?'s for recent DLR goers

[Amy1013]

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Disneyland for Thanksgiving weekend. It's been several months since my last visit, and I've been hearing there's been a few changes (such as, no more Country Bears), but I'm wondering about the status on a few other things and I'd like to hear from those who have recently gone to Disneyland. What restaurants are now closed permanently or for a long-term? Is the Hungry Bear still open even though Country Bears is closed? Any other places we shouldn't count on eating at come Thanksgiving weekend? What's the status on Fantasyland and the current renonvations there? For anyone who's been over Thanksgiving weekends in the past, what are crowds like on the Saturday and Sunday after the holiday- manageable or summer-like? And here's a general question for anyone who can help- can I make reservations for any of the Downtown Disney restaurants ahead of time, or do I have to be a guest of a Disney Resort hotel?

Thanks for any answers you can provide!

Amy

 

[LuvTigger]

The restaurant by Country Bears was closed. It looked like all the other DL restaurants were open, but not DCA. There was a post a while ago saying that Avalon Cove and Golden Vine Winery in DCA were closing.

As far as Fantasyland goes, they were working on a few things when I was there. Matterhorn was being worked on extensively, and Mad Tea Cups and Alice were closed as well.

As far as DD restaurant ressies go, you might want to check out the thread towards the top of the page. There's a very comprehensive post that gives the phone numbers for the DD restaurants to call and check if you can make a ressie. Btw, we ate at Naples and Y Arriba Y Arriba, and really enjoyed both.

 

[WDW2002]

Hey we will be there the same time as you.

Yes you can make ressies for the DD restaurants, as well as those at the hotels. For numbers go to disneyland.com. I made ressies last week for Rainforest Cafe for Thanksgiving night, with no troulbe. And in August I made ressies for Goofys Kitchen.

 

[Amy1013]

Thanks to both of your replies! I want to try to make ressies at Rainforest Cafe as well- hopefully it's not too late. My son will be sorry to hear the Hungry Bear restaurant is closed- that was his favorite lunch spot. Any idea how crowds might be that Saturday and Sunday? I've never been during that weekend before, but I've heard mixed on the crowd situation from friends who have gone around Thanksgiving in the past.

Amy

 

[WDW2002]

I was told
Thursday would be VERY crowded
Friday the most crowded of the weekend
Saturday VERY crowded
Sunday, the lightest of the weekend but still crowded

You should be okay with making ressies, I had no trouble at all last week (Thursday or Friday). I was able to get Thanksgiving day resies at 6, then had to change to 5 and had no trouble.

 

[Amy1013]

Thank you, WDW! That helps me with my planning for the weekend. Have a great time on your trip.


Amy

 

[Uncle Buck]

I would expect that the Hungry Bear would be open during that time. We were there mid-week in October and I saw evidence (CMs cleaning up in the kitchen) of at least some abbreviated hours when I stopped by to use the facilities.

It will be very busy that weekend. Almost everything in the park should be open to support the crowd.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Hi Amy,

You can go here for the number to call for Downtown Disney priority seating & ressies.

I was there last Saturday, playing with Bob Brazeal , and we didn't even get to Critter Country, so I can't reference that. The Matterhorn was up, as well as Alice in Wonderland. The Teacups were still fenced off. I'm not sure when they'll be up again.

The trees in the middle of Adventureland had been fenced off before, and when we went last Saturday, I noticed that they were surrounded by a nice planter, with benches built in. I thought it added to the theming of the land.

Avalon Cove was closed down , but the Mondavi Winery seemed to be going, over at DCA.

The decorations are up now (although they never did replace the huge trees in front of the castle after that micro-burst of wind back in '98), the holiday fireworks and snow are already going, and they said that the parade will start on Thanksgiving.

Over at DCA, they started the new Luminaria show on the lagoon yesterday. Bob & I saw them working on setting it up last Saturday. It should be a great show.

btw ~ Hungry Bear Restaurant is one of my dd's faves - she loves watching the ducks swim by.

 

[Amy1013]

Thanks Mary Jo for the ressies phone number and all the great details you gave me. I do hope Uncle Buck is right and that Hungry Bear is open at least on the weekends. It's become a "tradition" to eat there, especially for my kids who love sitting below and watching the ducks also

Amy

 

[madaboutmouse]

We just got back from a visit and Hungry Bear was open for lunch but it looked like not later than 2:30 or 3:00 pm. Same with Pizza Port.

Avalon Cove is indeed closed but the winery resturant was open. We at Sat. night at Zocale's in DL and although the set up for picking up your food was confusing, the food was very good and they will make a special order (bean burrito w/o cheese) with no problem.

HTH.

MATM