WDW Vet visiting Disneyland Has Many questions

[jodywgirl]

We are going to disneyland for my stepdaughters graduation tripand birthday and will be staying at the Grand Californian Villas May 31st through June 4th. The party will consist of me and my husband the graudate our 17 DD, My oldester daughter her husband and kids 2 and 5. We will also have the graduates brother who is in the military at Pendleton joining us at least one day with his wife and two boys 2 and 1 hopefully on the 3rd for her birthday. So here is my questions.

1. How do you get Priority Seating for Aladdin.

2. We are buying the 3 get five park tickets will we get an early entry morning.

3. How do you get the toontown morning madness.

4. What would be a great place for the whole group to celebrate my stepdaughters birthday on the 3rd either in the parks or close by. We are driving from colorado so we will have transportation.

 

[KCmike]

We are going to disneyland for my stepdaughters graduation tripand birthday and will be staying at the Grand Californian Villas May 31st through June 4th. The party will consist of me and my husband the graudate our 17 DD, My oldester daughter her husband and kids 2 and 5. We will also have the graduates brother who is in the military at Pendleton joining us at least one day with his wife and two boys 2 and 1 hopefully on the 3rd for her birthday. So here is my questions.

1. How do you get Priority Seating for Aladdin.

It usually comes when you buy a package thru disney.

2. We are buying the 3 get five park tickets will we get an early entry morning.

I believe you get one MM.

3. How do you get the toontown morning madness.

Package deal thru disney I do believe.

4. What would be a great place for the whole group to celebrate my stepdaughters birthday on the 3rd either in the parks or close by. We are driving from colorado so we will have transportation.

Restaurants in Downtown Disney. (Catal, Rainforest Cafe, Ralph Brennan's)
Special Dining say at Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55
How old is she going to be?

 

[jodywgirl]

She will be turning eighteen

 

[HydroGuy]

1. How do you get Priority Seating for Aladdin.

I believe that is only part of a vacation package with Disney. And not that valuable so do not sweat it.

2. We are buying the 3 get five park tickets will we get an early entry morning.

Yep, one! See "Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

3. How do you get the toontown morning madness.

Same as #1. And also most people do not find TTMM all that valuable.

4. What would be a great place for the whole group to celebrate my stepdaughters birthday on the 3rd either in the parks or close by. We are driving from colorado so we will have transportation.

Guess it depends on what you like and your budget. My kids are teens now and have always loved (and still love) Rainforest Cafe - which is in DTD. If you want to be inside DL or DCA maybe Cafe Orleans?

 

[Judy from Boise]

Or perhaps one of the restaurants overlooking the beach? There are some nice ones if you don't mind the drive.

 

[skiingfast]

We are going to disneyland for my stepdaughters graduation tripand birthday and will be staying at the Grand Californian Villas May 31st through June 4th.

When you stay at the Disney hotels you can enjoy Morning Madness each day it's available. With a 3day PH only one MM is allowed.

MM is more for getting through rides with little lines.
TTMM is more for seeing characters.

 

[4boys4us]

You should get the early entry each day it is offered....but you really don't need PS for Alladin - you do need to be there about 15 minutes prior to showtime to get the best spots (IMO the first ones there get the 2nd best spots!), but it is a fantastic show no matter where you sit.
If you are after Morning Madness, priority seating for Alladdin, Bug's life etc. you can go on ebay and get them from people who have not used them with their packages. We have gone many times on a DLR resort package and not used them, they really would only have value when it is really busy. They usually go for about 10 dollars or so. If you go on a weekday you will be fine- they are subject to availability anyway, so you have to get there early to take advantage of them in any event.
As for the birthday dinner - how much of a kid at heart is you DD? We took our DS to Goofy's Kitchen for his 16th birthday... you are never too old for PB&J pizza. At the Garden Walk on Katella there is a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., PF Changs, and a Hawaiian restaurant, they are close by and have something everyone would like.
If your DD is like my kids - early entry will not be an issue, getting up before 10 while on a holiday is unheard of!

 

[4boys4us]

Oh! I can't believe I almost forgot about the Blue Bayou! My kids LOVE it there, it is always worth the wait for a waterfront table, they wave at the people on the ride and spend the evening embarassing us!

 

[tinkermell]

Don't forget to look into the military discount for your family too. It might be cheaper than the other ticket prices.

I also hope you were able to get the 40% discount on the Grand.

If you book a vacation through Costco, you can get a character meal for each person, $20 gift card and preferred seating to Aladdin. I did the package last year and it was so worth it. Might be worth a check, if you are not set in stone already for your trip.

As for eats? Hmm.

How about Jazz Kitchen in DTD. Really cool place with live music. Make ressies for seats outside on the balcony overlooking DTD. My children are in your age range, and we love it there.

Another great choice would be the Blue Bayou inside the PotC. Ask for a table by the water so you can watch the boats go by.

Other special places would be Roys or Cheesecake Factory in the Garden Walk area. You can either walk or take a shuttle from the resort.

You will love the location of the Grand!

Have fun!

 

[BlueBayou]

I think Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen would make a nice celebration. We were surprised at how much we enjoyed it. Of all of our trips to DL I think it is our all time favorite meal.

 

[HydroGuy]

When you stay at the Disney hotels you can enjoy Morning Madness each day it's available. With a 3day PH only one MM is allowed.

MM is more for getting through rides with little lines.
TTMM is more for seeing characters.

Magic Morning, true. (Toontown) Morning Madness, not true.