WDW veteran's long list of newbie DL questions

[scubamouse]

We're headed to DL in 10 days We'll be doing a 3 day stay and get one early morning. I know how to get through WDW without using a map but we've never been to DL. So here are my questions:

We're staying at hojo, disney facing - is there a certain section we should request?

We have e-tickets, will we get hard plastic tickets like at WDW and if so, when/how?

If we want to add on a day, is it as easy as at WDW?

We aren't doing ADRs but where do you love to go for dinner that's a step up from burgers, in or out of the park?

Is there good mexican in or out of the park?

It'll be the week before Easter, is it worth getting Ridemax for the trip? Also, how do the crowds compare to late summer at WDW in a week like that?

Our early morning will be Tuesday and we'll be doing that at 7am. Is the 7am start a deterrant or do people still rise and shine?

If we go on Sunday night for a few hours, will it mess up our ability to use the Tues am magic hour?

Also, we're surprising the kids with the DL part. They're 8 and almos 7 so they can read signs. Any ideas for how when they'll figure out where they're going. They know they're going to 'Anaheim' and staying at a hotel with a 'water park' HoJo

I'd also like to give Hydroguy a big shout out for his great advice!

TIA

 

[DizNee Luver]

We're headed to DL in 10 days We'll be doing a 3 day stay and get one early morning. I know how to get through WDW without using a map but we've never been to DL. So here are my questions:

We're staying at hojo, disney facing - is there a certain section we should request?

We have e-tickets, will we get hard plastic tickets like at WDW and if so, when/how?

If we want to add on a day, is it as easy as at WDW?

We aren't doing ADRs but where do you love to go for dinner that's a step up from burgers, in or out of the park?

Is there good mexican in or out of the park?

It'll be the week before Easter, is it worth getting Ridemax for the trip? Also, how do the crowds compare to late summer at WDW in a week like that?

Our early morning will be Tuesday and we'll be doing that at 7am. Is the 7am start a deterrant or do people still rise and shine?

If we go on Sunday night for a few hours, will it mess up our ability to use the Tues am magic hour?

Also, we're surprising the kids with the DL part. They're 8 and almos 7 so they can read signs. Any ideas for how when they'll figure out where they're going. They know they're going to 'Anaheim' and staying at a hotel with a 'water park' HoJo

I'd also like to give Hydroguy a big shout out for his great advice!

TIA

I can't help with all the questions, but I'll try on some of these:

#4 - Downtown Disney has a number of good restaurants (House of Blues, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, ESPN Zone, Rainforest Cafe) I'd suggest going for an early dinner to avoid crowds. Otherwise, look at the restaurant choices in the park & call 714-781-3463 & get a PS...it's very easy to do.

#5 - Rancho del Zocala is located in Frontierland....lots of posters love it, we did not. Tortilla Joes is in DTD....again lots of mixed reviews on this place. There may be better options a little further from the parks.

#6 - You are going at a busy time, but we've survived Easter & the days following it last year & the 4th of July during the 50th Anniversary.....never needed a program to get us thru. Ridemax would totally be a personal choice. Just remember to take full advantage of your FP's ..... load up early in the day & ride all evening on them.

#7 - 7am is early, but you will be there with a bunch of other travelers. It is definately worth it to get up to be there for this. The crowds will be much more manageable & as the morning progresses you will definately see a change. My best advice for this is to hit Peter Pan first...Dumbo next & then the Matterhorn.... the rest in any order after that. That has been our experience on maximizing the MM.

#8 - No, they have special gates open for MM & it's only during the time for entry that it "takes it off your card". So you could go in Sunday morning, anytime AFTER the MM & still be able to use it later in the week.

There are signs for Disneyland & when you pull up on Harbor......it's right there..... they should have no problem figuring it out. We surprised our kiddos with our trip on the 7th & we had them do a scavenger hunt the night before we left.....it was awesome for them to find the clues, figure out that we were going to Disneyland...but even more fun to see their reaction when we said we're going Tomorrow!!!! Hope they're excited!!!

 

[Hound 109]

See Below:

We're headed to DL in 10 days We'll be doing a 3 day stay and get one early morning. I know how to get through WDW without using a map but we've never been to DL. So here are my questions:

We're staying at hojo, disney facing - is there a certain section we should request?

We have e-tickets, will we get hard plastic tickets like at WDW and if so, when/how?

I believe they're still flimsy cardboardy tickets...you can convert them when you arrive at the entrance turnstile.....it will take about 15 seconds per ticket for the CM to hand you your tickets (that you will use for FP gathering).

This might be another reason to "go in" the first evening. Get the tickets, get your bearings, enjoy Walt's Park leisurely (convert your ticks, take pics, ride a ride etc.) that first evening so you can get down to business the next morning.

If we want to add on a day, is it as easy as at WDW?

Yes....& converting a 3 day to a 4 day is a good deal & a good idea.

We aren't doing ADRs but where do you love to go for dinner that's a step up from burgers, in or out of the park?

If nice out, I like the Tratoria in DCA (sitting outside). $11 pasta dishes & $9 sandwiches & salads...plus the kids get $6 pasta or chicken dishes & wine is available. It's not "great" but it's good...& a value. There are also nice sit down restaurants in DTD, which is a short walk from both Park's front gates.

Is there good mexican in or out of the park?

I think Rancho del Zocolo (next to BTMRR) is good (not great). But they have big portions & great Tres Leches cake.

It'll be the week before Easter, is it worth getting Ridemax for the trip? Also, how do the crowds compare to late summer at WDW in a week like that?

I believe RideMax is worth the $15 bucks if one knew nothing, & following RideMax would be better than just winging it. More importantly, if you get RideMax, you'll get the map out & study a little. Then you'll come here for advice on how to deviate & customize. But Ridemax gives one a good general guide.

I'm a diz geek & still learn things from RideMax, so it's worth the $15 (or $25 per year).

Our early morning will be Tuesday and we'll be doing that at 7am. Is the 7am start a deterrant or do people still rise and shine?

It's Spring Break, so yes there will be folks up & at'em early. Best to get to the Security Tables by 6:20 if you want to maximize MM.

If we go on Sunday night for a few hours, will it mess up our ability to use the Tues am magic hour?

NO. & I highly recommend going in for a few hours to get your bearings & enjoying Walt's park & DCA leisurely. You'll see how close things are & how easy it is to Park Hop. You'll see how small the castle is...(it's REALLY small)...get that shock out of the way & also you may want to schedule the Fireworks that first night

Also, we're surprising the kids with the DL part. They're 8 and almos 7 so they can read signs. Any ideas for how when they'll figure out where they're going. They know they're going to 'Anaheim' and staying at a hotel with a 'water park' HoJo

They'll see the Matterhorn from HOJO....when i was a kid in the mid 60s, (driving to DL) seeing the Matterhorn was greatest sight in the world. (still is ).

I'd also like to give Hydroguy a big shout out for his great advice!

His tips rock. & if your kids haven't done Jedi Training, do it..they'll love it.

TIA

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[scubamouse]

Thanks so much!

Another question -I was looking on a map and it looks like Hojo is farther away from the entrance than other hotels but it's also on a corner. Is its advantage that it's right at a crosswalk so a quick hop over.

Also, any Hojo location recommendations in the hotel?

 

[scubamouse]

bump Any suggestions on where to ask to stay in Hojo?

 

[Kayla's Mom]

bump Any suggestions on where to ask to stay in Hojo?

I believe if you have a Disney view room, you will be in building 1, which can be nosier due to the freeway traffic. We prefer building 2, which is further back and by the garden pool. Here is a link that may help you:

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/assets/pdf/room_layouts.pdf