Pete...Disneyland help?

[slapwhitey]

I guess this question could really be posted for anyone but I know Pete is a bit of a DLR aficionado and was recently over on the left coast.

We are heading to DLR for a little over a week from end of June to July 6...I know it's going to be busy and surface of the sun hot. This is our first extended trip, spent a weekend there in November but just briefly. I was hoping to hear of some must do's and must don'ts for either park as far as attractions or dining. I know Pete was working on a DLR podcast but under the circumstances I would completely understand if that gets put off for a while or not completed at all. It can't be easy. We've been doing some research and learning from our brief experience there in November. But I just wanted to get some input from the podcast crew or listeners. I tend to take whatever I read or hear from the podcast crew as gospel....just ask my wife. She claims I don't believe anything is true unless I hear it on the podcast or read it on the boards.

BTW....anyone know if you can get Dole Whips in California. I'll have one for Bawb next weekend in WDW but I'd love to salute Mr. Varley again in DLR since I think the podcast had a lot to do with us giving Disneyland another shot.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[SamIAm21]

Yep, you can get a DoleWhip right outside The Original Enchanted Tiki Room and, you can actually take it inside with you to watch the show. It is encouraged actually. Watch the pre-show in the garden, it's very edutainment-y. Bob will be just as honored by that Dole Whip as any other!

My Must Do Attractions: Mr. Toad (cause it ain't at WDW)
Pirates of the Caribbean. Much longer ride with more "detail".
Storybook Canal Ride!
Nemo Subs!
Haunted Mansion!
Space Mountain -- It is a much smooother ride in DLR and the music is great!

FANTASMIC is outstanding in DLR. Much more "cohesive" show than the one at WDW. It's not supposed to make sense, but it flows better there!

Must eat food! Churros! Better there than WDW. Lunch at Blue Bayou! Get ressies NOW! Ralph Brennan's Jazz Club in Downtown Disney.

At DCA! Do Soarin Over California, in California! Much cooler queue line there than at Epcot. California Screamin... a great roller coaster. The big ferris wheel in a non-moving basket, for the ultimate view of the parks!

 

[tmli]

Some great suggestions! We did the sundial in a moving basket.....slapwhitey was screaming like a school girl!!! It was hilarious!

 

[safetymom]

They serve them with little umbrella's in DL.

 

[firsttimemom]

We did the sundial in a moving basket.....slapwhitey was screaming like a school girl!!! It was hilarious!

UGH! That was possibly THE WORST ride experience I've had. I tried to keep it together for the sake of the kids but I was truly terrified. I'd recommend watching it first before you decide and factor in that it's worse than it looks!

I'd also recommend Indiana Jones. From what I've heard, if you want to do Nemo, you MUST get there ASAP in the morning or you'll be in line foreeeever.

If you go over to the DL board, someone has a great sticky thread comparing/contrasting WDW and DL.

Have a great trip! We'll be heading there in Nov.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Grizzley River Rapids and Soarin' don't have their FP machines linked -- so you can get one for each attraction without having to wait.

Buzz is better at DLR because the guns aren't stationary.

Food is excellent at the Carnation Cafe (especially Baked Potato Soup...although you might not be there during the best season for it!).

Also, keep in mind that sometimes it still gets pretty chilly when the sun goes down if the wind has kicked up a bit.

 

[CamColt]

Space Mountain -- It is a much smooother ride in DLR and the music is great!

I totally agree! This ride is SO much better in DL than in WDW!

Remember...Dreams Come True blows Wishes away too (and I love Wishes). But you have to watch it from in front of the Castle for the full effect.

Buy a loaf of Mickey shaped bread after doing the Bread Bakery Tour. Its so cute and yummy too!

California Screamin Rocks!

A nice midday break for a snack and drink is the lounge on top of Ariels Grotto...great view over the water.

 

[DisnyMama]

If you take a ride on "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh", make sure you turn around and look up as about half way through the ride just as one set of doors opens you will see Buff, Melvin and Max still hanging on the wall from the "Country Bear Jamborie". They never took them down.

The "Plaza" restaurant at the end of Main St. has a really good Cobb Salad and wonderful deserts. Hint: ask them to not pre mix the salad and get the dressing on the side. This way, you get more of the ingredients that go into the salad and two people can definately share this salad and a desert.

Just a little nostalgia-go straight through Sleeping Beauty's Castle towards the Carousel, as soon as you exit the castle look down and find the "stake" in the ground. This is said to be the exact "geological center" of Disneyland.

Take a break and have a nice quiet,yummy meal at White Water snacks at the Grand Californian. It's the Hotel's Counter Service and has a great selection of food at pretty good prices. It's real easy to get to especially if you are in DCA and you use the resort exit/entrance near Grizzly River Rapids.

Blue Bayou is an experience and worth the wait for a table along the water. However, keep in mind that people on the POTC ride boats do like to yell (usually just hello! and wave) but you are far enough away that they can't see what you are eating or see you that closely so I like to request a table "near" the water for the best of all. The food is a bit pricey but sharing a meal and paying the $4 extra plate charge is a good deal. I have seen pictures of the "split plates" and each plate looks like a full meal.

Just keep in mind that even if it gets way up in the 90's or even 100 degrees in Anahiem, yes it is hot as heck but it is tolerable and Disneyland has many shaded areas. DCA doesn't have as much shade so be careful. Drink lots of water, maybe take a break during the heat of the day and pool it for a while and go back in the early evening. Take advantage of DTD as it's right there. Wander through the hotels. Oh, in the evening take a break and go have a cocktail (if you choose) in the lounge at the Grand Californian. It is a gorgeous room and they have fantastic wines. It's a very laid back and relaxed atmosphere. You would have to check but I think you can take kids in there also. A few years back I took my DS when he was about 10 in with me and I had a glass of wine and he had a Roy Roger and we sat at the bar. They also have nice seating areas like they do in the lobby and a beautiful fireplace.

 

[tmli]

Wow some great tips. We are looking forward to having a longer visit. When we were there last November, we only had a couple days on a weekend and it was crazy!

We have made ADR's at Goofy's Kitchen, Ariels Grotto, Storytellers cafe and Canation Cafe. We did Blue Bayou on the last visit and enjoyed it.