WWYD? First day

[BrerMama]

We will be arriving at LAX on Friday about 9:30 am. We have a private shuttle which will take us to HoJo, and I'm anticipating we'll be there no later than 11 am (I'm being generous here). After we check in, our first priority will be food. I have an almost 15 year old son and a 9 year old daughter who are both currently in the "hollow leg" stage of development and they eat constantly.

Here's how I see our choices:

1. Check in, store luggage, and head for Mimi's.
2. Check in, store luggage, and head for DL, eating at the first place we see. Not sure what this would be, and hot dogs are definitely out for me and my 13 y.o. dd.
3. Check in, store luggage, and head for CA, eating at Taste Pilot's. Am I correct in thinking this is near the entrance?

We are definitely going to the parks that day, and am just wondering if I can keep my family out of them long enough to eat a decent meal.

Any other suggestions? What would you do?

 

[NStramler]

I would eat, then hit the parks.

 

[TrickStar Rider]

Howdy!! So jealous you are so close, how exciting!!

Personally, I would go with number 1, only for cost and the food at Mimis is so good. DW could make a fine argument for #2, you could have a good start at Carnation Cafe in DL, that is pretty close to the gate.

Either way, have a great time!! Myself, after herding the fam and finally getting there, would probably forget to eat. lol

 

[PinkBudgie]

Since you will arriving late anyway, you might consider going to DCA first.

 

[Sherry E]

Taste Pilots Grill is not exactly near the DCA entrance but it is not too far. You have to walk in the entrance of DCA, past Enginears on your right hand side, then turn right, walk to Condor Flats, make another right and then you will see TPG on your right hand side, near Soarin.

If you head into DL through their main entrance, you will be on Main Street, and the first table service place to eat would be Carnation on your left hand side as you make your way down Main St. Coke Corner and Blue Ribbon Bakery are also along Main. Now you could bypass both DL and DCA and head into DTD. Your son may enjoy ESPN Zone (games and good food!), though it is at the far end of DTD and will require walking.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would probably hit Mimi's first. It will be hard to get them to stop there, but I bet it will be even harder to get them into a park and then say "wait! we need to eat!" Best to get them fed before entering the parks.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I lean towards that too. Then you can go straight through to an early dinner with maybe just a snack to hold you. You didn't say how long you are staying. If it is only two days counting that one, I'd say eat on the run. If you aren't so rushed, then stop and eat and hit DCA. Just be sure to be up early the next day to make it to DL before opening, because that is the best ride time.

 

[Queenbillabong]

We will be arriving at LAX on Friday about 9:30 am. We have a private shuttle which will take us to HoJo, and I'm anticipating we'll be there no later than 11 am (I'm being generous here). After we check in, our first priority will be food. I have an almost 15 year old son and a 9 year old daughter who are both currently in the "hollow leg" stage of development and they eat constantly.

Here's how I see our choices:

1. Check in, store luggage, and head for Mimi's.
2. Check in, store luggage, and head for DL, eating at the first place we see. Not sure what this would be, and hot dogs are definitely out for me and my 13 y.o. dd.
3. Check in, store luggage, and head for CA, eating at Taste Pilot's. Am I correct in thinking this is near the entrance?

We are definitely going to the parks that day, and am just wondering if I can keep my family out of them long enough to eat a decent meal.

Any other suggestions? What would you do?

I'd go with #1. I know that my son would not want to stop to eat once he gets in the parks, until he's been there a while Mimis is good. The soups are a good deal too. About $5 and you get the soup and different breads to go with. I find the meals there to be very large and more than enough to share.

 

[mechurchlady]

It depends on how tired you are and how stressed out your are and if you want to hit the parks. Mimi's would be great if you are not ready for parks. If you are all up to doing parks then do Taste Pilot's Grill for burgers or Plaza Inn for a great sit down meal with big tables to set and quietly plan your next park moves.

I would have all three plans with me. You never know what you are going to feel like when you check into the hotel and may have had a rough trip or not slept well the night before. Mimi's if you are tired and just need to eat then crash or parks if you are raring to go.

 

[BrerMama]

We have 8 day tickets and are staying for 9 nights, so we'll have plenty of time to take it slow and explore. I think we were one of the last to be able to purchase the 8 day hoppers. Some of what we do may depend on whether or not they have a room ready for us when we arrive. If it is, we may go to Mimi's, then back to unpack, then over to enjoy late afternoon/evening at the parks. If not, I may take the advice here anyway, and head for Mimi's to get food first, and then enjoy the parks until the room is ready.

 

[mechurchlady]

Don't forget that you have a two hour difference in time zones. I was in Texas and at dinner time I was not hungry until 7 or 8 pm because of the time difference. At noon it would be 2 pm your time probably and you will need to feed them hungry kids.

http://www.mimiscafe.com/
You can see their menu and I love to eat at their restaurant in my area. They have a wide selection of food like veggie, turkey and beef burgers, steaks, fish, salads, and comfort foods. If not then there is a Quiznos down the street and McDonalds but DO NOT eat at Captain Kidd's.

 

[sdfamily]

Arriving at 9:30 and expecting to be at the hotel by 11:00 could be accurate or could be way off by and hour or so.

Here's what I would do.

Just North of Disneyland, I think there is an In-n-Out Burger. Stop there for yummy burgers and inhale those on your way to check in.

Ditch bags at hotel and head to DCA. DL has been pretty busy mid-day. Then in the afternoon head back to hotel for snack and go to DL for the night.

If you're arriving at 9:30, you are probably from the West Coast and might be familiar with In-n-Out, but if not, they are the best burgers out there (and chocolate shakes).

 

[PinkBudgie]

We have 8 day tickets and are staying for 9 nights, so we'll have plenty of time to take it slow and explore. I think we were one of the last to be able to purchase the 8 day hoppers. Some of what we do may depend on whether or not they have a room ready for us when we arrive. If it is, we may go to Mimi's, then back to unpack, then over to enjoy late afternoon/evening at the parks. If not, I may take the advice here anyway, and head for Mimi's to get food first, and then enjoy the parks until the room is ready.

Oh great! You have lots of time! In that case, you better eat something first. Have fun!

 

[teatime]

eat out side the park, then run to the parks and have a w3onderful time!!!!

we fly in at 7:30 at night and by the time we get to our motel it will be late. we plan to run to the park and get our vouchers made into tickets, then head out and to milli's and have dinner and then to bed so we can have an early start.

 

[pixiewings71]

8 day hoppers?? Wow, you should have just bought an AP, you'd get discounts that way! lol

Anyway, I think I'd go with option 1, go to Mimi's to eat before hitting the parks. Then you can eat later in the day when dining crowds are lower. Have FUN!!!

 

[mystic_path]

We always get 8 day hoppers too and you have WAY more then enough time in the parks to take everything in. You wont need to rush to get to Disneyland to enjoy it to feel like your missing something cause you totally wont be.

Just a few weeks back we went to DL and our flight came in at 11:15 and we went straight to the hotel, dropped off our things and headed for Mimi`s and still had plenty of time to enjoy the day.

So I am going to suggest going to Mimi`s first before the park. The food is excellent. The prices are great and so is the service. They will get you in and out of there quickly and you will feel satisfied.

 

[Hound 109]

Arriving at 9:30 and expecting to be at the hotel by 11:00 could be accurate or could be way off by and hour or so.

Here's what I would do.

Just North of Disneyland, I think there is an In-n-Out Burger. Stop there for yummy burgers and inhale those on your way to check in.

Ditch bags at hotel and head to DCA. DL has been pretty busy mid-day. Then in the afternoon head back to hotel for snack and go to DL for the night.

If you're arriving at 9:30, you are probably from the West Coast and might be familiar with In-n-Out, but if not, they are the best burgers out there (and chocolate shakes).

I agree with this with one minor change.

After ditching the bags head first to DL. Grab a FP (or two) for later, ride a ride or two.....THEN hop to DCA.