Please critique my Disneyland Plans

[AUTigerFan]

Hey,
I am a DVC member and frequent WDW visitor, but have never been to Disneyland. My wife and I are planning a trip to LA to visit my aunt. We are planning a Wed to Sun trip. Here's the DL part of the trip.
I want to get a room at a DL hotel, preferably Grand Californian for Friday night. I want to get a two day park hopper. I want to check in Friday, spend time in the parks, eat dinner at Blue Bayou, and see Fireworks. Then, Saturday, spend more time in the parks until we get tired and go back to aunt's house. This would be late Feb or early March.
I know weekends would be busier than week nights, but this would work better with other things planned. Will this give us enough time to ride the big attractions and enjoy it, or am I setting myself up for frustrations? I want to go to California Adventure and do Soarin and Cal. Screaming, and also try all the things that are different.
These are not really questions, but if you have experience being there for that short of a time, any help would be great.

Thanks

 

[calif disney 1]

For sure stay at the GCH it is great. We have been to all 3 of the hotels, and that one is the place to stay. If you can stay in the consierge, do it. If not...the hotel is still great. Also if you are coming this month, be sure to go on Space Mountain, as they have added some really cool music and stuff for this month only. Have a great time here in Calif.

 

[azgal81]

Also if you are coming this month, be sure to go on Space Mountain, as they have added some really cool music and stuff for this month only.

That's not true the rockit versions of space mountain and california screamin' are both there through the end of April not just this month.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I'm assuming that you plan on getting to the park at an early hour on Friday, not late afternoon/ hotel check in time? Two days in the park, that time of year, with out kids you should be able to get a lot done.

 

[azgal81]

You'll be fine only in the park for two days. We usually get to the parks right at opening and ride all the major attractions before lunch. Since you are going on weekend dates the park hours will be maximized as well so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything. Then after lunch we usually catch the shows, do some shopping and ride the major attractions again! The good thing about DL is the parks are pretty compact so it's easy to get to another attraction and grab a fastpass if ther's a line or ride it. The entrance to DCA is also right across from the DL one so you can easily hop between the two.

 

[GreenGirl8]

I think 2 days will be fine. I would skip Blue Bayou and go someplace else with that money. Blue Bayou is over-rated and the food isn't very good. You can get the atmosphere of the restaurant by riding Pirates.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think you can do it. YOu will be so amazed and in love with how close together everything is and also amazed at how much you can get done. In a lot less time than trying to do two parks in two days at WDW. I don't agree about Blue Bayou not being worth it at all. For one thing, if you want a sit down meal in Disneyland, without leaving the parks, Blue Bayou is only one of a few options available to you. Just know that the food is only part of the experience since its about the ambiance. It really reminds me of the San Angel Inn at Epcot. But I might suggest lunch, its cheaper, and you can get the famous Monte Cristo. However, also know that there are lots of nice places in DTD, just steps away that are very good and you can have a drink if that is important to you. But I do always love Blue Bayou, have eaten there numerous times and never had a bad meal. Overpriced yes, but what isn't at any Disney park?

I also agree that if you get to Disneyland at park opening, stay a few hours, then hop over to DCA that increases your opportunity to get more done. Also, know that the fp machines at the two parks are not linked, so you can fp at Disneyland before you leave, head to DCA, start fping again, then go back to DL and use up those fastpasses. But as important as it is to get to WDW at opening, its even moreso at Disneyland. They have a ton of local, day visitors that don't arrive at opening necessarily. So cash in on that. Also, know that at Disneyland, if park opening is 9:00 a.m. or later, they will open the gates to Disneyland and let you in on Main Street one half hour early. That gives you time to get a map, get your bearings, some photo ops and be at rope drop. If the park opens at 8:00 a.m. however (which it normally does on Saturday and during peak times) the gates will not open early. Also, be sure to check with the hotel staff at GCH what days if any EArly Entry is offered. That will get you in one hour early, into select attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Its available every day for onsite guests. Park hopper tickets also have one EE privilidge attached to them. But I am not sure what days EE is offered now. They don't advertise this as much as they do EMH at WDW but the hotel will definitely let you know what if any days its available.

 

[GreenGirl8]

Lunch is no longer cheaper...they have changed the menu since they opened a sit down restaurant right next door at Cafe Orleans. You can get a Monte Cristo there. Here is the current Blue Bayou menu for lunch and dinner.

LUNCH

Appetizers:
Isla Cruces Crab Cakes - Pan seared, then topped with mango salad and zesty lime aioli 11.99

Gulf-Stream Jumbo Shrimp Remoulade - Creole boiled, chilled, and with a traditional Louisiana-style remoulade 9.99

Entrees: Each entree served with choice of Cajun-inspired wedge salad or a cup of our signature New Orleans gumbo. Accompany your meal with two of the following: Blue Bayou potatoes, seasonal vegetables, or sautéed spinach.

Buccaneer's Beef Short Ribs - slow-roasted, then finished in a Zinfandel demi glaze 26.99
Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya - a robust combination of king crab, jumbo gulf shrimp, mahi mahi, tasso ham, andouille sausage, and chicken, tossed with Cajun-style "dirty rice" 25.99
Five-Pepper Roasted Prime Rib of Beef - seasoned with the Chef's signature pepper rub blend, then slow roasted over rock salt 29.99
Cajun-Spiced Salmon - blackened, with citrus crawfish beurre blanc 26.99
Tesora Island Chicken - blackened, roasted and finished to perfection in pan au jus 24.99
Port Royal Mahi Mahi - broiled and accompanied with lightly sautéed pecan-crusted jumbo gulf shrimp, spinach and endive, tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette 27.99
Portobello Mushroom and Couscous Maque Choux - marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette, then broiled and served with roasted corn and bell-pepper couscous and sautéed spinach 24.99
Molasses-Brined Bayou Pork Chop - 10 oz. chop, pan-seared and topped with sautéed Granny Smith apple wedges 25.99
Le Special de Monte Cristo - Turkey, ham and Swiss cheese in a battered egg bread, lightly fried to a golden brown 18.99

Desserts: Each treasured treat comes with a "Pirates" booty keepsake!
Tortuga Trio of Creme Brule - chocolate, passion fruit and vanilla-bean custards, caramelized and served with Brittany cookies 7.99
The Key West, Key Lime - Flaky crust filled with tangy key-lime citrus crème 7.99
The Flying Dutchman Cookie Boat - Warm chocolate chip cookie boat, served with Dreyer's vanilla bean ice cream, caramel and chocolate sauce 8.99

DINNER

Isla Cruces Crab Cakes (11.99) are pan seared, and topped with mango salad and lime aioli.

The Gulf-Stream Jumbo Shrimp Remoulade (9.99) is Creole broiled, chilled, then tossed with a Louisiana style remoulade.

Entrees are served with either a wedge salad or a cup of gumbo, as well as a choice of two of the following: Blue Bayou potatoes, seasonal vegetables, or sautéed spinach. Dinner offerings are:

Buccaneer’s Beef Short Ribs (26.99), slow-roasted and finished in a Zinfadel demi-glaze;

Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya (25.99) which combines king crab, jumbo gulf shrimp, mahi mahi, tasso ham, andouille sausage and chicken, tossed with Cajun-style “dirty rice;”

Alaskan King Crab Legs (34.99), a full pound of steamed Pacific Northwest crab legs, served with herb beurre blanc;

Five Pepper Roasted Prime Rib of Beef (29.99), seasoned with a pepper rub blend and slow roasted over rock salt;

Filet Mignon (33.99), broiled and served with sauce béarnaise;

Port Royale Mahi Mahi (27.99), broiled and served with lightly sautéed pecan-crusted jumbo gulf shrimp, spinach and endive, tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette;

Tesora Island Chicken (24.99), blackened, roasted and finished in pan au jus;

Portobello Mushroom and Couscous Maque Choux (24.99), a vegetarian dish marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette, broiled, and served with roasted corn and bell-pepper couscous and sautéed spinach;

Molasses-Brined Bayou Pork Chop (25.99), pan seared and topped with sauteed Granny Smith apple wedges;

Cajun Spiced Salmon (26.99), blackened and served with citrus crawfish beurre blanc.

Each dessert is accompanied by a “Pirates booty keepsake,” an edible treasure that can be taken home. The Tortuga Trio of Crème Brulee (7.99), for example, is accompanied by a small treasure cask holding Brittany cookies. The three brulees are chocolate, passion fruit and vanilla bean. Also offered are The Key West Key Lime (7.99), and the Flying Dutchman Cookie Boat (8.99), a warm chocolate chip cookie boat, served with Dreyer’s vanilla-bean ice cream, caramel and chocolate sauce.

Menus, decorated with artwork inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean film are presented to each diner. Blue Bayou Chocolate Mint Doubloons are available for 4.99 plus tax. A 15% gratuity is charged to parties of eight or more. There is a split plate charge of 4.00.


-- A lot of people still love eating at this restaurant and I think when you have a bad experience, you really have your mind swayed in one directions. However, I have read/talked to several people who have also had bad experiences here. I am sure others love it and have had great experiences!

-- I agree with Amy&Dan, you can really do a lot with the parks so close. Whenever my family comes out, we spend two days in the parks and it is perfect. We go in August when the parks are pretty packed and it works out well. Get there at opening and collect fastpasses to use for the rest of the day.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Wow, the Monte Cristo is now $18.99? Thats ridiculous. I also heard they charge a plate splitting fee. It used to be $10.99. But I haven't eaten there in a year, it was closed during the rehab for our last visit. Okay, so maybe BB is not the place to eat. But I still think the ambiance and being inside the park is worth something. But maybe not at those prices!

 

[calif disney 1]

Sorry about that azgal81, but my 14 yr. old daughter who knows everything told me the space mountain music was for Jan. only....I will make sure she knows...she does not know EVERYTHING.

 

[disneyochem]

If you really want to try a Monte Cristo, try eating at Cafe Orleans. It is a sit-down restaurant and the sandwich is great (much cheaper and a vegetarian option is available as well). Also, try the pommes frites at Cafe Orleans--garlic fries to die for!

Yes, I think you will be able to accomplish every thing you want in that short of a time. Have fun.

 

[AUTigerFan]

Thanks for the replies. We will probably be coming in right after lunch on Friday, so I know that will limit our day. DL is open until 12:00, however, and we plan on taking advantage of that. I think I will try the BB and see how it goes. We generally don't have price shock while on vacation, and I'm used to a $30 average meal from WDW

 

[blackjackdelta]

I think 2 days will be fine. I would skip Blue Bayou and go someplace else with that money. Blue Bayou is over-rated and the food isn't very good. You can get the atmosphere of the restaurant by riding Pirates.

We had a very good meal last August along with being waterside. Great way to spend 1.5 hours sitting and relaxing.

Jack

 

[JasonShannon76]

Hi there! How fun for you to come out here!

I have been to WDW (all the parks) and the Disneyland Resort. Definitely get to the park when it opens. If you get in the gate when it opens, then you can jump on the popular rides before the park gets busy.

2 must sees since you are new to DL are "Indiana Jones" ride and "Matterhorn Mountain" ride. Those are 2 rides unique to DL that you will not find at WDW. Of course, make sure you hit the regular rides that are hot like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean.

OH......and the "It's a Small World" ride is so much prettier on the outside at Disneyland versus Disneyworld. It's beautiful!

At Disney California Adventure, Tower of Terror is always a hit, but of course you have that in WDW also......California Screamin and the Rapids ride are fun. Soarin over California is my favorite ride! Sitting in the front row is MUCH better on Soarin, so I would request to be in row 1 (section B-1 is best).

Also, if you are going to be at DCA at nighttime, check out the Classic "Disney Electrical Parade" and Fantasmic at Disneyland is awesome!


Hope that helps some. Enjoy your time in California!