New to DL

[deebits]

I am planning to go to DL in July with DH. We are staying in the GC for 6 days. What restaurants would would suggest and what days would you suggest we visit DL? I know it will be crowed when we are there, but does DL offer extra magic hours like they do in WDW? If they do does anyone know what mornings, parks and nights they are offered?

 

[joseph821]

I am planning to go to DL in July with DH. We are staying in the GC for 6 days. What restaurants would would suggest and what days would you suggest we visit DL? I know it will be crowed when we are there, but does DL offer extra magic hours like they do in WDW? If they do does anyone know what mornings, parks and nights they are offered?

Disneyland does not offer Extra Magic Hours. Disneyland does offer Magic Morning which is available to anyone who has a 3 day Park Hopper pass. But
hotel guests at anyone of the Disneyland Resort Hotels can go to Magic Morning on EVERY day that is offered during their stay. Currently, Magic Morning is offered on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

(Those with only a 3 Day Park Hopper pass and staying OFF SITE can only attend Magic Morning ONCE.)

 

[avalon451]

Hi, Deebits, welcome to the West Coast Dis!

Read Hydroguy's Tips compilation, a sticky thread at the top of this forum. Lots of great ideas there for the WDW vet: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

 

[deebits]

Thank you very much for that information. Is the extra hours for hotel guests just in the morning or do they offer this at night also.

 

[lulubelle]

It's only one hour in the morning. But boy, can you sure get a lot done in that one hour. It's so worth it to get up early at least once during your trip.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

Be sure to read the Disneyland Dining Reviews with Pictures thread...it will totally get you in the mood for DLR Dining! You will come away with many great ideas - be sure to take notes - all those pictures get a little overwhelming....but so worth it. Love the food porn!

 

[farmfresh]

Just to clarify - the magic mornings are only in Disneyland, not DCA - so if you are thinking of using them, factor that in to your day plans. DCA opens later as a rule than Disneyland anyway,so sometimes it's good to go to DCA after an early start the day before (or a late night!)

On the other hand, if you don't have EE/MM, you might want to try DCA on a DL MM - a little less busy. Plan to go to DL on a non MM day for rides in Fantasyland and for subs. If you do go to DL on an MM day, and you are only able to enter at regular park time, take advantage of the rides that open when you enter (Indiana Jones for example). That's also when the FPs will be available too.

Dining wise, DL is quite different from WDW. There are far fewer themed in-park restaurants. On the other hand, DTD is much more convenient, and there are some good places to eat there.

 

[deebits]

I really appreciate all of your help on this. I get so excited planning our day. It will be my birthday while we are out there and the first trip to DL for my DH (I went around 15 years ago). We go to WDW 2-3 times a year, so DL is just so new to us.

 

[mystic_path]

Well it depends...

Weekdays you get lower crowds, and on weekends you get all the big shows (Fantasmic, Fireworks, Aladdin Musical etc). So I would suggest if you have 3-4 days then do like a Wed-Sat or Thurs- Sunday so you can catch both benifits. If you stay onsite like the GC you get magic mornings on each MM day during your trip, or if you purchase over a 3 day hopper you get only 1 MM. I highly recommend using at least 1 of those. You can see a lot during your one hour of the morning.

As for places to eat it depends on what you like to eat. I personally love the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney, and the ESPN sports bar if your a sports fan. I like Mimi's on Harbor, the Cheesecake and Bubba Gumps at the Garden Walk, and Joes Crab shack which is like a 5 minute cab ride up the road.

 

[mechurchlady]

Getting early helps because there will not be that many people there. It will also put you near the area you want to be like Critter country to do Pooh, Haunted Mansion, and Splash Mountain. You beat the rope drop and have everything all set for the day. After a few hours you can go over to DCA. DL is not that busy for the first 3 to 5 hours even on a weekend. Fastpasses help.

For DCA it opens later and closes earlier than DL. You can however as a GC guest enter and exit the hotel right next to the rapids ride and down the hill is Soarin and further on is Hollywoodland and up the hill is Boardwalk area.

I used to love the PCH Grill but have not eaten there recently. Yamabuki has great Japanese food. The two GC restaurants are excellent and they even dealt with my special dietary needs.

Taste Pilot is the best place in DCA to eat. They used to have great corn dogs at the corn dog castle, love the caramel corn they used to sell from a cart, and Catch a Flav sells soft swirl ice cream that is yummy and have a second flavoured ribbon.

Check refurbs as they are redoing the wharf area. I have not eaten there in about 3 or four years because of diet and not going. The only places to eat are in Hollywoodland, the Wharf and farm area to the north, the winery, the Corn Dog Castle, and Taste Pilots so you need to make sure you know where to eat before hand. You do not want to get hungry out on the south side of Boardwalk area then either get a corn dog or walk a long way for lunch while the stomach grumbles. An option for GC guests is to duck into the hotel and get a fine lunch there.

Disneyland has swell corn dogs at a little red cart next to the lost & found, baby center, and nurse's station. Turkey legs with corn on the cob is another treat but do bring wet wipes as they can be sticky. I would take the turkey legs and snack in the Golden Horseshoe Revue as that is a cool place to rest and get your second wind. Dole whips are sold at a stand in front of the Tiki Room. Honey Popcorn is sold in Critter Country. I prefer the burgers at Hungry Bear. For a hearty meal there is a restaurant next to Pirates entrance that sells chowder and gumbo in a bread bowl. Across from the train station is the Mint Julep shop that can be missed.

Bring along zip loc bags for corn on the cob and other messy stuff. They use Dreyers ice cream and you can get some at Main Street but not like the old days. Carnation Cafe and in a corner next to lockers is ice cream as well as the Gibson girl, yummy snacking there.

Take the tour where you get to see the inside of Club 33 if you can.

I was at DLR this month and will be back on the first or 8th. I plan to get honey popcorn, dole whip, then maybe if my friend can last that long a burger at Taste Pilotor if not that then burgers at Hungry Bear or hot dog at Coke Corner then later Catch a Flav then if I survive will end the day in the hotel for dinner. I have to be home to feed mom at 6 so I will probably feed my friend then go home and come back for dinner at the hotels or ESPN Zone which is another favourite and then late night sundaes.

 

[deebits]

My husband keeps laughing at me because when I get home I have more and more news on where we should be going. We want to make this a special and fun trip. I am now unsure if we should do 3 days or 4 days at the parks with one of the days doing a tour. We originally were planning 2 days in DL and one in DCA but park hopping in between.