First Time to DLR

[swsmith68]

Hello! We're from Canada and this will be my wife and I first time at DLR, and we're staying at the Disney Land Hotel. in the first week in October for 5 days. We've been to the WDWR a few times and we love it, so we are looking forward to seeing DLR. so any tips, must see, anything about the hotel or parks, anything would be great.

Thanks!

[HiddenMickey]

Congrats on your first DLR trip! You picked a wonderful hotel to stay at. This is my favorite hotel ever and I know a bit about it, so I'll share with you some things to explore at the hotel.

-Be sure to explore the Marina Tower. You will check in here. Here you can also find two gift shops, including the awesome Fantasia shop. When you first enter the hotel you'll be greeted by Mickey & Minnie status standing to the side of a huge canvas painting of Sleeping Beauty's castle. Outside, a huge statue of Mickey will greet you. Once you go inside the lobby, turn right and you'll find two walls full of photos of Walt Disney, former DL guests, and construction of the park. Keeping walking right, toward the convention rooms, and then make a left, and you'll find a bunch more similar photos, including the construction of the Disneyland Hotel. If you keep walking straight, you'll eventually up in the convention center building, which I'll describe in a bit.

-There's nothing too exciting in the Sierra and Bonita tower lobbies, but... In the Sierra tower, hop in the elevator and take it to the 11th floor. This is where you'll see all the suites. Though you won't get inside them, it's pretty cool to see and who knows, maybe you'll get a peek inside as someone is exiting or leaving.

-Outside the Bonita Tower is the old Fantasy Water fountain. The show no longer runs but the water still shoots into the air. Nearby you'll also find a koi fish pond, and the beautiful waterfalls. You can walk down underneath and behind the waterfalls (careful, some parts are very wet and slippery). It's easy to spend an hour here just admiring the scenery. There's many paths and hidden tunnels that wind through the waterfall area, so keep an eye out.

-There's also two pools, including the Neverland Pool right in the middle, and a smaller one in the back, with volleyball and a fitness center nearby.

-As you're walking towards the Bonita Tower (from behind the Neverland Pool), you'll come across a lovely gazebo.

-The convention center building also features Goofy's Kitchen and Steakhouse 55. Take the escalators up all the way to the top and you'll be treated to beautiful Disney paintings on the way.

-Near the Neverland Pool, towards the left, are some restaurants (from casual to upscale, including a wine cellar), a crystal shop, an arcade, and a little area where you can steer your own Jungle Cruise boats.

Now, after you've done all this, do it at night. It's a completely different (and totally beautiful) experience.

Hope this helps! If you have any questions, let me know!

[adrianne]

If you're staying at a DLR hotel, you can have any purchases you make in the parks sent to your room. No hauling around heavy packages all day!

[HiddenMickey]

You can also charge things (meals, souvenirs, etc.) to your room as well.

[crystaltink]

Tips. I have a few.

As far as food is concerned, it's not a bad idea to try and do what you can to save money on food (it adds up quickly). I usually eat outside of the park before getting there to save a little. Among my favorites are Milly's, Denny's (across from the park gateway), Tiffy's, and Coco's. I'll usually either opt to pack a lunch and store it in my locker (I highly recommend a locker rental, they're very handy to have for storage throughout the day), or it's not too bad to get lunch at the park. If you decide to eat at the park I have a few favorites I usually recommend. For breakfast I usually recommend the Riverbelle Terrace, their pancakes are killer, or if you want to eat at the DLH Goofy's Kitchen is really good. For lunch Hungry Bear, or the French Market, and for dinner Blue Bayou (it's not cheap but it's worth your money spent).

It's not a bad idea to start collecting fast passes to the major attractions first thing in the morning. In October you don't typically have too long of a wait for anything but, even the crowd favorites can be a little longer than most rides. Splash Mountain and Space Mountain are usually the first ones I'll grab in the morning. I haven't ridden Nemo yet but I'm sure that'll be another one to get right away.

I usually tell everyone to take their time and relax. Don't try and schedule everything in or you don't really enjoy it as much. Make sure you don't miss any of the major attractions.

During the evening I usually try and make time to shop for myself and for whomever I'm supposed to be bringing back souveniers for. I also usually take time to find a nice spot (not necessarily on Mainstreet) to watch the fireworks (there's a nice area near Thunder Mountain behind the coaster where there are bench's everywhere, places like that aren't usually half as crowded as Mainstreet are). You also might want to pack a light sweatshirt or a jacket and jeans. It might be decently warm during the day but at night it gets chilly, that's why it's great to have lockers, easy access and great for wardrobe changes later.

All in all do whatever you want and have a blast! Good luck and have a phenomenal time!

[swsmith68]

Thank for all the great Tips!

[ah92us]

Congrats on your trip, and just try to have a great time.

[kairamoon]

And don't forget to stop by the Rainforest Cafe and Blue Bayou for dinner. These, Indy and Soarin are the things that I absolutely can't miss on a trip to DLR. Have a great time!

[theyone125@aol.com]

you have to see fantasmic!! its a must see you will never forget it!:) have a goodtime!

[swsmith68]

Ok! What about California Adventure Park? There lots of talk about DL, but not about CA. What do you feel about this park?

[adrianne]

Not quite as "full" as Disnelyland, but it still has several must-sees:
- Soarin Over California
- California Screamin' (if you like Roller-Coasters)
- Grizzly River Run
- Tower of Terror (even if you don't like drop-rides, this one's worth it)
Don't forget, DCA usually closes an hour or two before DL; IMHO, the best time to go there is in the middle of the day, when DL is most crowded. Have fun!!

[mrhappybomb]

CA is a good park a must see there,for ride, is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Soarin' Over California, Grizzly River Run, California Screamin', and Mulholland Madness. For Shows I suggest, the Aladdin musical spectacular at the Hyperion Theater, It's Tough to be a Bug, Muppet Vision 3D, and Play House Disney(if you have little kids).

for FP 's get one for Soarin right away as they run out quickly and for ToT as these lines can get very corwed real fast.

now for restaurants, I personally like the Taste Pilot's Grill the have great Ham/cheese Burgers, ribs, Salads ECT.... Pizza restaurant on Paradise Pier is really good but it's name I Can't spell. and the Best Weiner's Award have really good hot dogs.

for Night time shows unfortunately with the times your going to be there I don't think there are going to be any at DCA, but if there is you must see the Electrical Parade. well thats all the info I know of for DCA have fun on your trip to DLR.

[HiddenMickey]

As a stand-alone park, DCA is ok, but I don't think it comes even close to what DL is or represents. Nonetheless, if you want to visit, you could probably see the gist of it in half a day, but the highlights include: Grizzly River Run, Soarin' Over California, and if you dare, Hollywood Tower of Terror. Catch the Electric Parade if its running. The Grand Californian Hotel is also a good place to cool off and explore.

[swsmith68]

Thanks again for all the great tips and info. I'll put them to good use!

[kairamoon]

And if you make it to Blue Bayou be sure to request a water side table