Any good ideas for our first night?

[Relishy]

We are buying 2 day park hoppers for the Thursday and Friday of our stay and will need something/somewhere to go for the evening of our first night. We will be jet-lagged but like to stay up till 10ish so we are not awake at 3 am. Can you go to Downtown Disney without a ticket?
Shirley

[dcfromva]

Can you go to Downtown Disney without a ticket?


Relishy,
No ticket is required. They have all sorts of great restaurants, too. There is an ESPN zone if you are the gaming type. I think there is also a Build a Bear and my favorite of all the stores, Marcelines (yes, it is a candy store!). Let me see if I can pull up a list of shops for you.

-DC :ears:

[dcfromva]

Let's see if this link will work (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlr/listing/whatToDo?id=WhatToDoShoppingPage&initialContent=Shopping)

Also, I think there are some entertaining things to do at the DL hotel. It seems like they have a fancy fountain there where they have fountain performances (it's been a few years since I've seen it). I can remember the first time I ever stayed at the DL hotel, I thought I should have devoted a day just to hang out there. There is also the Grand California. They have a lovely huge fireplace and they have story telling there in the evening. (But, sitting in the nice comfy chairs in the lobby may put you to sleep :) )

-DC :ears:

[dcfromva]

...to minimize the confusion factor, I'm splitting off the suggestions for WDW.. and moving them to WDW Planning...

-DC :ears:

[Relishy]

Thank you again DC for those ideas. I really want to have a good look at the Grand California for our next stay!!
Shirley

[rjh812uk]

I would definately head for DTD ,if you have'nt bought your tickets yet you can get them there it will give you a head start for your park days.
You can wander through DTD past the tram stop and suss(i think thats how you spell it)out the park entrances and it will get you into the Disney mood even though you'll be tired.

[dizzyknee]

Sorry I didn't realize that this was about California. I didn't know DisneyLAND had a DTD. You learn something everyday!

[BevW]

DL does have a DTD, it's a whole lot smaller than the one at WDW, but it's still fun to go walking around and seeing stuff. It also has the World Of Disney store, my fave place to shop while at DL. :lol:

And you can go into the Grand Californian resort because the entrance is in DTD...it's a little hidden though.

[dcfromva]

DK,
They have really added a lot of stuff on to DL--They opened DTD at DL at the same time they opened up the Grand Californian and CA Adventures.
The DTD area starts around where the monorail station for the DL hotel is. (My sister said that they did not move the monorail station, but I had trouble believng it because it seems so far from the hotel compared to what it used to be. )
It extends over to where the front entrance to DL/CA is. It used to be parking lot between the DL Hotel and the entrance to DL and it has turned into a really high energy/happening place to be-especially in the evening time.

-DC :ears:

[dizzyknee]

Well I am having a good year. We just returned from WDW from a rather spontaneous trip and while we were there we found out that we would be going to L.A. in January '05 for a family thing. So we will be visiting DL/CA!

I am having some trouble finding info. especially maps of the area. I'd love to see a map of GC hotel and its relationship to the parks(I saw one of these on official site but it was very small and had no "key" so it wasn't much help)

Any thoughts about where I can get this info.?

[BevW]

I am having some trouble finding info. especially maps of the area. I'd love to see a map of GC hotel and its relationship to the parks(I saw one of these on official site but it was very small and had no "key" so it wasn't much help)

Any thoughts about where I can get this info.?

Have you tried the Anaheim chamber of commerce?

[dizzyknee]

Thanks for the idea Bev. I'll check it out but I don't think they are going to have the Disney info. I am seeking. There isn't a site like this one for Disneyland. If anyone has a map for the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland and can send me a copy or post it I'd be so greatful.

[BevW]

dizzyknee, I have the Birnbaums guide for Disneyland and they don't even have a map of the Grand Californian Hotel. My DH and I have been in it (we did a mini tour on the ground floor a couple years ago) and it's an awesome place. That's where DH wants to stay on our next trip to DL.

I have a number if you want to call them....714-956-6425. That's for ressies and info. Hope this helps!

[ssttrasotm]

My DW and I make a bee line to the "Blue Bayou". It is a great little restraunt in the French Quarter. Part of it overlooks a swamp between passenger loading and the skull that says "Dead men tell no tales!" on the POTC. I love that restraunt, and each time we have been able to be right on the edge of the water, out on the veranda. The food is great, and the service has always been wonderfull. It is a great place to start a romantic evening ;)

Once you enter the park, hot foot it to the restraunt, and get your PS. Last time we checked, you couldnt call it in, or make a PS for anything but same day.

[BevW]

Oh my gosh! I totally forgot about this. My DH and I ate dinner there last year and it was absolutely fabulous! Loved the atmosphere and the meal.

[dcfromva]

Thanks for the idea Bev. I'll check it out but I don't think they are going to have the Disney info. I am seeking. There isn't a site like this one for Disneyland. If anyone has a map for the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland and can send me a copy or post it I'd be so greatful.

DK,
If you PM me your address, I will send you an extra park guide from our last visit. :)

-DC :ears:

[dizzyknee]

Thanks Bev for the number and checking your book. I have unofficial guide and it isn't in there either.

Thanks for the restuarant idea ssttrasotm. I'll check that out.

I haven't even gotten into researching restaurants but I'm already worried I'm going to hit the same info-less wall.

[dcfromva]

DK,

http://www.uogphotos.com/photopost/data/573/0DL_dining2.jpg
This map has the gives you an idea as to where the parks are in relation to the Disney Hotels (The GC is the green area in the center of the map). (I'm sending you a larger copy of this same map so it will be easier to see the details.)


-DC :ears:

[dizzyknee]

Thanks DC, from this it looks like you have to go through CA to get to DL. Is that true?

Thanks for posting this. I look forward to seeing it in person.

[dcfromva]

Thanks DC, from this it looks like you have to go through CA to get to DL. Is that true?

Thanks for posting this. I look forward to seeing it in person.

Yes--I think the shortest way to DL is cutting through DCA. DCA often opens later than DL, however (like 10:00am). When that happens, you cut through DTD (right near the Naples Restaurant) --which really isn't that much farther.

-DC :ears: