Disneyland Experts Help!!!

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

We are headed to Southern California for Fall Break next week, and I just found out today that we will be able to go to Disneyland for one day, either next Tuesday or Wednesday. My DH and I have two kids, a 6 year old boy and a 4 year old girl. We plan on getting one day park hoppers. Needless to say, I am overwhelmed. We want to do everything we can, but I know that's not possible. We will be there from opening to closing, and we are used to doing "commando style" touring at WDW. I am so excited to see all of the things are DL that aren't at WDW!

Here are my questions:
What's the best plan of action (in your expert opinions)?
What is the best time to arrive at the parking lots? We are driving from our resort in Oceanside.
Should we start at Disneyland park or California Adventure? Is it important to visit the new Cars section first since it is still new?

Any tips are welcome! Thank you so much in advance!

 

[figment_jii]

Should we start at Disneyland park or California Adventure?

Given the crowds I saw last week, I would start by going to DCA and getting a FP for RSR (if you want to ride that). They were running out by mid-morning, so it's better to have one early.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are headed to Southern California for Fall Break next week, and I just found out today that we will be able to go to Disneyland for one day, either next Tuesday or Wednesday. My DH and I have two kids, a 6 year old boy and a 4 year old girl. We plan on getting one day park hoppers. Needless to say, I am overwhelmed. We want to do everything we can, but I know that's not possible. We will be there from opening to closing, and we are used to doing "commando style" touring at WDW. I am so excited to see all of the things are DL that aren't at WDW!

Here are my questions:
What's the best plan of action (in your expert opinions)?
What is the best time to arrive at the parking lots? We are driving from our resort in Oceanside.
Should we start at Disneyland park or California Adventure? Is it important to visit the new Cars section first since it is still new?

Any tips are welcome! Thank you so much in advance!

Given the crowds I saw last week, I would start by going to DCA and getting a FP for RSR (if you want to ride that). They were running out by mid-morning, so it's better to have one early.

I am not so sure about RSR. Are the 4 and 6 year old tall enough to ride it?

If not for RSR, then your best bet is to start at DL on Wednesday and DCA on a Tuesday. Why? Because Wed is EMH at DCA and Tue it is EMH at DL. So if you start at the opposite park you will not be competing with folks in the park an hour ahead of you. This is only an advantage of course if you are there at park opening.

If you go to DL first then start in FantasyLand. If you go to DCA then start in Cars Land.

You may want to try to see one show. I did not check the schedule but midweek evenings will probably mean no Fantasmic (better at DL than DHS) or fireworks (RDCT - the best Disney fireworks show ever - way better than Wishes).

It is tempting to recommend World of Color but for a day trip it is too time consuming IMO. If Aladdin is showing I would suggest doing that. It will give you some quiet time to sit and watch an excellent show.

At DCA spend some time in the Disney Animation attraction. That keeps kids of all ages (even adult-aged kids ) busy for at least an hour.

 

[figment_jii]

I am not so sure about RSR. Are the 4 and 6 year old tall enough to ride it?

Probably depends on the child. The height requirement for RSR is 40". According to the CDC the average 4 year old girl is 40" and 45" at 6. I would guess boys are a little taller on average. So, most likely the 6 year old could ride; the 4 year old is more iffy.

Regarding the evening shows, according to the calendar the neither the fireworks nor Fantasmic will be happening on Tue or Wed. The only nighttime show being offered is World of Color. If you had several days, then I would say it's one of those things worth seeing once so you can say you've seen it, but I wouldn't dedicate the time needed given your limited schedule.

Given that it sounds like you've been to WDW, you might check out HydroGuy's (the PP) sticky;
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Some rides that are either unique or very different from WDW (not a comprehensive list, just the ones that came to mind):
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy - SM, but with a Halloween overlay
Matterhorn
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin - similar, but the guns are easy to aim and you can email your ride photo for free to yourself
Small World - similar, but still different
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Most of the Fantasyland rides are similar, but slightly different

Over at DCA:
Little Mermaid - should be the same in MK when it opens, but you can ride it now at DCA
CA Screamin' - the only roller coaster in DLR that goes upside down
Carsland - everything is unique!
Grizzly Rapids - a lot like Kali River Rapids...very wet!

 

[figment_jii]

(Duplicate post)

 

[Flynn_Rider]

Just an alternative to some of the other advice. In general, I agree. However, I'd make time for WOC. In some people's opinion (including mine), it's the best night time show in any Disney Park. If you want to save time, go have lunch or dinner at Carthay Circle and get the dinner package (or Wine Country). The area is great and you won't have to waste an hour standing in your select spot. I know this isn't always feasible for every budget, but it something that me, my girlfriend, and all the people we bring (mostly newbies) think is the highlight of our trip.

Other than that, all the advice I agree with, and you may tour in such a way that making time for a night time show isn't your style.

Also, I'd aim to get to the parking structures an hour before gates open, so you can be in line 30 minutes before gates open, because they often let people in all the way up to the hub before actual gates open. An hour seems like over-kill, but I find folks with kids need the extra time to get everyone together. If you guys are dutiful about being on time, only 45 minutes prior to gates open at the parking structure.

Other attractions to hit:
Pirates, it's better than the WDW version.
Autopia and Finding Nemo Subs (they may not be there for long if you believe the rumor mill)
Walk through the Castle
The Redwook creek challenge (little kids love this area)
Bugs Land (again, another little kid fav)

But everyone is right. How important is RSR to do depends where you start. If you can live without doing it, then go to Disneyland. If it is a must do, then head to it first. But either way, don't over-look Mater's Junkyard (so fun) or Luigi's (another ride that may not be there long).

Have fun! let us know how it went

 

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

Thank you so much for all of this great info!! Both kids are tall enough to ride RSR, and I know that will be a highlight of the trip. I am looking forward to a wonderful day with my family!!

 

[figment_jii]

Just an alternative to some of the other advice. In general, I agree. However, I'd make time for WOC. In some people's opinion (including mine), it's the best night time show in any Disney Park. If you want to save time, go have lunch or dinner at Carthay Circle and get the dinner package (or Wine Country). The area is great and you won't have to waste an hour standing in your select spot.

Carthay Circle is really good, but it probably won't save you much time. Lunch and dinner (appetizers and entree) took about 90 minutes for my family of three adults. I'd guess you could probably shorten it to about 60 minutes if you ate really fast. So if you want a really good meal and a chance to see WoC (note that everyone must get at least two courses appetizer/entree or entree/dessert), then you can do this, but you aren't really going to save time.

 

[ccbayly]

If you really only have one day, I would go on Wednesday. Unless you are planning on doing the Halloween Party on Tuesday. You would probably have less crowds on Wednesday overall and DL wouldn't close early.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you really only have one day, I would go on Wednesday. Unless you are planning on doing the Halloween Party on Tuesday. You would probably have less crowds on Wednesday overall and DL wouldn't close early.

Duh, I had not thought of that but you are absolutely right! OP, I am firmly with cc here. Go on Wednesday if you can.

 

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

So, if we go on Wednesday and start at DL because of EMH's at DCA, will it be difficult to get on RSR later in the day? I saw one website that said Wednesday is going to be a "ghost town" as far as crowd levels go, so maybe that will work in our favor? Thanks! You are all DL Wizards!

 

[HydroGuy]

So, if we go on Wednesday and start at DL because of EMH's at DCA, will it be difficult to get on RSR later in the day? I saw one website that said Wednesday is going to be a "ghost town" as far as crowd levels go, so maybe that will work in our favor? Thanks! You are all DL Wizards!

Well, you really need four days for DLR so something has to give on a day trip. My suggestion is to hop to DCA later in the day and bite the bullet and wait out the RSR line. You might get lucky and it is only an hour. As some around here are fond of saying, waiting in lines is not the worst thing in the world. Plus the theming in the line is really well done.

For anyone with a group with older kids the single rider line is a good option.