Top tips for an Aussie family visiting DL for XMAS

[jenshell75]

G'day from Down Under

 

[AussieCaribou]

Hi Jen,

How exciting. I love Disneyland at Christmas. My DH, DD and I went three years ago...we are heading there again this year for New Years

My number one recommendation is do the Holiday Tour! It takes you on both Christmas themed attractions (Holiday Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World) and gives you reserved seats for the Christmas parade...as well as a few cute keepsakes and loads of fun memories. Unfortunately for us, it rained the day we did it, so no parade, but we still thought that it was well worth the money.

So, 5 attractions: It hardly seems fair to limit me to only 5!

DL:
Holiday Haunted Mansion - I was not sure that I was going to like this attraction...I am a huge HM fan and it seemed unfair to change it into the nightmare before christmas...but I really like it!
Big Thunder Mt
Matterhorn
Tea Cups
Mickey's Magic Map

DCA:
Radiator Springs Racers
World of Color
Animation Academy (we do it more than once each visit...and my DD who is now 15 is looking at spending the day there this time around)
Sorin' over California
Matter's

Food:
Goofy's Kitchen
Flo's (multiple times!! At least once in the day and once at night)
Bangle BBQ
Cafe Orleans
Pooh's Corner (for a sweets visit)

Hope you have a great time!

AussieCaribou

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hello JenShell! Nice to see you on the boards again. Congrats on planning another vacay. I'm going to try keep my list short, but there is no way it's going to end up with 5 only.

My top Disneyland attractions:

• Big Thunder Mountain
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours
• Indiana Jones
• Peter Pan (I know, sad....but it really is a classic ride at DLR)
• Haunted Mansion
• Mickey and the Magical Map
• Teacups

Food at DLR:

• Cafe Orleans
• Plaza Inn
• French Market
• Hungry Bear
• Village Haus

My top California Adventure attractions:

• Radiator Springs Racer
• Toy Story Mania
• Aladdin
• World of Colour
• Grizzly River Run
• Soarin'
• Maters Junkyard Jamboree
• Goofy's Sky School

Food at DCA:

• Wine Country
• Paradise Garden Grill
• Mostly everything at Pacific Wharf

At DTD:

• Naples
• La Brea
• Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
• UVA Bar
• Marcelline

There is a Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gumps and PF Chang at the GardenWalk. It's really not that far away from DLR.


Have fun!

 

[OzCath]

Make sure you see the castle lighting at night. It's magical.

 

[jenshell75]

Hi guys - hey PIO it's great to be back - I really need to start finish my Hong Kong Djsneyland trip report I can't believe it's been 8 months since we were having a magical time in Honkers

I'm just about to rush out the door to do a Thermomix demonstration that's how I get dollars for Disney so I will return later tonight to read and take note of all the wonderful tips so far.

How many days do you all recommend for Disneyland ? We are early starter late night people and want to see it all.

Can't wait to pop back to read the replies xxxx

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi guys - hey PIO it's great to be back - I really need to start finish my Hong Kong Djsneyland trip report I can't believe it's been 8 months since we were having a magical time in Honkers

I'm just about to rush out the door to do a Thermomix demonstration that's how I get dollars for Disney so I will return later tonight to read and take note of all the wonderful tips so far.

How many days do you all recommend for Disneyland ? We are early starter late night people and want to see it all.

Can't wait to pop back to read the replies xxxx

Hope the Thermomix demo goes well.


How many days do you have? It really depends on where you're staying and how long you're staying for. If you decide to stay in the Anaheim area and use it as a base to see more of LA, then you could always pop in at night and do a couple of attractions, see the shows etc. If you only have 4 days and because you're going at Christmas, it will probably take you all 4 days and you might not see everything; depending on crowd levels.

I wouldn't worry about the Disneyland meal plan. Dining at DLR is really different to dining at WDW. You might want to take a look at some of the table service restaurants at DLR. Because you are there at Christmas, you might be better making an ADR. I think DLR only takes reservations 2 months out.


If you buy a minimum of a 3-day ticket, you will get a Magic Morning entry. This is not dependent on you staying at a Disney resort.