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Planning First Trip to Disneyland, HELP!
About This Page: This is a discussion on Planning First Trip to Disneyland, HELP! within the DL: Planning Your Disneyland Adventure, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Originally Posted by DisneyJillian18
I was looking at the dining package, but didn't know if it was worth it. I'll ...
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I was looking at the dining package, but didn't know if it was worth it. I'll look into it!
DO NOT DO THE DINING PACKAGE AT DLR!!!
If you have used the Dining Plan at WDW I want to tell you that the one at DLR is NOT anything like it. Out here you are given 'chits' with different values and you must use the FULL value of each chit or you forfeit the balance. In other words if you have a bill for $4.20 and use a $5 chit, you just gave DLR $.80. It can get worse if the amount is less and the chit value is higher. If you are staying 'on property', just use your room key to pay you bills with or use cash outright.
Caution!!! Do not get the dining plan at Disneyland. It is not the same as the plan at WDW. The DL plan gives you vouchers for your meals. If you go over the amount of the voucher, you pay out of pocket to make up the difference, If the amount of the meal is less than the voucher, you don't get any change back, It is really a horrible dining plan, You can do much better paying OOP (out of pocket). If you like having the funds put aside. Get some Disney gift cards to pay for your meals. That way it will be paid in advance,
Oh Goodness! Thank you so much for warning me, that is a terrible idea! Disney should really think about using the system that have at WDW! Thanks again!
DO NOT DO THE DINING PACKAGE AT DLR!!!
If you have used the Dining Plan at WDW I want to tell you that the one at DLR is NOT anything like it. Out here you are given 'chits' with different values and you must use the FULL value of each chit or you forfeit the balance. In other words if you have a bill for $4.20 and use a $5 chit, you just gave DLR $.80. It can get worse if the amount is less and the chit value is higher. If you are staying 'on property', just use your room key to pay you bills with or use cash outright.
Thank you! I can't believe Disney is using this system!
Oh Goodness! Thank you so much for warning me, that is a terrible idea! Disney should really think about using the system that have at WDW! Thanks again!
A few years ago we were staying in the Grand Californian and when we went to the parks we were only able to charge things back to the room a 1/4 of the time. I blew a gasket and asked the Cast members why was it like pulling teeth to charge things back to the room. They told me this was new to Disneyland and I must have given a shocked look because my question was answered before I had to ask; they said Disney World always gets things years in advance to Disneyland. This dining plan is very similar to the original dining plan at WDW. I remember using that plan and on our last night we ended up buying the couples meal setting next to us along with our meal to use up the money left on our plan before we left the next day.
A few years ago we were staying in the Grand Californian and when we went to the parks we were only able to charge things back to the room a 1/4 of the time. I blew a gasket and asked the Cast members why was it like pulling teeth to charge things back to the room. They told me this was new to Disneyland and I must have given a shocked look because my question was answered before I had to ask; they said Disney World always gets things years in advance to Disneyland. This dining plan is very similar to the original dining plan at WDW. I remember using that plan and on our last night we ended up buying the couples meal setting next to us along with our meal to use up the money left on our plan before we left the next day.
You would think Disneyland would get the things first because it was the first park, but I guess Disney World is bigger and it might be easier to work out the kinks there. That is a wonderful thing for you to do for that couple! I bet they loved you! Very nice to see there are still kind people in the world!
You may want to take one credit card or cash with you. Many places at DTD in DL does not accept the room key as payment for meals or snacks, even if you are in one of the DL resorts (we stayed at GC). We'd a lot of fun there, the close distance from both parks helps us to go from park to park and we also enjoyed DTD. Lot of places to shopping and eateries. We'd a meal at the restaurant at the GC and it was great!!!
You may want to take one credit card or cash with you. Many places at DTD in DL does not accept the room key as payment for meals or snacks, even if you are in one of the DL resorts (we stayed at GC). We'd a lot of fun there, the close distance from both parks helps us to go from park to park and we also enjoyed DTD. Lot of places to shopping and eateries. We'd a meal at the restaurant at the GC and it was great!!!
Thank you! We have a special credit card just for vacations; we've had our numbers stolen twice so we learned! We just keep cash in it when we go on vacation. Speaking of DTD, anything you would recommend? Is it similar to DW DTD?
Thank you! We have a special credit card just for vacations; we've had our numbers stolen twice so we learned! We just keep cash in it when we go on vacation. Speaking of DTD, anything you would recommend? Is it similar to DW DTD?
Well, it is 'sorta, kinda' like DTD WDW in as much as it has some retail stores, resturants and a theater but about a third of the size. It is a whole lot closer to all of the 'action' than at WDW as it is no more than a 5 minute walk from any of the resort hotels and either park. There is no Disney Quest or Cirque du Soleil.
Well, it is 'sorta, kinda' like DTD WDW in as much as it has some retail stores, resturants and a theater but about a third of the size.
That was pretty much exactly what I was thinking as well. DTD at DL is much more . . . compact, if you will.
As for the dining plan, I agree that you should stay far, far away from it . . . unless you are OK with wasting hard earned money! It is good, in theory, if you are planning on doing a ton of calculation and spending all your vacation time making sure that you use each and every voucher to its full value but who wants to do that?! :
For World of Color, I would recommend trying to book a World of Color dining package meal. However, as you are getting closer (and being that it is summer time), it could be harder to snag a package so you'll want to act fast and call in to make your reservation! If you are going next month, then you are definitely within your 60 days out to make reservations! With the package, you will get a great meal and a ticket for preferred viewing of World of Color.
If you can't get in for a dining package reservation (or don't like the restaurant choices), then there are two FastPASS options you can go with . . . the World of Color Picnic meal (pre-order a picnic meal on the DL site, pick it up on the day of your chosen show. When you pick up your meal, you will be handed a FastPASS for one of the WOC shows that night.) OR you can arrive at DCA as soon as the park opens (10am is the normal opening time) and book it back to the turnstiles at Grizzly River Run and get in line for World of Color FastPASSes.
The must-do's for me at each park are:
DL Park - ride all rides that are unique to DL!
DCA - the Aladdin show, Soarin' Over California (there is just something about actually doing this IN California . . . ), Monsters Inc. (I've heard it called "hokey" but I like it! ) and, as soon as I can make it back, CARS LAND!
That was pretty much exactly what I was thinking as well. DTD at DL is much more . . . compact, if you will.
As for the dining plan, I agree that you should stay far, far away from it . . . unless you are OK with wasting hard earned money! It is good, in theory, if you are planning on doing a ton of calculation and spending all your vacation time making sure that you use each and every voucher to its full value but who wants to do that?! :
For World of Color, I would recommend trying to book a World of Color dining package meal. However, as you are getting closer (and being that it is summer time), it could be harder to snag a package so you'll want to act fast and call in to make your reservation! If you are going next month, then you are definitely within your 60 days out to make reservations! With the package, you will get a great meal and a ticket for preferred viewing of World of Color.
If you can't get in for a dining package reservation (or don't like the restaurant choices), then there are two FastPASS options you can go with . . . the World of Color Picnic meal (pre-order a picnic meal on the DL site, pick it up on the day of your chosen show. When you pick up your meal, you will be handed a FastPASS for one of the WOC shows that night.) OR you can arrive at DCA as soon as the park opens (10am is the normal opening time) and book it back to the turnstiles at Grizzly River Run and get in line for World of Color FastPASSes.
The must-do's for me at each park are:
DL Park - ride all rides that are unique to DL!
DCA - the Aladdin show, Soarin' Over California (there is just something about actually doing this IN California . . . ), Monsters Inc. (I've heard it called "hokey" but I like it! ) and, as soon as I can make it back, CARS LAND!
Oh my dear DopeyGirl . You are living in the 'pre-Carsland' days when you think of the 'normal opening time' as 10 am for DCA. . After the opening, the 'now normal' opening time for DCA matches that of Disneyland, 8 am in the summer or 9 am in the winter. And as a local I would prefer that everyone would still think of it as 10 as then that would give some of us a whole 2 hours to enjoy Carsland before the crush begins .
Just to support what you're already being told, DL is great to be able to spend multiple days at- I always feel gypped when we go for less than 5 days, and I've been about eleven times. We try to hit every show as well as the big rides- do NOT miss Aladdin at the Hyperion Theatre (DCA) and Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe. (DL) When we went to WDW, my 8 yo DD mourned the lack of Billy Hill And the first time my then-12-yo DS saw Aladdin, he said I don't know how much you and Dad paid for us to come today, but that show was worth the whole price!
Hi , I hope you don't mind if I ask some questions on your thread, as we are planning a spring 2013 trip to DL. We've only been to DL once, in 2005, before we had kids. Now we have two boys who are dying to see Carsland!
Is there a reserved seating package for Fantasmic?
What are the best character meals?
What are the crowd levels typically like the last week of May?
Hi , I hope you don't mind if I ask some questions on your thread, as we are planning a spring 2013 trip to DL. We've only been to DL once, in 2005, before we had kids. Now we have two boys who are dying to see Carsland!
Is there a reserved seating package for Fantasmic?
What are the best character meals?
What are the crowd levels typically like the last week of May?
Thanks!
Let me see if I can assist you just a little bit knowing someone else will come along and refine the information I have just posted.
Is there a reserved seating package for Fantasmic? According to a Disney web site: Premium Viewing.
Reserve your prime seat and tempting dessert sampler with this delightful premium viewing option! Take in the show from an elevated section near the anchor by Café Orleans and the French Market. Call the reservation line at (714) 781-SHOW (7469) for ticket prices and to reserve your seat up to 30 days before the show. Ticket does not include regular park admission. Reserved seating is first come, first served, so get there early!
What are the best character meals? In our opinion there really is no 'best' but all are great. Here is a complete list that I know of:
Ariel's Grotto (Breakfast) Paradise Pier, California Adventure Disney's PCH Grill (Breakfast) Paradise Pier Hotel Goofy's Kitchen (Brakfast & Dinner) Disneyland Hotel Plaza Inn (Breakfast) Main Street, Disneyland Storytellers Cafe (Breakfast) Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
What are the crowd levels typically like the last week of May?
Medium crowd levels until Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day and the proceeding weekend are very busy.
I hope this information is what you seek is is helpful to you.
Have you taken a stroll down Harbor Blvd on Google Maps? I would recommend finding the address and then using the 'street view' option to take a virtual walk from Ramada Maingate to the park entrance. It is very close and an easy walk.
There are some convenience shopping and quick dining about 1/2 block South on the corner of Katella and Harbor (our favorite is Alertos Mexican food, in the same shopping center as Subway).
The Ramada Plaza on Katella is great, just around the corner from the Main Gate and a nice, updated building. Our double queen room was huge and included breakfast.
Good luck making a decision and congrats on making plans for Disney
__________________
DH and I: Epcot 12/07
Life is not about the things I accumulate, but the experiences shared with others
Let me see if I can assist you just a little bit knowing someone else will come along and refine the information I have just posted.
Is there a reserved seating package for Fantasmic? According to a Disney web site: Premium Viewing.
Reserve your prime seat and tempting dessert sampler with this delightful premium viewing option! Take in the show from an elevated section near the anchor by Café Orleans and the French Market. Call the reservation line at (714) 781-SHOW (7469) for ticket prices and to reserve your seat up to 30 days before the show. Ticket does not include regular park admission. Reserved seating is first come, first served, so get there early!
What are the best character meals? In our opinion there really is no 'best' but all are great. Here is a complete list that I know of:
Ariel's Grotto (Breakfast) Paradise Pier, California Adventure Disney's PCH Grill (Breakfast) Paradise Pier Hotel Goofy's Kitchen (Brakfast & Dinner) Disneyland Hotel Plaza Inn (Breakfast) Main Street, Disneyland Storytellers Cafe (Breakfast) Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
What are the crowd levels typically like the last week of May?
Medium crowd levels until Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day and the proceeding weekend are very busy.
I hope this information is what you seek is is helpful to you.
Thanks, this is very helpful!
Has anyone every done the Prime Seating for Fantasmic? Is it worth it?
About This Page: This is a discussion on Planning First Trip to Disneyland, HELP! within the DL: Planning Your Disneyland Adventure, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Originally Posted by DisneyJillian18
I was looking at the dining package, but didn't know if it was worth it. I'll ...
:
), Monsters Inc. (I've heard it called "hokey" but I like it! 
. You are living in the 'pre-Carsland' days when you think of the 'normal opening time' as 10 am for DCA. 
. After the opening, the 'now normal' opening time for DCA matches that of Disneyland, 8 am in the summer or 9 am in the winter
. And as a local I would prefer that everyone would still think of it as 10 as then that would give some of us a whole 2 hours to enjoy Carsland before the crush begins 
.
We try to hit every show as well as the big rides- do NOT miss Aladdin at the Hyperion Theatre (DCA) and Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe. (DL) When we went to WDW, my 8 yo DD mourned the lack of Billy Hill 
And the first time my then-12-yo DS saw Aladdin, he said I don't know how much you and Dad paid for us to come today, but that show was worth the whole price!
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