WDW expert but first trip to DL

[Cathy K.]

Hi Everyone,
My family and I have been to WDW 12 times but we are taking our first trip to California in February. I could use some advise from the DL and DCA experts out there.

We are spending 9 days total and working our way from San Francisco down to San Diego. The last 4 nights I've got booked at the Grand Californian at Disney. We will have 3 day park hoppers with Fantasyland early entry for one day. We check in on Tuesday evening and will be spending Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in the parks. Check out will be very early on Saturday because we've got a 7:30 am flight out of LAX.

I thought we'd explore the hotel and Downtown Disney on Tuesday evening. Can someone give me a recommendation for a good spot for dinner?

Any suggestions on which days we should do which parks? I know the Fantasyland early entry will have to be on Thursday since we won't be there the other days it's offered but does either park have days that are more or less crowded than others?

How about some other dining suggestions? Can you make PS arrangements for DL like you can for WDW?

Is there a website that has the DL restaurant menus? Is there a website that has the entertainment schedule? I know where to find all of these things for WDW but I haven't got a clue for California.

Thanks,
Cathy K.

 

[iceskatejen]

You can make PS's 60 days out, though some have been told 6 weeks out. The number is 714-781-DINE. DLR doesn't have as many in-park full service restaurants. In DL there's the Blue Bayou, which is inside POTC, and a Carnation restaurant on Main Street. DCA has Ariel's Grotto, which will probbly be open only for lunch in Feb, plus 2 restaurants at the Golden Vine Winery. One is the Trattoria, which serves Italian fare The other is a more expensive place with wine pairings and stuff.

The Disneyland.com website is where I go to get all show schedules and park hours, but I'm sure they aren't out yet for Feb. The DL.com site is much more user friendly than the WDW one.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Hi Cathy! I'm in the same boat as you, however for me it's the other way around

I would suggest Napa Rose for your Tuesday dinner. It's *the* restaurant in the Grand Californian and, IMO, is just beautiful! You probably want to try something new and the three best restaurants in DTD are also at WDW.

As for the parks, I would do DL on Wednesday. Even though you are going on Thursday for the early entry, but since this is your first time visiting the resort and DL is just SO magical! Then on Thursday, I would spend the morning at DL for the EE and the rest of the day at DCA. DCA can be done in an afternoon/evening, no problem where with DL you'll probably want to spend more time, there is a lot more to see there. Personally, I love DCA. Soarin' is great as is California Screamin' and Grizzly River Run. It's a really beautiful park, it's just a bit spread out and sparse. That leaves you with Friday to go back to the things you really liked or missed on the previous days.

While you are there, I would definitely try to have lunch at the Blue Bayou and a breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen. You can make a PS for both of these. Oh, and the corn dogs at Corn Dog Castle at DCA on Paradise Pier - sooooo good!! Can you tell it's lunch time and I am hungry??

I don't really know a lot of websites for insider info on DLR since I live in the area and am a regular visitor, but I do believe the Laughing Place has some good info.

I hope you have a great time!! Sounds like you have a very full vacation planned! If you would like any more info, you can PM me anytime!

 

[daannzzz]

Dining at Disneyland Resort is not as fun as at WDW. Since it is smaller there is much less to choose from. There is only one main full service restaurant in Disneyland (The Blue Bayou) and a small full service sidewalk cafe (the Carnation Cafe). The food at both is fine though not great. The atmosphere at the Blue Bayou is really good.
For your Tusday night there are some good places to choose from. Napa Rose would be the more upscale of the choices. Also at ther GCH is Storyteller Cafe where we have had good ala carte lunches and dinners. I have not tried the buffet. We also like Hooks Point at the Disneyland Hotel but you may want to call ahead as they are not open every day of the week. Goofy's Kitchen is a great buffet and loads of fun. This is also at the DLH.

 

[CamColt]

Great question!!! I look forward to reading all the replies(so far these are great) We are in a similar situation, going to DL in August before our Disney cruise. We arrive on a Tues and plan to check out DTD and the resorts, and adjust to the time change. Then we will spend Wed-Fri in the parks and have no clue what the best plan of action is.

A few posts have been made here with the links to menus, however most of the menus Ive found are either really old or not complete. I would love a site like allears for current DL menus.

 

[Buttercup26]

Definitely eat at Blue Bayou, it is worth it for the atmosphere alone. Do an early lunch, try to get one of the first ones for the day. Ask for a table by the water when you make your PS and again when you arrive - a water table is absolutely the best!!

Goofy's Kitchen is our family's favorite character meal, the buffet is good, not great but there are plenty of characters around.

Do Peter Pan first thing in Fantasyland, it gets very crowded very early. You really need two days in DL and only one day (or less) in DCA.