Trip Planning (Non-CM)

[MKCP 1985]

I have read with interest Irrawaddy Eric's thread on this subject, which quickly shifted into discounts for cast members, access for cast members, and so forth.

My situation is a little different since I am not a cast member and am traveling with a larger family, but involves a similar time frame. We are contemplating a mid-December three night stay at Disneyland to celebrate the 50th. I have 2 teenagers, plus Mrs. MKCP and me.

So Kyle, Roxxy, Kirsten and others:

Assume an average to slightly above average budget for the trip, and please share your recommendations for

(1) Hotels: Where do you recommend? Which Disneyland resorts do you prefer? Is it worthwhile to pay extra for the resort view or Downtown Disney view? Is there an off-property hotel that you recommend over the park hotels?

(2) Night Life: What do Downtown Disney or other area venues have to offer for "folks like us" - old married couple and teens.

(3) food: What are the most popular restaurants and dishes, inside and outside the parks.

(4) what I'm leaving out because I don't know to ask. What is not to be missed?

I haven't been to Disneyland since 1979, so this is a new experience for me. The rest of my group has never been at all. Thanks for your input! :wave:

 

[stranger]

(2) Night Life: What do Downtown Disney or other area venues have to offer for "folks like us" - old married couple and teens.

DTD is mostly for eating and shopping, but great place to relax from the parks. Compared to WDW's DTD there is not that much "activities"to do,but lots of nice restaurants (if you plan on avoiding over the counter food). ESPN Zone is a great family environment, good food and a play room for everyone to enjoy the games.

If you have a teenage daughter, she will have as much fun in Sephora as in Disneyland :lol:

For a little adult fun- head on over to the UVA bar for a drink with the wife. You can drop the kids off at the movies in DTD or let them wonder around the parks on their own, however you choose, but a drink at the UVA bar is worth it.

If you're looking for a little non disney nightlife fun, let me know what you have in mind and I can recommend some places for you. Although, you will be staying for only 3 days, I don't know if you'll have time to leave the property, but if you do just let me know what you are looking for .

(4) what I'm leaving out because I don't know to ask. What is not to be missed?

You're going to have your hands full going for the 50th celebration, but you'll also be there for the christmas celebration. Enjoy the scenery, do a little christmas shopping, visit the HMH and IASW Holiday, decorate christmas cookies in Main Street, try to catch beads in NOS (you may have to do a funny dance for these beads) don't miss out on the fireworks show (hopefully, they'll show Believe...in holiday magic). Above all else, take things calmly and enjoy the magic Disneyland has to offer .

 

[xfkirsten]

I don't really know much about the other stuff, but I'm a food fan myself. :lol:

In Disneyland Park:
Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland is one of my favorite lunch stops. Quick, easy, and they've got a good variety (pizza, pasta, salad type stuff). For something a bit nicer (albeit a bit more expensive - meals usually run me about $15 here) I reccommend the Plaza Inn on Main Street. Some similar food here - I particularly love the pasta. Whereas Redd Rockett's is more your typical counter-service food, this stuff is closer to what you'd get in a nice, sit-down restaurant, although it's still set up like counter service. Don't hit that one right after a parade, though, because it gets pretty packed! The Blue Bayou in PotC is great for atmosphere! It's very cool to watch the boats go by as you eat. Although IMHO, the food isn't all that great there - you pay for the atmosphere, really.

In DCA:
Ariel's Grotto is probably my favorite sit-down restaurant. It's a character, buffet-style lunch or dinner, with plenty of characters. Lunch runs something like $15/person, and dinner about $20/person. Included in that is an appetizer (soup or salad), entree (a variety of choices here), dessert, and non-alcoholic drink. They give you a fair amount of food for your buck! And every time I've gone, there's been plenty of time to play with the characters. For something quick, there's a great little Mexican place in Pacific Wharf. There's also a margarita stand right there and beer truck if you adults feel so inclined. Taste Pilot's Grill, over by Soarin', is another great restaurant. They're counter service, serving your typical burger menu. Their fries are great! :sohappy:

Outside the Parks: Haven't eaten so much in Downtown Disney, although I did try Naples (Italian food) once and enjoyed it. There's also places like IHOP and I think a Dennys within a short walk from the entrance plaza. There's also a few fast food joints (the usual suspects) along Katella that I tend to hit if I want to eat something quick/cheap before I go to the parks. There's a Food4Less back there, too, if you want to get some snacks for the hotel room or buy water bottles at reasonable prices ($2.50 for a six-pack of bottles, as opposed to per-bottle in the parks :lol: ) that you can bring into the parks.