Just ONE day in Disneyland

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I think it's much easier to do DL/DCA in a compressed period of time than WDW, so even with two days you're pretty much fine especially with a Park Hopper. My family doesn't do character meals in the park, but we always do breakfast at Storytellers Cafe in the GC, which has a bunch of characters. It's a decent meal, the kids love it, and we can still make it for the Magic Morning/rope drop to get to Radiator Springs Racers. I think the one likely PPO in DLR would be Plaza Inn, but I'd pass on the character breakfast there and have lunch...the fried chicken is amazing. (Seriously...I visited when I was 30 weeks pregnant and had no appetite, but finished all the chicken.)

Weekdays during the school year are less crowded, and that's when you should get onto the rides with long lines (Peter Pan...etc) because after school is out, more kids come. We usually start at one park, go into DTD for lunch (Uva Bar on a nice day is wonderful) and then decide on the rest of the day's plan.

Download the app, make a general plan and be flexible based on ride shut downs, or unexpectedly short lines. Pick a ride to go straight on at opening (RSR or TSMM at DCA, Space Mountain or Matterhorn at DLR), then grab a Fast Pass on the way to which ever ride you want to do with the shortest line that works with your FP timing.

I can just tell it's easier to do it in a compressed time. We may now do a DCA day, which Im happy about too. The fried chicken really does look incredible...I think we want to do Cafe Orleans for Monte Cristos/Fries/Beignets because it just looks so good and then FriedChicken for dinner. I've already downloaded the app and have started making a plan. It's SO exciting! Thank you for your help!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

It's been funny for the last 15 months or so due to the 60th. I'm hoping it dies down now. I'd say generally speaking, yes, but that doesn't mean it won't be crowded. These days it seems to be crowded, really crowded, and 'OMG I can't breathe, get me out of here'.

Somewhere on here is a 'when will it be crowded at DL' thread that show's expected events and 'traditional' busy times. I thought I had it bookmarked but I guess I don't. There are times when, even on weekdays during the school year, DL can be really crowded due to band/choir/dance/cheer school trips, out of country school breaks, etc.

Edit: Found it!

http://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3434866/

Thank you! And I can understand that. We went to Disney World a couple years ago and we thought it'd be less crowded, but oh were we wrong. I dont think there's ever an off season anymore, but like you said, sometimes of year are "omg i cant breathe". Thanks fothe calendar!

 

[Chiomaca]

Thank you! And I can understand that. We went to Disney World a couple years ago and we thought it'd be less crowded, but oh were we wrong. I dont think there's ever an off season anymore, but like you said, sometimes of year are "omg i cant breathe". Thanks fothe calendar!

There are a couple of spots that seem to be "OMG I can't breathe" crowded all the time, but it's more because the park was designed in the 50s. (My mom visited when it opened, when she was 10!). The worst spot is going into Tomorrowland from Main Street. If you can squeeze through there quickly, it opens back up and you can breathe again.

I like New Orleans Cafe but I just don't understand the Monte Cristo...too fried or gooey, or something. BUT, if you're going to have that, why not make reservations at Blue Bayou? WDW doesn't have a restaurant in Pirates, so it would be unique. We did the dinner package there and enjoyed it...and my two high school best friends actually got engaged there