*** The Official 2014 - DLR -July Thread ***(We All Have Been There & Back Home)

[Californiacicle]

I am having the hardest time figuring out our schedule. We are getting 5 day hoppers but will have the following days available as park days, July 3-8.

July 3rd- My son's birthday so we have to take a park day. DLR

July 4th- It's supposedly a crazy busy day. Do we take a pool day at the beginning or suck it up and go into the parks? I like the idea of alternating parks and then hoping so normally this would be a DCA day but then we probably wouldn't be able to hop for the fireworks. Arg...

July 5th- Saturday. I considered taking this day as a pool day but then I saw that the 4-6 are blackout dates for all but premium so maybe the parks wouldn't be so bad.

I really shouldn't be tearing my hair out over this but it is so difficult! With our previously planned dates (before we booked our hotel and couldn't get those dates) there wasn't an issue. Our last day would have been July 4th.

Any thoughts to help a mama out?

 

[RHMH]

I am having the hardest time figuring out or schedule. We are getting 5 day hoppers but will have the following days available as park days, July 3-8.

July 3rd- My son's birthday so we have to take a park day. DLR

July 4th- It's supposedly a crazy busy day. Do we take a pool day at the beginning or suck it up and go into the parks? I like the idea of alternating parks and then hoping so normally this would be a DCA day but then we probably wouldn't be able to hop for the fireworks. Arg...

July 5th- Saturday. I considered taking this day as a pool day but then I saw that the 4-6 are blackout dates for all but premium so maybe the parks wouldn't be so bad.

I really shouldn't be tearing my hair out over this but it is so difficult! With our previously planned dates (before we booked our hotel and couldn't get those dates) there wasn't an issue. Our last day would have been July 4th.

Any thoughts to help a mama out?

Sorry - can't really help out cause we have never been to Disney during the July 4th celebration week... I bet our other July travelers would be able to help out...

Your plans look super and your son will have the time of his left being at Disney during his B-day...I love celebrating my B-Day at Disney the entire time I am there... Love being a kid again....

 

[Cali Girl At Heart]

I am having the hardest time figuring out or schedule. We are getting 5 day hoppers but will have the following days available as park days, July 3-8.

July 3rd- My son's birthday so we have to take a park day. DLR

July 4th- It's supposedly a crazy busy day. Do we take a pool day at the beginning or suck it up and go into the parks? I like the idea of alternating parks and then hoping so normally this would be a DCA day but then we probably wouldn't be able to hop for the fireworks. Arg...

July 5th- Saturday. I considered taking this day as a pool day but then I saw that the 4-6 are blackout dates for all but premium so maybe the parks wouldn't be so bad.

I really shouldn't be tearing my hair out over this but it is so difficult! With our previously planned dates (before we booked our hotel and couldn't get those dates) there wasn't an issue. Our last day would have been July 4th.

Any thoughts to help a mama out?

Here's my two cents. The parks will still be pretty busy on July 4th even with most APers blocked. Since July 3rd is going to be a BIG day for your DS, you might consider doing the fireworks that night. It should be the same show for July 3rd and 4th. Search the boards for posts on the best spots for fireworks, and how early to need to get your spot. You could take a nice relaxing pool day on the 4th and have some fun in DTD.

If you really have your heart set on being in the park on July 4th. I'd make July 3rd an early evening. Head back to your hotel and hit the hay. On the 4th, get to the park for rope drop, and tackle FL. I'd take a big break that day and spend a couple hours at the pool and get a nice nap. Then head back to the park late afternoon and find your spot for fireworks.

 

[Cali Girl At Heart]

1. What is your families’ favorite sit down restaurant and do you have a favorite dish you have to order?

We LOVE the Carnation Cafe on Main Street! We tried it for the first time on our last visit in 2010. I've walked past this place for so many years as a child, but never stopped in. My goal on that trip was to try things I had never done in all my years in the parks as a kid. We went for breakfast and the food is awesome and not too pricey. Carnation Cafe has an attraction of it's own...Chef Oscar Martinez. He is 77 years old, and has been employed at Disneyland for 57 years! He is the kindest man and walks around visiting guests and is a joy to chat with. It's now a must-do on our future trips! Wish we had gotten a pic with him, but that's on the list for this trip.

2. Disney Collectibles or Must Haves – What have you been? or What have you started collecting?

I always get a Disney t-shirt on every trip, and my DS just started his pin collection....it's mostly all StarWars pins at this point!

 

[SuperNEMOfan]

What is your families’ favorite sit down restaurant and do you have a favorite dish you have to order?

Since we've never been to DL i'll choose our DW favorite. Which is La Hacienda, we love mexican and margaritas!!





2. Disney Collectibles or Must Haves – What have you been? or What have you started collecting? We have been collecting mickey ears, not on purpose lol
We each have 3 sets and we received bride and groom ears as a wedding present (which will be worn at the wedding and in DL)

 

[Cheshirecatty]

I am having the hardest time figuring out our schedule. We are getting 5 day hoppers but will have the following days available as park days, July 3-8.

July 3rd- My son's birthday so we have to take a park day. DLR

July 4th- It's supposedly a crazy busy day. Do we take a pool day at the beginning or suck it up and go into the parks? I like the idea of alternating parks and then hoping so normally this would be a DCA day but then we probably wouldn't be able to hop for the fireworks. Arg...

July 5th- Saturday. I considered taking this day as a pool day but then I saw that the 4-6 are blackout dates for all but premium so maybe the parks wouldn't be so bad.

I really shouldn't be tearing my hair out over this but it is so difficult! With our previously planned dates (before we booked our hotel and couldn't get those dates) there wasn't an issue. Our last day would have been July 4th.

Any thoughts to help a mama out?

Well, here's our experience on July4th:

Fabulous and pretty uncrowded in the morning and early afternoon(we spent all our time in Disneyland that day)!

Around 2:00pm to 3:00pm the crowds start building, and they build(yes, you guessed it---on Main Street,and everywhere around it, for Fireworks viewing)!

I see that you maybe plan on hopping from DCA to Disneyland for fireworks. In my opinion, you would want to do this in the early afternoon, or you will be facing some hugely disturbing crowds, and believe me, you do not want to try and cross that esplanade as the evening approaches!

We exited Disneyland as it was getting dark last year, and I have never in my life seen such crowds---hideous and humongous!

Crowds are massive in the Esplanade, with those still trying to enter Disneyland, and those who don't want to enter Disneyland, but still want to catch some of the fireworks(what you can see of them). They spill over into Downtown Disney as well.

I am not trying to scare you, simply give you a picture of what we've encountered when we've been there on the 4th.

I'm sure others who have been there may chime in, and may have seen things differently, but that's what we've run into, the times we've been there on the 4th.

The days before and after the 4th were great---busy, but not anything we wanted to, or felt like we had to avoid.

 

[jenjersnap]

Californiacicle, I have no experience with July 4th but I think based on PP's responses, I might plan fireworks on July 3 as a big finale to the birthday celebration, hit rope drop on the 4th and pool it in the afternoon when the crowds build?

We are celebrating my middle son's birthday on our trip! Our last two DLR trips coincided with my oldest's birthday so he is SO excited.

Favorite TS: Blue Bayou. Terribly over-priced but love the atmosphere.

Another favorite that is a pseudo TS: the Cove Bar at DCA. Lobster Nachos, great adult drinks and it is so fun to watch people take off on California Screamin'.

Favorite character meal: Goofy's Kitchen. One thing I love so much about DLR character meals is the bigger, somewhat random and rarer assortment of characters.

 

[rickenmartin78]

1. What is your families’ favorite sit down restaurant and do you have a favorite dish you have to order? Since we have never been to DLR, we will have to share a WDW favorite. Polynesian’s Ohanas Restaurant – we really enjoy the all you can eat (stuff into our mouths) & the variety of food you receive. http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/h...a-48e5-816c-ee3b6c3cd742_zps7e71bf99.jpg.html 2. Disney Collectibles or Must Haves – What have you been? or What have you started collecting? Disney Vinylmations - They are so cute. DD has 46 in her collection. http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/h... Pictures/imagesI7QTNKA8_zpsf4a43a38.jpg.html

1. Le Cellier Steakhouse: Canadian cheddar cheese soup with the sourdough and pretzel breadsticks, fillet mignon with mushroom risotto. OR Liberty Tree Tavern's pot roast. These are must-dos on every WDW trip. 2. DW collects the Jim Shore figurines. I collect Disney books. We keep both in a Disney hutch in the guest bedroom.

 

[Californiacicle]

Thanks everyone!

Maybe we'll just stay at DCA all day and forgo hopping. Maybe the crowd levels won't be so nuts and we can get a good seat to see WOC.

Fireworks on the 3rd should be just as good At "home" we would have them on the 1st anyway.

Funny OT story: I'm American, my husband Canadian. Our son is dual but American born. We moved to Ontario when he was 2 months old. Anyway he was due by my calculations on the 1st (Canada Day) and my midwives set my due date as the 4th (Independence Day). So we joked that we'd see which nationality he'd favour. My labour started on the 1st but he was born at 12:42 am on the 3rd, almost in the middle. So fireworks at any time in there is a celebration of either country and himself

 

[Californiacicle]

Oh and you guys are making me hungry!!

 

[Nintfamily]

1. What is your families’ favorite sit down restaurant and do you have a favorite dish you have to order?

2. Disney Collectibles or Must Haves – What have you been? or What have you started collecting?

Our favorite sit down is such a toss up! We like a lot of them! I think the top 3 (is that allowed?) are Blue Bayou, Goofy's Kitchen (we like the dinner) and Carnation Cafe. All for different reasons.
We had our anniversary dinner at the BB 2 years ago and loved the fillet Mignon. Could have cut it with a fork! Not to mention the atmosphere. Waterside <sigh>
Goofy's is just awesome. We love the buffet (especially with three teens two of them boys that eat like no tomorrow!!!) and the characters are so much fun!
Carnation Cafe...love sitting outside (a novelty here in the NW corner of WA state!) and Pomme Frites and the Monte Cristos! OMG...I am drooling thinking of those...they are on my MUST have list!

Collections...We collect pins. But each of us have a character we all gravitate to and have lots of things with them on it. DH is Tinkerbell. Is totally in love. Every day we get a new picture with Tink, lol. DD is Minnie, DS1 is Goofy, DS2 is Mickey. I like it all! LOL! I tend to lean Pluto or Donald or Daisy. I am looking to add a new chamilla charm to my bracelet this summer.

 

[crystal1313]

^do you mean cafe Orleans? Carnation doesn't sell pomme Frits or monte cristo but cafe Orleans does! Mmmm.

Our favorite is carnation. We usually eat there at least once a trip. All meals are good here. I do miss their croissant Benedict at breakfast though. Potato soup is amazing. And Oscar? He's such a jewel of DL. What a wonderful sincere man. We just love him!

We've also eaten at Blue Bayou for dinner the last couple trips and the surf and turf is so good! Fantastic service and cannot beat the ambiance.

At the grand we like Storytellers cafe as a family. And at the DLH we like steakhouse 55 as a couple.

As for collectibles, I tend to gravitate towards anything that says Disneyland on it. Whether it's a hoodie, mug, or collectible.

 

[Nintfamily]

^do you mean cafe Orleans? Carnation doesn't sell pomme Frits or monte cristo but cafe Orleans does! Mmmm.

Our favorite is carnation. We usually eat there at least once a trip. All meals are good here. I do miss their croissant Benedict at breakfast though. Potato soup is amazing. And Oscar? He's such a jewel of DL. What a wonderful sincere man. We just love him!

We've also eaten at Blue Bayou for dinner the last couple trips and the surf and turf is so good! Fantastic service and cannot beat the ambiance.

At the grand we like Storytellers cafe as a family. And at the DLH we like steakhouse 55 as a couple.

As for collectibles, I tend to gravitate towards anything that says Disneyland on it. Whether it's a hoodie, mug, or collectible.

Yes, you are correct. I have a cold and it is making my head fuzzy. We do like Carnation as well. DH loves the roast beef

 

[RHMH]

WOW!!! Enjoyed reading about your favorites and your neat collectables...

Thanks for sharing

Californiacicle - Me too....Last night when I was reading everyone's responses, I was getting hungry.

We have a fun group on this thread...

 

[Dismamx2]

Our favorite is Café Mickey (Paris)/Chef Mickey (WDW).

My dd's like to collect trading pins

Another week closer

 

[FFerret]

We haven't been to DL yet. We love Ohana and Columbia Harbor House at WDW.

We collect a lot of pins, but I just might start doing mugs. We have two teens and a surprise baby last year who's nick is "Kitty" (we're cat people, too), so I've started collecting Cheshire things for her

Such a fun thread!

 

[jenjersnap]

Sounds like we need to try Carnation Cafe!

I forgot to answer re: collectibles. My kids collect vinylmations and enjoy a little pin trading. I don't collect anything other than the kids' silhouettes and dated Christmas ornaments.

 

[SpacecadetNZ]

Please excuse my having been AWOL. The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge (aka William and Kate) arrived in my home city yesterday and the Royals are as much of an obsession with me as Disney I was busy waiting at the airport yesterday in the rain for a glimpse then tweeting and FB'ing all day

Californiacicle (did I spell that right?), I love your story of your son's birthday falling between the two national days. Clever boy What a fun trip you will have.

1. What is your families’ favorite sit down restaurant and do you have a favorite dish you have to order? We don't have a favourite. The kids were too young on our last visit to really care all that much about dining. So I am looking forward to discovering our favourite on this visit.

2. Disney Collectibles or Must Haves – What have you been? or What have you started collecting? None of us really collect anything per se. But I do always let the kids (and myself!) choose a new tshirt or hoodie. My 8 year old is a major hoarder and she would go utterly insane if I encouraged her to collect anything so it's an obsession I have tried not to foster. On our last visit in 2010, she did buy a Princess Minnie little keychain figurine which she still has hanging from her schoolbag and I expect she will want to get another this time. My son is not as sentimental and he will just want anything and everything.

Really enjoying getting to know you all

 

[RHMH]

Our favorite is Café Mickey (Paris)/Chef Mickey (WDW).

My dd's like to collect trading pins

Another week closer

Yes, another week closer..... Do they still do the Prefix menu at Café Mickey?

We haven't been to DL yet. We love Ohana and Columbia Harbor House at WDW.

We collect a lot of pins, but I just might start doing mugs. We have two teens and a surprise baby last year who's nick is "Kitty" (we're cat people, too), so I've started collecting Cheshire things for her

Such a fun thread!

Love Ohana's also.... Sounds like a Cute collection.

Sounds like we need to try Carnation Cafe!

I forgot to answer re: collectibles. My kids collect vinylmations and enjoy a little pin trading. I don't collect anything other than the kids' silhouettes and dated Christmas ornaments.

Midori love her Vinylmation...

Please excuse my having been AWOL. The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge (aka William and Kate) arrived in my home city yesterday and the Royals are as much of an obsession with me as Disney I was busy waiting at the airport yesterday in the rain for a glimpse then tweeting and FB'ing all day

Californiacicle (did I spell that right?), I love your story of your son's birthday falling between the two national days. Clever boy What a fun trip you will have.

1. What is your families’ favorite sit down restaurant and do you have a favorite dish you have to order? We don't have a favourite. The kids were too young on our last visit to really care all that much about dining. So I am looking forward to discovering our favourite on this visit.

2. Disney Collectibles or Must Haves – What have you been? or What have you started collecting? None of us really collect anything per se. But I do always let the kids (and myself!) choose a new tshirt or hoodie. My 8 year old is a major hoarder and she would go utterly insane if I encouraged her to collect anything so it's an obsession I have tried not to foster. On our last visit in 2010, she did buy a Princess Minnie little keychain figurine which she still has hanging from her schoolbag and I expect she will want to get another this time. My son is not as sentimental and he will just want anything and everything.

Really enjoying getting to know you all

Glad you made it home safe.. Collecting anything Disney is fun, don't you think..

 

[Dismamx2]

Yes, another week closer..... Do they still do the Prefix menu at Café Mickey?
:

Yes but we have never done it, too much food for us ha ha! Have I mentioned my 2 picky, bird-like eaters

I've booked the airport hotel and car parking for our trip (we're a couple of hours away) and ordered Photopass+ so I feel like I'm making progress