First Time in August!

[tnemgif]

Hey, sorry to post another thread with a bunch of random questions, but I am going to Disneyland for (pretty much) my first time and would appreciate any and all help from those who actually know Disneyland.

1.) I'm staying in the Disneyland hotel and wanted to know if it really is as dilapidated as people claim.

2.) I know IASW is getting a refurb, but will the exterior of the ride be working/visible. I want to at least see the famous building and was hoping to see the projection display during the fireworks display.

3.) How much of DCA will be under construction in August; I know a few things will be closed such as the Whoopi Goldberg video, but want to know if you guys think anything else will be under construction. I think it would be kind of crappy if the entry plaza was under construction, so if anyone has any information regarding this or just opinions of what might be happening, I'd love to hear.

4.) I'm going to be there for 8 days and know this will be more than enough time to do everything I want to do, but wanted to know if anyone has any favorite minor attractions or random, 'off-the-beaten-path' things to do in my spare time.

5.) If you just have any tips or cool secrets/facts that you would like to share, please do, I'm all ears!

Thanks in advance for all your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes by, but I really appreciate any tips or secrets that will make my vacation better.

 

[darthjohnny]

If you have time at DCA, go visit the Mission Tortilla display.

They give you a quick history of the tortilla and a free, hot, fresh, delicious tortilla.

As for the DCA refurbs, I'm not positive, but I don't think things like the entrance will be under construction at that time.

 

[Nicole220]

1)The DL Hotel isn't terrible, but it isn't like a WDW resort hotel. You'll be fine.

2)You unfortunately cannot see IASW because of the barrier around it...sorry. But my suggestion is to watch the fireworks in front of the castle...that's my favorite spot to watch. There's still some projections and fire and lots of fun stuff.

3) I don't think anything major is planned for DCA just yet. I haven't heard of anything, but you never know...

5) It's going to be hot and crowded. Get to the park at opening. DL is always empty for the first 2-3 hours. Load up on fast passes that you can use later on in the day. Fast pass is your friend.

^^ Yes, the free tortillas are delicious!

 

[lilphil6487]

1)my 1st time at DL was this past summer and we stayed at the DL Hotel. I loved it. IT definately wasnt like other Disney hotels but it is still very nice and they have so much memorabilia in everywhere. The rooms are really nice and on the TV stand they have the original drawing for DL that Walt had taken to his bankers so many years ago. ITs really cool. If you want a more Disney hotel, then the only one there like that is the Grand Californian. It reminds me of Wilderness Lodge and Im staying there when they open up the Vacation Club villas. I cant wait to go back. I love talking about DL.

2) I really dont know anything about this. Im assuming that you could still see it. ITs really cool to see so I hope you dont miss it.

3) again i dont know the answer to this. You will hear some people say they dont like DCA, but I loved it cause it was so different than other Disney parks. I love the California Screamin, of course Soarin Over California, and Grizzly River Run. I found the Seasons of the Vine to be very interesting as well.

4) We stayed for 6 nights/7 days. more than enough time. We took our time at DL and DCA the first two days cause we were gonna go back. Our 3rd day we took a tour of Hollywood, LA, Santa Monica, etc. Then we went back to DL and DCA. 8 days is more than enough if DL is all you are doing. I suggest taking a tour or going to 6 flags magic mountain or universal studios.

5) Well for tips look at 4. Other things, if you plan on being in New Orleans Square at the time Fantasmic is at but not ther to see fantasmic, you will probably get stuck in the crowd adn have to wait it out. For the Nemo subs, use your early entry and get to the park as you as it opens. Run or walk fast to get on line cause it can quickly grow to 3 hours + long. If you are dining at Disney resturaunts, try Storytellers Cafe at Grand Californian ( great pizza), Yamabuki at Paradise Pier if you like Japanese food, Blue Bayou cause it overlooks the bayou part of POTC. God theres so much. What else. If you want to eat out but not spend way too much, the ESPN zone is good. Its like Applebees. Try Rainforest Cafe also. If you have a few people with you, have your cell phones on at all times at the World of Disney store cause you can get lost just as easily as you can at the one in WDW. If you have a bad back, dont do the Matterhorn. A great place to see Disney's Electrical Parade is right by the whoopi goldberg show. The fireworks at DL are amazing and better than Wishes so get a good spot on Main Street. The people mover at Tomorrowland has been closed for a long time and is not opening any time soon. They say the monorail is one way transportation but i got on and stayed on without a problem. You will be doing some walking to get to the parks since there is no bus transportation for DL resort hotel guests. HAVE FUN!

 

[nemofinder22]

1) No DLH is not as bad as people make it, it has a lot of Disneyland feeling to it (if that makes since) but its no GCH or WDW hotel. Its still nice though its filled with little Disneyland touches like the room border that glows in the dark, bed spreads with the attractions printed on, Disney character topiery wall paper in the bathroom as well as Mickey hands holding a lamp too. Few other little things that make it Disney.

2- From what I'v heard the clock on IASW has been shut off now and Im sure the thing is going to be getting a paint job its just a matter of when so heres hopeing that its not tarped up when your there.

3- I dont think Sunshine Plaza will have made its way to Yesterland on your visit. Seasons of the Vine has already and we dont yet have a closeing date for Golden Dreams. Paradise Pier will be getting the rest of its make over in the fall or so they say so DCA should be fine, and the new Preview Center should be open too.

4- Anaheim Garden Walk is opening in late May and from the looks of it will be very nice its just down the street from DLR so that might be a nice place to see, Fashion Island (mall) in New Port beach is really nice too as is Balboa Island.

5- Im sure you know about the Club 33 door
If you want a sort wait for HM or Pirates go on during Fantasmic just make sure you plan the timing away from the time that Fantasmic is over. If you do watch Fantasmic look for the new princess barges and the new finale, if you watch the 9pm show 3 mins after its over Remember starts.

Dont miss Disneyland the First 50 Magical Years on Main Street it tends to get over looked.

At least one of the new monorails should be going by then too.

You can get a "first visit" button from City Hall, the info booth or sometimes from CM's at the registers.

Those are a few I can think of right now/

Otherwise have a great trip!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Everyone's done a great job of answering your questions so I'll just add a couple.

Don't miss the sourdough bread tour right next to the tortilla's it's delicious too.

Try Billy Hill and the Hillbillies for lunch one day. It's a funny show, and a nice relaxed lunch in air conditioning!

 

[tnemgif]

Thank you guys so much for all your help. You've really relieved a lot of my fears about the parks/hotel. I'm really glad to know that most of DCA will be fine but, of course, am really sad to hear about IASW. I think I want to try to get a reservation at Blue Bayou, even though it is so expensive. I've heard it is really fantastic and want to be able to visit the classic Disney restaurant. One thing I have been surprised about when researching Disneyland is the quality of the food. It doesn't seem to be all hamburgers, chicken, and ribs as WDW is, and seems like each restaurant has its own individual style. I might check out the Garden Walk but don't plan on leaving the parks much. I've been to Universal Hollywood and Orlando, and thought that Universal Hollywood was very disappointing. Thank you so much for all your help. I really appreciate all the tips you've given me so far!

One other question though:
For anyone who has stayed at the Disneyland Hotel; are there pull-out couch beds in each room. AAA advertised that there were, but Disney did not. I know rollaway beds are available on request, but was hoping to not resort to that. Thanks.

 

[nemofinder22]

At the DLH the sofa in the rooms all depend on the tower and style of the room.

Oh as for food.

DLR lacks on full service restaraunts but the buffertia ones make up for it IMO.

Hungry Bear, Village Haus, Tomorrowland Terrace all serve pretty much the same thing. That being: burgers, and such. Tomorrowland Terrace has a great breakfast though!

Taste Pilots Grill is my favorite at DCA theres burgers, ribs, salads but the cheddar burger is so great but it comes with criss cross fries.

but otherwise all the places have food that match there surrounding in a way. Plaza Inn is my favorite at DL. Not all the food at DLR is as bad as some make it out to be but it can become pricey. Theres only one size drink too unlike at WDW. Oh and the churros are good too I didnt like the ones at WDW vey much.

Hope you have a great time though!!!!!!