Restaurant questions plus random questions

[iHEARTflorida]

Hi,

My husband and I are doing a quick weekend trip to Disneyland in May before Star Wars Land opening - we know it will probably be very busy but are looking forward to it. It will be his first visit and my third, I'm also a WDW Vet.

I want to have some drinks at Trader Sam's, I see they actually open at 11:30am (which is a bonus), how busy do you think they'd be on a Friday lunchtime? How's their food? any good?

Lamplight Lounge - need reservations or can just walk in? favourite drinks? best time to go?

We also plan on eating at Cafe Orleans and doing the Storytellers character breakfast too.

The new fireworks Mickey's Magic Mix, I heard it's actually better to watch this on Main St, rather than in the hub area, is this correct?

does anyone know about character charades? I've seen some videos of classic characters doing charades with guests at the front of Disneyland - does anyone have any more details about this?

We will definitely be buying maxpass, but i cant remember are you still able to get paper fastpasses alongside the maxpass?

does anyone know is oswald is back out again?

There's soo much entertainment on right now, I don't know how we are going to be able to fit in all in! Looking forward to showing my husband around.

Many thanks

 

[theluckyrabbit]

These two threads will have good information for you:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/

Lamplight Lounge: you can walk up here and be seated fairly easily, especially if you go during non-peak dining hours -- walk ups are usually seated upstairs. Downstairs, we've seen walk ups seated at the bar, not at tables. If you want a table downstairs, make a reservation.

MMM: so far, Main Street and IASW are winning the polls for best viewing areas.

MP: read the thread above for great MP information. Yes, you can use free FP (from the machines) when you have MP, but you cannot use it to get two FPs for the same ride. For example, you cannot get a FP from the machine for RSR while holding a FP via MP for the same ride. But you can get a FP for one ride via MP, then get your next FP for a different ride using the machines.

 

[Vala]

Mad Hatter and Alice will sometimes play games with guests. But the only thing I have seen scheduled for them is the Musical Chairs at Coke Corner. Charades and other games seemed spontaneous, and depending on the audience they had.

The only other time I caught a charades game was when Goofy couldn't make it to the little show at the Firehouse. The other characters played Charades instead.

Trader Sam's can get busy really early, especially if there's a convention in the hotel. It's been a while since I tried the food, but it didn't really stand out to me then. Also, the food they serve is really more "Bar food" and snack sized. I wouldn't take my hungry partner there for lunch.

 

[Winnowill]

We will definitely be buying maxpass, but i cant remember are you still able to get paper fastpasses alongside the maxpass?

If you're asking what I think you're asking, no. They run on the same system. So, yes, while you can pull paper FPs when you have MP, you cannot double up with a MP-booked FP and then get a paper FP at the same time. The rules about when you can get your next FP apply regardless of the method you used to get the last one.

 

[DLgal]

Hi,

My husband and I are doing a quick weekend trip to Disneyland in May before Star Wars Land opening - we know it will probably be very busy but are looking forward to it. It will be his first visit and my third, I'm also a WDW Vet.

I want to have some drinks at Trader Sam's, I see they actually open at 11:30am (which is a bonus), how busy do you think they'd be on a Friday lunchtime? How's their food? any good?

Lamplight Lounge - need reservations or can just walk in? favourite drinks? best time to go?

We also plan on eating at Cafe Orleans and doing the Storytellers character breakfast too.

The new fireworks Mickey's Magic Mix, I heard it's actually better to watch this on Main St, rather than in the hub area, is this correct?

does anyone know about character charades? I've seen some videos of classic characters doing charades with guests at the front of Disneyland - does anyone have any more details about this?

We will definitely be buying maxpass, but i cant remember are you still able to get paper fastpasses alongside the maxpass?

does anyone know is oswald is back out again?

There's soo much entertainment on right now, I don't know how we are going to be able to fit in all in! Looking forward to showing my husband around.

Many thanks

They just revamped Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam's. Basically, the food menus are the same now and they serve full on meals, albeit CS quality. I'd say Friday lunch won't be too busy, but the atmosphere there is much more lively and enjoyable in the evenings. I prefer eating at the CS location next door and just using Trader Sam's as a bar for drinks.

Lamplight Lounge really requires a reservation to get the good tables downstairs. They will seat you as a walk up with a wait, but you can only sit at the communal bar tables or counter (think side by side seating rather than across from each other). They will absolutely NOT seat you at a traditional table, even if there are tons available. This is my biggest gripe with this place. Also, the food is insultingly overpriced for what it is and the drinks all taste like Kool Aid (stick with beer or wine is my recommendation if you actually want to enjoy a buzz without going broke). If you do the upstairs, outside area, you can only order apps and drinks, not entrees, so if you do walk up, be sure to specify where you want to sit.

Yes, watch MMM from halfway down Main Street, or alternatively, from in front of Its a Small World. They do the projections there as well.

I see Oswald all the time at DCA. Did he go away for awhile or something? We are there frequently and haven't noticed him missing.

The characters have all kinds of ways they "play" in the parks. It's always very spontaneous and not something you can plan around. If you happen upon it, enjoy it, but you can't actively go looking for it.

 

[ImDMous]

If you walk up to Lamplight Lounge, you will most likely be seated upstairs, as said above. Be aware upstairs has a different menu then the downstairs tables. Check them both out, if you want the real food, not the bar only menu, it might be best to make a reservation, which guarantees you a table downstairs.
I had the Grilled Chicken Salad and the Celtic Cure, both I enjoyed very much.

We enjoy Mickey's Mix Magic from about half way down the block of main street. I like to be surrounded by the projections and the fireworks are fine from there. I also liked that view of Disneyland Forever, you really feel the show all around you.