Making it special

[seobaina]

Hi, I'm hoping some nice regulars or cast members can offer suggestions. I'm a uk based cast member and I'm coming out to DL this Sept on holiday. I've been before (only on day trips while I was in California) and I usually go to WDW. I tend to know, therefore WDW better.
This year I've only got two days at DL but I'm bringing one of my best friends with me. Not only has she never been to the USA but she has also never been to ANY disney parks. Ok, not that amazing, but she also worked for the company for over 3 years in the UK and has still never been (not even to Paris).
She's soooooooooooooo excited about going and is the biggest disney fan. I really wanna make the trip special for her. Especially as it's a belated birthday trip for her.
Can anyone suggest things we should definitely do? Tips and hints for extra magic moments, etc?
Last time I was there I was asked if I wanted to be in the parade. I couldn't do it and I've always regretted it. Back then it was just walking in it but still......sooooo much fun. I don't know what the current parade is like, but is there anyway I could increase our chances of getting in or anything?
Oh, and while I'm at it...can someone explain the whole 'dreamed' thing I keep hearing about? UK cast members tend to be told about DLP stuff not USA ones.

THANKS

 

[mystic_path]

Well first off you have to get her a birthday button. Once on Main Street, go to City hall and ask for a birthday pin. Although its belated theres no reason you cant celebrate her day. She will get special attention and greetings most of the day.

Also a fun thing that you might want to consider doing is a character breakfast or meal. I would suggest Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, or the Plaza Inn on Mainstreet. Its $25 USD per person I believe at the Plaza Inn, and since you only have 2 days in the park and will want to cram in as much as you can, your gonna be right in the park while you have breakfast and have character interaction. That way you dont have to waste any time running from attraction to attraction.

Also like i've mentioned a bazillion times on this board but I will definately recite it for you, if you go to DCA park, and go to the hollywood backlot, see when the show 'Drawn to the magic is playing" its a streetshow infront of the animation theature. It usually plays about 4 times a day. The show includes Mickey, a Princess, and one other character. Once the 10 minute show is over the characters go into the animation studio and you can do a meet and greet with them. The lineups are sooooooooo much shorter for them, especially Mickey if your gonna stand in a line up. Its like less then half the amount you would normally wait.

Also you can always catch the parades, just scroll down on the disneyland section here under this thread and it will give you some great seating areas for the parades. If you go on the weekend (Friday, Sat, Sun) dont miss the fireworks, they are so magical and a perfect way to start or end a trip.

 

[xmansmom]

They have a birthday party at the Plaza Inn every day (I think) at 2:00 and 3:00. It's $10.00 per person. Everyone gets a party hat, cup, and an individual cake with stuff to decorate it. I think they said that a couple of characters will be there to take pics too. We have ADR's for Friday. It sounds fun and I think the kids will like it. I'll let you know how it is.

Woohoo...14 hours until I leave for DL!!!

 

[Dukland]

don't forget to have a meal, lunch or dinner, at the Blue Bayou. You may remember that this is the restaurant that is in the ride of Pirates of the Caribean. I bet you both would love that!

I agree with a character meal, too. I probably wouldn't do Ariel's Grotto, since the Princesses breeze right through. But most of the others you get more time with the characters, and they come by one by one. We love Goofy's Kitchen, and The Plaza Inn was nice, too. Our next trip we intend to go to the one that has Stitch ( I think it's Storyteller's, but I can't recall at this moment)

So where else are you guys going here in the states?

 

[seobaina]

Thank you for your advice it's really appreciated

 

[Alex2kMommy]

If the Aladdin Musical is still running, try to see it. I've heard it's Broadway-quality, and really wonderful, even for little ones.

We went to DL late September last year and were so disappointed that this show was closed (for re-casting), they reopened just after we returned home.

 

[mystic_path]

If the Aladdin Musical is still running, try to see it. I've heard it's Broadway-quality, and really wonderful, even for little ones.

It is broadway quality but is for everyone. Its really magical how they put this performance together. That would be a special thing to do and its free. If this show was in London or in NYC you would be paying out your nose for a ticket, and the show would prbably be sold out. So yeah I have to agree that the Aladdin musical is a must if you can catch it.

 

[Jax]

I would recommend a meal at Goofy's Kitchen.

My whole family went last year and our dinner at Goofy's Kitchen is one of the best memories we have from that trip.

 

[RMH]

With 2 full days in September you should not have much trouble catching everything but just in case here is my Do Not Miss List:

Matterhorn
Indiana Jones
Tower of Terror
Aladin Musical
California Screamin'
Soaring Over California
Space Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Fireworks show (only on weekend in Sept unfortunately)

 

[seobaina]

Thanks so much guys, you have no idea how grateful I am!

 

[seobaina]

Fireworks show (only on weekend in Sept unfortunately)

Humm, now that's a dilema cause we were thinking of going midweek so there were less people. It's fantasmic that I'm most insistent she sees. Am I right in thinking it's gonna make a huge difference to crowds and queues if we go mon/tues rather than sunday/monday?

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm not sure Fantasmic plays on weekdays once you're into September... We go midweek in Sept and Oct, and have never seen it mentioned at all...

 

[iceskatejen]

Fantasmic will be weekends only in Sept (Fri, Sat, Sun).

 

[seobaina]

Oh wow, I didn't know that. So how bad is a sunday? Is a friday considerably better?

 

[RMH]

Generally speaking Friday during the day will not be as crowded, but once you get into early afternoon it picks up a lot. DL is opened late on Friday night so there are a lot of local S. California residents who will come.

Sunday will be crowded most of the day, again because of the S. California residents and no school/work that day.

We do mid-week trips in October when we go and always plan M - F so we can see the fireworks or Fantasmic on Friday. The risk is a cancellation due to weather, but that risk is there whether you go Friday or Sunday.

 

[audrad]

Are you staying at one of the Disney hotels?
Last year I had guest services surprise my husband with surprises for his birthday! We had cookies and milk waiting one night when we came back to our room, chocolate covered strawberries another. He got a gift basket on his birthday too. It was great!
These were some of my options (through room service)
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Price: $2.50/ea (plus room service charges)

Balloon Bouquet Price: Approx. $32.00 - depending how many balloons you want (plus room service charges)


Bottle of Sparkling Apple Cider - Price: $18.00 (plus room service charges)

For the kids:

Sweet Endings w/milk - Three Home Made Chocolate Cookies with Peanut Butter filling, served with a Chilled Bottle of Milk Price:$12.00 (plus room service charges)

Mickey's Rice Krispy Treats - Two Mickey's Rice Krispy Treats dipped in chocolate Price: $10.00 (plus room service charges)

Two Mickey Cookies - Price: $4.00 (plus room service charges)

 

[seobaina]

So where else are you guys going here in the states?

Sorry, I missed this. We're out there for two weeks, staying with a friend in Vegas. So we're planning to do a trip out to Laughlin, Havasu and the grand canyon too.

 

[seobaina]

Are you staying at one of the Disney hotels?

Nope I'm not planning too. I'd love too and I will if I make it as planned to WDW and DLP in Oct this year and April next year. But the california hotels seem really pricey and, as this is a 'bonus' side trip, I just can't justify the extra expense above the nearby motels..even with my discount. :-(

 

[xmansmom]

They have a birthday party at the Plaza Inn every day (I think) at 2:00 and 3:00. It's $10.00 per person. Everyone gets a party hat, cup, and an individual cake with stuff to decorate it. I think they said that a couple of characters will be there to take pics too. We have ADR's for Friday. It sounds fun and I think the kids will like it. I'll let you know how it is.

Woohoo...14 hours until I leave for DL!!!

We're back from our DL and I have to say this was $40.00 well spent. It is geared towards kids but there were also some adults who were celebrating their birthdays as well. They had a cake decorating contest and all the birthday people danced in a conga line. Then Mickey and Minnie showed up to take pictures. We loved it! Also, be sure to get the birthday button. The cast members were really good about saying HB and one even gave my son a pin for his birthday. My son says it's the best birthday he's ever had. Have fun and definitely go to the party at the Plaza Inn if you can.