New to Disney(land) got questions

[superbird]

Having been to Disney world numerous times, thinking about Disneyland. When is the best time to go, Food plan is not as good so I need to know places to eat etc.Any and all help would be appreciated, tiem next year to go is open so what are the normal deals and what about the weather at these times too? Hope I am not asking too much

 

[DizneyMommy]

February or May are good times to go as long as you avoid holiday weekends, there should be very light weekday crowds and nice weather. Later in the year, September and October, early November and early December are great times to go also, Fireworks and Fantasmic are only on weekends during those times so you might want to include one weekend day. There is usually a Spring Promo going on in Feb/May, I think next year's is an extra day free on a 5 day hopper or something. You can also check out the Anaheim Convention Center calendar to be sure to avoid any cheerleading competitions or major conventions which look like they may draw DL crowds (the convention center is walking distance across the parking lot).

Stay on property if you can swing it, it really makes the trip complete! As far as dining, the 3 hotels each have a great character breakfast, as well as 2 inside the parks - I'd reccommend Minnie and Friends or Goofy's Kitchen for the best characters, or Storytellers at GCH for the best food. Blue Bayou is really neat for dinner, it is inside POTC. Plaza Inn has a great chicken dinner, and you should hit Carnation Inn on Main St at least once for either breakfast or lunch. Ariel's Grotto in DCA has a really neat character lunch/dinner, it is a complete meal for one price including drinks and dessert, the choices are great, food is great, and the characters (princesses) really spend lots of time with each table. All 3 hotels have great places for dinner, depending on what you are looking for. There are also some neat places in Dowtown Disney, including Rainforest Cafe which the kids would love, and Naples (really good pizza) sometimes offers pizza making classes for the kids.

Hope that helps!

 

[DLR29]

Having been to Disney world numerous times, thinking about Disneyland. When is the best time to go, Food plan is not as good so I need to know places to eat etc.Any and all help would be appreciated, tiem next year to go is open so what are the normal deals and what about the weather at these times too? Hope I am not asking too much

I vote for February (not during President's Week). Crowds are low, there's a promo going on (this year it's buy 3, 4, 5 days, get 2 days free so buy a 3 day park hopper, get a 5 day), and the weather will be nice. As mentioned above, include a weekend to see the entertainment spectaculars.

Also a good time to go is early December because of the small crowds and on top of that, Christmas decorations and entertainment (especially on weekends).

A couple things that you need to know about DL that are different than WDW:
1) Park hopping is much more convenient. At WDW, you might take 30 minutes to park hop, but at DL, it takes a grand total of 2 minutes to walk from park to park. Especially on a weekend, I'd recommend going to DL in the morning and then hopping over to DCA for the afternoon.

2) The dining selections are not as good. Other than DTD (which is also a 2 minute walk from the parks or a short monorail ride), I thinkn there are 6 or 7 table service restaurants in the parks. None are popular enough to need to make reservations (no need for ADRs like at WDW), especially during low season. For counter service, I recommend El Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland, Redd Rocket's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland, Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country. There aren't that many good places in DCA to eat, so just go over to DL or DTD.

3) Here are some rides that are unique to DL and should not be missed for a WDW vet:
Indiana Jones (like Dinosaur, much better themed)
Pirate's Lair (Tom Sawyer Island with a pirate theme)
Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad, Monster's Inc (DCA), Roger Rabbit (different dark rides, Roger Rabbit you can spin your vehicle)
Matterhorn (1st ever tubular steel coaster)
Casey Jr. Circus Train and Storybookland Canal Boats
Everything at DCA except Soarin, ToT, Muppets and Bug movies, and Turtle Talk

Rides that are significantly different:
Jungle Cruise
PotC (much longer and better)
Pooh (no long lines at DL because it's tucked away in the corner)
Splash (different seating, shorter ride)
IASW (original version)
Tiki Room (original version)
Autopia vs. TIS (Autopia actually has scenery and stuff to look at, you even go off roading)
Buzz (removable guns make for easier aiming)
Space (completely dark, and smoother with music)
ToT (different scenes, no 4th dimension room)

 

[superbird]

Thanks I have been on Toad's at WDW way back when any other help is still appreciated, probably going towards October(?), November, so what is the weather like then

 

[heatherleigh]

The last time we went to Disney was Jan/Feb of 2006. The park was practically empty. The only ride we had to wait for was some Bug-themed one in DCA. I remember it getting really cold in the evenings, and the week days had an even lighter crowd than weekends. We are going next month, and I'm hoping it will be low-key like it was the last time.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Thanks I have been on Toad's at WDW way back when any other help is still appreciated, probably going towards October(?), November, so what is the weather like then

It is totally unpredictable here. Sometimes we get a little heat wave, sometimes it is cool all day and cloudy, and sometimes we have Santa Ana (WARM/DRY) winds. It rarely rains here, last year only 2 days all year. It is usually fairly mild for the most part with chilly evenings. Not a bad time to go at all!

 

[tinkermell]

Read Hydroguy's and MaryJo's stickeys!!!!!!! So much info for a WDW vet like you!

If you pick October the parks will be Fall and Halloween decorated, and HM willl have its holiday overlay done.

In November at least around the 16th or so (?), you should have the Christmas decorations up, and IASW overlay will be added along with HM's to the park. They then will be refered to as HMH and IASWH. Somebody may correct me if I'm wrong on those dates in November.

Also the castle is supposed to be completely done up in icicles this year with thousands of led lights added. It should be fabulous. Wish I could remember the dates when the Christmas parades, fireworks and snow starts. (Which at DL you don't need a special ticket to see!)

Either time period you decide, should be great!

 

[kiwitravel]

We always go late June/early July:
1. Everything is open (no rides closed for maintenance)
2. Not as crowded as late July/August
3. Park is open longer hours
4. Fireworks, ELP and Fantasmic every night
5. weather not too hot yet

Use Fastpass and you won't have too much waiting time, our longest wait last year was 20 minutes...

 

[HydroGuy]

Here are some links:

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599