I'm going to Disneyland!

Cafe Society
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The day after tomorrow, as my 30th birthday present to myself and from my husband, we’re takin’ off for California and staying 3 days at the Disneyland Hotel - we’ve got our 3 day park-hopper passes, our room, our flights and all other details worked out, and I’m getting so excited I couldn’t sleep last night. Don’t know how I’m going to survive the next two days…

It’s been about 18 years since the last time I was there, and Mr. Bunny’s never been. So: tips? Tricks? Warnings? Where’s some good places to eat that won’t break us (though we’ve saved properly and are willing to blow a little cash here and there)? Where’s the best places for me to load up on Pirates and Nightmare Before Christmas shwag? Are we looking at long lines in the middle of the week in May? How’s the weather been (pretty warm, from what I understand)? How’s the Disneyland Hotel?

Big bummer: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Splash Mountain will be closed. Ah well. As long as Pirates is still open, I’m happy. :smiley:

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Are you going to California Adventure as well (Disney’s latest park that borders Disneyland)? It has some amazing attractions. Make sure not to miss California Screamin’, Tower of Terror, and especilly Soarin. If you have time, check out Muppets 3-D, It’s Tough to be a Bug, and the Grizzly River Rapids.

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[QUOTE=Red Barchetta]
Are you going to California Adventure as well (Disney’s latest park that borders Disneyland)? It has some amazing attractions. Make sure not to miss California Screamin’, Tower of Terror, and especilly Soarin. If you have time, check out Muppets 3-D, It’s Tough to be a Bug, and the Grizzly River Rapids.
[/QUOTE]

Yes we are, it was part of our whole package and we have park hopper passes for both Disneyland and California Adventure. I’m definitely looking forward to the Tower of Terror, though the boy may decline to join me. Wuss. :smiley:

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The OP says she has a Park-Hopper ticket so both parks are in play.

There are no cheap places to eat at Disneyland. If you want to eat cheap, go to a store and pack a lunch. If you do eat at a place inside the park, schedule lunch or dinner at odd hours. Eat lunch at 3 and dinner at 9. Stuff like that.

If you’re going to get an expensive meal, you might as well eat at a restaurant in Downtown Disney where they serve real food.

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The Pirates of the Carribean is my favorite ride too :smiley: I was five the first time I went to Disneyland. As I headed out the door with my dad, my mom warned him “don’t take Stucco on that Pirates ride and give her nightmares.” Of course, he did, and I loved it. No nightmares either.

If it’s been 18 years since you’ve been to Disneyland, you haven’t been on the Indiana Jones ride, which is super fun. Get a fast pass to avoid waiting in line.

Have a great time. I wish I was going to Disneyland!

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I think they’ve changed Pirates, or they’re going to, to tie it in to the movies. I hope they don’t ruin it because it’s my favorite ride.

Stores for Pirates and Nightmare Before Christmas stuff are in New Orleans Square. I think there’s one shop that sells nothing but Nightmare stuff. I think the stores you want are near the exit to Pirates.

California Adventure is a good place to go when the crowds start getting heavy at Disneyland, or if you’re starting to get tired and want to take things slower. There are good places to rest, and if the hot weather is getting to you there’s a mist sprayer you can stand under.
I think there’s also a place at California Adventures where you can get hot dogs, which is probably about as cheap as you can get for food at Disneyland resort.

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[QUOTE=stucco]
The Pirates of the Carribean is my favorite ride too :smiley: I was five the first time I went to Disneyland. As I headed out the door with my dad, my mom warned him “don’t take Stucco on that Pirates ride and give her nightmares.” Of course, he did, and I loved it. No nightmares either.
[/QUOTE]

I remember it was one of my favourites as well when I was 12…now that I’m obsessed with those movies, I can only imagine it will be that much better.

[QUOTE=stucco]
If it’s been 18 years since you’ve been to Disneyland, you haven’t been on the Indiana Jones ride, which is super fun.
[/QUOTE]

Nope, I haven’t, and it’s definitely on the agenda!

[QUOTE=Talon Karrde]
Stores for Pirates and Nightmare Before Christmas stuff are in New Orleans Square. I think there’s one shop that sells nothing but Nightmare stuff. I think the stores you want are near the exit to Pirates.
[/QUOTE]

Cool, thanks!

[QUOTE=Talon Karrde]
I think they’ve changed Pirates, or they’re going to, to tie it in to the movies. I hope they don’t ruin it because it’s my favorite ride.
[/QUOTE]

They already did (unless they’re planning on doing more), and from what I hear and have seen on YouTube it looks like a lot of fun. Jack Sparrow just pops up in a couple places, Davy Jones is in there somewhere, as is Barbossa.

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Don’t forget to take a picture of the entrance to Club 33.

:smiley:

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[QUOTE=Talon Karrde]
I think they’ve changed Pirates, or they’re going to, to tie it in to the movies. I hope they don’t ruin it because it’s my favorite ride.
[/QUOTE]

I’ve been on the changed ride in Disney World a number of times and I think it’s great. I was a big fan of the old version of the ride so I was skeptical going in, but I have to admit that it won me over. There is a great Davy Jones visual near the beginning that I love. The rest of the ride, they pretty much just changed some dialogue here and there and snuck in a surprisingly real Jack Sparrow in various places. The end treasure room also has Jack Sparrow in there. It was very well done, in my opinion.

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Use Fastpass to avoid lines. Greatest theme park idea ever.

Go early, take a mid-day break to swim or nap and recharge your batteries (and avoid the most crowded time of day) and then go back in the evening.

Unfortunately, Fantasmic is down too. :frowning:

Watch the fireworks from Main Street. They’re spectacular.

Eat a churro.

Have a Dole Whip (at the Tiki Room).

There are two secret targets in the Zurg animatronics worth big points in the Buzz Lightyear ride, look for a dot mid breast.

Have fun!

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I like the Blue Lagoon restaurant, located at PotC. There use to be a Polynesian dinner and show at the Tiki Room, but I think that is gone now.

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We’re in the middle of a heat wave right now - the temperature had been around 80-90 degrees around noon so stay hydrated - if you’re not packing lunch, at least pack some water…

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[QUOTE=jamus_se]
We’re in the middle of a heat wave right now - the temperature had been around 80-90 degrees around noon so stay hydrated - if you’re not packing lunch, at least pack some water…
[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the advice, valuable to know. How does that work, if you’re packing a water bottle? Do they let you carry it on the rides?

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[QUOTE=Fear Itself]
I like the Blue Lagoon restaurant, located at PotC. There use to be a Polynesian dinner and show at the Tiki Room, but I think that is gone now.
[/QUOTE]
That would be the Blue *Bayou * restaurant. It is the best food in Disneyland proper. Make reservations in advance. It’s impossible to get in if you just walk up to the hostess stand. The reservation number for Disney dining is (714) 781-3463.

The original plans for the Tiki Room called for it to be part of a restaurant, but that never materialized. It’s always been just as it is now – a Polynesian-themed music show performed by audio-animatronic birds. You can buy pineapple snacks from the friendly Dole corporation at the snack bar in the waiting area though.

Different rides process people at different rates, resulting in big variances in wait times. For example, Pirates of the Caribbean always has long lines but they move people through FAST so the actual wait isn’t that bad. Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn however can be real nightmares to get on. Loading and loading is slow and their lines crawl.

In my opinion these are the best and worst rides in terms of line SPEED:

– Worst –

Dumbo
Astro-orbiters
Splash Mountain
Matterhorn
Boat Ride Through Storybook Land
Peter Pan
Teacups

– Best –

Pirates of the Caribbean
It’s a Small World
Buzz Lightyear

If you go over to California Adventure, be sure to ride Soaring. It’s the best ride in the park.

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[QUOTE=Pochacco]
That would be the Blue *Bayou * restaurant.
[/QUOTE]
:smack:

I was thinking of the now defunct Tahitian Terrace restaurant which was located next to the Tiki Room.

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[QUOTE=NailBunny]
Thanks for the advice, valuable to know. How does that work, if you’re packing a water bottle? Do they let you carry it on the rides?
[/QUOTE]

Almost everyone carries water, so you should be fine. Make sure and have plenty of sunscreen too. It is absolutely beautiful out this week, but you could burn really quickly.

Be glad you’re coming this week instead of last week, it was gray, cloudy and cold out.

Not exactly cheap, but we love the Rainforest Cafe. I’ve been to the ones in Vegas and Chicago as well as the Disney location and it’s always a good time. But go at an offtime if you go, they can get pretty busy there.

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[QUOTE=Yookeroo]
Use Fastpass to avoid lines. Greatest theme park idea ever.
[/QUOTE]

Fastpass is your best friend in Disneyland. Get a Fastpass for a popular ride then go on another ride and by the time you finish the first ride you can use the Fastpass and go to the head of the line. (almost, might be 20 people ahead of you)

I was there last month. My thoughts:

Pirates was done well. It’s the same but tweaked with new dialogue and a Jack Sparrow puppet added. His facial expressions are hilarious.

If you haven’t been in 18 years then check out Toon Town, it’s mostly for the kiddies but it’s still fun to visit.

There was a “Jedi Acadamy” show in Tomorrowland. It’s for the kids but still lots of fun to watch. The Jedi Master picks out some young kids 5-12 to “train”. He trains them for about 5 minutes and then some Stormtroopers and Darth Vader (in full costumes) show up and the kids get to “fight” with Vader. It was very cool. They had the theme music and everything. One little girl went bat-shit crazy and started swinging her lightsaber all willy-nilly at Vader instead of how she was “trained” to fight. It was hilarious. The Jedi Master improvised very well.

Don’t forget to take the train around the park to see the dinosaurs.

In California Adventure:
Soarin is really cool unless you do not like heights.
The Muppets 3D show is really good and funny.
The roller coaster is fast and fun although short, but its worth it.
The water ride is way too short for how long you have to wait in line.
Also in the food court they sell beer. BEER. :smiley:

As for food the ones in Disneyland already mentioned are good. There are also some restuarants in Downtown Disney. There is a Hard Rock Cafe, a really nice Italian place and some other places.

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I recently met my extended family for a meal at one of the restaurants at Disney’s Grand California Hotel, which was good, but somewhat of a weird hike from the park

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[QUOTE=Pochacco]
That would be the Blue *Bayou * restaurant.
[/QUOTE]

A Blue Lagoon themed restaurant would be very different.

[QUOTE=Pochacco]
Different rides process people at different rates, resulting in big variances in wait times. For example, Pirates of the Caribbean always has long lines but they move people through FAST so the actual wait isn’t that bad. Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn however can be real nightmares to get on. Loading and loading is slow and their lines crawl.
[/quote]

Use Fastpass for Splash Mountain. Get the pass early since they might run out (especially if it’s hot).

[QUOTE=Pochacco]
In my opinion these are the best and worst rides in terms of line SPEED:

– Worst –

Dumbo
Astro-orbiters
Splash Mountain
Matterhorn
Boat Ride Through Storybook Land
Peter Pan
Teacups

– Best –

Pirates of the Caribbean
It’s a Small World
Buzz Lightyear
[/QUOTE]

Haunted Mansion & Indy go fast too.

[QUOTE=Pochacco]
If you go over to California Adventure, be sure to ride Soaring. It’s the best ride in the park.
[/QUOTE]

Yes. Another attraction, that often gets overlooked there, is the Disney Animation building. Some fun stuff there, especially Turtle Talk with Crush. The Aladdin show is quite good too.

[QUOTE=Tahssa]

Don’t forget to take the train around the park to see the dinosaurs.
[/QUOTE]

Down for refurb.

[QUOTE=Tahssa]

In California Adventure:
Soarin is really cool unless you do not like heights.
The Muppets 3D show is really good and funny.
[/QUOTE]

It’s Tough to Be a Bug is real good too.

[QUOTE=Tahssa]
The roller coaster is fast and fun although short, but its worth it.
The water ride is way too short for how long you have to wait in line.
[/QUOTE]

Fastpass this.

[QUOTE=jamus_se]
We’re in the middle of a heat wave right now - the temperature had been around 80-90 degrees around noon so stay hydrated - if you’re not packing lunch, at least pack some water…
[/QUOTE]

Another reason to take the mid-day swim break. :slight_smile:

It is supposed to start cooling tomorrow, but it’s always a good idea to stay hydrated.

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[QUOTE=Tahssa]

Also in the food court they sell beer. BEER. :smiley:

[/QUOTE]

Bless you. This information will come in very handy!