Need help with upcoming trip!

[SoThisIsLove]

Hi Everyone.....

We are planning a trip to DL this July and am in need of some help. We are DVC members and are staying at the Grand Calif. for 5 nts....I have been reading these boards trying to plan our trip and I am confused about some things......

I have been reading about the character meals and many people have mentioned vouchers? Is that a meal plan? Can I make a priority seating without a voucher? Also, which resturaunts are good for a two, almost 3 year old?

I have also read about tickets to get into the park early? I am not too familiar with the abbreviations but I'm assuming TT is ToonTown? How do I get these tickets? I am assuming its not like WDW when you stay on property you are automatically eligible for early entry......

Lastly, are there any shows that are a must see and is there a dining option for the shows where you eat at a participating resturaunt and you get reserved seating at the show?.....like WDW has for Fantasmic?

Also.....where is the best place to get tickets? ANy advice or opinins are greatly appreciated! We need all the help we can get!

Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

[DLR29]

As for Magic Morning, check out my thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403 It also describes the difference between Magic Morning and Toontown Morning Madness.

Who? There are two ways of gaining the opportunity of using MM.
1) Buying ANY ticket of 3 or more days. This will entitle the ticket holder to one MM admission. There are some exceptions such as Gay Day tickets and convention tickets, but most big name ticket sellers have MM eligible tickets (Disney, AAA, Costco, So. Cal City Pass, most online sources such as ARES Travel)

2) Staying at one of the 3 onsite hotels (Grand Californian (including the new VGC DVC places), Disneyland Hotel, or Paradise Pier Hotel). This will entitle the hotel guests MM admission every day that it is offered during their stay (including arrival (yes, possibly before your room is ready) and departure days) regardless of where you buy your tickets from. For example, if a family was staying at one of the onsite hotels for a long weekend (visiting the parks Saturday, Sunday, and Monday). They would be allowed to use MM on both Saturday and Sunday; however, a guest staying offsite would have to pick one or the other.

For DLR's Fantasmic, they have a "dessert package". It gets you automatic seats and a small box of treats for like $60. Not worth it in my opinion, but others disagree.

Can't help very much on the character meals, but I do know that the GCH has Storytellers which is a highly recommended character meal. The "dining plan" at DLR is not a good deal compared to WDW's dining plan.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have been reading about the character meals and many people have mentioned vouchers?

I too am not sure about the character meals but am pretty sure the voucher is associated with booking a room and ticket package that includes a character meal perk.

Can I make a priority seating without a voucher?

Sure.

Also, which resturaunts are good for a two, almost 3 year old?

Well, its been awhile - my kids are teens now - but if you want table service I would say good old RainForest Cafe in DTD. Storytellers possibly. Inside the parks? Nothing comes to mind for table service. Maybe Blue Bayou. That is pricey for a 2-3 year old but a nice environment.

I have also read about tickets to get into the park early? I am not too familiar with the abbreviations but I'm assuming TT is ToonTown? How do I get these tickets? I am assuming its not like WDW when you stay on property you are automatically eligible for early entry......

See "DLR Abbreviations List" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520784

Lastly, are there any shows that are a must see and is there a dining option for the shows where you eat at a participating resturaunt and you get reserved seating at the show?.....like WDW has for Fantasmic?

Right now, no, as DLR29 explains - except for the Fantasmic dessert. However, there is a rumor from a respected source that the new World of Color show at DCA will have a dining option along the lines of Fantasmic at WDW DHS. So keep your eyes out for that.

Also.....where is the best place to get tickets? ANy advice or opinins are greatly appreciated! We need all the help we can get!

We usually get our tix in advance from Ares www.arestravel.com. They are but cheaper than the tix directly from Disney.

Have you found this thread yet? "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

I think next time we go we are going to try out Minnie and Friends Breakfast for a character meal.

 

[IBLarsen]

Hi, for character meals, you can book at Priority Seating with or without a voucher. You can choose to pay at the time you eat. We have bought vouchers through Ares travel or Get away today prior to going. It's cheaper to do this. I believe some vacation packages come with vouchers for free character meals as well.

For tickets, you can of course buy through disneyland website, or you can go through get away today, Ares Travel, or Costco if you are a member. Those are the main ones I have heard about through these boards.