Questions to help a Newbie -resort and food ?

[adamkat]

So I have been looking and not sure where to post.
We are booked at PPH and will be there for our anniversary.
What are the odds that we would get a room upgrade if we mention it's our 10th wedding anniversary??

Also what would be a place to eat at DL for our anniversary? We are doing MHP that night.

Thanks for helping a newbie out and Magical moments for all.

 

[Sherry E]

The upgrades at PPH seem to be hit or miss, but you might have a good shot at it. How early will you be arriving? In other words, will you go to the hotel first to leave your bags and check in at the front desk before the room is actually ready?

For some reason, I got very lucky and was upgraded to a view room at the PPH 4 years in a row -- although some view rooms were better than others. Other people have never been upgraded. There seems to be no real rhyme or reason to it. I've never asked for an upgrade, but I just got them.


I really think a lot of it has to do with the specific CM who checks you in, what kind of mood he or she is in that day, how booked (or not booked) the hotel is that day, if it's a super busy week in general, how long you are staying (shorter trips have a better chance of upgrades, I think), and, of course, timing and luck. I have always gotten to the hotel super, super early in the morning too, so I could get all of my paperwork and things taken care of before a line formed at the front desk. So maybe arriving early helped, although I have read about other people's upgrades that happened in the afternoon.

Did you book PPH online? It might not hurt to call Disney's Reservations before your trip and have them make a note on your file that you are celebrating your 10th anniversary. Otherwise, mention it when you check in, for sure -- but don't come across as though you are trying to get something, as that will probably work against you!

Are you only interested in eating in Disneyland, or anywhere in the whole resort? You could try Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel... or Napa Rose at the GCH... or Carthay Circle in DCA... Blue Bayou in Disneyland. Those are all good "special occasion" sorts of restaurants.

 

[adamkat]

Thank you as always Sherry. We are flying from Vancouver and won't arrive till 1:30 at SNA so we will arrive about 2-ish. We booked through a travel company.

We are interested in DL as we bought our tickets for MHP for our anniversary Oct 29th and we will have our boys with us 8 and 6 so something that we won't bother other diners who are having the true romantic dinner. lol

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, I see! Well, you could try Blue Bayou, or Café Orleans. If you want good food, hearty portions at not-too-ridiculous prices, and if it doesn't have to be a special occasion sort of meal, try Plaza Inn. The fried chicken is famous in Disney circles, and it's a generous portion. Plus, they have some interesting desserts too. It's counter service/buffeteria style, but it's a beautiful restaurant inside, and the food is worth it.

Carnation Café is good as well! Good food, table service, great for families.

 

[SMD]

Thank you as always Sherry. We are flying from Vancouver and won't arrive till 1:30 at SNA so we will arrive about 2-ish. We booked through a travel company.

We are interested in DL as we bought our tickets for MHP for our anniversary Oct 29th and we will have our boys with us 8 and 6 so something that we won't bother other diners who are having the true romantic dinner. lol

Don't waste your time at the party eating a TS meal. You could send your kids to Pinocchio's Workshop the next night and go to Steakhouse 55 or Napa Rose.

 

[Sherry E]

Don't waste your time at the party eating a TS meal. You could send your kids to Pinocchio's Workshop the next night and go to Steakhouse 55 or Napa Rose.

This is a good point. I agree and wouldn't waste the actual party time on a meal either. For some reason I was assuming the meal would take place in DL before MHP actually begins (like in that 3-hour lead-in time), but I didn't even think to clarify that part of it! And beyond that, any of the hotels' restaurants or the restaurants in Downtown Disney would be fine to eat at before even being able to get into Disneyland with the MHP ticket (at 3 p.m. on 10/29).

 

[RKKUNK]

I would try to call Disney to put it on your reservation beforehand. I think we have had more luck that way and I do think that shorter stays have a better chance at upgrades. I also agree that it depends on the CM that is checking you in, and their personality/mood. But it sure doesn't hurt to try!!
We have enjoyed the La Brea Bakery in DTD, the dining room, not the Express part. The food was good, it was nice to sit and people watch, they played Disney music, just nice atmosphere. A little more of a romantic feel for you guys.