Please help plan our first evening in DL - how to make it super special?

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

We are making the big trek from Australia to the US end Sept thru to mid Oct and the last 5 days of our trip will be spent at DL. We arrive on Monday 12 Oct, fly into LAX at 2pm from New York, figure we will arrive at DLH by around 4pm at the latest???

We have never been to Disneyland before and I am just so excited for our whole family. I want to make that first evening really special, although I guess just walking through the gates will do that

Anyway, I figure by the time we check into our room, we might just wander to DTD and have a bite to eat - any suggestions as to where would be lovely for our first meal there?

And then I would like to do a couple of rides - which ones would be great to start our Disney experience off with?

We have a MM the following morning so I will save Fantasyland for then I think, although I did have a dream of Peter Pan being my first ever DL ride, hehe.

Anyway, if you could make any suggestions for what would be an awesome way to start our immersion into the pixie dust world of Disneyland I would be so grateful, I really want it to be super special.

Thanks

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I always think character meals are fun & special. Goofy's Kitchen is @ the DLH & is a buffet where characters come over & visit your table. I always have a good time when I go there.
But if you want to eat @ DTD, the Jazz Kitchen has good food. They also have a band that plays, but I believe they only do that in the evenings. Then Rainforest Cafe is also fun bc of the atmosphere of the rainforest.
When you enter DL, you can go to City Hall & get buttons that say it's your 1st Visit. Since it will be the middle of the day, you could check the board where they have wait times of some of the popular rides. Pirates, Haunted, & sometimes Big Thunder have the lines w/ the least amount of wait time. Even Mondays can have big crowds.
Then when you have your MM, definately go to Peter 1st since the wait times are crazy. It will surely be your 1st ride...of the day of course.
I hope you have a great time!

 

[Gisele]

Hello and G' day mate!,

How wonderful to be planning a trip to the U.S. and a visit to Disneyland.
I hope that your flight will be a nice smooth and swift one.
There are many nice things that one can do while visiting DTD.
You and your family might be interested in dining at the Rain forest Cafe, it is a very entertaining atmosphere, and the menu is very tasty. Here is a bit more about it from Disney's website: Rain Forest Cafe
There are other restaurants as well. Rain Forest Cafe would be my first choice.
I highly recommend Priority Seating arrangements, by calling the Rain forest Cafe directly at (714) 772-0413.

Here is another link with a complete listing of DTD dining options:
DTD Dining

Also in DTD, is Marcelines Confectionery Shop, which I just love, for it is to die for.
There you will find home made peanut brittle, chocolate dipped strawberries, big,freshly baked cookies just to name but a few sweet sensations that one's palette can experience.
Just about everything is made at Disneyland. Packaged foods that have a blue label are made on site. The brown label, they are shipped in, I believe from Florida. This destination will make for a wonderful stop for dessert and or snacks. Yum!

You and your family maybe interested in going to see a movie as well at the AMC Theaters, where you can "Immerse yourself in the magic of the movies in these 12 magnificent motion picture palaces
Current releases
Love seat-style leatherette stadium seating
THX Surround Sound and Sony Dynamic Digital Sound and a spectacular architectural tribute to the glittering Art Deco movie houses of the 1920s"

•For information on movies and showtimes, call (714) 769-4AMC (4262)
•Showtimes subject to change without notice.

From: AMC Theaters Entertainment Page DTD

As far as the rides go, my most favorite rides are the Haunted Mansion, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Indy, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, The Matterhorn. And when it comes to shows, my most favorite one is the The Enchanted Tiki Room, starring none other than the famous and most fabulous Jose along with this equally talented fellow feathered songster friends, flowers and tikis.
Unfortunately, the Haunted Mansion will not be in its traditional form, but rather in it's HMH overlay mode. Which you might enjoy, for many people do.

Fast Passes are a wonderful thing too! I suggest collecting these starting in the morning, then collect more as they become available. You can use them whenever you may like to, over the course of the day, for they are good for use beyond their time stamp. They are for that day only though, not the next day. One just needs to get fresh Fast Passes during their next visit.

Do ask for your first visitor buttons too, and if someone is going to be celebrating their birthday, they can ask for a special phone call at City Hall by Goofy! And there are buttons as well for celebrating that occasion too. You may find them at the Disney Resorts, many of the restaurants, as well as at City Hall!

Have an awesome time! And enjoy!
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[LavenderPeach]

I've never done Goofy's Kitchen but I know a lot of people like it and go there the day they arrive as sort of a pre-park celebration since it has a lot of characters. I always thought that sounded like a good idea.

I did want to add that you shouldn't count on being at DLR by 4pm because you might start hitting some of the traffic for people going home from work. If you're flight lands at 2, you probably won't get off the plane until 2:30 and then you'll have to wait for your luggage which could be 30+ minutes (?) so that would be 3pm which is when people start heading home and the LA area can be pretty bad. At least it's not a friday though. That would be really bad. I'm not trying to dampen your spirits but thought I would mention it so you don't have your heart set on being there at 4pm. Maybe you can come up with a "plan B" in case you get stuck in traffic.

Hope you have a great trip! And like PPs said, make sure to pick up "first visit" buttons!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I'm going to sort of go against the grain here. My recommendation would be to not try and do anything "special" that first night mainly because you will likely be very tired from a long flight and who knows what time you'll actually arrive at the DLR. Depending on park hours, you may have very little time in the park that first night.

Making a special dining reservation for the first night could backfire if you end up getting delayed. If your flight was delayed or you got stuck in traffic (a distinct possibility in southern California), you may be stressing over making it to dinner on time, which will make that first night less than magical.

Instead, have a special meal on another day when you have more control over your schedule. You may want to try for the Fantasmic dinner package seating if you can afford it and if it's playing during your stay(possibly your last night).

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

I sort of agree with Sleepless Knight. Upon first immersion into a Disney Park it can be incredibly overwhelming. Everything is so beautiful and intricate to look at that sometime the sights, smells, and sounds are like sensory overload. If you dream of riding Peter Pan I would definitely recommend that along with a couple relaxing rides in Fantasyland like It's a Small World or The Tea Cups. On our first day we always take the train around the park to just look at everything and check it all out. It is a relaxing way to scope everything out and kids love it. Then you might cap the night off with a nice dinner at maybe The Blue Bayou or Plaza Inn and head back to your hotel (depending on where you are staying I'm not sure if you can see the fireworks from your room or not). Maybe take a swim and go to bed early so you can wake up early the next day! Have a fun vacation!

 

[Gisele]

I just wanted to add the menu for the Rain Forest Cafe, which serves breakfast,lunch, and dinner.

On that website you will also find the menus for the other dining options at DTD, the Disney Resorts, DCA, and Disneyland.

Enjoy!
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[Gisele]

Oh my! I forgot to add that I love the Jungle Cruise. And you do not need any shots nor a pass port either.
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[Plumbob]

You could get a Disney themed basket delivered to your hotel room for the whole family or each child , it just depends on budget .

Our Aussie dollar isn't too bad at the moment and can you imagine your kids eyes when they see gift baskets from Minnie or Mickey ?

Search for gifts baskets on this site and you will see some pictures .
Hope you have a great time !

 

[ballarinamom]

When we fly in later in the day, we do Goofy's Kitchen for dinner. The selection is outstanding and the quality is very good. I agree that you may be really tired right off the bat. Take it easy the first night. You will probably get to the hotel around 5:00. Check in and check out the hotel grounds, swim a bit and have a great Disney themed meal. With a MM the next morning, you want to make sure that you are all up and ready to hit the ground running. Be at the gates atleast 15-20 minutes before gates open.

One of the things we do for DD each trip is have Guest Services at the hotel deliver a Disney themed nightgown or pjs. While DH and DD are checking in and looking for characters, I go over to guest services and give them the jammies. They leave it in the room while we are at DTD or Goofy's. When we return there is an autograph photo, balloons and the jammies on her bed.

Leaving a goodie bag with Disney dollars, a map and so forth would also be cool. The staff at DLH always make a nice presentation when they deliver it

 

[PinkBudgie]

When we went this June we drove there and arrived at the hotel at 3pm. By the time we checked in, unpacked, and freshened up, we didn't arrive at DLR until 5pm that night. So for us, it was two hours and we didn't have to come from the airport. Also, if you are taking ART to DLR you have to go by their schedule.

We were in the camp of not doing too much that first night. I made our anniversary dinner PS for the next night so we wouldn't feel rushed that first night. We went to DCA for a little bit, then went over to City Hall and picked up our badges for the week so we wouldn't have to do that later. (Anniversary and Birthday).

We then went back to DCA and watched the Electrical Parade, then went back to the hotel.

Oops- just notice you staying at the DLH, so never mind about ART. That helps to be staying there.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for the great replies and ideas.

Just to clarify, we are flying in that day from New York, not from Australia so although it's a 6 hour flight, we won't be as zonked as if we were arriving internationally.

Love the idea of the Goofy's meal, was originally thinking about doing this for a breakfast but maybe we should do it for a dinner.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Gisele, thank you so much for all of the extra info, that is so generous of you to take the time and very helpful.

What does everyone think of maybe just going on the Jungle Cruise that night? Is it still as good at night?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

double post

 

[ballarinamom]

Like you, our first ride HAS to be Peter Pan. When DD was 3 (her first trip) we had brekfast at Lilo and Stitch on the way to the airport. As we walked out DD asked,"Can we go to back to Neverland?". That did it, we booked another trip as soon as we got back and PP will always be our first ride!

That being said, I don't think you will only be able to do just 1 ride. Once your in, you're going to fell the need to do a few more. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It will be darker outside and you won' get that great first impression that walking through those gates in the morning light. Especially if it is an MM. Being one of the first into the park is an awesome feel.
I would rather have that awe type of first entrance into DL. I would spend the first evening checking out the hotel maybe DTD after GK. You won't have much of a chance after that first day. Also, get a good night of rest as you will be flying against the time zone from NY. Be well rested and ready for MM

 

[Gisele]

Gisele, thank you so much for all of the extra info, that is so generous of you to take the time and very helpful.

What does everyone think of maybe just going on the Jungle Cruise that night? Is it still as good at night?

You are most welcome! And if I can ever be of any further assistance you just let me know. Please, do not hesitate to ask. After all, I am one of many, many Americans that are just pleased as punch to welcome and to assist in any and all ways, citizens from the land down under.

I personally love the Jungle Cruise at night, it is wonderful during the day too. But at night, it takes on such a different and exciting kind of atmosphere. Even more so, I feel like I am not in Ca. but rather on safari.


Here is a very nice ride video of the Jungle Cruise, alas during the day though, for I have not found a video as of yet, that was shot during the evening.

You Tube Jungle Cruise by RU42
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[Ms. Shuttergirl]

You are most welcome! And if I can ever be of any further assistance you just let me know. Please, do not hesitate to ask. After all, I am one of many, many Americans that are just pleased as punch to welcome and to assist in any and all ways, citizens from the land down under.

I personally love the Jungle Cruise at night, it is wonderful during the day too. But at night, it takes on such a different and exciting kind of atmosphere. Even more so, I feel like I am not in Ca. but rather on safari.


Here is a very nice ride video of the Jungle Cruise, alas during the day though, for I have not found a video as of yet, that was shot during the evening.

You Tube Jungle Cruise by RU42
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Thanks for the video Gisele, it looks like a wonderful ride. I can't wait to try it.

 

[LuvIt]

I tend to agree with the people who have suggested not to plan anything big (like a character meal) that first night. After the LONG plan trip and unpacking in your room, I suggest heading over to Downtown Disney (or maybe spending a couple hours at the hotel pool before you head over?). It is quite fun to browse around in, lots of fun shops, nice decor, good places to eat, etc. You could easily spend 3 or 4 hours there. If you have park admission tickets to use on the day you arrive and really want to head into Disneyland, you can take the monorail ride from Downtown Disney into Disneyland. Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Jungle Cruise are fun to ride at night. You can ride again later in your trip during the day and get a different perspective on the ride. Have a great time. My biggest tip for you during your trip is to not sleep late and get to the park when it opens because thats when lines to the popular rides are the shortest!