Planning our first trip to Disneyland! We went to DisneyWorld, and I know you need to make advance reservations for certain shows, character meals, etc... When I booked the breakfast in the castle at DisneyWorld, I called minutes after the switchboard opened and some of the seating times were already full!

What are the hot ticket items for Disneyland that I need to make reservations?

Booking the character meals at Disneyland is not the same as booking at WDW. You do not have to phone 90 days out to book things. We booked a character meal at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel this past July and I only phoned about a week ahead of time. Many people get bookings just a day ahead of time, but if there is a specific character meal and time you want, I wouldn't leave it that long. About the only thing you have to book as soon as it is available is the Fantasmic Dessert viewing area. Seating is very limited for this and it books up very quickly. It is quite expensive (about $50 for dessert and a seat) and unless you're really wanting to splurge, I don't think it's really worth it. If you need more information, the discussion forums on disboards.com are an excellent source. There is a forum specifically for Disneyland.

There is a princess breakfast now at Disneyland. It's probably a hot ticket.

The Fantasmic dessert package (reserved seats for Fantasmic, plus a dessert buffet) sells out pretty quickly, if you're going to be there when Fantasmic is showing.

I think the Blue Bayou sells out, although the food gets mixed reviews. I guess the next hottest would be Goofy's Kitchen (at the Disneyland Hotel).

The board at laughingplace.com can be quite helpful.

We were at Disneyland in March of 2003. At that time the big "Broadway style" show at California Adventure was Alladin. They admitted you with paper tickets. You got in line for the tickets (free) the moment you entered the park, if you wanted to choose your show time. I don't know if they still give paper tickets to the musical or not. The folks on laughingplace.com would know.

No, they don't give out paper tickets to see Aladdin at Disneyland anymore. Now, you just wait in line and enter the auditorium. Great show!

No more tickets needed at Aladdin. Just show up about 20 minutes before the show. Or less, if it is not a busy day. Blue Bayou would be a good one to reserve for, also Carnation Cafe has a line at breakfast.

We ate at Blue Bayou a few weeks ago and were very disappointed. They give a lot of food, but it tastes a lot like the stuff we were getting at Denny's. Definitely not worth the cost. Afew years ago, the quality was much better.

Blue Bayou is mainly for the atmosphere. I agree that the food is blah. Go at lunch and share.

Somewhat better food can be had at the Rancho del Zocalo near Big Thunder Mountain.