WDW Vet needs some Serious DL HELP.

[Girimama33]

You have received some good advice so far.
As far as where to go at rope drop, I try and get rides out of the way that do not have a FP option and can have long lines throughout the day. In DL, got to FantasyLand (like everyone else). Try and knock out Peter Pan, Dumbo and Alice. Storybookland opens a little later usually, but try and hit it early, Nemo subs is also a good one to get on early as well. It is a slow loader and no FP is available.
For DCA, I go to Toy Story Midway Mania since Radiator Springs Racers has a FP option...plus, you are two adults and can use the single rider line.
We are going at the end of June as well. Enjoy your first trip!

 

[skier_pete]

Being a WDW vet I would say 3 days is minimum and 4 days is plenty for DLR. The thing that will blow you away is how compacted everything is. Both parks and DTD smushed into a very small area, but a TON of rides. Expect it to be crazy crowds - like nothing you've ever seen at WDW crowds. The parks (especially DLR) have much less free space than MK, so even on slow days it feels crowded. June right around the 60th it'll be nuts.

How early should I arrive for a front row spot at WOC?
What rides should I ride first at RD @ DL and DCA?
What are the best QS and TS restaurants you recommend?
Also what are your recommended other things to do in the LA area (besides Hollywood sign, Star Walk, TCL Theatre, WB Tour)

Front row at World of Color? Probably about 2 hours before the show. I don't know that I would bother with doing it that way. Being in the front row isn't great anyways. #1 you get wet and #2, the show is so massive I wouldn't want to be that close anyways. If you want a good spot, do a Dining Package and show up right when they let you into the area. There's a thread all about WOC.

Rides for rope drop - I would say Carsland for DCA, and for DLR Fantasyland, most other big rides have FPs, but Fantasyland rides don't and build long lines. If you buy a multiday ticket, you get ONE early entry day with it, at least you did in 2012. We knocked off most of Fantasyland with that. Assuming you don't have small kids, take advantage of Single Rider options. Also, remember FP works like the old WDW one!

QS - We really like Hungry Bear a lot. I think it's back open by then.

We also really liked Cafe Orleans for a TS meal. Also Carthay Circle was fantastic both times we ate there. Just remember, there's no "180 days" out there. Unless you want Blue Bayou which you should call at 30-days, call the week before for everything else.

In LA I think you caught the big tourist things - definitely would do a studio tour. We did the WB tour two years ago and it was really good. I've also heard excellent things about the Paramount tour. One of the bus tours can be interesting, but would recommend researching which are good. They have a lot that just pick up at Hollywood/Highland and who knows if they're actually any good. Griffith Park Obeservatory is actually really cool. Also the Santa Monica Pier, but again likely really crowded come June. Also, try and score tickets to a TV Show taping if the timing is right, you can search for these things on the web. (Likely late June you will be SOL because most TV shows are on Hiatus, but you could maybe get Jimmy Kimmel tickets or some other late night show.)

If you are checking out the Hollywood/Highland area and you want to shop or get a bite to eat, check out the LA Farmers Market. Get a pastrami sandwhich from Magee's Kitchen - it'll be the best pastrami sandwich you'll ever have in your life. (Recommended to me by Kevin of the DIS, and he was so right.)

 

[cmpeter]

There are lockers. The ones inside DL were closed when we went in October, but there are some to the left of the entry gates (when you are facing the gates) right outside DL. $7 for a small and I think $13 for a larger one. There are also lockers inside DCA (on the right hand side right after you enter).

I think you have to wait the same amount of time for a good WOC spot whether you do the dining package or not. People start lining up 60-90 minutes before the show (probably 90 in June when it's busier).

For DL when you have early entry, I like to visit Peter, Alice, Dumbo, Toad, Matterhorn, Pinnochio and Mad Tea Cups. I wouldn't attempt Nemo during early entry as it's very slow to load. Head quickly to Peter because even early the line can get long quickly.

For DCA I like to do TSMM, Screamin', RSR single rider, then pull an RSR FP and then TOT. But, I am generally trying to get an RSR FP for an evening ride. It's definitely worth riding once in the day and once at night...so cool in the evenings with all the lights.

 

[cmpeter]

For meals...my favorites are:

Pacific Warf Café in DCA QS - love the soups and salads in a bread bowl. Added benefit is that there is a place right next to them that sells margaritas.
Blue Bayou at DL - highly recommend. I like to do 11:30 lunch reservation and ask for a table by the water
Bengal BBQ QS at DL

 

[Abbey1]

To answer your question about Restaurants, I think the best table service is Cafe Orleans hands down. Their pomme frites are so yummy, as are their Mickey shaped beignets. Blue Bayou is good as well, but more for the experience/ambience than the food in my opinion. If you end up eating there, I'd do the Fantasmic! dining package- guaranteed awesome seats for the show without having to wait at all.

As for counter service, I liked the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, French Market and Pacific Wharf Cafe.

 

[saraschoening]

Hey guys so me and the Fiance decided for our 5 year anniversary and DL 60th anniversary we are heading to the west coast at the end of June 2015 (so close). Neither of us has been to DL before so this is our first trip and we have no idea what we are doing!!
We are going to be in LA for 7-8 days (depending on flight prices etc) and we have decided on a 4 day DL PH (It this enough days?)(How much in advance do we have to buy the tickets? Do they send them to us or do we have to pick them up at the park?)I'm so used to MB!!
We are staying at a hotel right off of Katella called Eden Roc Inn and Suites (It was very cheap) for 3 nights (so we don't have to drive all the way from Burbank) and at our friends the other nights. (Has anyone stayed there recently who can give their opinion/experience) (It is a far walk to DL [Corner of Katella and S. West Street]?)
How early should I arrive for a front row spot at WOC?
What rides should I ride first at RD @ DL and DCA?
What are the best QS and TS restaurants you recommend?
Also what are your recommended other things to do in the LA area (besides Hollywood sign, Star Walk, TCL Theatre, WB Tour)

I honestly feel completely lost. Coming from WDW and knowing it like the back of my hand and not needing a map and touring it with ease (MK in 1 day etc) and then going into a place I know nothing about is intimidating to say the least.

Any information/opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated. I really do feel lost and like I don't have enough time to plan everything.

Oh you are in for a treat!!! We go every year and we love DL.

First of all. You will be able to walk to DL, walk down Disneyland Drive to DTD and then walk through there and into the parks. It will be a little bit of a walk.. maybe 10 mins or so. We stay on the other side of DL and walk that same distance and its totally doable.
Tickets.. We usually get ours on Mousesavers.. you can buy 3 days and get a 4th free and then we just print off the voucher and go up to the ticket window in the front of the park. You can also just buy your tickets there in the morning. 4 days is great that is what we usually do although last year we were there in July and it was busy so we ended up buying an additional day, they refund the price of the original ticket and you pay the difference - I think that you can do that at WDW as well so same thing.
Last summer we fastpassed WOC and got there about 45 mins early. If you aren't going to get a fastpass for it try and watch from the bridge by Ariels Grotto.. that is where I like to watch. I would get there about 30 mins early.. depends on how busy the park is that day but I LOVE WOC.. its stunning (makes me cry) You can also book a late dinner at Ariels Grotto and watch it as the restaurant overlooks the water where WOC is
DL Rides - We usually go straight to Star Tours because its right there when you enter, and then the matterhorn BUT peterpans flight has the longest wait and no FP. Space Mountain can also be done right away if you are doing startours because its right there.
DCA rides - CARS.. the BEST ride in the world. RUN THERE lol.. ok I am not for running in the parks but walk with passion there.. if not get a FP.. but do this by noon because they go fast. I personally would get a fastpass for cars on my way to riding Toy Story because there is no FP for that. Cali Screaming is awesome but you can get into the single riders line there and you won't wait too long. .maybe 10 mins at the VERY most.. and thats during peak times.
Food.. yummmm... OK.. we like Ariels Grotto if you want princesses (9 year old DD here) but for a really cool experience the Blue Bayou.. the restaurant is inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and the food is good as well. QS - Love the Bengal BBQ which is beside the Indiana Jones Ride - its really good. I also like the Hungry Bear which is in Critter Country - its just like sandwiches and burgers stuff like that but its well priced and there is a ton of seating which overlook the Rivers of America.
If you want to eat off site I would recommend Anaheim Garden Walk which is just down the road from you.. its on W. Katella. They have a restaurant called Fire and Ice and its awesome.
We love to go to Santa Monica.. its just awesome. I LOVE Venice Beach.. just to people watch.. its neat.. and the most important thing to do.. RELAX and HAVE FUN!!! Don't worry about preplanning for DL too much we NEVER do and we usually go in July and we ride usually in the first 2 days and see everything. The locals are great.. last year we met a DL club called the Wonderlanders and we hung out with them for a couple of hours and they took us on rides and pointed out neat little things that we didn't know. Your going to have so much fun!

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

As for needing a jacket in June, I would bring a light one for the evenings. Due to the lack of humidity it can get a bit chilly at night, even when it was hot and sunny during the day. You may not end up needing it, but I always carry one with me and have been glad I did every time.

 

[BrittyRo]

I'm so grateful for all of the advice guys! It's really helpful and I appreciate it!
You're already helping me formulate a game plan!
I'll definitely do FL first (I would have never known about PP no FP )
I am a creature of habit and like to do one park a day first and then park hop once I have a full day in each park. (Maybe this will change when I get there) and then tomorrowland (for space star tours and buzz and then over to grab splash FP head to adventure land
I guess I will go get a WOC FP when I enter then head to tsmm and then grab a RSR FP, single rider CS
Anything else at DCA get especially long lines??

 

[Mousequake]

I guess I will go get a WOC FP when I enter then head to tsmm and then grab a RSR FP, single rider CS
Anything else at DCA get especially long lines??

Possibly ToT, but TSMM and RSR are by far the longest lines. Once you get those two out of they way, you should be good!

 

[BrittyRo]

Possibly ToT, but TSMM and RSR are by far the longest lines. Once you get those two out of they way, you should be good!

ToT is the one ride I refuse to do. So I guess I'm good LOL