Yaayyy Disneyland Anaheim in February!

[nemo1981]

Hello!

I am going to Los Angeles in February to visit a friend that moved there recently. I already booked my flight, so for the first time in my life I will see the "original" Disneyland!! And I am sooooo excited about it, I think I will cry when I stand in front of the entrance gates . I only know DLP (been there ten times though ). I`ve never been to any US-Disney_Park before.

So my question is:

I will spend two days at Disneyland and that`s why I will also spend one night there. Which hotel should I choose?? I`d love to stay at the Disneyland Hotel, but then there are a looot of negative reviews of that hotel on trip advisor...Is the Grand Californian better?? The Grand Californian just doesn`t look as "disneyish" as the Disneyland hotel...How`s the Paradise Pier hotel??
On my trips to DLP I stayed at the DLH, the Santa Fe and the Cheyenne, the DLH and the Cheyenne are my favourite Hotels. I love them cause they are so nicely themed, and somehow the Anaheim Disneyhotels don`t seem to have great theming...Am I wrong about this??

I am really, really excited about all this!!

[Vegitabeta]

You are not wrong about the theming of the DL hotels. The best looking one from the outside is the GCH, but I am also aware of how pricey all of those hotels are. When we went we stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim, though we always stay on property in DLP and WDW. The Sheraton was great though, nice theming, well priced, and they have their own shuttles to take you to the park. If you are able to stay at one of the DL hotels then I would probably go for GCH, but I thought I would also give you some input on an off-property hotel.
You will love DL, you can't beat that feeling of knowing that Walt walked there I'm very jealous! Make sure you see World of Color.

[nemo1981]

Thank you! That`s already helpful...I think will decide for the GCH then, I just love it when I don`t have to leave the magic, even at night

Of course I will watch World of Color!! It`s one of the things I look forward to most, besides Fantasmic

[davewasbaloo]

The GCH all the way. It is my most favorite hotel in the Disney empire. The DLH and PPH are just glorified motels really, and they ruined what little charm the DLH hotel had recently. The GCH is in the middle of the action and fully themed. However, once you stay there, you are likely to never enjoy the DLP hotels again

Do not miss:

DL:

Great Moments with Mr Lincoln
Jungle Cruise
Tiki Room
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (make this a priority)
The original PotC
the original Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain (again priority)
Billy Hill and the Hill Billy's in the Golden Horseshoe
Mr Toad's Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
The original It's a Small World
The Matterhorn (left side)
Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin
The Subs
Star Tours the Adventure Continues
Fantasmic
Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks
Ride the train - dinosaurs, indians and far more to see than the Florida or Paris versions

DCA:
It's Tough to be a Bug
Muppetvision 3D
Monster's Inc
Animation - do not miss the Toy Story Zoetrope
Aladdin the musical
Grizzly River Rapids
Soarin' (prioritise)
Little Mermaid
Screamin'
Toy Story Midway Mania
World of Colour

Have a great time in my favorite Disney resort

[nemo1981]

Thanks for the tips!! I will definitely try to do all these things, I just hope that we manage to do that within two days...

I am already sure, that I will love it. The knowledge alone, that this is the original one does it for me!!! I will post a loooong trip report once I am back...

[dagobert]

I can't wait to see your pictures and to read about your experiences.

Have a great trip!!!

[Vegitabeta]

DL also has the best POTC

[mattboywonder]

As already pointed out, you must do Indiana Jones Adventure - after 16 years it is still my favourate Disney attraction. Fantasimic is better is DL as well (although it is standing only) but if it comes down to seeing Fantasmic or WOrld of Color, I'd go with WoC as it can only been seen at DCA

[nemo1981]

It`s only a bit over a month now, I am counting the days )

But there is one thing, I looked up the schedule for february, and Fantasmic isn`t on!!!!!!!! Can anyone tell me the reason for that??? I thought Fantasmic is performed on weekends,even during low season...

Any reason for that???????

[davewasbaloo]

If any of the river attractions are undergoing refurb that is likely why. Rule of thumb - that time of year often has many attractions undergoing refurb. But you will still have a great time. Will It's a Small World and Haunted Mansion be back up after their holiday overlay?

[CafeFantasia]

Davewasbaloo's list is great. However, I'd like to add my own recommendations and suggestions. Do not miss:

Disneyland Park:

• The Indiana Jones Adventure
• New Orleans Square (eat in as many restaurants there as possible)
• Splash Mountain
• Fantasmic!
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
• Space Mountain

Disney California Adventure:

• Soarin' Over California
• Grizzly River Run
• California Screamin'
• World of Color
• Ariel's Undersea Adventure
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Disney Animation

Whatever you do, don't miss The Indiana Jones Adventure. It's the best ride/attraction I've ever been on.

[nemo1981]

Thank you guys for your help and information!!:-)

I do have one more question though. We decided to stay there for two nights instead of one now, yaaayy ,and we will stay at the Grand Californian Hotel, again yaaayy . And my question is: I`´d like to eat in a good restaurant on both evenings, a table restaurant, where you can sit down. The first evening I´d like to eat at the Disneyland Park and the second evening in the California adventure park. So any recommendations????

[davewasbaloo]

Hmmmm, I would say the very best restaurants are in the hotels. In the Grand (my fav by the way) - The Napa Rose is the best restaurant Disney has on the planet. Do not miss this one. and the Disneyland Hotel has Steakhouse 55, which is like a cross between the Steakhouse in the Village and Walt's at DLP.

If you do wish to dine in the parks, the Blue Bayou is highly recommended for ambience. And in DCA, the Winery would be my top choice.

Also, in Downtown Disney, Catal and Ralph Brennan's are both excellent as well!

But really, I would either do Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55 or Blue Bayou in DL and Napa Rose on your DCA day.

Any other questions, please let me know.

[CafeFantasia]

And don't forget to have a Mickey Mouse Pancake in the River Belle Terrace at Disneyland Park, perhaps after riding 2-3 of the main attractions in the morning.

[nemo1981]

Thanks Dave and Alan, it`s great to get infos from Anaheim-experts;-)))

I think I`ll decide for the Blue Bayou on the first day and the Napa on the second day.... are they very expensive or just expensive??:-)

Oh and that Pancake thing sounds great too...ahhhh I am already soooo excited!!! It will be so interesting for me to see a "different" kind of Disneyland, since i only know the Parisversion.( I know every spot there:

[davewasbaloo]

Napa rose is very expensive, voted best restaurant in California in pagans guide, but worth it. Blue bayou is on par with the DLP table service places. For counter service, anywhere in new orleans squere or Rancho Zocalo are good. Be sure to try a corn dog in main street, clam chowder in the wharf at dca, churros anywhere, and a virgin mint julep in new Orleans square.

[nemo1981]

One more question for you Dave. It`s not really about Disneyland, but since you are a Californian Expert;-) Is one day enough at Universal Hollywood?? To me it looks like a small park, and it seems that one day there would be enough...

I`d like to know that, cause I am thinking about getting the Southern California City Pass, which includes 3 days at Disneyland, one day San Diego Sea World and ,if you buy it at the Universal Studios Hollywood, 2 days Universal...

And how about Sea World? Is it good? Or is it better to visit the famous San Diego Zoo instead?? But that wouldn`t be included in the offer...

Please keep in mind that I haven`t visited as many Themeparks as you( by far), I only know DLP (which I love) and the German Europa park (which I don`t like a lot)...I am just telling you, cause it probably does make a difference to me, since I have never been to ANY sea world Park...

Alright, that`s it, these are my questions

[davewasbaloo]

Cool. I would say that one day is probably enough for USH so long as it is not heaving. The priorities here are definately the tram tour and the Water World Show, then probably Jurrassic Park, The Mummy and the Simpson's Ride. Animal Actors is cute, but Seaworld and the San Diego zoo have some similar shows. T2 3D, used to be cool, but 3D was not as common as it is today. Though it has some Cinemagique style touches. Then see anything else that takes your fancy. But I would say 1 day is enough, and treat it more like a visitor attraction than a theme park.

I very much like Sea World, though I understand it is not as good as it used to be (it has been 4 years since my last trip). But if you like Sea Life, it is a must. The killer whale show, the dolphin show, the sea lion show and Wild Artic are the big draws here. Also, the Rapid Ride soaks you, but is fun. And Atlantis is kind of cool, but there are similar rides at Europe Park and they took the comerson dolphins out (which used to make this soooo cool).

I adore the San Diego Zoo. It is the biggest botanical gardens in the world, and when you mix in Pandas, Koalas and the animal trails, it is pretty special indeed. It is a hard call, but I would recommend maybe trying both Sea World and San Diego Zoo over 2 days, with only one day at USH? But only if you are a major animal lover.

any more questions, let me know.

[dagobert]

Hi Nemo,

I haven't seen you for quite some time here, but I have to admit I hardly posted here last year. You have to write a trip report, because we plan a similar vacation next year. We also wanted to go in 2012, but I'm starting a new job and so we have to postpone our trip to 2013. It would be great to read about your experiences.

I wish you a great trip!

[Cendrillon]

Great choice with GCH! Like Dave said, it's by far my favourite Disney hotel - the others pale in comparison! Also, may as well re-iterate what you've already been told - Indiana Jones cannot be missed! Also, this is a slightly different suggestion, but if you're looking to take a short break during the day I strongly recommend you check out Trader Sam's bar at the Disneyland Hotel. It's really quick to reach from the parks, and the theming is simply superb. The ambience is wonderful, the Cast Members are so in character, and lets just say there are many surprises waiting anyone brave enough to sample some of their cocktails... (: