Must-do dining/experiences for mom's first visit?

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

My mother has been to WDW many times but not Disneyland. I've gone with DH every year for the few years and everytime I call her after returning home she says "that's nice, dear... I've never been to Disneyland..."
Well, I'm finally ending the guilt trip and taking her this August! We'll be there 3 days/4 nights before going to see some other So. Cal sights.

What are some must-dos? Definitely World of Color since we don't have that on the East Coast. She's a big fan of Walt Disney so I'm thinking of adding the tour that takes you to the apartment. What are some other must-dos? I want to make a list so I don't forget something! What are some restaurants I should try to get reservations for?

I've also added a tour of the Disney Studios in Burbank for arrival day to make the experience even more memorable!

UPDATE: we had a great trip. This post has a breakdown: https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...es-for-moms-first-visit.3947889/post-65805551

 

[irlandaise]

Since there's no Blue Bayou at WDW, that would be a special treat.

 

[maleficent55]

Blue bayou
World of color dessert party
Carthay circle restaurant
Tropical hideaway
Jolly Holiday bakery

 

[LKing]

Have you seen @BrianL 's list comparing rides at the parks?

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin'

 

[irlandaise]

Oh, also, Fantasmic is much better at Disneyland, although you have to sit on the ground unless you buy a special (limited availability) package that includes seating.

 

[Kit Jackson]

These two are more for Disney nerds but one of them does not take much time at all. Stand near the partners statue at the Hub. Look at the paths to the different lands emanating from the Hub. Think about the fact that this was Walt Disney's vision, this was a place he walked around and it still exists today.

Also, Disneyana on Main Street has a fun map of the park on opening day and a rotating exhibit of concept art and other aspects of Disneyland history.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

These two are more for Disney nerds but one of them does not take much time at all. Stand near the partners statue at the Hub. Look at the paths to the different lands emanating from the Hub. Think about the fact that this was Walt Disney's vision, this was a place he walked around and it still exists today.

Also, Disneyana on Main Street has a fun map of the park on opening day and a rotating exhibit of concept art and other aspects of Disneyland history.

We're definitely Disney nerds, so thanks for sharing! My mother loves anything connected to Walt.

When my mom was little, her family didn't have a TV so she would sometimes walk to a neighbor's house and watch through their window if they had the TV on. Her favorite thing to watch was Mickey & friends cartoon shorts because she didn't need to have the audio to understand (couldn't hear the audio from outside). Has been a big Disney fan every since, and it's probably the reason that I am as well!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Oh, also, Fantasmic is much better at Disneyland, although you have to sit on the ground unless you buy a special (limited availability) package that includes seating.

We'll have to agree to disagree which Fantasmic! is better (I love what they're able to do with the lasers and pyro during the finale in larger amphitheater), but thanks, will definitely take her to see Fantasmic! It will be fun to see if she spots differences, and I hear the Peter Pan scene is back, which I've never seen before.

I think I'll go ahead and buy a lunch package to ensure a good spot.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Is Blue Bayou still very hard to get an ADR for? I've never been myself because it seems to go quickly. I believe our booking window opens Thursday.

 

[BrianL]

We'll have to agree to disagree which Fantasmic! is better (I love what they're able to do with the lasers and pyro during the finale in larger amphitheater), but thanks, will definitely take her to see Fantasmic! It will be fun to see if she spots differences, and I hear the Peter Pan scene is back, which I've never seen before.

I think I'll go ahead and buy a lunch package to ensure a good spot.

I used to agree that the DL F! was better when it was the original version. When they made some changes a while back, I definitely didn't like it as much. They did some weird things with the musical arrangement. I have not seen DL's NEW version yet, but no Dragon is kind of a bummer. The new version at WDW is still pretty good, so for right now I give the edge to the WDW version. It also always gets a few extra points for having actual seating.

 

[LKing]

Is Blue Bayou still very hard to get an ADR for? I've never been myself because it seems to go quickly. I believe our booking window opens Thursday.

From what I've seen, you have an hour or two before reservations are full. The first show dinner seems to sell out first, followed by the first show lunch.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I used to agree that the DL F! was better when it was the original version. When they made some changes a while back, I definitely didn't like it as much. They did some weird things with the musical arrangement. I have not seen DL's NEW version yet, but no Dragon is kind of a bummer. The new version at WDW is still pretty good, so for right now I give the edge to the WDW version. It also always gets a few extra points for having actual seating.

Hearing the music always makes me super happy, so I'm good with either version. But since the Fantasia/Sorcerer Mickey finale is my favorite part by far, DHS wins for me because that part is better there. It's more epic having Mickey high on the mountain and directing the pyro and lasers, which they also seem to have more of at DHS. I've also liked the bigger dragon even if it was more abstract. But I'm giddy at either, lol. Looking forward to seeing the newest version at DL despite no dragon.

 

[wabbott]

She's a big fan of Walt Disney so I'm thinking of adding the tour that takes you to the apartment.

This 10X. I would love to do that one myself.

I've also added a tour of the Disney Studios in Burbank for arrival day to make the experience even more memorable!

Don't know if you can get into the animation building, but a tour of Walt's office would be to die for.

As far as restaurants, Carthay Circle is my favorite restaurant on property anywhere. They serve Walt's favorite cocktail there, the Scotch Mist. The place just oozes Old Hollywood vibe, with all the pictures on the walls.

 

[BrianL]

Hearing the music always makes me super happy, so I'm good with either version. But since the Fantasia/Sorcerer Mickey finale is my favorite part by far, DHS wins for me because that part is better there. It's more epic having Mickey high on the mountain and directing the pyro and lasers, which they also seem to have more of at DHS. I've also liked the bigger dragon even if it was more abstract. But I'm giddy at either, lol. Looking forward to seeing the newest version at DL despite no dragon.

Yeah, but the Peter Pan scene beat the Pocahontas scene really. When they changed it to POTC though and made other changes, I definitely didn't like it as much. Now Peter Pan is back I believe, but I do not know if they did anything to the orchestration. The new scene at WDW with some of the newer characters is pretty cool though (only seen it once). For now, it's still WDW.

Although...the best version might have been at Tokyo DisneySea. It is no longer running, but it was really cool - no shock there of course. It was pretty different, but kept the general major story-beats.

EDIT: To illustrate, this was the TDS version:



I mean, yeah.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Yeah, but the Peter Pan scene beat the Pocahontas scene really. When they changed it to POTC though and made other changes, I definitely didn't like it as much. Now Peter Pan is back I believe, but I do not know if they did anything to the orchestration. The new scene at WDW with some of the newer characters is pretty cool though (only seen it once). For now, it's still WDW.

Although...the best version might have been at Tokyo DisneySea. It is no longer running, but it was really cool - no shock there of course. It was pretty different, but kept the general major story-beats.

EDIT: To illustrate, this was the TDS version:

View attachment 867187

I mean, yeah.

The Peter Pan scene may have beat the Pocahontas scene, but like I said, I'm all about the finale, lol. Looking forward to seeing Peter Pan instead of POTC for the first time, though.

And wow, what an amazing-looking dragon at TD! Too bad I'll never see that version. I hope they've replaced this show with something equally epic.

 

[LKing]

Carthay Circle is most Walt-centric restaurant in the parks.
Did you look into visiting places like the Griffith Park merry-go-round, Walt's barn and the Tam? Are you heading up to SF? If so, your mom would love the Walt Disney Family Museum.
This Disney Wiki has the addresses for where his and other stars are on located on Hollywood Blvd? https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

This 10X. I would love to do that one myself.

Re: the apartment tour--I think she will love being there for sure. Need to decide between that one and the new horticulture tour: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/enchanting-extras-collection/booking-cultivating-the-magic-tour/
She also likes plants/gardening and this one would be new to me, so a bit of a plus. I might go for broke and just do both, but I have to see/budget how much we'll spend dining first.

Don't know if you can get into the animation building, but a tour of Walt's office would be to die for.

Yes! The D23 tour we are doing on the day she arrives includes Walt's office! I've never been in the office myself so I'm super excited that the date of that tour worked out. It's the day right after the D23 convention ends (the reason I'll be in So. Cal in the first place) so I thought they wouldn't be doing tours right after.

 

[BrianL]

The Peter Pan scene may have beat the Pocahontas scene, but like I said, I'm all about the finale, lol. Looking forward to seeing Peter Pan instead of POTC for the first time, though.

And wow, what an amazing-looking dragon at TD! Too bad I'll never see that version. I hope they've replaced this show with something equally epic.

It's impressive right? The craziest thing is that the Fantasmic music actually has lyrics there! They essentially go "Imagination! Imagination!" There are more, but that's like the sting - 'Dun-dun-dun-DUN-dun!" as used int he US versions. It's weird that once you hear it you always hear it.

They run something now called "Believe: Sea of Dreams." I have not been back to see that, but it looks like this:




Yeah, I need to go back to Japan!

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

As far as restaurants, Carthay Circle is my favorite restaurant on property anywhere. They serve Walt's favorite cocktail there, the Scotch Mist. The place just oozes Old Hollywood vibe, with all the pictures on the walls.

Carthay Circle is most Walt-centric restaurant in the parks.

Thanks for this, I've never tried the restaurant myself so I didn't know. Will try to get a reservation for the last night as the next morning I'll take her to see what's left of old Hollywood and the walk of fame.

I'll order the Scotch Mist for sure.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Did you look into visiting places like the Griffith Park merry-go-round, Walt's barn and the Tam? Are you heading up to SF? If so, your mom would love the Walt Disney Family Museum.
This Disney Wiki has the addresses for where his and other stars are on located on Hollywood Blvd? https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame

I had forgotten about the merry-go-round. I went to see it on an ABD tour. I think I had heard that it's closed now/since COVID but will need to check. Would be a neat stop.

Planning on lunch at the Tam right after I pick her up at LAX. I tried to see if it was possible to reserve Walt's table online but I didn't see a way. We'll hope for the best.

I would have loved to take her to Walt's barn, but according to the Carolwood Foundation website, they're only open Aug 18 during the entire month. That happens to be the day we go home