Questions about ABD California Backstage Magic

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Can I ask a random question? I'm planning on doing a Napa Rose Chef's "Table" while we're there in October. Is it even possible to even do this any night during ABD? I think the seating time is 5-8pm.

You could probably fit it in on the full Disneyland Day but that depends on how close you want to cut it. We didn't finish that day until 4:30pm. Granted it's really close to get to Grand Californian but you are always welcome to skip the last activity. For us it was VIP viewing of Mickey's Soundsational Parade. Otherwise, you could do it on the "farewell" day. Your trip will "officially" end at dinner in California Adventure. Then the next day is your 'farewell breakfast'. You don't have to even make it to breakfast that day as it's departure day for some so you are basically on your own.

 

[meryll83]

We received 5 each day we were in a park. They were good for that day only and they specified which attractions you could not use them on. For California Adventure, they were good on any attraction except Radiator Springs Racers, although the Guides did give us all a separate fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers, and at Disneyland, I believe they are good on every fastpass attraction except Matterhorn Mountain (it was down for refurb when we were there so was a moot point.

Remember Disneyland does not have the same number of Fastpass attractions as WDW. I believe it's something like 5 or 6 attractions at each park that are fastpass.

So that was just for the 2 full park days? Or anything for your part days e.g. arrival and departure days at the resort?

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

So that was just for the 2 full park days? Or anything for your part days e.g. arrival and departure days at the resort?

The guides gave us 5 fastpasses the first night we were there for use after Fantasmic, then we got 5 at Disneyland and 5+1 at California Adventure (5 good on anything but Radiator Springs fastpasses + 1 fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers). We didn't receive any fastpasses after the day at California Adventure as the trip was officially over and we were on our own.

 

[meryll83]

Where there are gaps in the "meal plan", do people find they have room for food to make it worthwhile booking their own meal ressies, or do ABD leave you feeling pretty full already?

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

We found that it was better not to book anything and just get quick service when we were released for the day or broke for lunch on our own. The timing we found was not conducive to booking sit down meals.

 

[OKW Lover]

Where there are gaps in the "meal plan", do people find they have room for food to make it worthwhile booking their own meal ressies, or do ABD leave you feeling pretty full already?

If you look at the schedule for the trip, you'll see several days when lunch or dinner is "on your own". Still, at DL I wouldn't plan a meal for those days since you'll most likely be meeting later for an event.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Really the only day we could have "planned" a meal at DL was the day at California Adventure. They let us go around 11/11:30am and then we didn't need to meet up until around 5pm. On the Disneyland day we had 45 minutes to get lunch so would not have worked out with a reservation.

 

[meryll83]

Think I'll save it for our add on nights then, thanks for the advice all!

 

[meryll83]

Do you need a resort reservation reference to book your dining ressies online?

 

[OKW Lover]

Do you need a resort reservation reference to book your dining ressies online?

No.

 

[meryll83]

Is there a Photopass CD available for pre-purchase online at a discounted rate for DL in the same way there is for WDW?

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Is there a Photopass CD available for pre-purchase online at a discounted rate for DL in the same way there is for WDW?

You don't have to worry about the time you're on the tour as the Guides will give you the code to access the photos they took while on the tour. For time on your own, yes Disneyland does have a photopass system. It's the same as Disney WOrld's old system. Here is a link to the pre-order for the photopass CD. http://disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/dlrppp.htm

 

[OKW Lover]

Is there a Photopass CD available for pre-purchase online at a discounted rate for DL in the same way there is for WDW?

You'll get all the pictures the guides take while you are doing the official events as part of the package. Are you also thinking of getting the one in the parks? For us it wouldn't be worth it because there isn't that much park time separate from the ABD events.

 

[meryll83]

Ah, that's interesting. How do you get those photos? (Just we're in the UK, so don't know if it makes a difference)

 

[OKW Lover]

Ah, that's interesting. How do you get those photos?

They get posted to a web site. Everybody will be given the website name and a code for it the last night of your trip. Typically in a week or two the pictures will be uploaded and you can then go in and download any or all.

 

[meryll83]

Cool, good to know, thanks.

So some of these will be park pictures? Or are they all from the "different" tour experienced?

We're staying an extra couple of nights after the tour, so just wondering if it's still worth doing a Photopass for the more standard park pictures?

 

[OKW Lover]

So some of these will be park pictures? Or are they all from the "different" tour experienced?

They will be pictures from your entire tour. What usually happens is that at each stop/event there will be a photo op where they will do a group picture and then individual pictures. In addition, there will be some candid's taken at random during the days.

 

[meryll83]

Is there any charge for the photos at the end?

 

[OKW Lover]

Is there any charge for the photos at the end?

No, they are included in the cost of the ABD.

 

[myladyfae]

I'm curious, how much ride time do you feel you generally have gotten on this ABD?

I've been to Disneyland many times, but my travelling companion has not (though she is a frequent WDW visitor)...so I hope we will still have time to do all the rides she has never gotten to before!