2.5 days at Disneyland in November-could use advice

[cohmom]

We are going on our first trip to Disneyland in November with our 5 year old DD and 7 year old DS. We have been to Disneyworld but we are so very excited to see "the land". My DD is a very big Star Wars fan so we are really hoping to do the Jedi training. Since time is short with just the 2.5 days I hope we can hit the major different (from disneyworld) but I am having trouble organizing the day.
Has anyone eaten at Blue Bayou, is it so dark that a kid that is afraid of the dark will be scared?
Any "special to the land" foods that are must haves?
Thanks for any input!!

[alleinesein]

Are you staying on property? When will you be going in November? If it is over Thanksgiving weekend the park will be crowded!!

For Jedi Training you want to register as soon as the park opens. Just head to Tomorrowland and look for the CM at the podium near the entrance to Star Wars Launch Bay.

They do a holiday version of WOC so if you want to check that you I highly recommend doing one of the WOC dining packages.

If you want the Monte Cristo sandwich at the Blue Bayou they only serve it at lunch. The restaurant isn't too dark. If you kid can handle the dimmed lighting in a movie theater they should be fine with the Blue Bayou.

If you like garlic you will want to get one of the garlic twists at Maurices. It is next to the castle in Disneyland in the princess area.

If you are getting park hopper tickets I would recommend designating one park for each day but to be flexible and hop between the 2 if they get crowded. If you are staying on property you can take advantage of extra magic hours and use that time to hit up a lot of the popular rides.

[cohmom]

Thanks! We will be there 11/18 to 11/20. So pre Thanksgivingish.
We are across the street at the park vue so no magic hours maybe we should do park hoppers.
Great tip on blue bayou.

[alleinesein]

Disneyland extra magic hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. DCA is Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun. So plan accordingly!

Try to get to the main gate entry plaza at least 15-30 minutes before the park opens. Your hotel is in a great location so it is just a few minutes away from the park entrance. There might be some construction going on while you are there; Disneyland is adding a new parking structure and they will be tearing down a hotel in order to do so.

Carsland is pretty cool at night. They flip the lights on at sundown so you might want to check that out.

If Mickey and the Magical Map is showing while you are there it is a nice way to take a break. They don't run it daily so you would need to check the schedule.

Also don't miss the light show on its a small world. They light it up at sundown and they also do a light and sound show throughout the evening; it involves music, video projections and lots of lights.

[cohmom]

Thank you soo soo much. Will do. Were keeping it secret from the kids. My daughter asks about Jedi training daily and is saving all her allowance to try to buy a trip for the family. Its very sweet. Can't wait to tell them when the plane lands where we are really going

[stephm0188]

2.5 days is plenty for DL. It's such a different experience than WDW. We typically do one day in each park and split our third day between the two hitting anything we missed or want to do again.

[cohmom]

I was hoping that was the case. Last time we went to wdw we brought a double umbrella stroller and then gave it to a family at the stroller rental on the way out. It was a fun way to share the magic.
I'm thinking we dont need a stroller at DL because they are 2 years order. 5 and 7 seems like they should be able to walk it all

[lala]

We will be there for the first time in November, too. We leave the 17th!

I'm still taking a double, but we'll have a 2.5 year old in addition to a young 5 & 8.

We're skipping blue bayou but we'll probably do New Orleans cafe (?), plaza character breakfast, and not sure if any other sit downs yet.

[cohmom]

So fun will we overlap? I could see in your case a double would be completely necessary. I am really hoping for good weather and I need to sit down and put some thought into the daily schedule to maximize.
I don't think we will do character meals this time and I am on the fence about Blue bayou. I just spent 1/2 of the Pete's dragon movie in the lobby because my daughter was really scared in the dark theater.

[alleinesein]

cohmom If you are planning on riding Pirates of the Caribbean that might be a good way to gauge the darkness at the Blue Bayou. You could always book a reservation for lunch on your last day and cancel it if you think it will be too dark. Disneyland has a 24hr cancellation for dining so it might be a good option.

Or you could still get the Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans. It is cheaper and it is available at lunch and dinner.

Would having some sort of light up item help your daughter with her fear of the dark? Disney has plenty of light up toys (aka glow) that she could get as a souvenir and possibly help her with the dark.

[Wines Not Whines]

We just went to DLR with my son, who just turned 6, and he was fine walking everywhere. He did the Jedi Training and loved it!

[Mushe]

We just got back other our almost 5 year old, and had a blast! He hasn't used a stroller forever, but we ended up having tickets for 4 days, because we had 2 part days (fitting this in before a conference for me). We rented one on day 3, but we'd walked 12+ miles both days before.

Carsland was a HUGE hit, and was so pretty at night. Radiator Springs Racers was a hot ticket, so the day we started at CA Adventure, we got FP as we entered the park, then did the ride. They were out of FP by about 2-3pm every day.

My guy initially wanted to do Jedi training and then chickened out, so it'll have to wait, but definitely go first thing to sign up!

[Mushe]

We were really glad to have park hopper tickets.

[lala]

We'll miss each other - we'll be there the 12th-17th. Parks the 13th-17th, 5 day hoppers. This is a first for all of us and we have no idea when we'll be back - probably a looooong time. The night of the 12th we're at the sheraton and then we hop over to a DVC studio at the Grand Californian.

[cohmom]

Sept 4, 2016 20:00:20 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

cohmom If you are planning on riding Pirates of the Caribbean that might be a good way to gauge the darkness at the Blue Bayou. You could always book a reservation for lunch on your last day and cancel it if you think it will be too dark. Disneyland has a 24hr cancellation for dining so it might be a good option.

Or you could still get the Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans. It is cheaper and it is available at lunch and dinner.

Would having some sort of light up item help your daughter with her fear of the dark? Disney has plenty of light up toys (aka glow) that she could get as a souvenir and possibly help her with the dark.

This is a great idea and nice that we can get a last minute reservation. I am used to having to plan for a good ADR in advance.
Ill be sad if she won't try pirates because its my all time fav at wdw. Fingers crossed she feels adventurous!

[cohmom]

Sept 4, 2016 20:21:18 GMT -5 lala said:

We'll miss each other - we'll be there the 12th-17th. Parks the 13th-17th, 5 day hoppers. This is a first for all of us and we have no idea when we'll be back - probably a looooong time. The night of the 12th we're at the sheraton and then we hop over to a DVC studio at the Grand Californian.

I hope you have a fab trip and accomplish all you'd like to! This will be a once in a childhood DL trip for my kiddos. Its a 6 hour  flights so Orlando is our disney home
But I am soooooo excited to see DL,  I've heard that its such a different vibe so looking forward to experiencing that!

[lala]

Sept 4, 2016 21:14:32 GMT -5 cohmom said:

Sept 4, 2016 20:21:18 GMT -5 lala said:

We'll miss each other - we'll be there the 12th-17th. Parks the 13th-17th, 5 day hoppers. This is a first for all of us and we have no idea when we'll be back - probably a looooong time. The night of the 12th we're at the sheraton and then we hop over to a DVC studio at the Grand Californian.

I hope you have a fab trip and accomplish all you'd like to! This will be a once in a childhood DL trip for my kiddos. Its a 6 hour  flights so Orlando is our disney home
But I am soooooo excited to see DL,  I've heard that its such a different vibe so looking forward to experiencing that!

Yes, same. We go to DW every few years but this is  6 hour flight for us. We do get to California now & then but usually northern for family stuff. I'm so excited to see the differences & both compare & enjoy them. SaveSave

[lishie]

We took our 5 and 7 year olds to the land in june. We do WDW every year, so we loved checking out the differences at DL.

I absolutely loved DL. My kids thought carsland was the best thing ever, even though DS2 got a little scared on the Radiator Springs racers. If your kids like test track, they'll love the racers.

The boys also loved trying out the 20000 leagues submarine ride. We tried to do everything that wasn't WDW. DS2 loved Autotopia, which he thought was way better than the speedway. Loved hyperspace mountain. DS1 wasn't a huge matterhorn fan, but it was fun to try out the classic Disney coaster.

[MDmomof2]

We recently went with my DD (8.5) and DS (5.5). We went for 2 days and didn't get Park Hopper passes as we figured we could spend all our time in Disneyland - we did and still didn't see everything! We got to the park at 8 am each day and DS lasted until 2 or 3 pm and DD lasted until 4 pm. We didn't bring a stroller and we are from the East Coast so they did a lot of walking and were messed up with the time. No one would nap - we did not go back to the park in the evening, which I know is a strategy some people use. Also, it was HOT! In the low 90's, so we were just worn out by mid-afternoon. Something to keep in mind with youngish kids.

That said, DD has a blast. She loved everything Disney! My DS was not feeling the magic but still had a good time and loved the rides. Have fun!

[cohmom]

My son is a huge test track can so I am really looking forward to the cars ride. Unfortunately DS has started to say this or that is "babyish" so this will be the last of the "magical" trips I think.
My daughter does get wilted in the heat but in November I think it only gets into the 70s so I am hoping the heat won't factor in.
Did the new soaring movie start or us it still California themed?

[alleinesein]

Sept 6, 2016 11:06:47 GMT -5 cohmom said:

My son is a huge test track can so I am really looking forward to the cars ride. Unfortunately DS has started to say this or that is "babyish" so this will be the last of the "magical" trips I think.
My daughter does get wilted in the heat but in November I think it only gets into the 70s so I am hoping the heat won't factor in.
Did the new soaring movie start or us it still California themed?

Soarin is the new film.

The weather could be anything in November.  If we get a Santa Ana it can be hot and windy. It will get cold at night so bring clothes to keep you warm.

[TBM]

Enjoy it! I love Disneyland and love to hear what other people think when they compare it to MK. Lately it seems like everyone that I have talked to about it irl has actually preferred DL. The latest was a young couple that we sat next to seeing Willy Wonka on Saturday night. They couldn't put their finger on why they prefer DL, but they said that they loved the look and feel and were surprised by the differences in the parks.

I would think at those ages your kids should be able to walk it all. We never quit using strollers with our kids and grandkids around 4.....it is much easier to navigate the parks without a stroller. We stayed from open to close with our kids, and used things like train rides, shows and parades as opportunities to sit and relax and break up the day a bit. The lobby of the Grand Californian can be a nice place to relax too...we sat there listening to the pianist and enjoying the fire in the fireplace more than a few times. We didn't really do long days with the grandkids, but we were annual passholders and we went pretty often, so we didn't feel like we had to see/do everything in one visit.

The heat shouldn't be a factor in Nov, but remember that mornings and evenings can be much cooler than you might expect, even if it is a warm day.

I am jealous that you will be there during the Haunted Mansion Holiday season. I love The Nightmare Before Christmas and it makes me sad that living in FL means missing out on that. Also jealous that you could go on Tower Of Terror before it closes in January. It is by far my favorite Tower of Terror ride of the three that I have been on, and it looks like we won't make it there for one last ride before it gets the Guardians of the Galaxy overlay. And it is Soarin' Around the World now.

[sfgiantsjo]

Is there a way to link documents to posts here? I wrote up some of my favorite Disneyland tips and tricks for first timers, and I'd be happy to share. Maybe it will cut and paste easily...

In any case, I'm not a fan of the Blue Bayou. Ambiance wise it's terrific. But the food is sub par and expensive. It is quite dark in there, but there is definitely enough soft lighting to eat by, but it might be a little scary for super sensitive kids.

As an FYI, many of the rides in Disneyland are very dark - especially the aptly named "darkrides". Those are darker than Blue Bayou.

Let me see about cutting and pasting.

[sfgiantsjo]

DISNEYLAND RESORT TIPS AND TRICKS
FASTPASSES
Not all attractions have fastpasses available!
Disney describes the FASTPASS system in 3 easy steps:
1. Each member of your party inserts his or her park ticket in the FASTPASS kiosk. So you need to keep those tickets with you, dry and safe.
2. You'll receive a FASTPASS ticket with a return time so that you can go play in the park instead of waiting in line.
Tip: Look on the bottom of your current FASTPASS ticket to find out when you can get one for another attraction. Generally, that will be 2 hours from when you got the ticket OR the start of the return window on your ticket, whichever is sooner.
3. Come back during your return time and hop on the attraction with little or no waiting. Look for the FASTPASS return entrance. It will be separate from the regular entrance.

General FASTPASS Touring Tips
• Don't mess with FASTPASS unless it can save you 30 minutes or more at a given attraction.
• Since lines are manageable, there's no reason to use FASTPASS during the first 30-40 minutes a park is open. (Except for Cars/World of Color show.)
• If you arrive after a park opens, obtain a FASTPASS for your preferred FASTPASS attraction first thing.
• Always check the FASTPASS return period before obtaining your FASTPASS.
• Don't depend on FASTPASSes being available for ride attractions after 2 p.m. during busier times of the year.
• There is a one-hour time window on its FASTPASS tickets. Be sure to return on-time.
• Make sure that everyone in your party has his or her own FASTPASS.
• Be mindful of your FASTPASS return time, and plan intervening activities accordingly.
• You can’t hold a fastpass for more than one thing at any given time EXCEPT for the World of Color Show and Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome


CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE:

If you get a Magic Morning Pass with your Park Hopper (you have to be staying at a DL Resort Hotel – the early Morning passes that come with multi-day park hoppers are not valid for DCA early entry days), I suggest using it at California Adventure. (They switch which Park opens early daily.) We always hit Toy Story Midway Mania first. That ride always has a long line, and there are no fastpasses for it. Often, we can ride it more than once in a row (It's an interactive ride/game, so very fun to ride again to try to improve your score.) Then we go get Fast Passes for Radiator Springs. Those FastPasses are usually gone in an hour or so, and quicker if the park is crowded. Your fastpass will have a return time on it, so now you can plan around that. You can go on other rides that don't require or don't have fastpasses now.


Rides that rarely have super long lines in DCA:

• Little Mermaid Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Monster’s Inc.
• Most of the rides on Paradise Pier (Jumper Jellyfish, Golden Zephyr, Silly Symphony Swings)
• All the rides in A Bug’s Land (This has rides for littler kids – preschool to maybe 8 or so)
• King Triton’s Carousel
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Grizzly River Run (a classic rapids ride. You will get WET. If it’s cold out, there won’t be a line) FP available if there is a line.
• Goofy’s Fly School (This line has FP available, but sometimes the line is so short, you won’t need it.)

Rides that have longer lines (in DCA), so Fastpasses are recommended, if available:
• Tower of Terror (I’ve seen kids as young as 5 on this, but it’s scary and has big drops, so unless you’ve got a daredevil, keep the littles away. (I DO know several kids who love it though!) FP available and recommended. A MUST GO ON ride for those ok with a drop! Even if it means going alone!
• California Screamin’ Roller Coaster (This line is hit and miss) FP available, but not often needed. Single rider line is fabulous on this, so if just one person wants to ride, they get on pretty quickly while everyone else watches from the board walk.
• Soarin’ Over California (The line for this takes forever, get a FP if you can.)
• Radiator Springs (Cars Racers) One of the best rides in all of DLand, with one of the worst lines. Get a FP.)
• Mickey’s Fun Wheel – The rides takes forever to load/unload, so the waits are long.)
• Toy Story Midway Mania – A personal favorite of mine. The whole family will love this one. No FP, and the line is usually very long – worth it, though. Go during Magic Hour if you are at a Disneyland Resort Hotel.
Shows in DCA:
• World Of Color – A do not miss show! Get a FP for it. You can do so in the FP kiosk, but those go quick. I prefer getting one by getting a meal package. You get a special viewing area, too, which is way better. It costs money, but it’s worth it.

World of Color - Celebrate meal packages are offered by Wine Country Trattoria, Ariel's Grotto, and Carthay Circle Restaurant. The fixed-price dinner runs $41.99 per adult ($21.99 for kids) at Wine Country Trattoria and Ariel’s Grotto, and $59 per adult ($20 for kids) at Carthay Circle Restaurant. Lunch packages (not available at Ariel’s) are $30 per adult ($18.98 for kids) at Wine Country Trattoria, and $39 per adult ($18 for kids) at Carthay Circle. (The above prices do not include tax and tip.)

• A Bug’s Life – This show is so cute. If you have a timid kid, warn them ahead of time that the show is interactive – the seats might vibrate, or water might sprinkle…things like that. Ask me if you need more info, trying not to spoil it for YOU, either!

• Disney Jr Live is popular with the preschool set!

Other stuff in DCA:
Parades – The Pixar Parade is cute
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Lots of stuff to climb on and explore
BOOZE – You can get BOOZE in DCA (If you’re into that) 

DISNEYLAND:
There are lots of extended ride closures in DLand right now: Jungle Cruise, All attractions on the rivers of America, and the train)
Rides that typically have shorter lines:
• AstroBlasters – This ride is PERFECT to use as a filler. If someone goes on Space Mountain, the rest of the group can go on Astro Blasters while they wait. The line is usually one of the shortest in the park, and it’s a fun interactive shooting game/ride, so riding it multiple times, even in a row, is still fun!
• Winnie the Pooh
• Pinocchio’s daring Journey
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Longer Lines, use a FP if available:
• Autopia (No FP) – This line can be brutal if it’s hot out. Smelly from the car exhaust, and in the sun.
• Space Mountain (For SURE use a FP, and lines are longer at night)
• Star Tours
• Haunted Mansion – Part of waiting in line for this ride includes standing packed in tight in a small room that gets very dark. There are loud startling noises, and scary music. Can be frightening for some children.)
• Thunder Mountain (the line moves fairly quick on this, even when it’s long, but if you can squeeze in a FP in time wise, it’s worth it). This is a fast moving, roller coaster type ride, but there are no large drops. Just fast turns, and bumps. There are long climbs up, but no drops.
• Peter Pan – Oh, Peter Pan. Always a long line, no FP. Possibly the only ride in the park that never has a short line. NEVER. But, it is an all-time favorite for everyone.
• Alice in Wonderland – No FP, but a lovely ride.
• Storybook Land Canal Boats - (Slow moving line No FP)
• Splash Mountain – If it’s cold out, the line will be short, FP are available if the line is long. This ride is fabulous! But there are drops, and one of them is big. Worth riding as a single rider if the rest of your party doesn’t want to ride.
• Indiana Jones – This ride offers Fast Passes, so go ahead and get one if you don’t already hold one for another ride. However, if you are all booked up in Fastpasses, this is the one to just wait in the regular line, unless the line is snaking around outside of the caves. If the line is mostly indoors, the fastpass doesn’t hold much benefit.
• Matterhorn – No FP. Line can get long, and snake around the mountain. No drops on this one, but it moves fast, and sometimes in the dark. Snow Monsters will startle you and roar loudly. It is VERY bumpy, and can kind of hurt, TBH. Once you get to the turnstiles in the line, you can go to the right or to the left. There are two tracks, running along either side of the mountain. The left side is better than the right side, so ask if you can go to the left. The ride is pretty ,uch the same on each side, but for some reason, the left is slightly smoother and more enjoyable.

Everything else falls somewhere in between. Pirates of the Caribbean can get long lines, and can look very intimidating, but it moves very well. Same with it’s a small world.

Some people like to stick to certain “lands”/areas and do all the rides in that particular spot, then move on. If your kids are up to it, I prefer moving around more. i.e. get a fastpass for Thunder Mountain or Haunted Mansion, and hit up Astroblasters and maybe Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride while I’m waiting. I get more accomplished, but it is more walking.

Shows in DLand:
They are all good! Check the daily schedule to plan out times. If you plan on watching the Parade/Fireworks, and want prime seating, you gotta stake out your spot EARLY. If you want a REALLY good spot, get there over an hour early, at least. I like to grab a spot on the curb in from of the PhotoPass shop on Main Street. We let an adult sit on a spread out blanket while the rest of the party goes on a ride or two, and then switch adults. Then grab a corn dog at the cart behind you or other snack, and have a “picnic” while you wait. After the parade, they let everyone stand up and move into the “street” for fireworks. Get to the middle of the street, and you’ll have a good view of the fireworks. There will be projections on the Castle, the Matterhorn, and Main Street, so make sure you can see all of those.

If you’re having a Dole Whip (and you have to!), get it when you are planning on watching the Tiki Room show. Go INSIDE the queue and you can purchase your Dole Whip in the outdoors waiting area. The lines are shorter, and then you can eat while you watch the show!


FOOD!!
DCA:
Favorites –
• Smoked Turkey Legs in Hollywood land. (A cart around the corner from Award Wieners (yes, Award Wieners))
• Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon in a bread cone in Car’s Land paired with a Pomegranate Lime Aid. Add a shot of vodka in that Lime Aid for the adults)
• Pickle Popcorn in Car’s Land. Sounds gross but it isn’t.
• WINE, all of it
• Ghiradelli Sundaes
• Lobster Nachos at the Cove Bar ( this place gets a looong line)
Table Service –
• Carthay Circle – The best table service restaurant that is located INSIDE of either of the Theme Parks. It’s slightly pricey, but you can get a World of Color pass if you book a package. Reservations recommended/required.

• Wine Country Trattoria – Not great, but worth it if you want a World of Color Pass, and want it for cheaper than Carthay Circle. Reservations recommended/required.

• Ariel’s Grotto – Fun Character dining. Go at breakfast and meet the princesses for cheaper. (I like Goofy’s kitchen best for character dining – good mix of characters, and lots of interaction, but it’s in DLand hotel, not inside a park.) Reservations required for character dining.
Disneyland:
• CHURROS!!! The churros are better in DLand than in DCA or DT Disney
• Cherry Milkshakes at Carnation Café
• Broasted Chicken at Plaza Inn (A Ton of Food, but yummy)
• Mickey Beignets with a Mint Julip (Non-alcoholic)
• Pickles on a stick, or Pineapple Spears on a Stick
• Dole whips!
• Bengal Barbeque – Meat on a stick. ‘Nough said
• PRO TIP: Pizza is sold by the slice at Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. There are no whole pizzas on the menu. However, you CAN order a whole pizza, and it’s cheaper than slices if you are ordering 5 or more. A whole pizza was $30 in 2015. So that may change at anytime.
Table Service –
• Blue Bayou – Table Service restaurant INSIDE of the Pirates of the Caribbean (A for ambiance, D for food. Not worth the price)

• Carnation Café – Table service with comfort food menu. Nice if you want a break. Make a reservation for lunch.)

[sfgiantsjo]

The FP info at the top is from touringplans.com. The rest is just my personal opinion and thoughts, so take it with a grain of salt. It's also about a year old, so some things may have gotten a little out of date. Hopefully it's helpful!

I'll just miss you - we'll be there 11/7-11/11.