DisneyLAND Info Needed

[BRER STITCH]

I'll be heading to California next month for work and will be squeezing in my longest trip ever at DL (4days!!!) in between 2 weeks of meetings. WOOHOO! :sohappy:

As I have only ever been there for a day at a time before, I have some basic questions:

1) Best way to get from Orange Cty. Airport to DL?

2) Best places to eat at or near DL?

3) Best thing to do/see outside DL (but nearby)?

4) Which shows, parades, etc are the best?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!!!

:wave:

 

[xfkirsten]

Hi there! Disneyland regular here! I'll help ya out as best I can!

1) This one I can't answer for ya, seeing as how I drive up from San Diego, I just don't know.

2) Disneyland has some great restaurants. For one of the facier ones, don't miss the Blue Bayou restaurant INSIDE Pirates of the Caribbean. Definitely an experience! Reservations are now officially required, so be sure to call ahead because you can't just walk in anymore. (You really couldn't before, anyways, because it was usually pretty busy) Also, one thing few people know is that if you want a seat by the water, just ask! Usually they are willing to accommodate, as long as you are willing to wait a little bit longer. Other good restaurants... there's an Italian place at Downtown Disney across from World of Disney that's pretty good. There's always diners within walking distance, so if you wanna save a little cash without eating fast food, just head out past all the resort trams (to the left as you exit Disneyland Park) and cross the street, there's plenty of places like Denny's there.

3) Outside DL, there's Knotts Berry Farm and Universal, both of which are excellent. Universal is a bit more of a drive away (up in Hollywood, so you gotta deal with LA traffic) but if you're interested, it is worth the drive, IMHO. Also nearby, just a little ways south, is the Santa Ana Zoo. I guess I'm just biased there cause I'm an animal person.

4) Shows and parades I definitely know, they're my favorite part! First and foremost, if you're there on either Fri/Sat/Sun, don't miss Fantasmic! It is absolutely amazing, and much much much mor impressive than WDW's version. It's playing on weekends year round now. If at all possible, try to get a seat near the front, it's even more impressive close up! You really get a good feel for the size of it all. As far as I know, Believe There's Magic in the Stars will not be running in January. But if by any chance it does, it's a beautiful fireworks show. Parade of the Stars is OK. Not great, but ok. If you really want an experience, try getting picked to be in it. They head down the parade route starting at about an hour or 45 min before step off to pick the guest performers. Over on the DCA side of things, don't miss Aladdin! It's an absolutely wonderful show, one of the best stage shows Disney's put on in the theme parks. Also, if you're there on a weekend, they have the ever-wonderful Electrical Parade (now called Disney's Electrical Parade as it is no longer on Main Street). If there's two showings of Fantasmic, it is pretty easy to watch the Electrical Parade over at DCA, then head over to Disneyland Park and catch the second Fantasmic showing (assuming you have a park hopper )

Hope this helps!!!

-Kirsten

 

[BRER STITCH]

Thanks XFKIRSTEN!!! :wave:

I appreciate the help! It gets me off to a great start!!!

I can't wait to see the shows and parades! I never knew DL's was so different from WDW's! COOL!

Is the Crystal Cathedral worth seeing down the street???

Thanks, too, for the info about the Blue Bayou! Never heard of it before!

:sohappy:

 

[xfkirsten]

As I understand it, the Crystal Cathedral is absolutely gorgeous. But that's another spot that, as a local, I've really never stopped at! :lol:

And I'm happy to help! If you have any other DL area questions I'd be happy to answer them!

-Kirsten

 

[BRER STITCH]

COOL!

Thanks again!

:wave:

 

[bryon1]

1) the ONLY way to Disneyland from John Wane via freeway is...take 55 North to the 5 Freeway north. Its about 12 miles. You can also take the 55 carpool that has a flyover that connects to the 5 via carpool and has its own carpool exit via Disney way.

2) Plaza Inn on Main St. has the best pressure cooked fried chicken. Rancho Zoloco in Frontierland has good BBQ and Mexican. Both of these have the unique walk up food court/buffetteria.
* Yamabookies at Paradise Pier Hotel has GREAT Crunchy Rolls!

3) if your renting a car Huntington Beach is a short hop on Highway 39 "beach blvd."(5 lane street). Disney studios in Burbank is about 1 hour away.

4) ditto

Hope you enjoy your trip
bryon1

 

[BRER STITCH]

Thanks BRYON1!!! :wave:

I was actually wondering about shuttle vans, bus, etc. as being the best way to get to DL from John Wayne Airport. We didn't plan on renting a car. Any transportation company worth recommending over there? The only one I have heard of so far is Shuttle America. Not bad at $10/person each way I thought.

Thanks for the tip on the Plaza Inn. Dining choices seem to be a lot less than at WDW! I was looking to make Priority Seating arrangements in advance, but they don't seem necessary at DL. IS that true?

Looking forward to the trip West!

:xmas:

 

[bryon1]

Havent heard of Shuttle America, but there is Super Shuttle, very big shuttle company out here. You can also take the "airport bus" (airportbus.com??) directly to DL about $25 rt.

As for dinning....
You only need reservations for Blue Bayou. Our dinning is done via food court/buffetteria style, or like at village house (food through the window)
Dont be confused though by hearing this. I think our food choices are smaller but better for the family. Usually my wife and I can split the chicken plate at Plaza and leave room for dessert.

As for the downtown disney you might need reservations day of.

Any other questions??

 

[BRER STITCH]

Thanks!
I have been reading up on the DL dining....lots of varied opinions!
I'll have more ??? after the Holidays, I'm sure!
Thanks again!

:xmas:

 

[bryon1]

What dates are you coming out??

 

[BRER STITCH]

Originally posted by bryon1
What dates are you coming out??

January 17th-21st !!!

:sohappy:

 

[xfkirsten]

Oooh, in that case, here's a big tip! Get all your rides on Indiana Jones in early! It goes down for extended rehab on the 20th!

-Kirsten

 

[BRER STITCH]

Originally posted by xfkirsten
Oooh, in that case, here's a big tip! Get all your rides on Indiana Jones in early! It goes down for extended rehab on the 20th!

-Kirsten

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now THAT'S the kind of stuff that I'm looking for!!! :wave:

Thanks for the tip! I'd hate to miss that attraction - IT ROCKS!

:sohappy:

 

[Daannzzz]

Looks like others have provided the airport to DL info. I will just give my opinions on food. Mmmmm.
In Disneyland the Plaza Inn has good pasta as well. It s a really pretty place with a nice ambiance.
In Disneyland...
The Blue Bayou has the most atmosphere (better than San Angel Inn) and the food is decent though not spectacular. Still the best Monte Christo sandwich though (served at lunch only).
Red Rockets Pizza Port doesn't have much atmosphere or very good pizza but the pastas are good.
The French Market has always had decent food but don't go unless the weather is good enough to sit outside as it is all outdoor seating.
At DCA the food choices have shrunk!!! I like Ariels Grotto which is a character meal and a pay on price place. There are about 7 items to choose off the menu and everything I have had was good.
I tired the Tratorria (downstairs at the winery) and it was okay. I heard upstairs is good but it is expensive.
We just tried the Pacific Warf Cafe and everyone was very happy with their bread bowl soups or salads.
At the hotels....
The Story Teller Cafe at the Grand Californian has a warm ambiance and good food at decent prices and is easy to walk to from DCA. I have heard Napa Rose is very good but have yet to try it.
At the Disneyland Hotel Goofy's Kitchen (buffet Character meal) has always been good. Hooks Point was very good.
Off property there is a place called The Spaghetti Station on Ball road behind Disneyland the we love to go to.
If you have time to run over and see the Queen Mary in Long Beach you may enjoy that. I was never interested in boats or ships. A friend dragged me to the Queen Mary and I loved it.

 

[xfkirsten]

Originally posted by BRER STITCH
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now THAT'S the kind of stuff that I'm looking for!!! :wave:

Thanks for the tip! I'd hate to miss that attraction - IT ROCKS!

:sohappy:

You're very welcome! That is definitely one not to be missed. It goes down Jan 20, and won't be back up until early April. I shall miss my Indy... (sob)

-Kirsten

 

[BRER STITCH]

Originally posted by Daannzzz
Looks like others have provided the airport to DL info. I will just give my opinions on food. Mmmmm.
In Disneyland the Plaza Inn has good pasta as well. It s a really pretty place with a nice ambiance.
In Disneyland...
The Blue Bayou has the most atmosphere (better than San Angel Inn) and the food is decent though not spectacular. Still the best Monte Christo sandwich though (served at lunch only).
Red Rockets Pizza Port doesn't have much atmosphere or very good pizza but the pastas are good.
The French Market has always had decent food but don't go unless the weather is good enough to sit outside as it is all outdoor seating.
At DCA the food choices have shrunk!!! I like Ariels Grotto which is a character meal and a pay on price place. There are about 7 items to choose off the menu and everything I have had was good.
I tired the Tratorria (downstairs at the winery) and it was okay. I heard upstairs is good but it is expensive.
We just tried the Pacific Warf Cafe and everyone was very happy with their bread bowl soups or salads.
At the hotels....
The Story Teller Cafe at the Grand Californian has a warm ambiance and good food at decent prices and is easy to walk to from DCA. I have heard Napa Rose is very good but have yet to try it.
At the Disneyland Hotel Goofy's Kitchen (buffet Character meal) has always been good. Hooks Point was very good.
Off property there is a place called The Spaghetti Station on Ball road behind Disneyland the we love to go to.
If you have time to run over and see the Queen Mary in Long Beach you may enjoy that. I was never interested in boats or ships. A friend dragged me to the Queen Mary and I loved it.

THANKS for the tips DAANNZZZ!!! :wave:

The food info is much appreciated and the Queen Mary would be great to see if we have time!

This is my first "extended" stay at DL (4 days) and we'll be looking to eat at a lot more places than in our past 1 day trips!

17 days and counting!!!

:sohappy:

 

[Daannzzz]

Hope you have loads of fun and that the weather is nice and the crowds low! May these 2 weeks pass by quickly.:wave: