So many decisions!

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We are taking are firstand possibly only trip ever to DL.

There are so many options for us that I could really use a little advice on how to allocate our $$. I want to do so much I may have to get a part-time job.

We will be arriving early afternoon on 10/23 and leaving about the same time 10/31. It will be DH, me and DS13. I plan to buy 6 day hoppers.

I would appreciate advice on the following:

After DH's conference ends at the Sheraton Park moving to the GCH for a 3 night stay. I am also considering getting the theme park or DTD view if there are any room discounts at the time. Our other option is staying at the Sheraton Park for our 3 remaining days.

Going to Mickey's Halloween Party either Tues. 10/26 or Fri. 10/29. I'm guessing it will still be less crowded on Tues. even though this is an AP discount night. This is probably a must do for us since DS can't wait to meet some villians.

Doing the Welcome to Disneyland tour. This would be for just me and DS. DS loves the history of Disney and I think he would enjoy this. At $20 a person it sounds like a Disney bargain.

Buying F! Dessert party tickets. We have seen F! at WDW many times. Is is different at DL? We almost always buy the F! Dining package at WDW so that we can sit in the reserved section, but it doesn't sound like it is the same at DL since there are no seats.

WOC dining package. We definitely want to see WOC, but I'm not sure my DS would enjoy eating at either of the places the package is offered.

Dining at Goofy's Kitchen, Breakfast with Minnie at the Plaza Inn, Blue Bayou, or Napa Rose. We could probably do 2or 3 of the 4.

Sorry for all the questions and bless you to those of you that read it respond.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[lcasa]

Wow. Sounds like a great plan. I think buying the WOC - as soon as the date allows - is an excellent plan. The picnic actually looks pretty good - there's a short video on the Disney blog site where they show it briefly. I LOVE Napa Rose - a true 4 star dining experience - but you may want to base it on the menu of the day. Goofy's kitchen for breakfast is great fun - as long as your 13 year old isn't too cool for the characters. Lots of folks love the BB but I was disappointed the last time I went ( a year ago ) - I don't think it's worth the price.

I haven't seen the WDW Fantasmic but everyone I know who has says it's not nearly as good as DL's ( that's actually why I didn't take the time to see it at WDW last year). I've never done the desert - but I've always been able to get close by waiting for the 1st show to end and dashing in against the leaving crowds.
I'm jealous - as a local I can't justify staying at the GCH. Maybe someday.

 

[Disney Dreams]

We are taking are firstand possibly only trip ever to DL.

YAY!!!

There are so many options for us that I could really use a little advice on how to allocate our $$. I want to do so much I may have to get a part-time job.

hehe, been there done that! Gotta support the Disney addiction somehow, right?

After DH's conference ends at the Sheraton Park moving to the GCH for a 3 night stay. I am also considering getting the theme park or DTD view if there are any room discounts at the time. Our other option is staying at the Sheraton Park for our 3 remaining days.

The GCH is wonderful. Some will say it's not "worth" the extra money and that is only a decision you can make based on your financial situation, but if this is your Disney trip of a lifetime, which it sounds like it may be, if you can splurge for it, it's a great place to stay. We live locally and have done a "getaway" for a night to GCH because we like it so much!

Going to Mickey's Halloween Party either Tues. 10/26 or Fri. 10/29. I'm guessing it will still be less crowded on Tues. even though this is an AP discount night. This is probably a must do for us since DS can't wait to meet some villians.

If he likes villains, this is his event!

Buying F! Dessert party tickets. We have seen F! at WDW many times. Is is different at DL? We almost always buy the F! Dining package at WDW so that we can sit in the reserved section, but it doesn't sound like it is the same at DL since there are no seats.

Yes, it is different at DL. It's not in a theatre, like at WDW. People gather around the riverfront to watch the show. The biggest difference this creates, logistically, from WDW is that at DL people can start saving a spot at anytime - and some start VERY VERY early. There is no "opening of the theatre" like at WDW. There are 3 options for how to view Fantasmic! at DL:
1. The area down closest to the riverfront is seating only. Everyone will be required to sit on the ground the entire time the show is running. This is heavily enforced by CMs and very much adhered to.
2. Everywhere else around the riverfront is standing room for the show. It gets VERY full.
3. Reserved seating dessert experience - $60/person, sit in a chair in a reserved area, receive a quite generous dessert box, beverages, and have servers attend to you throughout the show

Everyone here will have their "favorite" choice of the above. We usually go to the 2nd show and find spots to either sit or stand about 30 minutes prior to showtime. (The first show attracts "campers" much much earlier for the seating area.)

WOC dining package. We definitely want to see WOC, but I'm not sure my DS would enjoy eating at either of the places the package is offered.

There are also picnic box dinners available or you can get a FP early in the day and not deal with any dining options at all.

Sorry for all the questions and bless you to those of you that read it respond.

Thanks for the advice!

No need to apologize. When you have more, ask away! Everyone here enjoys helping others in their planning to enjoy the magic!

- Dreams

 

[Raindown]

Buying F! Dessert party tickets. We have seen F! at WDW many times. Is is different at DL? We almost always buy the F! Dining package at WDW so that we can sit in the reserved section, but it doesn't sound like it is the same at DL since there are no seats.

I've never been to the World but I watched the side by side video on YouTube. Well lets just say I'm glad you purchased the F! dessert package. I've seen the show many time but the package really makes it special, especially at DL.

 

[Flitterific]

Hi Cheshire Cat! I'm so excited for you and your family's first DLR trip...it's going to be amazing

Anyway, I have never done the F! dessert package (heard great things about it as you can see in the previous replies as well but I can't justify spending $60/person to see the show). Like another PP, I like to watch the second F! show (occasionally, the third show if it is super busy and Disney decides they need another show). The first show ends around 9:15-20ish and the second show starts at 10:30pm so I don't have to wait long for the next show. I usually get there right when the first show ends and stake a spot behind the seating area as I don't like to sit on the ground for long periods of time.

I think it would be a good idea to wait until WoC has opened for a while to decide whether or not to do the dining package. As you may have heard, WoC can only accommodate 4,000 viewers (2,000 of those will be reserved for those will dining packages and the remaining 2,000 will be for those with the show fastpasses only). If you do stay at GCH, they will supposedly give earlier access to on-site guests to the show FPs so that would be another advantage to staying on-site. I also read that the show FPs will be distributed randomly meaning that it spits out FPs for different sections instead of giving out the best spots to those who get them first...if this is the case, CMs will have to figure out how to allow families to stick together. Of course, getting the dining package should guarantee that you guys are seated together. I'm trying to figure out what to do for my August trip as well so it's probably best to wait and see

In terms of dining, I have done GK, Minnie & Friends and Napa Rose. I love the character interaction at GK and they have succeeded at making DBF laugh even though he is definitely way too cool for the characters M&F definitely has a lot more characters but a lot of them don't make it around to all the tables (at least this was the case when I went and I have heard the same from a few others who went). If your son is at the stage where he is too cool for the characters, he may not enjoy M&F as much. As for the food, GK has a much bigger and tastier selection of food. M&F has more cafeteria style food. As for Napa Rose, it is an amazing dining experience. Here is a menu of what they had in May: http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_nr.htm I believe there is a special menu for kids but I am not sure how much the food costs. If you and your DH like seafood or are adventurous, you guys should definitely check out Napa Rose.

Have fun planning and let us know if you have any other questions

 

[heatherleigh]

I haven't been to any of the character meals that are currently offered, but have read rave reviews for Goofy's Kitchen. That's the character meal we intend on doing on our vacation.

I also recommend the Fantasmic dessert seating. Just make sure you get to the podium to pick up your tix in time to ensure you get the best reserved seats. You want to get there early.

I have never stayed at the GCH, but I plan on doing it in the future. We have a large family, so we will have to get two rooms when we do decide to do it.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Thanks everyone for the helpful information.

I hadn't researched enough to realize that the F! dessert party was $60 a person. I think that is something we will forego. The price is $20 more per person than the whole meal package for F! at WDW.

Thanks again,