my advice - DL during spring break, misc tips

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Hey Erin,
So we're in SoCal and we're going to head to Disneyland and we were wondering if you have any tips. Ride strategy, best place to get tix, etc. We're only going for one day. What's the word on Main Street USA?

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Hey!
Tix online are cheaper, usually...I don't remember if you've been recently or if you'll be there open-close, so forgive me if you already know some of this stuff or if any of it is irrelevant.
It's Spring Break so it's predicted to be pretty crowded all week.
According to the app I have, crowds are supposed to be 9 & 10 out of 10 every day this week - Fri & Sat are the 9s and Wed & Thurs are the 10s. Really not much difference...but I can't recommend the Touring Plans app enough. You can get real time Wait Time updates, which is really helpful.
Use single rider lines when available - you can get on rides way quicker. If you do Carsland, this is especially true for Radiator Springs Racers, which is a supercool new ride - standby line is usually 100+ minutes, but I never waited longer than 25 minutes for single rider. If its not clear, you can ask the cast member at the front of the queue about a single rider line.
Eat a Dole Whip. Eat a corn dog.
The Soundsational parade is my favorite, if you feel like a parade.
If you're there in the morning, Peter Pan first. ALWAYS FIRST. (This is true for most of Fantasyland; if you want to do those attractions, do it first thing in the morning)
Toy Story Midway Mania is always a 45 minute wait. It's worth it.
If you're trying to choose between fireworks and World of Color, do World of Color.
Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed right now, so you don't need to worry about that one.
If you're only going to ride one side of the Matterhorn, do the Tomorrowland side!
The Dapper Dans are my favorite.
If you're there at closing - get in a line a few minutes prior - if you're in line at closing, they have to let you get on the ride.
Good luck!
(Also if it seems overwhelmingly busy, ride the train around a couple times because its awesome, AND Haunted Mansion & Pirates always load fast and rarely have a crazy long wait.)

...Sorry if that's overwhelming. I'm a big Disney nerd. Basically, it's one day. You won't be able to do everything. When I have one day I just figure out what I really really want to do and stick with that. Realistic expectations.
Have a magical day! xoxo

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Thought I'd post a message exchange with one of my old friends from yesterday/today. I'm planning on doing a more thorough tips/tricks post, but this is a good taste of what my Disney advice is like - past midnight after a night of Portlanding (MIKA show + drinks + food), haha.
(This is slightly edited - to take out my own blog reference, fix spelling, and condense superfluous info.)
I hope they have a freakin' awesome time! I did, in Portland - I <3 MIKA and that's one of the first non-Disney things I've said on my Disney blog!

 

Busybusybusy - World of Color love

I'm in Portland, but here is a lovely WoC picture that I took :)

These are a few of my favorite apps – Touring Plans!

The only Disney app I need is Touring Plans. I first heard about Touring Plans through their Unofficial Guide books, and through the (best) Disney podcast Mousetalgia. Yes it costs money ($6.95 I believe for a year’s DL/DCA subscription, more if you add WDW). Yes it is absolutely worth it. So much information at your fingertips!

Here’s a sample of some of the information I use most regularly. If you’re familiar with the books, however, you’ll know that they also offer…well, Touring Plans, hence the name. Their website says that their plans can save you hours in line; for me the most helpful information is the crowd calendar and wait time features. There’s even links to restaurant reviews and menus, if you’re hungry in the parks or just trying to plan your trip.

 

In my experience, I feel like the crowd predictions may have been slightly “off” in the past year or so (some days have a lower crowd prediction than it ends up being, it seems), but that’s probably because the Disneyland Resort is so very popular! All of the new additions I’m sure have an effect on crowds (UNDERSTATEMENT). However, I feel like the reported wait times you get is worth the price of the app alone – you can find out (via another user) an attraction’s wait time, or if it’s been closed, without having to make the trek yourself. Also, is it possible that Disney's posted wait times are sometimes...wrong? Their predicted wait times have proven (for me) to be more accurate.

 
For me, knowledge is power. The reason I became such a huge Disney nerd is because I was planning a trip and just…got…so…INTERESTED! I never stopped; now I try to know everything, because why not. This app helps me know (almost) everything, and I love it. Thank you, Touring Plans and The Unofficial Guide! (I would work for you guys in a second if I could. Also their website touringplans.com is pretty great, too.)

It’s especially nice if you’re stuck at home in rainy Washington, just wondering about how the parks are today. Sigh!

Food Friday! Carthay Circle House Biscuits (at home)

Okay, so I've never been to the Carthay Circle Restaurant. Oh, how I wish one day! But everyone freakin' raves about their house biscuits (described on the menu as: Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits - Stuffed with White Cheddar, Bacon, and Jalapeno, Served with Apricot Honey Butter. $11!), and I just am impatient and wanted a taste of the magic. So while making dinner one night I figured maybe I'd throw together something similar, like a semi-homemade or ghetto-ized version of my own. I got some biscuits-in-a-can, cubed some cheese, roasted a jalapeño and fried some small pieces of bacon. I chopped everything up and tucked the filling inside the biscuit. They baked okay and tasted good (I ate them with some honey) but nowhere near Disney quality. I am determined to do it, though, so maybe next time I'll try a homemade (or Bisquick) dough. And maybe fry them. That's really like a fritter though, yeah? Whatever. Have a magical weekend!

Announcing...plans!

Going to be completely lame tonight and post something supershort - but exciting!



Caitlin and I are planning a DL trip! Here's our change jar - any guesses as to when we're going? ;)

White Water Snacks - a love letter.

All right, here is the blog for today, and it’s really more of a love letter.



There you are. Hey, you.

I don’t know why my best friend (also Erin) and I were determined to go to White Water Snacks on our first visit (together) to the DLR, years ago. I think we had heard through the internet grapevine that it wasn’t too crowded and had tasty food, particularly the nachos. But try it we did, and it was the beginning of a romance that continues today.



please enjoy our brightly-colored eyeshadows.

Probably the only time I’ve ever EVER beaten Erin at this. Huh.

 

White Water Snacks is one of the restaurants located in the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa – it’s just down the way from the Napa Rose and Storytellers Café. It’s the smaller and least formal of the three. Some of it is self-serve, cafeteria-style eating; you get your own drinks, treats, snacks and deli-type items, then order the made-to-order items and pay at the register. They have indoor and outdoor seating, at least one electrical outlet for charging purposes (see my earlier post!), a well-priced variety of food, and a pleasant atmosphere.

 

photo from disneyfoodblog

photo from disneyexpedition.net

 

 

WWS is bliss. I don’t know anyone who has been there that doesn’t absolutely love it.

It’s quiet there. It’s a nice quiet walk through the Grand Californian, and the music is calming; a nice change of pace after the frenetic energy of the parks and Downtown Disney. The outdoor seating is near the pool, so the sound of water also contributes to the soothing atmosphere. It’s nice and cool in the summer (outdoor seating has plenty of shade), and cozy in the winter. I’ve never had trouble finding a seat.

Our favorite items on the menu include the nachos (of course!), the burger (with a grilled chili on it, YUM), and the breakfast sandwich. The food is tasty – I’ve never had anything there I didn’t enjoy, and we’ve always left full and satisfied. I never felt like I was paying too much for what I got. I have purchased more sweet iced teas there than anywhere else at the DLR. I’ve gotten some refills, too, which is probably not something I was supposed to do, but they were okay with it – at the time. I take no responsibility if you try this and get told.





HUGE breakfast sandwich – served with fruit for $6.99

Here’s a link to the WWS Menu, thanks to allears.net

I guess it’s kind of an “insider tip” to know about it, because not a lot of people do…? Not sure, but I’d recommend it to anyone! The DLR site only has a short blurb about this "family quick-service eatery” and it’s “American” fare, but to me it’s become so much more than that! This is true love. White Water Snacks, my oasis of the Disneyland Resort. Do you miss me like I miss you right now? Sigh.

More elusive and desired than the Hidden Mickey – the Hidden Electrical Outlet!

I’m home sick today, which is pretty much The Worst, but the blogging continues! Figured I’d choose something simple and informative – charging your phone at the DLR!

(Disclaimer – there are tons of options out there, but this is what has worked for me. Also I didn’t take pictures because I’m new to blogging like this and am an all-around terrible person.)

On my recent solo trip, I knew I’d be using my phone a LOT for pictures, the Lines app (more on that another day!), and texting; since I was by myself I just didn’t want to turn off my phone for long stretches the way I do when I’m with other people. We’re all using our phones more – I know it’s the best camera that I have, and for reals, my Twitter is important to me. What. First thing I did was buy a tiny mophie Juice Pack Reserve – it comes on a little keychain and is cheaper than the other versions. I could just carry it around in my purse and charge my phone during meals or while waiting in line. The downside is that it doesn’t fully recharge your phone, but it gave me about 20-30 percent, which is all I need some days. You can buy bigger and better devices that will bring you back to 100%, but at $35 the mini was what I could afford. I was dumb and didn’t bring two plugs/cords, so it wasn’t often that I was able to get my Reserve up to 100% (I’d charge my phone overnight and plug in the Juice Pack the next morning while I was getting ready – not nearly enough time), but whatever. Live and learn. Next time.

 

Something else I did was just find an outlet and plug in my phone, haha. I know there are some outlets in the parks (my Aunt Kim found one outside Taste Pilot’s Grill in DCA), but none really stood out to me, and hotel living is more my style. My friend Delane showed me an outlet in a smoking area in the Grand Californian – it’s on the way to the restaurants, outside facing the pool there are some benches, and outlets are located right behind the seats so you can sit and charge. I’m not a smoker, but it’s a spacious area, so anyone that did come to smoke sat on the other bench and I wasn’t at all bothered. It’s a nice quiet area to sit for a while. Calm music, you know. Grand Californian Things.

Another place I charged up (again at the Grand Californian) was at White Water Snacks, one of my VERY favorite places to eat (again, more on that another time)! If you can get the table near the doors (the ones that lead to the outside seating by the pool) there’s an outlet right there in plain view. I got some breakfast (okay, brunch) on my last day and just charged (and Facebook'd) while I ate. What.

Really, the Grand Californian has electrical outlets everywhere, if you’re ballsy enough to just sit down in a chair, plug in and dare anyone to stop you. I’ve never tried, but if you look they’re all up and down the hallways (near the comfy chairs) on the way to and from DCA and Downtown Disney. They have a few in their “business center” area too (with all the payphones) that I DID use…but I don’t really think I was supposed to be there at the time. Oh well. Sorry, Disney.

Something I haven’t tried but is a great (and smart) idea by Disney are the charging lockers on Main Street, USA. They’re in the same facility as the regular lockers – for $2 an hour you can just plug in your phone and come back later. If you’re just charging your phone, you don’t even need to bring your own cord (they have “standard” outlet lockers for other devices)! Yayyy convenience. Will I ever use these? Ehh…it’s hard for me to pay for something like a locker. Seriously, sometimes I've gone cold at night because I refuse to carry a jacket around all day and IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE CALIFORNIA, DAGNABBIT. But really I think I just need to get over it and realize that time is money. Do I want to sit down and do nothing while I wait for my phone to charge, or use that time to maybe eat a meal or experience an attraction? Or get cold at night because I don't want to get a dumb locker? I guess it just depends on how much time/money you have on your visit.

Before my trip I searched for a recent list of tips for charging your phone, but couldn’t find anything “recent” enough for me – a lot of the lists had been started years ago, and with all the new changes to the parks I wanted something more current. Any tips to share about phone charging? Please share!

Gots to keep my phone charged so I can take supercool pictures -- like this series of me riding Splash Mountain by myself.

 

Still an hour left, so it still counts!

Trying to keep up with blogging every day, but during the week it gets difficult...doing my level best.

Forgot to add pictures of me Disneybounding as Belle - this was the first day of my trip, and I got a lot of compliments from cast members! Some were just calling me Belle, and someone said, "I almost said Alice, but then I saw the roses!" One lady mentioned in particular how I looked "cute and classy but not...well, you know." Haha! Disneybounding FTW.

(okay, this one has some Bert going on too, with my bag and bow.)