Super newbie questions

[OldSchoolReasons]

Hi all. I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and book a trip to a Disney I haven’t visited yet in 2016. I’m trying to decide between Anaheim and Tokyo. I was wondering if you guys could help me with these newbie questions.

What must-do attractions do they have that aren’t at the above or are superior?

Is it worth staying on site for the whole trip? Can you easily get to central LA from Disney or is it worth doing a split stay?

I’m vegan, how easy is it to get by?

Best character dining experience? I’m Alice in Wonderland mad, keen on animal characters and less bothered about princesses.

Let’s talk crowds. I’m thinking 1st or 2nd week of October (Halloween!). I normally visit DLP when the majority of rides are 30mins or less and use Fast Pass. When I went to WDW crowd levels were 4-7 and it was tolerable (I didn’t wait longer than 45 minutes thanks to good planning). Can I pull that off here or is it time to develop patience?

Are there any good guides I should order i.e The Brit’s Guide to Orlando?

I’m super grateful for all your time.

 

[figment_jii]

What must-do attractions do they have that aren’t at the above or are superior?

Above or superior to what? (I'm guess you mean DLP because you mention going there before.) I've only been to DLP once and I liked a lot of what I rode, but I would say that you should go to DLR with an open mind and try everything. nothing at DLR is identical to anything at DLP (that i noticed); some things are similar or have similar elements, but everything is different enough to warrant a visit.

Is it worth staying on site for the whole trip? Can you easily get to central LA from Disney or is it worth doing a split stay?

Are you planning on driving, taking public transit, or a taxi? Personally, unless you are driving, I don't think it's that easy to get anywhere using public transit and it gets expensive hiring taxis. I don't know that you have to say "on-site". DLR has a lot of motels surrounding it that are fairly economical (compared to the on-site hotels) and a few are even closer to the main gate than the DLH and PPI. That being said, if you can afford to stay on-site, I would look into the DLH or GCH. You'd get access to EMH, which is a nice perk.

I’m vegan, how easy is it to get by?

Sorry, I can't help with that one.

Best character dining experience? I’m Alice in Wonderland mad, keen on animal characters and less bothered about princesses.

If you like animal characters, then Storytellers is probably a good option (it features woodland animals). In truth, there aren't a lot of character meals at DLR and most are breakfasts.

• Plaza Inn (breakfast, DLR) - Minnie and friends
• Ariel's Grotto (breakfast and lunch, DCA) - Princesses
• Storytellers (breakfast, GCH) - Chip, Dale, and other woodland friends
• Goofy's Kitchen (all meals, DLH) - Goofy and friends
• PCH Grill (breakfast, PPI) - Mickey and friends.

Let’s talk crowds. I’m thinking 1st or 2nd week of October (Halloween!). I normally visit DLP when the majority of rides are 30mins or less and use Fast Pass. When I went to WDW crowd levels were 4-7 and it was tolerable (I didn’t wait longer than 45 minutes thanks to good planning). Can I pull that off here or is it time to develop patience?

It's too far out to really know what will be happening in October of 2016. That being said, assuming 2016 has a schedule that is similiar to 2014 and previously, i would say you're likely looking at huge crowds on the weekends (Fri-Sun) and low to moderate crowds on the weekdays (Mon-Thu). It's worth noting that historically, Gay Days has happened on the first weekend in October and CHOC walk usually happens on the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend (a three-day weekend). Crowds have been reported as consistently high during both of these periods, so it's something to keep in mind. Being October, the parks will be operating with long hours on weekends and shorter hours on weekdays. Evening entertainment (e.g., fireworks and F!) will likely on happen on weekends (Fri-Sun), though WoC should be nightly. One park will likely close early on select nights for Mickey's Halloween Party (there are rumors that it will be moving to DCA this year, so we don't know what will happen in 2016).

Are there any good guides I should order i.e The Brit’s Guide to Orlando?

It depends on what kind of books you like. I prefer ones that are primarily factually and do not include large amount of opinion. There is the Birnbaum's 2015 Disneyland Resort guide, which is primarily a travel brochure for DLR (I think of it more like a souvenir book, than a primary information source). Some folks like the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, but I've found that it has to much opinion to really be useful for me (I don't agree or disagree with them consistently enough to know whether their opinions will match mine or not - so in that way, their opinions are not helpful). Those are the two you hear about the most often. I would probably start with Birnbaum's and then move to Unofficial (if you still need to).

 

[OldSchoolReasons]

Above or superior to what? (I'm guess you mean DLP because you mention going there before.) I've only been to DLP once and I liked a lot of what I rode, but I would say that you should go to DLR with an open mind and try everything. nothing at DLR is identical to anything at DLP (that i noticed); some things are similar or have similar elements, but everything is different enough to warrant a visit.


Are you planning on driving, taking public transit, or a taxi? Personally, unless you are driving, I don't think it's that easy to get anywhere using public transit and it gets expensive hiring taxis. I don't know that you have to say "on-site". DLR has a lot of motels surrounding it that are fairly economical (compared to the on-site hotels) and a few are even closer to the main gate than the DLH and PPI. That being said, if you can afford to stay on-site, I would look into the DLH or GCH. You'd get access to EMH, which is a nice perk.


Sorry, I can't help with that one.


If you like animal characters, then Storytellers is probably a good option (it features woodland animals). In truth, there aren't a lot of character meals at DLR and most are breakfasts.

• Plaza Inn (breakfast, DLR) - Minnie and friends
• Ariel's Grotto (breakfast and lunch, DCA) - Princesses
• Storytellers (breakfast, GCH) - Chip, Dale, and other woodland friends
• Goofy's Kitchen (all meals, DLH) - Goofy and friends
• PCH Grill (breakfast, PPI) - Mickey and friends.

It's too far out to really know what will be happening in October of 2016. That being said, assuming 2016 has a schedule that is similiar to 2014 and previously, i would say you're likely looking at huge crowds on the weekends (Fri-Sun) and low to moderate crowds on the weekdays (Mon-Thu). It's worth noting that historically, Gay Days has happened on the first weekend in October and CHOC walk usually happens on the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend (a three-day weekend). Crowds have been reported as consistently high during both of these periods, so it's something to keep in mind. Being October, the parks will be operating with long hours on weekends and shorter hours on weekdays. Evening entertainment (e.g., fireworks and F!) will likely on happen on weekends (Fri-Sun), though WoC should be nightly. One park will likely close early on select nights for Mickey's Halloween Party (there are rumors that it will be moving to DCA this year, so we don't know what will happen in 2016).


It depends on what kind of books you like. I prefer ones that are primarily factually and do not include large amount of opinion. There is the Birnbaum's 2015 Disneyland Resort guide, which is primarily a travel brochure for DLR (I think of it more like a souvenir book, than a primary information source). Some folks like the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, but I've found that it has to much opinion to really be useful for me (I don't agree or disagree with them consistently enough to know whether their opinions will match mine or not - so in that way, their opinions are not helpful). Those are the two you hear about the most often. I would probably start with Birnbaum's and then move to Unofficial (if you still need to).

Hey, I meant superior as in a version that's better than ones in this park compared to other parks (I'm aware this is open to interpretation but I'm canvassing opinions here) . For example, the Space Mountain at DLP being more intense than the WDW one.

I'll drive, as by the sounds of it I'll have little choice. It looks like I'll be hitting up Air BnB to find somewhere nearby to stay as that seems a more economical option.

I'll be planning a Monday - Thursday visit to avoid crowds I imagine.

This is a really great starting point!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi all. I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and book a trip to a Disney I haven’t visited yet in 2016. I’m trying to decide between Anaheim and Tokyo. I was wondering if you guys could help me with these newbie questions.

What must-do attractions do they have that aren’t at the above or are superior?

Is it worth staying on site for the whole trip? Can you easily get to central LA from Disney or is it worth doing a split stay?

I’m vegan, how easy is it to get by?

Best character dining experience? I’m Alice in Wonderland mad, keen on animal characters and less bothered about princesses.

Let’s talk crowds. I’m thinking 1st or 2nd week of October (Halloween!). I normally visit DLP when the majority of rides are 30mins or less and use Fast Pass. When I went to WDW crowd levels were 4-7 and it was tolerable (I didn’t wait longer than 45 minutes thanks to good planning). Can I pull that off here or is it time to develop patience?

Are there any good guides I should order i.e The Brit’s Guide to Orlando?

I’m super grateful for all your time.

Figment did a good job answering questions so I won't repeat those.

With regard to DLR vs. TDR, DL at DLR is the best Disney or non-Disney theme park in the world. It is of course the original and nothing built since 1955 has eclipsed it.

Tokyo Disney Sea is the best "second park" at all the Disney resorts, IMO.

While there were many things I loved about DLP, I would say DL and TDL are both significantly better. And DLR's second gate DCA as well Tokyo Disney Sea are significantly better than DLRP's Walt Disney Studios.

DLR will have the advantage (in most westerner's minds) of being in California - which in my experience still holds a mythical status in North America as well as Western Europe. There is a lot to do in California and the American Southwest. So a DLR trip with some extended time to visit the greater area may offer more than a TDR trip. Unless you are someone who is fascinated by Japan.

I would say both DLR and TDR need about four days to get a solid visit to the resort. At TDR it is about 2 days at each park. At DLR it is more like 2 1/2 days at DL and 1 1/2 days at DCA.

I hope that helps!

 

[figment_jii]

Hey, I meant superior as in a version that's better than ones in this park compared to other parks (I'm aware this is open to interpretation but I'm canvassing opinions here) . For example, the Space Mountain at DLP being more intense than the WDW one.

Sorry, having a little trouble understand what you want to compare. Is WDW (in Florida) and/or DLP (in Paris) your frame of reference? Your example compared DLP to WDW, so I'm thinking you are already familiar with WDW and DLP, so you're looking for information about DLR (California) and TDR (Tokyo), right?

 

[Lauren in NC]

Can't speak to rides, as I've only been to DLR and WDW, but the options for vegetarian (at least) at DLR are pretty good. Every place has at least one vegetarian option, and many are also vegan. My husband particularly likes the kebabs at Paradise Garden Grill (veggie and tofu) and the pasta at Wine Country Trattoria, though I believe that did have cheese on top. He hated the mushroom entree at Blue Bayou and thought the veggie burger at Carnation Cafe was just OK. Pretty much any TS can make a pasta primavera-type dish if you don't care for the vegetarian option on the menu.

From research I've done for a possible future trip to TDR, there's very limited vegetarian options. Pretty much everything is either seafood or some form of meat, though I think they have a pasta place in each park that has some veggie options. I've heard pretty good things about Hong Kong DL, though, since there's a pretty big Buddhist population.