Planning Questions

[Lesverts]

Hi, long time WDW visitor. One time DLR visitor. You would think I would be ok but fun fact, no.

Previous trip was staying at the Disneyland Hotel and it was also my first experience with Genie+ and what is now lightning lanes etc. It was in 2022 and other then having a lot of good memories and remembering I had an amazing time I am struggling to plan this trip.

Questions:

Looking at staying at Pixar Place, I have seen online that it mentions that for PPH use the GCH entrance into DCA. How? The maps are confusing.
Also since the lineup to get into Downtown Disney pre-park open is in the same place for DLH and PPH you kinda just walk out the hotel and lineup in the same lane right?
Are dining reservations just hard to get? I remember it being terrible trying to find anything. Only thing I really want to do is Storyteller Cafe for the character meal (it is only breakfast correct?) and Din Tai Fung.
Lightning Lane is only after entering the park correct?
Since early entry has now changed to alternating is it worth it to use those 30 minutes or go to the opposite park that day?
Thinking about going late January - Lunar New Year should be on? Anything else going on at that time?
I am coming from Central Canada, so SNA is not really a viable option because it costs a couple hundred dollars more each way and turns a 7 hour travel day into a 10 to 12. Is there an option to get from LAX that isn't ridiculously expensive?
Are there any regular attraction closures that happen around the January/February timeframe like at WDW?

 

[Howry]

Looking at staying at Pixar Place, I have seen online that it mentions that for PPH use the GCH entrance into DCA. How? The maps are confusing.

PPH is pretty close to being across the street from GCH, just walk across the street and follow the signs or ask someone once there.


Are dining reservations just hard to get? I remember it being terrible trying to find anything. Only thing I really want to do is Storyteller Cafe for the character meal (it is only breakfast correct?) and Din Tai Fung.
Yes, they can be difficult to get. You can start trying to get reservations 60 days out. Storytellers only has characters for breakfast/brunch. Din Tai Fung is pretty new and very popular. Also, if you are unable to get a reservation where you want, keep watching as people do cancel quite often.

Lightning Lane is only after entering the park correct?
Correct

Since early entry has now changed to alternating is it worth it to use those 30 minutes or go to the opposite park that day?
It is not as good as the hour we used to get but I still think its worth going to.

I am coming from Central Canada, so SNA is not really a viable option because it costs a couple hundred dollars more each way and turns a 7 hour travel day into a 10 to 12. Is there an option to get from LAX that isn't ridiculously expensive?
Technically you could take the bus if price is a huge issue. Its super cheap but also a pain the butt.
A Taxi is around $100 each way. There are shuttles that go between LAX and the Disney resort hotels and expect to pay around $20-25 per person for those.

You could also explore flying into Long Beach (LGB) or Burbank(BUR), I prefer both over LAX

Are there any regular attraction closures that happen around the January/February timeframe like at WDW?

Small world Is usually down to remove holiday overlay for a portion of January.
Haunted mansion also is another that is down for awhile in January to remove holiday overlay.
Grizzly River Rapids also tends to get their refurbishment done in the winter months.

 

[Pluto468]

Hi, long time WDW visitor. One time DLR visitor. You would think I would be ok but fun fact, no.

Previous trip was staying at the Disneyland Hotel and it was also my first experience with Genie+ and what is now lightning lanes etc. It was in 2022 and other then having a lot of good memories and remembering I had an amazing time I am struggling to plan this trip.

Questions:

Looking at staying at Pixar Place, I have seen online that it mentions that for PPH use the GCH entrance into DCA. How? The maps are confusing.
Also since the lineup to get into Downtown Disney pre-park open is in the same place for DLH and PPH you kinda just walk out the hotel and lineup in the same lane right?
Are dining reservations just hard to get? I remember it being terrible trying to find anything. Only thing I really want to do is Storyteller Cafe for the character meal (it is only breakfast correct?) and Din Tai Fung.
Lightning Lane is only after entering the park correct?
Since early entry has now changed to alternating is it worth it to use those 30 minutes or go to the opposite park that day?
Thinking about going late January - Lunar New Year should be on? Anything else going on at that time?
I am coming from Central Canada, so SNA is not really a viable option because it costs a couple hundred dollars more each way and turns a 7 hour travel day into a 10 to 12. Is there an option to get from LAX that isn't ridiculously expensive?
Are there any regular attraction closures that happen around the January/February timeframe like at WDW?

The ADRs you're looking at shouldn't be too difficult. Just sign on at 6am PST 60 days from your trip and you should be able to get them.

Yes, LL after you enter the park.

I like the extra 30 minutes, especially at Disneyland.

There are a few shuttles that go from LAX to Disneyland. Karmel, Sunny's, Lansky.

 

[Chili327]

The ADRs you're looking at shouldn't be too difficult. Just sign on at 6am PST 60 days from your trip and you should be able to get them.

There are a few shuttles that go from LAX to Disneyland. Karmel, Sunny's, Lansky.

Except Din Tai Fung isn't Disney, so its at 30 days... I believe?

Also, definitely look into Long Beach (LGB).
@Lesverts

 

[Pluto468]

Except Din Tai Fung isn't Disney, so its at 30 days... I believe?

Thanks for clarifying, I wasn't aware of that.

 

[Chili327]

Thanks for clarifying, I wasn't aware of that.

And it has to be done on Yelp. lol (i hope they change that soon, i hate Yelp)
https://www.yelp.com/biz/din-tai-fung-anaheim-2

 

[catsrgr8]

Hi, long time WDW visitor. One time DLR visitor. You would think I would be ok but fun fact, no.

Previous trip was staying at the Disneyland Hotel and it was also my first experience with Genie+ and what is now lightning lanes etc. It was in 2022 and other then having a lot of good memories and remembering I had an amazing time I am struggling to plan this trip.

Questions:

Looking at staying at Pixar Place, I have seen online that it mentions that for PPH use the GCH entrance into DCA. How? The maps are confusing.
Also since the lineup to get into Downtown Disney pre-park open is in the same place for DLH and PPH you kinda just walk out the hotel and lineup in the same lane right?
Are dining reservations just hard to get? I remember it being terrible trying to find anything. Only thing I really want to do is Storyteller Cafe for the character meal (it is only breakfast correct?) and Din Tai Fung.
Lightning Lane is only after entering the park correct?
Since early entry has now changed to alternating is it worth it to use those 30 minutes or go to the opposite park that day?
Thinking about going late January - Lunar New Year should be on? Anything else going on at that time?
I am coming from Central Canada, so SNA is not really a viable option because it costs a couple hundred dollars more each way and turns a 7 hour travel day into a 10 to 12. Is there an option to get from LAX that isn't ridiculously expensive?
Are there any regular attraction closures that happen around the January/February timeframe like at WDW?

There’s actually a “secret” entrance into DCA that’s even closer to Pixar sport! You’ll cross the street at Grand Californian but turn right before you get to the hotel (you’ll see a sign). There’s a gate you open with your key and follow a path that gets you to a small security before entering DCA at Goofy’s Sky school. We didn’t from Disneyland hotel in January and it was 7 min from our room into DCA, and Pixar hotel is even closer!

 

[LKing]

Din Tai Fung just started Yelp waitlist.



As far as how to get into DCA..... You aren't using the GCH entrance. The Pixar Place entrance is adjacent to GCH.

Across the street from Pixar Place, you will see this sign.



Continue on the path to the green umbrella. The signs will direct you to enter the gate that will take you to security and a turnstile into DCA.



After you enter the gate on the right, you'll walk a long path along side the GCH.



At the end of the long path, you'll turn the corner and go through security (under this green tarp)



Then continue onto this station where your ticket will be scanned before you walk into the park.

 

[LKing]

Also since the lineup to get into Downtown Disney pre-park open is in the same place for DLH and PPH you kinda just walk out the hotel and lineup in the same lane right?

This map might help.

If you follow the red line towards DTD, you'll see that there are three security entrances. #1 is closest to Pixar Place, but #2 isn't too far away. #3 is kind of out of the way and intended for employees who park in the lot on that side. Pixar Place guests and DLH guests can use any of the security entrances.

The teal line shows the path that you'll take if you want to use the Pixar Place entrance into DCA.



Lunar New Year is celebrated in DCA, not DL.

 

[crystal1313]

We used Diamond driver guy from Burbank to Anaheim. They were awesome. They go to all the major airports in the SoCal area. We loved their communication throughout the process. Using them again in November.

Here’s the walk to the DCA gate for Pixar place.

 

[Chili327]

Din Tai Fung just started Yelp waitlist.

Is that just for to go or walk up? (day of)

 

[maleficent55]

Except Din Tai Fung isn't Disney, so its at 30 days... I believe?

Also, definitely look into Long Beach (LGB).
@Lesverts

Correct, it’s 30 days on open table

 

[LKing]

Is that just for to go or walk up? (day of)

I believe it is for day of dining in the restaurant. The to go menu is here: https://order.dtf.com/menu/din-tai-fung-anaheim

The image is a screenshot of an email they sent out yesterday. In the email, it says, "For parties of 5 or less, you can now join our waitlist online via Yelp Waitlist. For parties of 6 or more, simply check in with our greeter to be added to the list."

 

[Chili327]

Correct, it’s 30 days on open table

I believe it is for day of dining in the restaurant. The to go menu is here: https://order.dtf.com/menu/din-tai-fung-anaheim

The image is a screenshot of an email they sent out yesterday. In the email, it says, "For parties of 5 or less, you can now join our waitlist online via Yelp Waitlist. For parties of 6 or more, simply check in with our greeter to be added to the list."

So the place to go to make a reservation at 30 days is Yelp or Open Table?

 

[laugard]

So the place to go to make a reservation at 30 days is Yelp or Open Table?

It's Yelp. Din Tai Fung isn't on the Open Table system (or at least none of the SoCal locations are, as far as I know.)

 

[maleficent55]

It's Yelp. Din Tai Fung isn't on the Open Table system (or at least none of the SoCal locations are, as far as I know.)

Sorry, Yelp!

And I just saw that they do takeout! Has anybody done that yet?

 

[LKing]

Sorry, Yelp!

And I just saw that they do takeout! Has anybody done that yet?

I think takeout is new. The email said "now available." I received the email on Friday.