Planning a Bucketlist DL Trip

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

If you guys are fans of Pirates of the Caribbean, I really really recommend eating at Blue Bayou!! Yes it is expensive, but you are paying for the experience. I went for an anniversary last year and it was so magical and I really enjoyed what I ordered (surf and turf). The meat was cooked perfectly, the lobster was tender, and the gumbo that you get with the meal was sooo delicious!! It is such a unique experience and one that can only be had at Disneyland.

It reminds me a lot of San Angel Inn at Epcot! They look very similar...and I do love PotC. One of my favorites at WDW.

 

[morganms22]

I agree! It definitely has a similar feel to San Angel except it's smaller. I just wanted to say that this was me a few years ago. I spent my whole life going to Disney World (even was married there) and I was THRILLED to be visiting Disney Land for the first time. I had heard so much about Blue Bayou. So, I made reservations there and honestly I was very underwhelmed. The atmosphere was neat, but when I went the service and the food were just not that good. Usually, the atmosphere sort of makes up for that at Disney, but I just did not feel that was the case here. Screaming teenagers riding by on boats didn't really help the otherwise quiet atmosphere. We are going back to run the Dumbo Double Dare Labor Day weekend and this time I have set my sights and taste buds on other DL restaurants.

We stayed at the Grand Californian on that trip and we are staying at the Disney Land Hotel on our upcoming stay. The Grand Californian reminded me a lot of the Wilderness Lodge at DW if you have stayed there. It was nice and shocking being so close to the parks after years of staying at Disney World. However unless you are a total Disney geek (like me) and need to try out all the resorts, I wouldn't see why you couldn't just stay in a good neighbor hotel. When you are in Disney World you feel as though you are in a spread out "bubble" and that you need to stay in there to be closer to everything. Disneyland is much smaller and there really isn't that feeling. So, stay wherever suits you and your budget. The park hopper is absolutely worth it in my opinion.

 

[DisBabe94]

I just wanted to put in my two cents that I think it's a magical and unique experience, but there are definitely other great restaurants!! A little bonus that you may have already known: the PotC at DL is much longer and better than the one at WDW!! I hope you have an amazing trip

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

We are WDW vets who recently did our first trip to DL. We had a great time, but it was kind of like walking around with a case of deja vu. Everything was familiar, but not exactly. We did park hop - especially later in the trip. We started with a full day at DL then a full day at DCA. We had another day and a half where we went back and forth.

We stayed at Park Vue (literally across the street), but I was a tiny bit jealous after a conversation I overheard. I was sitting on a bench across from Grizzly River Run while DD rode it over and over through the single rider line. Next to me was a grandmom who called her son to get her to come get a toddler who was getting a little grumpy. About 3 minutes later, he comes strolling up. Grandmom looks confused and asked him where he came from. He points directly behind us and says, "Mom, that's our room right there."

For a bucket list trip, definitely check out the World of Color dessert party. I can't tell you how happy I was to be sitting in a chair enjoying some snacks as I watched all of the people standing up around us. It was well worth the money for us.

 

[Xenorye]

I've seen a YouTube video where it suggested not getting Park Hoppers as a way to save money. This is true. It costs, and not getting them saves money. But that's for people who only care about saving money. Get the hopper. On my last trip, we hopped every day at least twice, and one day I think we hopped five or six times. It is essential in my eyes.

Blue Bayou is good. Like a recent poster, I also had the surf and turf and was pleasantly surprised. I also love Cafe Orleans. Carnation Cafe was great (I had the meatloaf).

Don't write off the Paradise Pier Hotel (PPH) as a possibility. It's just as close to the park entrance as DLH, and cheaper. Also, you can book the premium view there for less than a regular room at DLH, and the premium view is pretty fantastic. I spent an hour or so each night just looking out over DCA and the colorful fountains.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I agree! It definitely has a similar feel to San Angel except it's smaller. I just wanted to say that this was me a few years ago. I spent my whole life going to Disney World (even was married there) and I was THRILLED to be visiting Disney Land for the first time. I had heard so much about Blue Bayou. So, I made reservations there and honestly I was very underwhelmed. The atmosphere was neat, but when I went the service and the food were just not that good. Usually, the atmosphere sort of makes up for that at Disney, but I just did not feel that was the case here. Screaming teenagers riding by on boats didn't really help the otherwise quiet atmosphere. We are going back to run the Dumbo Double Dare Labor Day weekend and this time I have set my sights and taste buds on other DL restaurants.

We stayed at the Grand Californian on that trip and we are staying at the Disney Land Hotel on our upcoming stay. The Grand Californian reminded me a lot of the Wilderness Lodge at DW if you have stayed there. It was nice and shocking being so close to the parks after years of staying at Disney World. However unless you are a total Disney geek (like me) and need to try out all the resorts, I wouldn't see why you couldn't just stay in a good neighbor hotel. When you are in Disney World you feel as though you are in a spread out "bubble" and that you need to stay in there to be closer to everything. Disneyland is much smaller and there really isn't that feeling. So, stay wherever suits you and your budget. The park hopper is absolutely worth it in my opinion.

The Wilderness Lodge is actually the only on property resort ive stayed at in WDW, so I love it. It seems like Blue Bayou has it's fan and it's critics, I tihnk if I had to pick I wouldn't go and I'd rather try other places, but it's always good to hear opinions. But you're right about the bubble, it makes sense. Thanks!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I just wanted to put in my two cents that I think it's a magical and unique experience, but there are definitely other great restaurants!! A little bonus that you may have already known: the PotC at DL is much longer and better than the one at WDW!! I hope you have an amazing trip

I have seen POVs and that is one thing I thought I noticed...I could stay on a Disney boat ride all day, just so relaxing..Thank you!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

We are WDW vets who recently did our first trip to DL. We had a great time, but it was kind of like walking around with a case of deja vu. Everything was familiar, but not exactly. We did park hop - especially later in the trip. We started with a full day at DL then a full day at DCA. We had another day and a half where we went back and forth.

We stayed at Park Vue (literally across the street), but I was a tiny bit jealous after a conversation I overheard. I was sitting on a bench across from Grizzly River Run while DD rode it over and over through the single rider line. Next to me was a grandmom who called her son to get her to come get a toddler who was getting a little grumpy. About 3 minutes later, he comes strolling up. Grandmom looks confused and asked him where he came from. He points directly behind us and says, "Mom, that's our room right there."

For a bucket list trip, definitely check out the World of Color dessert party. I can't tell you how happy I was to be sitting in a chair enjoying some snacks as I watched all of the people standing up around us. It was well worth the money for us.

I really like that idea, start off not park hopping then later in the trip park hop so you can see what you want and know where to go more. Love it. and I can see how that would make you jealous...I know you can see the Grand Californian from the parks, but can you see the DLH? and was the desserts worth the price or just the seats?

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I've seen a YouTube video where it suggested not getting Park Hoppers as a way to save money. This is true. It costs, and not getting them saves money. But that's for people who only care about saving money. Get the hopper. On my last trip, we hopped every day at least twice, and one day I think we hopped five or six times. It is essential in my eyes.

Blue Bayou is good. Like a recent poster, I also had the surf and turf and was pleasantly surprised. I also love Cafe Orleans. Carnation Cafe was great (I had the meatloaf).

Don't write off the Paradise Pier Hotel (PPH) as a possibility. It's just as close to the park entrance as DLH, and cheaper. Also, you can book the premium view there for less than a regular room at DLH, and the premium view is pretty fantastic. I spent an hour or so each night just looking out over DCA and the colorful fountains.

It is funny because it seems like PPH gets forgotton and I always think GC and DLH are the only options, but that is a good idea that the premium view is still less than DLH. I know GC looks out onto DCA, but does DLH look out onto DL? and Carnation Cafe is also the place with the fried chicken or is that Jolly Holiday? Thank you for the idea on the park hoppers too! Everyone is really convincing me to get it.

 

[WonkaKid]

Blue Bayou is good. It's worth doing once (I think I've been three times). I'm a vegetarian (virtually vegan) and eat gluten-free. They made me a tasty dish that I enjoyed. However, at $30 -- portobello mushroom and rice noodles -- it was a touch pricey. But you're also paying for atmosphere so, again, it's worth doing once.

One of the things I like about POTC (and HM, for that matter) is that when the sun is high and the temp is unkind, you can go inside and feel like it's a cool summer evening. It's all part of the Disney magic.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Blue Bayou is good. It's worth doing once (I think I've been three times). I'm a vegetarian (virtually vegan) and eat gluten-free. They made me a tasty dish that I enjoyed. However, at $30 -- portobello mushroom and rice noodles -- it was a touch pricey. But you're also paying for atmosphere so, again, it's worth doing once.

One of the things I like about POTC (and HM, for that matter) is that when the sun is high and the temp is unkind, you can go inside and feel like it's a cool summer evening. It's all part of the Disney magic.

OOF, that is a little pricy. The atmosphere is really cool, I agree. It's unfortunate that it wasn't a little cheaper and food maybe more consistent? I agree, that's one of the cool things about WDW I tihnk too is that a majority of the rides are inside so it's a nice break and I think it really transports you. Granted, WDW weather is horrible compared to Anaheim.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I really like that idea, start off not park hopping then later in the trip park hop so you can see what you want and know where to go more. Love it. and I can see how that would make you jealous...I know you can see the Grand Californian from the parks, but can you see the DLH? and was the desserts worth the price or just the seats?

For us, the seats, view, and being out of the crowds were the highlights of the dessert party. The desserts, fancy glow with the show cup for DD, and drinks were excellent, but wouldn't be worth the price alone.

You can see DLH from DTD, but I don't think you can see it from anywhere in the parks. The two parks and DTD kind of make a T with the two parks at the top ends of the T, DTD on one side of the stem, Grand Californian on the other side of the stem, and DLH at the far end.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

It is funny because it seems like PPH gets forgotton and I always think GC and DLH are the only options, but that is a good idea that the premium view is still less than DLH. I know GC looks out onto DCA, but does DLH look out onto DL? and Carnation Cafe is also the place with the fried chicken or is that Jolly Holiday? Thank you for the idea on the park hoppers too! Everyone is really convincing me to get it.

I think PPH gets forgotten sometimes because it's often not much more money to stay at the Disneyland Hotel, while GCH is usually significantly more expensive than the other two.

Locationwise, DLH is actually not super close to the parks. The offsite hotels across the street on Harbor are closer. However, some don't mind the farther walk from DLH because you walk through Downtown Disney to get to DLR, so you don't need to leave the bubble. The offside hotels are actually even closer to DLR than GCH depending on which room you are in (mainly because GCH is so big). GCH is the closest to DCA obviously since the hotel opens directly into DCA.

If all you care about is distance to the park, then the off site hotels are good options.

If you have time to go in September, there are good deals for on-site hotels. 20-25% off rack rates, which stacks with 18% off ESCAPE code at Cheap tickets.com. We've got a trip planned at GCH in September, those discounts are great.

 

[agamble]

It sounds like you've already made up your mind to get park hoppers. I just wanted to point out that Disneyland.com lists 64 attractions for the Disneyland Resort, 31 of those attractions are at DCA. So the two parks are pretty evenly split with things to do. Of course some of those 64 "attractions" are better than others, as they're not all rides or shows (they include the shooting gallery and carnival games).

There's currently still no FP+ reservation system. Rumors of one coming have been around for a few years, but it looks like Disneyland has made it another summer without that addition. This could be good or bad depending on how you feel about FP+. You can't schedule your showtimes before you go, but you can be very flexible with what you do throughout the day. Currently there are only a handful of FP rides at each park. Toy Story does not have FP at DCA as it does at DHS. Also none of the Fantasyland rides have FP either, I know both Peter Pan and Pooh do at MK. So rope dropping is very important as it allows you to get on some of those slow loading rides quickly.

Some of the rides are basically the same, but some of them are pretty different. It's fun to compare, but try to enjoy them for what they are. Disneyland's Small World is way better than WDW as is Pirates. In WDW Space has single row rockets and Splash has double row logs, at Disneyland it is backwards with Space being double seating and Splash having single seating. Don't try to compare Matterhorn to Expedition Everest, they are not alike at all and there is a nearly 50 year difference in tech. Grizzly River Run is way better than the similar ride at AK, it has two good sized drops and no awful smoke smell. Of course our TOT, assuming it's still open, does not have the sideways movement the one in FL does. Our Fantasyland is not new and expanded, but it's still jammed with rides. I counted 13 rides in Disneyland's Fantasyland, but only 9 at WDW (I didn't count shows/character elements).

Study the maps of the parks to get a good idea of where things are laid out. Winnie the Pooh is in the back by Splash Mountain, and Splash is not next to Big Thunder. I hope you have fun planning your trip.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I think PPH gets forgotten sometimes because it's often not much more money to stay at the Disneyland Hotel, while GCH is usually significantly more expensive than the other two.

Locationwise, DLH is actually not super close to the parks. The offsite hotels across the street on Harbor are closer. However, some don't mind the farther walk from DLH because you walk through Downtown Disney to get to DLR, so you don't need to leave the bubble. The offside hotels are actually even closer to DLR than GCH depending on which room you are in (mainly because GCH is so big). GCH is the closest to DCA obviously since the hotel opens directly into DCA.

If all you care about is distance to the park, then the off site hotels are good options.

If you have time to go in September, there are good deals for on-site hotels. 20-25% off rack rates, which stacks with 18% off ESCAPE code at Cheap tickets.com. We've got a trip planned at GCH in September, those discounts are great.

Proximity and the "Disney Bubble" is important, so we'll see. It is obviously cheaper to stay off property though. I was planning to go off season or try to go. With those deals, it sounds like September is a great time of year to go..

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

For us, the seats, view, and being out of the crowds were the highlights of the dessert party. The desserts, fancy glow with the show cup for DD, and drinks were excellent, but wouldn't be worth the price alone.

You can see DLH from DTD, but I don't think you can see it from anywhere in the parks. The two parks and DTD kind of make a T with the two parks at the top ends of the T, DTD on one side of the stem, Grand Californian on the other side of the stem, and DLH at the far end.

Good to know because standing around for a show/parade is always not fun, so sitting with some desserts does sound like a blast. Thanks!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

It sounds like you've already made up your mind to get park hoppers. I just wanted to point out that Disneyland.com lists 64 attractions for the Disneyland Resort, 31 of those attractions are at DCA. So the two parks are pretty evenly split with things to do. Of course some of those 64 "attractions" are better than others, as they're not all rides or shows (they include the shooting gallery and carnival games).

There's currently still no FP+ reservation system. Rumors of one coming have been around for a few years, but it looks like Disneyland has made it another summer without that addition. This could be good or bad depending on how you feel about FP+. You can't schedule your showtimes before you go, but you can be very flexible with what you do throughout the day. Currently there are only a handful of FP rides at each park. Toy Story does not have FP at DCA as it does at DHS. Also none of the Fantasyland rides have FP either, I know both Peter Pan and Pooh do at MK. So rope dropping is very important as it allows you to get on some of those slow loading rides quickly.

Some of the rides are basically the same, but some of them are pretty different. It's fun to compare, but try to enjoy them for what they are. Disneyland's Small World is way better than WDW as is Pirates. In WDW Space has single row rockets and Splash has double row logs, at Disneyland it is backwards with Space being double seating and Splash having single seating. Don't try to compare Matterhorn to Expedition Everest, they are not alike at all and there is a nearly 50 year difference in tech. Grizzly River Run is way better than the similar ride at AK, it has two good sized drops and no awful smoke smell. Of course our TOT, assuming it's still open, does not have the sideways movement the one in FL does. Our Fantasyland is not new and expanded, but it's still jammed with rides. I counted 13 rides in Disneyland's Fantasyland, but only 9 at WDW (I didn't count shows/character elements).

Study the maps of the parks to get a good idea of where things are laid out. Winnie the Pooh is in the back by Splash Mountain, and Splash is not next to Big Thunder. I hope you have fun planning your trip.

That's actually one of the things I'm most excited for is comparing everything, but not to come away with "One is better than the other". I heard if youve been to one, it's like deja vu going to the other because it's very similar, but not at all at the same time. Some of my favorite rides are the slow dark rides, so I am excited to see DL's! I am mixed on FP+: my first two trips to WDW were with the old system and I loved it, my last trip to WDW was with FP+ and I didn't happen, but it was a little too planned for me (and im a huge planner). Thanks for the ride tips!