Questions about the Southern California ABD

[StephPlum]

OK, cool. I need to look into this, too. Any suggestions for lunch in California Adventure for Day 4? I don't particularly need sit-down, but I don't know about the Grifdogs' preferences!

Sayhello

The quesabirria tacos at Cocina Cocamunga are delish. One of the best things I ate on my last trip.

 

[sayhello]

The quesabirria tacos at Cocina Cocamunga are delish. One of the best things I ate on my last trip.

Sounds good! Are they really messy? Most birria tacos I've had have been delish but a mess!

Sayhello

 

[StephPlum]

Sounds good! Are they really messy? Most birria tacos I've had have been delish but a mess!

Sayhello

The mess factor probably depends on how much you dip. I didn’t find them overly messy. They are small. Lunch or snack size for sure. I didn’t get any extras (left room for churros!).

 

[LKing]

I stumbled upon this thread when looking for something else. Disboards has a Disneyland forum where you can get a lot of advice in how to navigate the California parks. If you have questions about LL, meals, the hotel, etc. feel free to ask over in that forum as well. https://www.disboards.com/forums/disneyland-california.26/

As far as food in DCA, you will be there during the Food and Wine Festival. There will be carts selling sample size portions of different food and drinks. As was mentioned, San Fransokyo has several good quick service restaurants. The birria tacos at Cocina Cucamonga are very popular as are the Karaage Chicken Sandwiches at Lucky Fortune Cookery and the clam chowder or curry in a sourdough bread bowls at Aunt Cass Cafe. Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza (and salads) are also popular quick service restaurants. Many people like Flos V8 and Cozy Cone in Carsland because is a unique land. Personally, I don't think the quality of food is as good there. If you want table service without a reservation, look at Lamplight Lounge Boardwalk Dining. They only accept walk up guests, no reservations.

Rise of the Resistance (DL) and Radiator Springs Racer (DCA) are the only two LLSP rides at DLR. Radiator Springs Racer has a single rider line that is very efficient. If you don't mind sitting separately, I would do that rather than paying for the ride. You can purchase a LLSP for Rise of the Resistance on your app. There are CM all over the park who can help you. You can find more information about LLSP on the Disneyland website.

Disneyland does not accept regular MagicBands, only MagicBand+. @jimmymc I don't believe you can use paper tickets at Disneyland. For LL, you either need the bar code on your phone or a MB+

 

[sayhello]

I stumbled upon this thread when looking for something else. Disboards has a Disneyland forum where you can get a lot of advice in how to navigate the California parks. If you have questions about LL, meals, the hotel, etc. feel free to ask over in that forum as well. https://www.disboards.com/forums/disneyland-california.26/

As far as food in DCA, you will be there during the Food and Wine Festival. There will be carts selling sample size portions of different food and drinks. As was mentioned, San Fransokyo has several good quick service restaurants. The birria tacos at Cocina Cucamonga are very popular as are the Karaage Chicken Sandwiches at Lucky Fortune Cookery and the clam chowder or curry in a sourdough bread bowls at Aunt Cass Cafe. Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza (and salads) are also popular quick service restaurants. Many people like Flos V8 and Cozy Cone in Carsland because is a unique land. Personally, I don't think the quality of food is as good there. If you want table service without a reservation, look at Lamplight Lounge Boardwalk Dining. They only accept walk up guests, no reservations.

Rise of the Resistance (DL) and Radiator Springs Racer (DCA) are the only two LLSP rides at DLR. Radiator Springs Racer has a single rider line that is very efficient. If you don't mind sitting separately, I would do that rather than paying for the ride. You can purchase a LLSP for Rise of the Resistance on your app. There are CM all over the park who can help you. You can find more information about LLSP on the Disneyland website.

Disneyland does not accept regular MagicBands, only MagicBand+. @jimmymc I don't believe you can use paper tickets at Disneyland. For LL, you either need the bar code on your phone or a MB+

Thanks, but actually the Food and Wine Festival will be over by the time we get to Disneyland. But I am kind of looking forward to The Season of the Force, which will be still going on. I need to read up on that one more. Thanks for the dining suggestions!

LLSP? I'm not familiar with what that means. I've done the single rider line on Radiator Springs Racer. We'll see if the others are willing to do that or not.

Thanks for the info on the MagicBand+. Trying to decide if it's worth the money.

Sayhello

 

[LKing]

Thanks, but actually the Food and Wine Festival will be over by the time we get to Disneyland. But I am kind of looking forward to The Season of the Force, which will be still going on. I need to read up on that one more. Thanks for the dining suggestions!

LLSP? I'm not familiar with what that means. I've done the single rider line on Radiator Springs Racer. We'll see if the others are willing to do that or not.

Thanks for the info on the MagicBand+. Trying to decide if it's worth the money.

Sayhello

For some reason I thought I read you were visiting in March. Sorry about that. Will you be there after May 16 for Disneyland's 70th?

Lightning Lane Single Pass means that you are buying a LL for a single ride. Lightning Lane Multi Pass means that you are buying a LL for multiple rides - although you don't need that on an ABD trip. You can read more about Lightning Lane Single Pass here: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/en-ca/lightning-lane-passes/#single-pass

A lot of people take a screen shot their ticket to use when they enter the park and for LL attractions. Some make their ticket the lock screen on their phone so they only need to turn their phone on.

 

[Mathmagicland]

. @jimmymc I don't believe you can use paper tickets at Disneyland.

FYI, for people who walk up with paper admission printed off the Internet, the CM at the entrances will issue paper tickets about the size of a credit card with different characters on each to help a group keep them straight.

 

[DianaMB333]

Hi..
For the ones that have done it recently.. is it still worth it? I have read that Academy museum ain’t as exclusive/insightful as jHenson’s before; and that Imagineers visit is pretty much similar to the one that the D23 does in the studios..
Is it a fair statement?
Thanks!

 

[sayhello]

Hi..
For the ones that have done it recently.. is it still worth it? I have read that Academy museum ain’t as exclusive/insightful as jHenson’s before; and that Imagineers visit is pretty much similar to the one that the D23 does in the studios..
Is it a fair statement?
Thanks!

I haven't done the tour yet but I'm pretty sure D23 does not tour Imagineering. Imagineering is not the same as the Studios.

Sayhello

 

[tgeorge]

I may have missed it, but didn't see anyone tell you that you'll get one lightning lane for Friday So, you'll have one for your last day to use .

Dinner was around 600 and ends around 800-830 or so. Our plane landed pretty early that morning and we got to the hotel around 1000 and met with our guides. It made for a long day, but lots of fun

 

[sayhello]

I may have missed it, but didn't see anyone tell you that you'll get one lightning lane for Friday So, you'll have one for your last day to use .

Dinner was around 600 and ends around 800-830 or so. Our plane landed pretty early that morning and we got to the hotel around 1000 and met with our guides. It made for a long day, but lots of fun

Cool, thanks! I don't think anyone mentioned about the 1 LL for Friday. That's nice!

Our train is supposed to arrive around 8am, so I'm *hoping* we might get an early check-in. Not counting on it, but hoping!

Thanks for the info!

Sayhello

 

[OKW Lover]

Another question for those that have done this tour recently - do you get a Magic Band? If not, how do you link your current MB's to use them at the parks and for your resort door?

 

[Kit Jackson]

Another question for those that have done this tour recently - do you get a Magic Band? If not, how do you link your current MB's to use them at the parks and for your resort door?

In California/Disneyland, the Magic Bands cannot be used to open the resort doors or for purchases. You can use the Magic Bands to enter the park, to scan in for rides, and to scan for photographs.

This page may be helpful, and I'm sure regular park goers can help you as well.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/magicband-plus/

 

[jimmymc]

Cool, thanks! I don't think anyone mentioned about the 1 LL for Friday. That's nice!

Our train is supposed to arrive around 8am, so I'm *hoping* we might get an early check-in. Not counting on it, but hoping!

Thanks for the info!

Sayhello

I think early check in is included with the ABD. I got to the hotel around noon for my pre-night, and the front desk said it was part of the ABD.

 

[sayhello]

I think early check in is included with the ABD. I got to the hotel around noon for my pre-night, and the front desk said it was part of the ABD.

Oh, that would be fabulous! Thanks!

Sayhello

 

[tgeorge]

Another question for those that have done this tour recently - do you get a Magic Band? If not, how do you link your current MB's to use them at the parks and for your resort door?

You don't get one, but you can bring one and link it through the app like you can do for WDW. As someone else mentioned, they only work for getting into the parks, LL, and photos. You can't use it as a room key or link a credit card to pay for items. So, it's pretty limited at DL, but I found it helpful since I was with my Mom and I had her ticket on my phone and it was easier than trying to switch between mine and hers.

It does have to be a MB+ though, just so you know.

 

[tgeorge]

Oh, that would be fabulous! Thanks!

Sayhello

They held our luggage when we first got there. We got our room around 1230 or so.

 

[OKW Lover]

You don't get one, but you can bring one and link it through the app like you can do for WDW. As someone else mentioned, they only work for getting into the parks, LL, and photos. You can't use it as a room key or link a credit card to pay for items. So, it's pretty limited at DL, but I found it helpful since I was with my Mom and I had her ticket on my phone and it was easier than trying to switch between mine and hers.

It does have to be a MB+ though, just so you know.

Thanks! That's very helpful.

Assuming I have a MB+ which is linked to my account at WDW, will that link to the DL app as well?

 

[peppers]

So... I and @Grifdog22 and Mrs. Grofdog are doing the Southern California ABD in a couple of months. I have some questions! Since it's not just a regular trip to Disneyland, I'm just not sure that my normal means of research would be valid, since a lot of what goes on is specific to the ABD.

First, for anyone who has done this ABD relatively recently, how does the Disneyland portion of the trip work? I was told we get a 4-day park hopper pass to cover days 3 - 6 of the trip, and 10 Lightning Lanes for days 4 & 5 of the trip.

I personally haven't been to Disneyland since before Covid, so I really have no idea what the current setup is there in regards to Lightning Lane. It was still Fastpasses last time I was there. My understanding is that they've already changed how Lightning Lanes work, but since I never used the original setup, I'm pretty much at a loss for what the current iteration is. Are the passes we get good for any ride, or specific rides? Can you use them at any time or are there restrictions as to how/when you can use them? Do we need to use the app to utilize the Lightning Lanes? Sorry for being so clueless!

Also, since day 6 doesn't have any Lightning Lanes, what's the best way to handle that day? I believe all 3 of us have booked an extra night at the Grand Californian, so we can have a full day on Day 6. Do we need any sort of park reservation for Day 6? What happens on Day 3? I'm assuming it's a partial day because of travel from Hollywood? What are the rules around park hopping these days?

Will we need any restaurant reservations for during the ABD? Suggestions? Have we already missed the window for this since it's 2 months out?

Does anyone know what time the welcome dinner is on Day 1? We arrive pretty early that morning (by train!) and were trying to think of things to do in the area around the Hotel while we wait to check in to the hotel. Have people managed to get early checkin at the Loews?

Thanks for any and all help and information you may have!

Thanks!
Sayhello

Hi - my dad and I did the trip last August and truly enjoyed it. We were sadly the next to last group to be able to tour Jim Henson Studios. I know others have replied but thought I would contribute if it helps in any way.

The Lightning Lane situation was a bit confusing for me; I suggest talking with your Adventure Guide to get clarification (as I did even after they told the group what to do - ha ha), but when on the ABD, you get an exclusive list of rides that are available to you that I don't believe are available to day guests (i.e. you can walk through the exits of some of the Fantasyland rides like Alice in Wonderland, Storybook Land Canal Boats, etc., and they will let you use one of your Lightning Lanes). We were told to have this list at the ready if we got any push back from the Cast Members. I liked using the paper ticket for park entry, but it kind of slowed me down at times, and I eventually realized it was better to load it into the Disneyland app on my phone for ease of use with the Lightning Lanes, too. I cannot recall how many Lightning Lanes we were given each day, but I don't believe we ever got 10 a day (unless things have since changed).

My dad and I did extend and went to the parks on day 6. I don't recall needing a park reservation. We had no issue going from park to park.

Day 3 we did have the welcome dinner at Storytellers Cafe around 5:30 p.m. before our visit to Walt's Apartment. We also went on 2 rides afterward. The park was PACKED. Some in our group stayed till the park close, but we were quite tired. There are some very early mornings on this trip and a TREMENDOUS amount of walking (I hit 22,000 steps one day), so it's really good to pace yourself.

We were given a dining gift card (maybe $25) at one point to use for meals, but I do believe we were on our own for dinner on one of the nights (likely Day 4), so we did make a reservation.

Day 1 Welcome Dinner was around 6:30-6:45ish I want to say.

I highly, highly, highly recommend you do the Dolby Theatre tour if you can. My dad and I enjoyed that experience more than some of the other theatre tours, and it's not part of the ABD, of course. With our stay at the Loews hotel, there was a flyer or postcard I think in our check-in materials that gave a discount code to use for purchase of tour tickets; we had to present it at the Box Office when purchasing our tickets and got $5 off each of our tickets. Hope they still offer that option. To be able to walk on the Oscars stage was quite a fun experience. I personally don't understand why ABD doesn't include this, especially with no longer offering Jim Henson Studios. We got in on the last tour time on Day 2 (4 p.m.)

Hope this helps, and have a fantastic time!

 

[peppers]

Thank you! Looks like I should be good every day but day 5.

I will say that I got more exercise on this trip than ever before, and I was pretty exhausted (short nights at times). I hit my personal best of 22,000 steps one of the days, and I was really dragging the next. With your running, you are probably more used to 22,000 steps than I am. Hope you have a great time!