Goin' back "home". What's new in the neighborhood?

[cslafferty]

When my dad moved to Orange, we took our first trip from MI to CA, and our first trip to a Disney Park, and thus began our love affair with Disney Parks. We went back to CA every spring to visit him and DLR, and went to WDW every summer. After he passed away in 2005, we decided to maintain our annual WDW trips, but it was just too expensive to do both. I love the feeling of getting away from the rest of the world that you don't quite get when in DLR, with it being smack-dab in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Anaheim, and I am in LOVE with Cinderella Castle.

Lately, however, I've been thinking more and more of returning to CA. After seeing Saving Mr. Banks, the first thing I told my DH was "That decides it - we're going back!" In July of 2015, my DH and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary, so I thought that would be the perfect time to go back. We've never been north of LA, so we're going to fly into San Francisco and see the Disney Family Museum. Then we're going to rent a car, drive to see Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, and then drive down to Anaheim. I know it's a ways off, but I'm trying to get a handle of how much we need to start saving - and I LOVE planning!

So, here's what I need from all of you: Beyond the obvious additions of Cars Land, what's new since 2005? Best places to eat, not to miss attractions/shows, changes in procedures (I know they're not doing magic bands and MM+). We're probably going to pop for a park view at DGC - can you see World of Color from those rooms? We've had a park view room there before, but I can't remember what parts of Paradise Pier we could see.

OK, all you DLR vets . . . let's hear it!

 

[BubbaQuest]

I do not think you can watch World of Color from DGC. Even if you were in a room facing Goofy's Sky School or Ariel's Adventure, I think there would be too many structures in the way to see the show. You can watch World of Color from above at the Paradise Pier hotel, but you really should be in the designated viewing area in the park to enjoy the show.

It's hard to remember everything that has changed since 2005. There are still a few remnants left in the Hollywood Backlot and the Soarin' areas, but otherwise it is a brand new park. Monsters Inc, Midway Mania, Ariel's Adventure, and of course Cars Land.

You might want to look at doing a dinner package at the new Carthay Circle restaurant so you can get preferred seating for World of Color. Otherwise World of Color fastpasses are easy to get during the day, with the second show often having easy walkup viewing. As I'm sure everyone will tell you, run to the Radiator Springs fastpass machine first thing in the morning and then go directly to the ride to see if you can get a quick ride via the standby or single rider line. Otherwise you should be able to do the rest of the park at a more leisurely pace. The exception is Midway Mania that does not have a fastpass entrance and usually has 45-60 minute wait.

The Paradise Gardens area in the back of the park is now a nice quieter place to get something to eat (Pasta or Mediterranean). It used to be a noisy play area and a McDonalds. The hidden treat is the Chili Cone Queso at the Cozy Cones in Cars Land.

DGC is a great way to do DCA. Very easy park access and great eating options at the hotel.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Californian Elitist]

There are too many things to list, in terms of what's been added/changes since 2005. You missed out on a great 50th celebration. We've had two parades, two firework shows, new rides, World of Color, other new shows, etc.

 

[cslafferty]

There are too many things to list, in terms of what's been added/changes since 2005. You missed out on a great 50th celebration. We've had two parades, two firework shows, new rides, World of Color, other new shows, etc.

Yeah, the year of the 50th was a very busy year for me - back surgery, my father passed, and I got married!! But, my close friends went and bought me the golden 50th anniversary Mickey ears with my new married name embroidered on the back for a wedding present!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I'm pretty sure there's a viewing area for World of Color in the Grand Californian Villas. Availability is supposedly very scarce, but you could try renting points if you want to stay at the Grand Californian.

 

[cslafferty]

I'm pretty sure there's a viewing area for World of Color in the Grand Californian Villas. Availability is supposedly very scarce, but you could try renting points if you want to stay at the Grand Californian.

I'm sure we'll either do the dinner package or get a FP. I was just curious about seeing it from the rooms.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I'm sure we'll either do the dinner package or get a FP. I was just curious about seeing it from the rooms.

The only part that really faces Paradise Bay is the Villas. You could always try to sweet talk your way into that viewing area... "Yessir, I was just thinking about buying about 2,000 points at Aulani; do you think that's too many?"

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

The only part that really faces Paradise Bay is the Villas. You could always try to sweet talk your way into that viewing area... "Yessir, I was just thinking about buying about 2,000 points at Aulani; do you think that's too many?"

Anyone with a valid room key can get onto the terrace I believe (went with a friend staying there a few weeks ago and they just swiped their key to open the door), but it is by no means an optimal viewing spot; there are plenty of obstructions. They do pipe the music up there, but it's a very small space and you're way off to the side next to Goofy's Sky School.

 

[cslafferty]

The only part that really faces Paradise Bay is the Villas. You could always try to sweet talk your way into that viewing area... "Yessir, I was just thinking about buying about 2,000 points at Aulani; do you think that's too many?"

The last time we stayed there was before they built the Villas, and we had a great view of the pier. Anybody know what the Theme Park view is now? Wondering if it's worth the extra bucks.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

The last time we stayed there was before they built the Villas, and we had a great view of the pier. Anybody know what the Theme Park view is now? Wondering if it's worth the extra bucks.

Theme park view in the original hotel now would probably only be looking into Grizzly Peak or Condor Flats... they built the Villas right in between the original hotel and Paradise Pier.

 

[disneylandfan95]

Disneyland new/updated attractions since 2005:
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Space Mountain
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
it's a small world
Mickey and the Magical Map show (Fantasyland Theater)
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Pirates of the Caribbean (movie enhancements)
The Haunted Mansion (Attic scene enhancements)
Fantasy Faire
Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Innoventions Marvel exhibits (Iron Man and Thor)
Mickey's Soundsational Parade
Fantasmic! enhancements (new dragon)

DCA new/updated attractions since 2005:
Buena Vista Street
Red Car Trolley
Carthay Circle Restaurant
Monster's Inc.: Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Mad T Party
Cars Land (Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi's Flying Tires, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree)
Wilderness Explorer Camp
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
Goofy's Sky School
Silly Symphony Swings
Toy Story Midway Mania
Mickey's Fun Wheel
Games of the Boardwalk
Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory
World of Color
Red Car Newsboys
Pixar Play Parade

I'm sure I missed quite a few, but that's a general idea. It seems almost everything has been touched at some point or another in the past 9 years.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Very good @disneylandfan95 , but you forgot Disney Interactive Presents the Hall of Disney Infinity at Innoventions and the empty spot where Maliboomer used to be. Both very nice.

 

[cslafferty]

Ah . . . the Maliboomer. Ever since riding that, my daughter won't go on anything that has a drop bigger than the one in Pirates!

 

[cslafferty]

Disneyland new/updated attractions since 2005:
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Space Mountain
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
it's a small world
Mickey and the Magical Map show (Fantasyland Theater)
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Pirates of the Caribbean (movie enhancements)
The Haunted Mansion (Attic scene enhancements)
Fantasy Faire
Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Innoventions Marvel exhibits (Iron Man and Thor)
Mickey's Soundsational Parade
Fantasmic! enhancements (new dragon)

DCA new/updated attractions since 2005:
Buena Vista Street
Red Car Trolley
Carthay Circle Restaurant
Monster's Inc.: Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Mad T Party
Cars Land (Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi's Flying Tires, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree)
Wilderness Explorer Camp
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure
Goofy's Sky School
Silly Symphony Swings
Toy Story Midway Mania
Mickey's Fun Wheel
Games of the Boardwalk
Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory
World of Color
Red Car Newsboys
Pixar Play Parade

I'm sure I missed quite a few, but that's a general idea. It seems almost everything has been touched at some point or another in the past 9 years.

Thanks so much! Can't wait to go. DCA will be almost like a whole new park to me!