WDW vet looking for a critique

[vavalynn2]

DH and I will be going to DL for the third time this summer. We have not been since 06. We have spent a total of two days at DL and one at CA.

We are spending the first half of our trip in San Diego visiting my bf from college. In Anaheim, we will be staying at the Hilton. We are hilton honors members and would consider staying at the Hampton, Doubletree or Hilton Garden Inn nearby. Any favorites? We would love to stay on property but the 249 rate I got at GC in 06 is long gone! DL hotels are pretty pricey. I am still holding out some hope that they might run a summer sale, but with DL being as popular as it is, they might not need to.

We will arrive Thursday morning but not early enough for rope drop coming from San Diego. I was thinking starting out with CA along with the World of Color lunch package. This way we will get to see it. Any suggestion out of the three restaurants? Try to do as much as we can and maybe dinner at Flos cafe. Even if we have our tickets from our lunch, what time will we have to be there- 30 minutes before it starts?

Next day we will be back at CA. Not sure about lunches etc. Will consider going to DTD to go to Earl of Sandwich- We love that place!! Any must eats in DL?

Rest/Relax/Pool day

And then Early entrance due to ticket for DL.

That is the tenative plan for mid August.

Any feedback or suggestions welcomed. Thank you in advance.

 

[vavalynn2]

I just rechecked. Our last trip was in 2005.

 

[Cinderpamela]

First off, it's not necessary to do a dining package to get a decent view FP for WoC... so I would only do the dining package if it was a restauraunt that you planned to eat at anyways.

Check out Hydroguys WoC Superthread for more hints and tips on when to arrive and such...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2542717

I would be there closer to an hour before showtime.

We loved dinner at Flo's, would highly recommend it!

Our must eats in DL are Rancho del Zocalo, Corn Dogs from the corn dog cart on Main Street, we love the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, and of course lunch at Blue Bayou.

In DCA we like to eat at Pacific Wharf (something for everyone) and we love to use the Grand Californian entrance from the park and head over to White Water Snacks at the hotel.... great breakfast options there as well as lunch. Tons of people rave about their nachos, though we have yet to try them.

If I were you I would head over to the Disney Food Blog Disneyland Page
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disneyland-food/
... tons of great reviews and info that you might find helpful to decide where to go.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am a HH diamond, we stayed at the Embassy Suites and enjoyed it. The private shuttle was very reliable and comfortable .

 

[GatorChris]

From one WDW vet to another.... We just did a San Diego trip just before our DL trip last year, and it makes for a nice calm start to a vacation.

I've not stayed at any of the hotels you slated, but I've never ever gone wrong with a Hampton ANYWHERE. You'll probably need to get ART bus pass as this hotel is a bit of a walk to the parks.

For WOC, you can do the dinner package and that will keep you from having to get there early for a FP.

As for food, the options here aren't anything like at WDW. Man, I miss the food there! Flo's V-8 gives you a pretty cool dining experience and good price. My personal favorite is Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, but the outdoor seating might be to warm for a summer trip. Blue Bayou is a lot like San Angel Inn at Epcot, with the same apathetic service and over-priced food - but the ambience is good. The fast food places here are a lot better than the ones at WDW plus there's lots of restaurants just outside the gates.

 

[sharona]

I am a HH diamond, we stayed at the Embassy Suites and enjoyed it. The private shuttle was very reliable and comfortable .

Were you at ES South or North? We'll be at ES South and are debating using the shuttle vs. driving/parking. Did you use it for park opening and if so was there enough room for everyone who wanted to head over early?

TIA

 

[vavalynn2]

Many thanks everyone! I have enough to read and keep me occupied.

I have been leaning towards the hampton due to "free" breakfast. It will help and keep things easy in the am.

Looks like no matter where we stay we will get acquainted w the art bus.

Great idea to go over to grand Californian in the day for lunch.

All the times we have been to Wdw 10,000 leagues was closed. Now we are headed to DL I am hoping nemo is open. We just might get on one of those sub rides one day.

Thank you all!!!