Tentative Plans for May in 2010, Craving Help !

[fayt19]

Hi, guys. I usually just stalk these boards but I finally worked up the courage to make a post myself! I graduate high school next year, and I've been dying to go to both disney parks(my family went when I was eight or so to both parks, so it's been a long time). My mom said we could probably go to a park as my graduation present. My family agreed we wanted to go to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, as it's smaller, and we plan on going for four or five days so we don't have to rush, and just taking it easy, chilling, but hopefully still having a lot of fun.

I have a few questions. Should we try to go as early in May as we can? I'm homeschooled, so I'll be done with school early anyway, but my brother's in college, so whenever his last finals are done we can go. What can we expect? Are the crowds horrendous? I'm hoping with these wonderful DISboards, and a lot of waking up early, and the fact it's early summer, the parks hopefully wouldn't be TOO crowded. And, gosh, I don't even know where to begin! Does anyone have suggestions of which hotel to stay at? We went several years ago, just to Disneyland for a day I think(I honestly don't remember), and I'm sure we didn't stay at a Disney hotel. I know they're expensive, but I'm hoping my family will splurge since it's my graduation present.

And, does anyone have suggestions of where a first-timer(ish) should eat? I hear Goofy's Kitchen is supposed to be wonderful, but I guess my family is an 'older' one going(I'll be eighteen, brother will be twenty-one, with our parents). Will we look out of place? Will the characters, and people there, shun us? I'm a kid at heart(clearly), but I worry a lot about stuff like that. I'm also wanting to go take a picture with Mickey in Toontown, and, honestly, worrying a little about that! I need to loosen up, don't I? !

And if anyone could point me to any threads about going to Disneyland, or websites to help me out, I would so, so appreciate it. : I've been looking at HydroGuy's posts, and they're wonderful. So... uhm, that's all. Sorry this is so long. I'm just dying for advice here! Thanks in advance!

 

[Judy from Boise]

welcome......The problem here is almost too much information, if you did nothing but read the page one weekly for the next year, you would get all the info you will need.
BTW, the brown links at the top of the page lead to our planning section which will have some nice info for you.

 

[fayt19]

Okay, thanks.

 

[DahliaRW]

For a graduation celebration, I'd say the Blue Bayou is a must! Make a reservation (er, priority seating), get there early, and request a waterside table. Totally worth it.

 

[Queenbillabong]

I think you'll have a great time! Don't worry in character meals - there are always tables without young children and you will not look strange at all. Everyone is there to have fun, so HAVE FUN

There are so many hotels around DLR that it depends on what you're most concerned with - cost, location, ambience, etc. The three DLR hotels are nice and full of Disney touches, but spendy for sure. Some of the "hotels" across the street are more like motels and show their age a bit, but for some that's okay because it's just a place to sleep. There are also some nice hotels down the road a bit that require a ride on the ART (which is actually not too bad - we've done it before just fine).

I would take a look at the menus on allears.net to see which restaurants you are interested in, see the menus, etc. You can also look at the DTD restaurant menus there as well.

You have it right with going early, using FastPass, and Magic Mornings (if you have them). It will probably be busy (it was quite busy last year in May when we were there, but still doable), but it's DISNEYLAND

Congrats on graduating (or soon to be....)!

 

[fayt19]

Thanks for the replies. <3

And, thanks! I can't believe I graduate next year.

 

[Sherwin]

May whenever is fine! Great time to go. Less crowds, good weather. The only thing to watch out for is refurbs that Disney might be finishing up before the summer season hours.

That's a crapload of places to eat. Don't worry about it too much now (as it is sadly more than a year away-- I couldn't wait that long!), but you'll see how much we talk about food at Dis. BB has generally favorable reviews foodwise, but the atmosphere can't be beat! By the way, if no one's told you yet, it's the restaurant in the POTC ride as ride-goers float by in the beginning where it's made to look like night outdoors in a Louisiana bayou. For more convenient quick service, I like the French Market, and I hear Cafe Orleans is great table service too. There's too much.

But I'm sure of this. A lot of the questions you're asking now will be answered themselves the more you peruse this board.

 

[fayt19]

Thanks so much for the response. I'm hopeful about going in May. Yeah, I know, a very long time to wait... but atleast I have these DISboards to keep me enthusiastic!

Blue Bayou has gotten a lot of positive reviews. I might just have to check that one out. Except I'm a little claustrophobic and very afraid of the dark... but I will give it a fair chance anyway.

And, yes, these boards are full of knowledge about Disney!

 

[Sherwin]

Thanks so much for the response. I'm hopeful about going in May. Yeah, I know, a very long time to wait... but atleast I have these DISboards to keep me enthusiastic!

Blue Bayou has gotten a lot of positive reviews. I might just have to check that one out. Except I'm a little claustrophobic and very afraid of the dark... but I will give it a fair chance anyway.

And, yes, these boards are full of knowledge about Disney!

No need to worry about claustrophobic! It's dark, but the ceiling is very high, so it feels like you're outdoors in the middle of the night.

I think there are some pics of the BB in the Dining reviews thread.

 

[mariezp]

We are glad you decided to step forward so we could help you answer some of your questions and welcome you to the board.

We homeschool too! My son will also be graduating at about the same time. I can't think of a better graduation gift! The earlier in May that you can go would be best if you want to avoid the rush of summer. However, as Sherwin mentioned you may need to keep an eye out for what is on the refurbishment list, which you can find on the Disneyland Resort website.

Four or five days should be just about right to not have to rush through the park. (One tip is to take an afternoon break each day so you are not totally worn out by the end of the day. You would be surprised how just a couple hours rest will re-energize you.) Your selection of where to stay needs to be based upon what is most important to you. Some people are not happy without staying in one of the Disney hotels. My family prefers to stay offsite for a combination of convenience and saving money. We have stayed our last 8 trips at the Anaheim Desert Inn on Harbor which has always met our needs without having to take out a loan! We prefer to use the cash saved on lodging and put it towards dining and souvenirs.

Blue Bayou is my family's favorite place to eat. It has become our tradition so no trip would be complete without it. I agree that it is more about the feel of the place than the food but we have always enjoyed the food as well. (besides, they have my favorite dessert, Creme Brulee!) However, there are plenty of other good choices. Here are some of our favorites... The guys in our family love Plaza Inn for fried chicken. Royal Street Veranda has great clam chowder. Stage Door Cafe has really good chicken nuggets. If you don't want a big sit down meal there are yummy corn dogs or a turkey leg.

Goofy's is a good choice for a character meal. I also enjoyed Chip and Dale at Storytellers Cafe because it was bit more laid back. Whichever you choose don't worry for a minute about feeling out of place! There are "kids" of all ages! Plus the entire Disneyland experience is all about everyone being able to be a kid again. I think most people are usually so wrapped up in what they are doing they probably don't notice much of anyone around them anyway. And to be perfectly honest, after reading on this board have you not noticed that there are an awful lot of us Disney nuts who fall under the category of "adult"? but... you don't think we'd let a little thing like that stop us from enjoying the park, now do you?

For now you are on the right track. Keep gathering info on the boards and all over the internet. By the time May gets here you will be ready to go! Oh, and if you feel the need to ask any more questions you know where to find us!

 

[fayt19]

Thanks for the long and thorough reply, mariezp! I really appreciate the advice. I'm definitely hoarding all the advice I can get.

And I'm totally checking out your trip report. Wow... two weeks in Disney !!

 

[mariezp]

Long replies & long reports... yep, that's me! You are more than welcome. It is a pleasure to share our love of Disneyland with anyone willing to listen!


Do let me know what you think of my report!

 

[Mugglemama]

Hey, we'll be there in May of '10, and we're homeschoolers too! I'm really hoping the timing will mean lower crowds. We haven't been there in May since we had AP's several years ago.

Congrats on your upcoming graduation!

 

[fayt19]

Oh, that's so cool! I'm also very hopeful we'll manage to just miss those terrible summer crowds.

And thanks! It's hard to imagine right now, since I haven't even finished my junior year. It's pretty scary to think about finishing high school... but comforting to know once I do, I get to go to Disney!

 

[Mugglemama]

my oldest child, who actually doesn't homeschool anymore(her 3 younger siblings do), is graduating this year and is just now starting to get really excited because we've spent the last couple of days getting her college paperwork in order. woohoo!

we were going to go to disneyland for her graduation present, too, but decided to go somewhere else and put the disney trip off till next year at the end of her freshman year of college. it will be SO much nicer to go in May, rather than June. at least, i hope it will!

and, it seems like a long way off, but really, it will come up fast. before you know it!