Summer visit advice and suggestions

[jmcalister]

Our family is visiting the Disneyland Resort this summer for the first time ever, and I have several questions and things I'd like to run by those who have visited before. I'll just go through our itenerary and table service dining. Any comments and suggestions you can provide will be great I'm sure. We're flying in to SF and touring the central part of the state first. On day one of our DLR portion, we'll be driving down from Cambria, CA on a Sunday. If we hit the road at about 8:30, what time do you think we'd arrive to DLR with a fast food lunch stop and a couple short breaks? I would like to schedule a priority seating at the Disneyland Hotel that evening, (we're staying at GC), what time do you think would be safe to allow us time for check-in, etc.? How long would a four course meal take at Steakhouse 55? Would Hook's Point be faster? I'd like to do a nice "welcome dinner," but I'd also allow time to get oriented to DL that evening. The next morning the plan is to be at the gates at opening and do what I call "intense touring" the first several hours. The park opens at 8 that morning. What time should we leave our room at the Grand Californian to make that? For an early lunch, we're doing Cafe Orleans. Afterwards, we'll probably do one or two "leisurely things" like a boat ride or something. After resting at the hotel for the afternoon, we'll probably do a dinner at Rainforest (what DD place would you recommend?). We'll probably then see the parade in DL and do the dessert seating for Fantasmic. What time do you need to check-in for the best seats? On day three, we'll probably do a breakfast at Storyteller's. What time should we reserve this meal to finish up and go into DCA as it opens at 10? The plan is to hit the park in the morning and afternoon and break at the hotel later. When going back we'll probably do dinner at Vineyard Room before doing the Electrical Parade at 8:45. I'm thinking 6:00 for that meal. Would the timing be about right for grabbing a parade spot afterwards? On day four, we're taking a bus tour of Hollywood/LA. We won't get back until around 7, so I'm planning for a light dinner at Uva Bar. (Is that good?). What time should I make the priority seating for if the bus tour gets back at 7. Is there another place nice place that would be relatively quick and fast? On day 5 we're doing early entry at 7 and a breakfast after riding some things at Plaza Inn. What would be a good time for this? We'll probably leave the rest of the morning/afternoon for DL/DCA and some relaxation at the hotel. That evening, we'll probably do dinner at Blue Bayou. When is a good time for a water table? When do they open? On day 6, we'll sleep in and leave the day open for right now. That evening we'll do a dinner at Napa Rose. How long does a full four course dinner take? What time do they open? On day 7, we'll do breakfast at Carnation Cafe. What time would you recommend? For dinner we'll probably do dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. When do they open? We leave the next day. I know that is quite a plan, but this is our first time and we're from the East Coast, so we may not make it back again or for a while. Any questions you can answer, tips you can provide, and advice is so much appreciated.

Thanks,
jmcalister

 

[HydroGuy]

I do not know the answer to most of your questions. But a couple I will try.

GCH will be a 5 minute walk to DLR. But GCH is a big place and door-to-gate may be 10 minutes. If DL opens at 8AM you should check if it is a Sun/Tue/Thu/Sat and if so it will be a Magic Morning day which is sort of like EMH (see "Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403). MM will start at 7AM if DL opens at 8AM. Either way you should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early which means leaving your room at least 40 minutes before.

The Blue Bayou is a wonderful experience. Similar to ADRs at WDW you do not a true reservation and may have to wait. It is one of the reasons people recommend doing BB for lunch as you can get a reservation at the 11:30AM opening and get a seat almost immediately. If you try for dinner it is uncertain how long you may wait.

At DTD we really like the RFC too. Haven't tried anything else yet there.

The Electrical Parade is not so popular that you need to get there real early. 15-20 minutes should be fine.

I did not see you listing the RDCT fireworks show at DL. You must see it one evening. The best Disney has ever created IMO.

Here are some other threads that may interest you:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Our family is visiting the Disneyland Resort this summer for the first time ever, and I have several questions and things I'd like to run by those who have visited before. I'll just go through our itenerary and table service dining. Any comments and suggestions you can provide will be great I'm sure. We're flying in to SF and touring the central part of the state first.

On day one of our DLR portion, we'll be driving down from Cambria, CA on a Sunday. If we hit the road at about 8:30, what time do you think we'd arrive to DLR with a fast food lunch stop and a couple short breaks? I would like to schedule a priority seating at the Disneyland Hotel that evening, (we're staying at GC), what time do you think would be safe to allow us time for check-in, etc.? How long would a four course meal take at Steakhouse 55? Would Hook's Point be faster? I'd like to do a nice "welcome dinner," but I'd also allow time to get oriented to DL that evening.

The next morning, day two, the plan is to be at the gates at opening and do what I call "intense touring" the first several hours. The park opens at 8 that morning. What time should we leave our room at the Grand Californian to make that? For an early lunch, we're doing Cafe Orleans. Afterwards, we'll probably do one or two "leisurely things" like a boat ride or something. After resting at the hotel for the afternoon, we'll probably do a dinner at Rainforest (what DD place would you recommend?). We'll probably then see the parade in DL and do the dessert seating for Fantasmic. What time do you need to check-in for the best seats?

On day three, we'll probably do a breakfast at Storyteller's. What time should we reserve this meal to finish up and go into DCA as it opens at 10? The plan is to hit the park in the morning and afternoon and break at the hotel later. When going back we'll probably do dinner at Vineyard Room before doing the Electrical Parade at 8:45. I'm thinking 6:00 for that meal. Would the timing be about right for grabbing a parade spot afterwards?

On day four, we're taking a bus tour of Hollywood/LA. We won't get back until around 7, so I'm planning for a light dinner at Uva Bar. (Is that good?). What time should I make the priority seating for if the bus tour gets back at 7. Is there another place nice place that would be relatively quick and fast?

On day 5 we're doing early entry at 7 and a breakfast after riding some things at Plaza Inn. What would be a good time for this? We'll probably leave the rest of the morning/afternoon for DL/DCA and some relaxation at the hotel. That evening, we'll probably do dinner at Blue Bayou. When is a good time for a water table? When do they open?

On day 6, we'll sleep in and leave the day open for right now. That evening we'll do a dinner at Napa Rose. How long does a full four course dinner take? What time do they open?

On day 7, we'll do breakfast at Carnation Cafe. What time would you recommend? For dinner we'll probably do dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. When do they open? We leave the next day. I know that is quite a plan, but this is our first time and we're from the East Coast, so we may not make it back again or for a while. Any questions you can answer, tips you can provide, and advice is so much appreciated.

Thanks,
jmcalister

I'm not very familiar with TS times.

But for your Tuesday morning, the main gate at DCA opens at 9:30. I think the only ride that's open at 9:30 is Soarin'.

On Thursday morning, I would want to be in DL from 7:00 to at least 9:30; but I'm not sure what would be the best time for breakfast at the Plaza Inn.

HTH

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I'm still not very familiar with TS meal times, but maybe others can help you with your questions about:

Steakhouse 55 - how long for a full four course dinner?

Hook's Point - how long for a full four course dinner?

DTD Restaurants - any recommendations?

Dessert seating for Fantasmic - what time to go for best seats?

Storyteller's - what is a good time for breakfast? (want to visit DCA at 9:30)

Vineyard Room - what is a good time for dinner? (want to see the DEP afterward)

Uva Bar - Is it good for a light dinner? Would you recommend something else?

Plaza Inn - What's a good time for breakfast? (going to breakfast on a MM)

Napa Rose - how long for a full four course dinner?

Carnation Cafe - what's a good time for breakfast?

Goofy's Kitchen - when do they start serving dinner?


On your Monday morning, I think the rule-of-thumb is to usually get to the DL front entrance about 30 minutes before the regular opening time. I think the average walking-time from the GCH is about five minutes. You would probably be O.K. if you left at 7:20. If you're planning on going to Finding Nemo first, then you might want to give yourself an extra 10 minutes.

HTH

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... we'll be driving down from Cambria, CA on a Sunday. If we hit the road at about 8:30, what time do you think we'd arrive to DLR with a fast food lunch stop and a couple short breaks? ...

The drive from Cambria should be 6.5 hours, at most (not counting breaks).

HTH

 

[Queenbillabong]

For any four course meals, you are looking at a couple of hours at least - depends on how much talking, etc. You don't want to eat fast through this though, so plan on 2-3 hours at a minimum.

For the Fantasmic dessert package, you can check in I believe at 6:30 p.m. and then come back 20 mins or so before it starts.