked it, and sorry about the Sea World experience. Never been there, but the kids have to be super tall to do the rides there.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

You lost me at "we like the DL castle better". What I miss the most about my WDW trips is how big and grand it is in comparison. But to each his own.

And I think you did more character meals in one trip than I did in my last 3 trips. But DL is different. At WDW, I'm all about doing every character meal there is (especially on the dining plan). But because we have a point of comparison, it's hard to do Ariel's Grotto when we've been to Akershus, and Goofy's just doesn't match up with Chef Mickey's - probably because of Mickey and Donald being at the Contemporary. Maybe if Chip and Dale weren't at 3 different character meals, we'd do more of them at DL. Surf's Up at Paradise Pier Hotel is about the only one at DL i really liked, but I don't like spending that much for breakfast so we've only hit it once.

Glad you liked it, and sorry about the Sea World experience. Never been there, but the kids have to be super tall to do the rides there.

You lost me at "chef mickeys and akershus"

...those two are awful...

If you had said "1900 park fare" or "tusker house" or "garden grill"...then maybe you got something

I don't care who's inside the fuzzy heads...if the food is awful...it doesn't matter who's in the pictures or what the view is...

 

[GatorChris]

You lost me at "chef mickeys and akershus"
...those two are awful...
If you had said "1900 park fare" or "tusker house" or "garden grill"...then maybe you got something
I don't care who's inside the fuzzy heads...if the food is awful...it doesn't matter who's in the pictures or what the view is...

Akershus is awful? Have you had the Kjottkake? It's really good with the lingonberry sauce. And my wife thought the Salmon was excellent. Add in the cold bar of imported cheese and smoked salmon and makeral, and that tops it off. Soooooo good - at least it was back in 2012 on our last trip back there. It's very different from typical American fare which is why most people hate it...and I love it. Plus with the princesses, my daughters like it. It captures what Epcot is supposed to be. The fare is much better than the overpriced, slim-selection-princess meal at the castle.

As for Chef Mickey's, we're there for the ambiance. The food is about the same at Goofy's Kitchen which is average, but with Mickey and Donald and the monorail going through, it's just better. As for Garden Grill, we didn't like this place at all. Too loud (in that small circular room with an engine), too squeezed together, and the food was average. 1900 Park Faire was good for breakfast, but dinner was again average. We go to both places (GG and 1900) for the characters only. Tusker is good - nothing compares to it at DL. Not even close.

 

[monorailrabbit]

You lost me at "we like the DL castle better". What I miss the most about my WDW trips is how big and grand it is in comparison. But to each his own.

And I think you did more character meals in one trip than I did in my last 3 trips. But DL is different. At WDW, I'm all about doing every character meal there is (especially on the dining plan). But because we have a point of comparison, it's hard to do Ariel's Grotto when we've been to Akershus, and Goofy's just doesn't match up with Chef Mickey's - probably because of Mickey and Donald being at the Contemporary. Maybe if Chip and Dale weren't at 3 different character meals, we'd do more of them at DL. Surf's Up at Paradise Pier Hotel is about the only one at DL i really liked, but I don't like spending that much for breakfast so we've only hit it once.

Glad you liked it, and sorry about the Sea World experience. Never been there, but the kids have to be super tall to do the rides there.

Haha, well as far as the castle, I'm sure I'm biased - Sleeping Beauty has been my favorite movie since I was 4, and I love that you can walk through the story in her castle. For what it's worth, DH prefers Cinderella's.

We did do a lot of character meals - but that's one of our favorite things to do - it saves us from waiting in a line later on. Never been to Akershus, but we do prefer CM over GK - we are still glad we did it though, it was fun to see so many characters. Chip & Dale are our favorite characters ever - we always have the most fun with them, so to us it was a bonus that they were at 3 meals! I know we are probably odd, since we don't have kids, but we both super enjoy those character interactions! Also, for what it's worth, our favorite of all time is still Garden Grill at Epcot - can't beat that one!!

Sea World itself was a blast! Manta was super fun and we loved every second of it! Just disappointed with the jerk of a driver! Haha.

 

[Ndusmama]

Haha, well as far as the castle, I'm sure I'm biased - Sleeping Beauty has been my favorite movie since I was 4, and I love that you can walk through the story in her castle. For what it's worth, DH prefers Cinderella's.

We did do a lot of character meals - but that's one of our favorite things to do - it saves us from waiting in a line later on. Never been to Akershus, but we do prefer CM over GK - we are still glad we did it though, it was fun to see so many characters. Chip & Dale are our favorite characters ever - we always have the most fun with them, so to us it was a bonus that they were at 3 meals! I know we are probably odd, since we don't have kids, but we both super enjoy those character interactions! Also, for what it's worth, our favorite of all time is still Garden Grill at Epcot - can't beat that one!!

Sea World itself was a blast! Manta was super fun and we loved every second of it! Just disappointed with the jerk of a driver! Haha.

You can be biased all you want. I like sleeping beauty castle too. But Cinderella is my favorite movie. Might have something to do with having grown up at dl. best count I have been at least 1,000 to dl but only 1 to WDW. thursday is trip 2. I don't like character meals in general cause I like food more. BoG is HORRIBLE! I have Tusker house this time and I'm hoping to have a better experience.

 

[Ndusmama]

Thank you for your advice...

It's pretty much what I expected.

I don't pay for fireworks views...it's not of what I deem to be value...

And "club level" falls in the same category...they don't provide 5 star service...so why pay $200 a night in upcharges?

And the food is all thawed frozen something or other. Yup not worth it if you ask me. I've only ever done it if the room was cheaper than a standard. Used to be better but cost cutting has been terrible. I'm following a live tr and first night at a cl in cr was so bad the woman asked to be moved and to get out of it. We are talking rude cm, inedible food, and guests with feet on tables. I'm not sure it's worth it at any resort anymore.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

And the food is all thawed frozen something or other. Yup not worth it if you ask me. I've only ever done it if the room was cheaper than a standard. Used to be better but cost cutting has been terrible. I'm following a live tr and first night at a cl in cr was so bad the woman asked to be moved and to get out of it. We are talking rude cm, inedible food, and guests with feet on tables. I'm not sure it's worth it at any resort anymore.

Because they don't want to pay for employees trained to provide that type of service...don't want to incur extra costs to provide it (only collect revenues and hide behind the "D")...and don't want to consider anything that isn't sold at one of their internal restaurants/stores or operational network...

When they announced the four seasons at WDW - now
Ten years ago - the message was
Clear to me and I posted it on these boards: the grand isn't that "grand"...

Those that patronize high end accommodations were never fooled/amused by Disney "concierge"...it's really a hook for what I call "self congratulatory luxurious"

 

[Skiton]

First time with the kids in october...

I'm wondering (as a long time wdw frequenter who doesn't use the "m" word)...are the character meals really worth our time?

We have the Halloween package at blue bayou, Napa (still debating that), storytellers for breakfast, and carthay circle

Any recommendations?

Particularly food quality...as by and large wdw's has fallen and I'm not looking for things more questionable than that...

We thought Napa was outstanding. We did the Chef's Counter, very pricy but totally worth it if you love good food. We've also had great experiences at Carthay, although based on other peoples reviews here, it seems hit-or-miss. We've always had great food and great service there, though. Blue Bayou was a great experience, but a very average meal. Food is definitely just so-so. Really fun to sit by the water and watch the boats go by, though. DON'T let them seat you at the awful table tucked next to the server station if you've been waiting for a waterside table! We never ate at storytellers, but loved Goofy's Kitchen for a character breakfast.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Let me start by saying - OMG! Disneyland is absolutely AMAZING!!

We just returned from a quick (too quick) trip! We arrived last Sunday and returned very early yesterday morning. Our flight into LAX arrived early and we were in the park by noon Sunday. I was very worried about crowd levels as it was both a weekend, and one of the few weekends left for the Diamond Celebration. However, crowds were very manageable! We walked on to almost every single ride, the only line we encountered was for Space, so we just grabbed a FP. Sunday was the most crowded day during our trip, the rest of the time the parks felt very roomy and we were very pleasantly surprised!

As soon as we arrived, we bumped into Goofy - and he asked me to dance! What a great way to start - dancing with Goofy down Main Street! Goofy was the only character we were able to catch in their Diamond outfit, but he was adorable!

I actually super loved the castle, I know it's smaller than Cinderella's, but I think I like Sleeping Beauty's better! We met Aurora outside her castle and then spent the rest of the evening hitting up rides. For comparison: Big Thunder Mountain is my new favorite ride at any Disney Park! We rode that at least 5 times, and twice in the dark, which is even more fabulous! We also liked Space better, although I wonder how much of that is attributed to the Star Wars overlay - we were blown away by it! Splash we felt was better at World, but we did enjoy it here. Pirates of the Caribbean was NO contest! WAY better in Land! Indiana Jones was also a blast! DH's new favorite ride is The Matterhorn, we were super excited to encounter 5 minutes or less wait time every time we rode that one!

We did character dining at Goofy's Kitchen, Plaza Inn, Ariel's Grotto and Storyteller's. DH's favorite was Plaza, although it was difficult to sort out the character rotation - we missed 2 characters completely, but we did see Tigger, Eeyore, Minnie, Capt. Hook, Pinocchio and Chip 'n Dale. It was fun to see so many! Goofy's Kitchen felt similar to Chef Mickey's at World, and I think we both preferred CM. The food was just ok, but the characters were great! My favorite character meal was Storyteller's. I was delighted to see Kenai! I've never seen him and it was such a great time! Chip stole my seat when I ran to the bathroom and Dale tried to walk away with DH's breakfast!

We also did the Paint the Night dinner package at Blue Bayou and that was wonderful! We waited for a waterside table and it was well worth it! We got curb seating for the parade (which was absolutely astounding!) and had no trouble moving up Main Street for the Disneyland Forever fireworks. By the end of the fireworks, I was in tears - it was just beyond amazing!

We also did the World of Color dessert party - also fantastic! It was so nice to be able to sit and enjoy the show! The waitress we had was wonderful, we were offered seconds on every thing and she made sure we had everything we could possibly want before the show started. She even brought us to go boxes after wards.

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel - LOVED it!!! The beds were like a cloud from heaven and the monorail water slide was so much fun!

The only hiccup we had was on our Sea World day. We had booked tickets and transportation through Disney and it was provided through CA Gray Line. It was a mess! First our bus was almost an hour late, then, without an explanation, we were taken back to the depot and were put on a different bus. Our driver was completely awful. He complained about the passangers as he dropped them off, and used profanity constantly. He stated that "because Sea World **** changed their hours, we would have to be picked up early." Sea World's hours have been the same for at least a week now. We ended up with less than 5 hours park time, which was frustrating since we paid for an entire day...

I'm sorry this is so long! Thank you so much to all of you who helped answer my questions and gave all the great advice on these boards, my trip was perfect thanks to all of your helpful input! If anyone has questions for me I'll be glad to answer them!

Sorry your tour bus to Sea World Stank. Bad attitude driver. Was he the same driver all the way or just from where you transferred from the pick up bus to your sea world bus? For future reference, there are rental car places near DLR. You can rent a car for the trip down to Sea World. Then you're not confined to anyone else's hours but your own. By the way if it is Friday, I'll take WDW's Chef Mickey's. Any other day of the week, I'll take Goofy's.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

First time with the kids in october...

I'm wondering (as a long time wdw frequenter who doesn't use the "m" word)...are the character meals really worth our time?

We have the Halloween package at blue bayou, Napa (still debating that), storytellers for breakfast, and carthay circle

Any recommendations?

Particularly food quality...as by and large wdw's has fallen and I'm not looking for things more questionable than that...

I think the character meals are worth it if you have kids that like characters. However, in our experience, the rotations are not as tightly defined as at WDW. For example, we have ended up seeing a princess along with the other characters at Goofy's. which for us was a good thing. And then she might be replaced after a couple of rotations with another princess. Another good thing. Or we have ended up seeing Pluto in three or four different' places and characters repeated. Not such a good thing. Over at WDW you get the mickey set here, the pooh set there, and the princesses over here, and this other set here. In general, I think we got more characters at each meal at DLR than we did at WDW. The food isn't gourmet by any means but it's good for the most part.