We head to DL this week-a couple of last minute questions

[mom25kiddos]

Assuming we all pass our covid tests with flying colours on Friday, we arrive to Newport Beach on Saturday. We have four days planned at DL (Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday). We have been several times before and many times to WDW so our focus is letting the kids enjoy Avengers Campus and Star Wars. We do not complete detailed plans, and we do not typically rope drop (though we likely will one day, have Oga's booked for 9-I know this time sucks, but it's what I got). We will pay for LL and have Genie + and we just don't sweat what we miss. Our kids will close a park down, but not open one up, lol, we have five including 2 teens and this just works awesome for us. We also purposely stay far away (since arrival time isn't key for us) as space is super important and location. But, given we are not going back for mid-day rest periods, wondering a couple of things:

1. where would you suggest for break-like a late lunch spot we could walk to or take transit (we will have a car but that seems like a pain)? Being a family of 7, ADRs s are super hard to come by, so we try to hit places off peak times and maybe not as popular of spots (so perhaps not DTD-unless there are walk up options)
2. We have always had a stroller and this year we likely won't (so weird after so many years of one in the park). Do you think a locker is best idea for storing jackets and such, or should we carry a couple of backpacks? We used to bring full meals for lunch, but expect it will be more snacks and water bottles now.
3. Any advice for non-rope droppers (preferably not become a rope dropper, lol)-which attractions to leave until later etc. The only rides that are 'must dos' are the RLR, smugglers run and web slingers.
4. On busy days, what time do LL typically sell out (so we are in the park by at least then!)? I have been watching on the app but haven't seem to find the sweet spot.
5. Also if anyone has any great ideas on how to score plaza inn when it opens on friday for the following friday, let me know! Large family reservations are tough!

Lastly, wish us luck on all the frantic covid testing on Friday! Can't wait for that hurdle to be removed.

 

[jina]

Good luck! There looks to be a Covid surge starting in Northern CA as I know of a few people testing positive in the last few days.

The Anaheim Garden Walk is a 10-15 min walk at Harbor and Katella. I don’t know what places survived Covid but I’ve loved going to the Bubba Gumps, Roy’s, P.F. Chang’s and Cheesecake Factory.

 

[mouschievous]

There's a Denny's on Harbor. Easy walk from the park, and my ILs got right in even with 8 of them. Much less expensive than park food, too. H and I didn't go with them that time, but we're planning to go there on our next trip in July.

 

[starlite_]

I will 100% suggest the lockers. I always rent one to store everything, jackets, change of clothes/shoes if I plan to do Splash or Grizzly, anything I might buy, chargers, etc etc. It's super helpful for me to not have to carry stuff around.

 

[DharmaLou]

I always get a locker and if I have PH then I get my locker in the esplanade rather than inside one of the parks. That way I shop for merch as I'm leaving one park so I can store it there and not carry it around the next park.

Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles is a good local spot south on Harbor just past Orangewood on the left side.

 

[Pluto468]

For a lunch spot, we really like Mimi's. It's on Harbor right next to Hojo. 10-15 minute walk depending on your speed.

We always rented lockers on main street. They come in different sizes and are very handy.

Could you make separate Plaza Inn reservations for your group but then sit next to each other? When I was there in 2019 I stopped by and asked if they had room and they did, but I'm not sure if it's still like that these days.

 

[Whistlebee]

Dining reservations often open up the week of, or a few days before your park days. I'd keep looking! Look for a reservation for 6, and when you check in, let them know you have 1 extra person. Downtown Disney also has a few quick service walk-up places. Naples in downtown Disney has a huge pizza, that can serve a big family, and I like their family style salad you can add on. I think it's a good value for what you're getting.

 

[Astylla]

I've been able to snag Blue Bayou the day before , Oga's , Trader Sam's etc by checking often. You can look up mouse dining too for options as a heads up on reservations as they open too

 

[Louis63]

I usually get a locker outside the parks in the esplanade area, as far as food goes you can either uber or transit to the Anaheim Packing District more like a high end food court, I also have good luck getting a table at La Brea bakery in DtD

 

[mom25kiddos]

Thanks so much for the good advice. I wasn't sure I could divide our party into 2 reservations (which would be totally fine with us) but will see. I have been using mouse dining but so far only snagged Oga's for 0900 (not ideal, lol).

 

[Jason2015]

The Anaheim Garden Walk is a 10-15 min walk at Harbor and Katella. I don’t know what places survived Covid but I’ve loved going to the Bubba Gumps, Roy’s, P.F. Chang’s and Cheesecake Factory.

Fire and Ice (an enhanced all you can eat Mongolian Grill with the typical stir-fry plus burgers, hot dogs and fajitas) is also in the GardenWalk. They do a weekend brunch that is great for a late morning/early afternoon lunch

 

[Matrixleos]

Thanks so much for the good advice. I wasn't sure I could divide our party into 2 reservations (which would be totally fine with us) but will see. I have been using mouse dining but so far only snagged Oga's for 0900 (not ideal, lol).

When you search for reservations, try to select a smaller number like 2 people. I remember when we booked several reservations, nothing would show up when I selected 5 people. Although when I edited the search to only 2 people, I had a lot more options. Make the reservation and then go the the Disneyland website or app and try to edit the reservation from 2 to your required number. During 4 of 5 reservations, it allowed us to modify the number of people. The only one that didn't allow that was Blue Bayou.

Although this was during July 2021 and not sure if they still allow modifying the number of people on a reservation now a days but give it a try.

 

[Matrixleos]

Assuming we all pass our covid tests with flying colours on Friday, we arrive to Newport Beach on Saturday. We have four days planned at DL (Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday). We have been several times before and many times to WDW so our focus is letting the kids enjoy Avengers Campus and Star Wars. We do not complete detailed plans, and we do not typically rope drop (though we likely will one day, have Oga's booked for 9-I know this time sucks, but it's what I got). We will pay for LL and have Genie + and we just don't sweat what we miss. Our kids will close a park down, but not open one up, lol, we have five including 2 teens and this just works awesome for us. We also purposely stay far away (since arrival time isn't key for us) as space is super important and location. But, given we are not going back for mid-day rest periods, wondering a couple of things:

1. where would you suggest for break-like a late lunch spot we could walk to or take transit (we will have a car but that seems like a pain)? Being a family of 7, ADRs s are super hard to come by, so we try to hit places off peak times and maybe not as popular of spots (so perhaps not DTD-unless there are walk up options)
2. We have always had a stroller and this year we likely won't (so weird after so many years of one in the park). Do you think a locker is best idea for storing jackets and such, or should we carry a couple of backpacks? We used to bring full meals for lunch, but expect it will be more snacks and water bottles now.
3. Any advice for non-rope droppers (preferably not become a rope dropper, lol)-which attractions to leave until later etc. The only rides that are 'must dos' are the RLR, smugglers run and web slingers.
4. On busy days, what time do LL typically sell out (so we are in the park by at least then!)? I have been watching on the app but haven't seem to find the sweet spot.
5. Also if anyone has any great ideas on how to score plaza inn when it opens on friday for the following friday, let me know! Large family reservations are tough!

Lastly, wish us luck on all the frantic covid testing on Friday! Can't wait for that hurdle to be removed.

1. If you have no Table Service reservations, I'd recommend the following locations for a late lunch spot.

• Disneyland: Hungry Bear, just make sure you place a mobile order early morning for your families desired timeslot to eat at. Thing that I loved about this location is all the seating area's that are shaded on the different levels of seating. Favorite spot is towards the top level on the left side. Where if you find a table(s) for your family in the shade, you'll get a break from the sun and have amazing views of the Disneyland train passing by, along with all the boats that will pass by on the Rivers of America. FYI, several great items on the menu but honestly the Honey-Spiced Chicken sandwich was one of the best spicey chicken sandwiches I ever had. Would have easily have gotten a 2nd order of it if not for a 2 hour wait window I was quoted.
• Disneyland: Ronto Roasters, if your family doesn't want a reserved time for mobile order and standby times are just too long. If you just wants something quick, then you can't go wrong with a Ronto Wrap. I'll buy them and still go to Hungry Bear for seating for the same reasons listed above for an afternoon break in the shade.
• DCA: Pym's Test Kitchen, just make sure you place a mobile order early morning for your families desired timeslot to eat at. There's not any shaded areas in the outdoor seating area but if it's not too hot, you'll be in a great spot to watch the different shows that occur just outside in Avengers Campus. Although if the sun is glaring and you want to escape the heat, I'd recommend taking your food from Pym's to the seating area next to the Hyperion Theater. FYI, the Giant Pretzel is great for the family to share. Although I highly recommend paying for extra beer cheese sauce when ordering. Just the one small one they give is just not enough for a giant pretzel like that. You'll be glad you got the extra sauce.
• DCA: Shawarma Palace, if your family doesn't want a reserved time for mobile order and standby times are just too long. If you just wants something quick, then you can't go wrong with a chicken or falafel wrap. Shawarma Palace has two carts, with the one in Avengers Campus usually having long lines during lunch times. Although the second Shawarma Palace cart is right near the Hyperion Theater and usually they are walk up or just a short line. Similar as above, I'd use the seating near the Hyperion Theater since there are a lot of shaded tables.

3. If you have a 9am for Oga's and have to get up early anyway, try to rope drop that morning. If rope dropping Smugglers Run, go to Galaxy's Edge through Frontierland. This path will be your closest path to get to Smugglers Run. This ride seats 6, which are 2 pilots, gunners and engineers. Try to skip being an engineer, so if you're a family of 7, break up into two groups of 4 and 3 to take the pilot and gunner slots if possible.

If you are targeting rope dropping Rise of the Resistance, go to Galaxy's Edge through Adventureland. Try to be near the front, as a large portion of the crowd will peel off to Indiana Jones and then you'll have a clear shot to Rise of the Resistance through New Orleans Square. Plus stick to the path directly to the right of Hungry Bear.

Webslingers has absolutely no shade, so try to hit it as early in the morning if you can, while it's still cool.