WDW Expert Lost in Planning first time at DL!

[avalon451]

Welcome to the left coast Dis! I hope you have a great time exploring Walt's park!

A couple of things I didn't see mentioned specifically so far: Besides Club 33, there is no alcohol served inside Disneyland park. Weird, huh. California Adventure is another matter; you can get a margarita or a beer on the wharf area and walk around with it, or sit in Ariel's Grotto Bar and have drink while people watching, or go to Wine Country Trattoria to enjoy your wine with some good Italian food. It kind of beats me why they don't extend the liquor license at least to the table service places in DL.

If you do Blue Bayou, people here often recommend doing the first lunch seating-- get a PS for 11:30 a.m., request waterside, and then show up at the podium at 11:15. That makes it nearly a sure thing that you will be seated promptly, with a great view of the bayou, and the people floating by in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! You can go to BB for lunch or dinner anytime, but if you want waterside, you may have to wait quite a bit past your PS time. We very much enjoyed our lunch at BB last October. There's pics in my trip report, page 6, linked in my siggy below.

Napa Rose was excellent. On recommendations here, we reserved the "chef's counter" for the two of us, and requested seats between 4-8, which puts you right in front of the sous-chef and the main action. The head chef will introduce himself and chat with you, tell you about your food and about the kitchen,etc... it was a wonderful experience!

I just wanted to ditto the previous poster's recommendation that you read Hydroguy's Tips Compilation thread, here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483 There are several threads in there specifically for the WDW vet, and lots of other very helpful information!

Hope that helps!

 

[BensMom]

Welcome to the left coast Dis! I hope you have a great time exploring Walt's park!

A couple of things I didn't see mentioned specifically so far: Besides Club 33, there is no alcohol served inside Disneyland park. Weird, huh. California Adventure is another matter; you can get a margarita or a beer on the wharf area and walk around with it, or sit in Ariel's Grotto Bar and have drink while people watching, or go to Wine Country Trattoria to enjoy your wine with some good Italian food. It kind of beats me why they don't extend the liquor license at least to the table service places in DL.

If you do Blue Bayou, people here often recommend doing the first lunch seating-- get a PS for 11:30 a.m., request waterside, and then show up at the podium at 11:15. That makes it nearly a sure thing that you will be seated promptly, with a great view of the bayou, and the people floating by in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! You can go to BB for lunch or dinner anytime, but if you want waterside, you may have to wait quite a bit past your PS time. We very much enjoyed our lunch at BB last October. There's pics in my trip report, page 6, linked in my siggy below.

Napa Rose was excellent. On recommendations here, we reserved the "chef's counter" for the two of us, and requested seats between 4-8, which puts you right in front of the sous-chef and the main action. The head chef will introduce himself and chat with you, tell you about your food and about the kitchen,etc... it was a wonderful experience!

I just wanted to ditto the previous poster's recommendation that you read Hydroguy's Tips Compilation thread, here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483 There are several threads in there specifically for the WDW vet, and lots of other very helpful information!

Hope that helps!

It sounds very much like Magic Kingdom and Epcot...MK is a "dry town." Epcot has beer and wine kiosks everywhere. We must remember that Walt was not a condoner of alcohol, although I have heard he liked his martinis! He felt, however, that family time should be devoid of that kind of thing; therefore, the park he created did not serve alcohol.

Although I have noticed walking around Epcot these days, everyone has a drink in their hand! The economy hasn't slowed down anyone in that respect! LOL

Sounds like Blue Bayou may be a nice alternative to Carnation Cafe. We'll have to decide between the two. Thanks for the tip on that one. Napa Rose Chef's counter sounds like Jiko's "Cooking Place." You can sit and watch the prep work on the salads, flatbreads, etc. I would imagine we'd have to request this when we get to the podium, much like Jiko, and it can't be done through main dining PS. That's fine. I know that drill.

Well, I am feeling pretty well-equipped for our trip.

 

[mnasf]

Help! Blindfold me, and I can take a tour group around any park, any day at DisneyWorld since I live 6 miles away from WDW. However, Disneyland is a whole other ballgame for me! I have just a few questions for you Disneyland Experts out there.

We are staying at the Grand Californian for three nights in early April. I want to make some PS for the parks, etc.

Please tell me your favorite picks for restaurants in the two parks. We love all the signature restaurants at WDW and are regulars at The Flying Fish, Jiko, etc., so, of course, Napa Rose looks very appealing. Other than that, I am totally lost. We think we have an "in" at Club 33 (although some of the reviews are not all stellar, I don't care...just gotta do it).

Plus, what's the deal on Pinocchio's, the kid care place? We know the drill here at WDW, but this is new real estate. I see it's a bit more expensive, and you have to pay for dinner, no big deal, but if anyone has any tidbits or recommendations, I'd sure appreciate it.

We often do Blue Bayou in DL. It's kind of inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Similar to Mexico in EPCOT. I don't like it as much as I used to, but it is harder to get reservations for than some. We did Club 33 at lunch. Loved the meal! Hope you get in and have fun! You will love walking across a small area to get between the two parks. You will also love how close your hotel is to everything!

 

[BensMom]

We often do Blue Bayou in DL. It's kind of inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Similar to Mexico in EPCOT. I don't like it as much as I used to, but it is harder to get reservations for than some. We did Club 33 at lunch. Loved the meal! Hope you get in and have fun! You will love walking across a small area to get between the two parks. You will also love how close your hotel is to everything!

Yeah, I really hope C33 comes through for us. Anyway, now we're entertaining going to an Angels game. They're playing the Red Sox (my team, yeah!), but it's when we'll be down in San Diego. We thought about turning the entire trip backwards and ending up at DL, but I think we'll leave it all alone. How long is the drive from say the Del to Angels Stadium? There is a day game on Saturday, the 11th, and I think it would be pretty cool to go to a game out there. I feel like now we're overloading.

 

[tinkermell]

It sounds very much like Magic Kingdom and Epcot...MK is a "dry town." Epcot has beer and wine kiosks everywhere. We must remember that Walt was not a condoner of alcohol, although I have heard he liked his martinis! He felt, however, that family time should be devoid of that kind of thing; therefore, the park he created did not serve alcohol.

Although I have noticed walking around Epcot these days, everyone has a drink in their hand! The economy hasn't slowed down anyone in that respect! LOL

Sounds like Blue Bayou may be a nice alternative to Carnation Cafe. We'll have to decide between the two. Thanks for the tip on that one. Napa Rose Chef's counter sounds like Jiko's "Cooking Place." You can sit and watch the prep work on the salads, flatbreads, etc. I would imagine we'd have to request this when we get to the podium, much like Jiko, and it can't be done through main dining PS. That's fine. I know that drill.

Well, I am feeling pretty well-equipped for our trip.

I'm pretty sure that if you want those seats at the Chef's counter, you need to mention that when you call to make your ressie.

 

[tinkermell]

Yeah, I really hope C33 comes through for us. Anyway, now we're entertaining going to an Angels game. They're playing the Red Sox (my team, yeah!), but it's when we'll be down in San Diego. We thought about turning the entire trip backwards and ending up at DL, but I think we'll leave it all alone. How long is the drive from say the Del to Angels Stadium? There is a day game on Saturday, the 11th, and I think it would be pretty cool to go to a game out there. I feel like now we're overloading.

Actually, most people who have gone to DL and San Diego wish that they had done San Diego first and DL last. If you want to go to a game in Anaheim, I would switch things around if I were you. Why spend time in a traffic jam if you don't have too. The drive between San Diego and Anaheim is about 1 1/2 to 2 -3 hours depending on traffic!!

 

[JenM]

I can't wait to ride Space Mountain at DLR. Ours is being shut down for renovations as well, and I am sure (hopefully), it will be as exciting as the one at DLR. I wonder if Soarin' is any different than ours.

Soarin' is exactly the same as the one at Epcot. The only difference is the building looks like an airplane hangar and the queue area is all dedicated to aviation pioneers - where in Epcot it's part of The Land pavillion. Same movie though, just as fun.

Space Mountain is a MILLION times better than the current WDW version. I went on it 7 times last time I was there, I couldn't get enough.

I'm a WDW vet too and I took my first DL trip last May. It's mind-boggingly smaller compared to WDW (I couldn't get over the two parks being a 5-minute walk apart), but once you get used to that, you'll love it. I did, I can't wait to go back.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Couple of quick notes for you:

I personally would pick Blue Bayou over Carnation Cafe every day of the week, every time. It's a unique experience and the decor is unmatched.

I realized you are going in April. There will be no Fantasmic! when you are at DL. Fireworks, yes. And you will get to see the new parade that has not launched yet, but no Fantasmic. (Thought it was worth mentioning to help with your planning and expectations.)

Castle Comparisons: DL's is smaller, quaint, beautiful, and does not have a suite, restaurant, or anything else of the sort up inside of it. WDW's is giant, awe-striking, has a lots of room inside for all sorts of things. VERY different. If you go knowing that, you will not be disappointed. They are simply different. (Personally, I thought Cinderella's Castle was amazing, but just HUGE. I think Sleeping Beauty's is romantic, dreamy, and, yeah, magical... especially at night.

New Orleans Square, btw, which does not exist at MK is my favorite area of DL. LOVE the river and the winding cobblestone path with shops to wander through.

Again, remember, the comparison is not DLR to WDW. It's:
DL to MK
DtD to DtD
and DCA to ... well, nothing really. LOL

Hope this helps,
Dreams

 

[CinderALLIE]

Hi, I'm also planning my first trip to DL and not to hijack the thread or anything but if someone could please answer the following:

If staying at a DL hotel do I get something like WDWs 180+10 when booking dining (like 60+?) ?
Also do the DL hotels ship stuff brought at DL home? And if so does someone have the prices to do so for international?

Thanks

 

[BensMom]

I just wanted to thank everyone who helped me plan my trip to Disneyland. We just got home Monday night, and we are definitely going back for sure when the Villas at the Grand Californian open. People told me I'd be disappointed by Disneyland, but it was just the opposite. I found it personally to be very warm and fuzzy, very cool. The details in every nook and cranny of Disneyland Park I found fascinating. No, wasn't as big, but that was what was so great about it.

Napa Rose...died and went to heaven! We loved it so much, we went back the next night and sat at the Chef's Counter. We had a server there who blew us away. Her name is Heather, and the consummate professional. Wow.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...The details in every nook and cranny of Disneyland Park I found fascinating. No, wasn't as big, but that was what was so great about it....

You discovered the secret. Glad you fell in love with our "little" park. We think it's pretty special.

Happy to hear you had a great time. Thanks for the post-trip post. Always nice to hear how it went.

- Dreams

 

[BensMom]

You discovered the secret. Glad you fell in love with our "little" park. We think it's pretty special.

Happy to hear you had a great time. Thanks for the post-trip post. Always nice to hear how it went.

- Dreams

OMG, I thought it was totally charming. Stuff like the little guy and in the popcorn vending carts turning the popcorn cylinder, etc...The World doesn't have that. Space Mountain totally blew away WDW's (that's why it's being shut down...to make it more like "yours"). I LOVED Storybook Land! We met the chef at Carnation Cafe. We loved the theater with all the old-time Steamboat Willy cartoons playing continuously. The Innoventions building (which looks like our Carousel of Progress)...tons of fun. I loved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which we don't have anymore here at WDW. Gosh, I could go on and on. We never did make it to Club 33 (lack of communication somewhere along the line), but next time we can probably pull it off. As an alternative, we attempted to get into Blue Bayou, but they were booked. So, Carnation Cafe was a nice alternative. We still didn't see all of it and, as I said, we will definitely come back.

I think if you are a true Disney afficionado, you will really appreciate Disneyland Park, its history, the passion that went into it. I appreciated looking up in the firehouse knowing that Walt actually lived there. I don't mean to sound really sappy (although I am sure everyone understands), but I often marvel at the fact that one man, who has been dead since 1966, had, and continues to have, such a profound effect on the world. He has inspired so many people that imagination has no boundaries.

"It's Kind of Fun to Do the Impossible"!