Last minute first timer questions - thanks in advance

[joshua4]

Disneyland experts
Thanks for responding to my past posts and hopefully for helping with these last pre-trip questions (we are going tomorrow)

1. Is it better to park in Mickey& Friends or in Pixar lot? Do both open at 7 am?

2. We only started planning this trip a few weeks ago so we dont have any dining reservations. I know to do moble ordering for all of our food pick ups from counter service locations. Is it also worth checking for last minute openings for reservations at sit down places? Can you do that from the app or do I need to go to the disney site?

3. I think I read that my best strategy for the trip (it is me, husband and two adult kids) is to have everyone download app and log in with my log in so we all have the ability to make group ll reservations -- right?

4. I know it will be mobbed tomorrow and I am preparing everyone for a hectic day. I have a short list of must do attractions and we are just going to do our best. I need to keep telling myself not to stress about the whole thing but I am a lifelong disney planner and my inner Disney commando just wont shut up sometimes. If we want to get away from the crowds, are there any restaurants in Downtown disney that accept Disney Reward dollars? (we have a ton of those that I would love to use up).

5. The temps seem to range from 75 to 55 and we plan on being there from 7 am to midnight. I am assuming that there are lockers there where we can leave jackets and maybe jeans until we need them. I guess we would likely do that at DL and come back there later in the day after we have hopped to DCA for the afternoon. Does that plan make sense? I dont think I want to have to go all the way back to the car in the middle of our day.

6. I saw someone said in a recent post that the matterhorn is now down for a refurb. Is that really true because it does not show down on my app?

7. Final question -- does the incredicoaster have any big drops? Can someone compare to the drop on everest? (I dont love it but can deal with it). I am fine with loops, I just can't stand the droppy feeling (no guardians for me).

THANKYOU FOR YOUR DL WISDOM!!!

Lauren

 

[BrianL]

Disneyland experts
Thanks for responding to my past posts and hopefully for helping with these last pre-trip questions (we are going tomorrow)

1. Is it better to park in Mickey& Friends or in Pixar lot? Do both open at 7 am?

2. We only started planning this trip a few weeks ago so we dont have any dining reservations. I know to do moble ordering for all of our food pick ups from counter service locations. Is it also worth checking for last minute openings for reservations at sit down places? Can you do that from the app or do I need to go to the disney site?

3. I think I read that my best strategy for the trip (it is me, husband and two adult kids) is to have everyone download app and log in with my log in so we all have the ability to make group ll reservations -- right?

4. I know it will be mobbed tomorrow and I am preparing everyone for a hectic day. I have a short list of must do attractions and we are just going to do our best. I need to keep telling myself not to stress about the whole thing but I am a lifelong disney planner and my inner Disney commando just wont shut up sometimes. If we want to get away from the crowds, are there any restaurants in Downtown disney that accept Disney Reward dollars? (we have a ton of those that I would love to use up).

5. The temps seem to range from 75 to 55 and we plan on being there from 7 am to midnight. I am assuming that there are lockers there where we can leave jackets and maybe jeans until we need them. I guess we would likely do that at DL and come back there later in the day after we have hopped to DCA for the afternoon. Does that plan make sense? I dont think I want to have to go all the way back to the car in the middle of our day.

6. I saw someone said in a recent post that the matterhorn is now down for a refurb. Is that really true because it does not show down on my app?

7. Final question -- does the incredicoaster have any big drops? Can someone compare to the drop on everest? (I dont love it but can deal with it). I am fine with loops, I just can't stand the droppy feeling (no guardians for me).

THANKYOU FOR YOUR DL WISDOM!!!

Lauren

I can answer a few of those, but not all of them.

2. You can check for reservations on the app, but it may be tough. Fortunately, coutner service food at Disneyland is a far sight better than that at WDW. You can still find some good eatin' without reservations. I recommend Pacific Wharf Cafe or the bao buns at Tropical Hideaway (I don't think you can mobile order those).

3. Yes, using one login is easiest all around unless you want to link the accounts. I always just use one for everybody.

5. It will get cool at night, but not that bad. There are lockers on the Esplanade if you don't want to keep yoru jackets with you. I do agree that you don't want to go back to the car.

7. The Incredicoaster does have soem drops, though "big" is relative. It is a launched coaster liek RNRC, but it shoots you up the first hill (RNRC doesn't really have hills, only corkscrews). It is a bit faster than EE I think in general. The falling sensation is not like ToT would have, though it is present.

Have fun!

 

[joshua4]

I can answer a few of those, but not all of them.

2. You can check for reservations on the app, but it may be tough. Fortunately, coutner service food at Disneyland is a far sight better than that at WDW. You can still find some good eatin' without reservations. I recommend Pacific Wharf Cafe or the bao buns at Tropical Hideaway (I don't think you can mobile order those).

3. Yes, using one login is easiest all around unless you want to link the accounts. I always just use one for everybody.

5. It will get cool at night, but not that bad. There are lockers on the Esplanade if you don't want to keep yoru jackets with you. I do agree that you don't want to go back to the car.

7. The Incredicoaster does have soem drops, though "big" is relative. It is a launched coaster liek RNRC, but it shoots you up the first hill (RNRC doesn't really have hills, only corkscrews). It is a bit faster than EE I think in general. The falling sensation is not like ToT would have, though it is present.

Have fun!

Thanks -- hoping the other resident disney experts will know the other answers. Good to hear on counter service.

 

[BrianL]

Thanks -- hoping the other resident disney experts will know the other answers. Good to hear on counter service.

The food CS is definitely better. You can even get decent pizza in-park, at least compared to WDW. If you want a sit-down-like meal, you might consuder Rancho del Zocalo or French Market. Both are good and have heartier meals available. For snack-like food, corn dogs from The Little Red Wagon are always good - it's been there since the beginning! At DCA, I like Award Weiners a lot, and Pacific Wharf Cafe too (sourdough bakery).

Also, if you're looking for a treat and you like cocount, A Matterhorn Macaroon from Jolly Holiday is highly recommended.

 

[gelatoni fan]

1. I'm pretty sure you don't get to choose between the Mickey & Friends and the Pixar Lot. They share the same trams and you just get directed by CMs to whichever one they want to fill.

2. I think it's best to just do counter service unless you like constantly checking for reservations. Some do pop up in the app but they go quickly.

3. Yes. Everybody having the app is a good idea.

4. Disney Rewards Dollars are only valid in Disney owned locations so you can use them in stores like World of Disney but I'm pretty sure you can't use them in any restaurants in Downtown Disney.

5. I personally prefer to keep light jackets in a backpack during the day but you can rent a locker as well. I agree with not returning to the car.

6. Yes. Matterhorn is down for refurbishment.

7. Incredicoaster is the biggest roller coaster in any Disney park and it is faster than Expedition Everest. It doesn't drop like Guardians or Tower of Terror though.

 

[joshua4]

1. I'm pretty sure you don't get to choose between the Mickey & Friends and the Pixar Lot. They share the same trams and you just get directed by CMs to whichever one they want to fill.

2. I think it's best to just do counter service unless you like constantly checking for reservations. Some do pop up in the app but they go quickly.

3. Yes. Everybody having the app is a good idea.

4. Disney Rewards Dollars are only valid in Disney owned locations so you can use them in stores like World of Disney but I'm pretty sure you can't use them in any restaurants in Downtown Disney.

5. I personally prefer to keep light jackets in a backpack during the day but you can rent a locker as well. I agree with not returning to the car.

6. Yes. Matterhorn is down for refurbishment.

7. Incredicoaster is the biggest roller coaster in any Disney park and it is faster than Expedition Everest. It doesn't drop like Guardians or Tower of Terror though.

THanks!!! We will just head for Mickey and Friends lot then and follow directions. I think you are right and we need to just embrace counter service which should be fine. We also have the food and wine festival booths if we want to deal with those crowds as another food source. The odd thing about matterhorn is that it is showing a 40 minute wait time right now in the app. Maybe it is not down quite yet?

 

[gelatoni fan]

THanks!!! We will just head for Mickey and Friends lot then and follow directions. I think you are right and we need to just embrace counter service which should be fine. We also have the food and wine festival booths if we want to deal with those crowds as another food source. The odd thing about matterhorn is that it is showing a 40 minute wait time right now in the app. Maybe it is not down quite yet?

I made a mistake. Matterhorn WAS down for refurbishment at the beginning of the month but reopened last week. It might have been temporarily closed which happens a lot to Disneyland attractions these days.

 

[starlite_]

There are also lockers on Main Street (around the middle on the right side if I remember correctly).

 

[smartlabelprint]

On the dining thread it was reported that they are looking for diners at dinner at carnation cafe. It seems reservations aren’t set up for that. Any restaurant you want to try you can definitely go to in the morning and ask to be waitlisted. I don’t know if that can be done through the app. Because I’ve seen a little blue button you can choose in the restaurant to waitlist. But I haven’t used it before.