WDW Pro thinking about DisneyLAND

[dskib]

Ok. I consider myself a WDW pro. I have it pretty down pat. Where to go, when to go, touring strategies that work best for me, etc.

We're thinking about going to CA in the next 2 years or so, and I would HAVE to go to Disneyland. And I'm clueless.

Which websites, books, touringplans do you guys recommend for me to start planning? Typically I'd look at easywdw and the unofficial guides (touringplans) for Florida. Sites like those?

Thanks!!

 

[lmcarr49]

I'm sitting here watching Live With Kelly and Michael in Disneyland and just told my husband we need to go there in the next 3 years.

 

[dskib]

Duh. Just saw the Disneyland board. If there's a mod out there who wants to move this post, that'd be great.

Sorry and thanks!

 

[Astridia]

I think Touring Plans is the best site for info. Mainly, I think it's all about the Crowd calendar.

 

[anniebean]

We went back in February for our delayed honeymoon. It's nice, and we plan to visit again, but we missed WDW.

Not as much planning to do, and it's way easier traveling from park to park.

Pirates is not to be missed there!! Blue Bayou was nice place to eat, however, that is one of the places you will need a reservation!

 

[Lucius Best]

wdwinfo.com also has good Disneyland info. Nice being able to walk between the two parks, and they were still using paper Fastpasses when we were there. Cars Land is awesome. We have stayed offsite at Candy Cane, lots of other inexpensive hotel options within walking distance. Definitely recommend Blue Bayou.

 

[Canuck16]

Do it........DL/DCA are awesome parks!!!

You will not have to do as much re-planning and can be more spontaneous than at WDW.

 

[Delilah1310]

absolutely love DL!!!
The board here is helpful and there is a DIS podcast just about DL ... the crew that handle that are very knowledgeable and VERY entertaining. I listen even when I am not planning just because!

In my opinion, Pirates is superior in DL, you'll have to check out Fantasmic which has a little different set up, the World of Color show at California Adventure is very cool.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Carsland - Disney at its finest in my opinion ... don't miss Radiator Springs Racers.
plus there are quite a few ride DL has that do not have a counterpart in WDW .... Matterhorn is really fun.

have fun!!!

 

[jsebsirois]

One tip for now : JUST GO!!!

Disneyland is so different than WDW. It's not a question of one being better than the other...

A great thing about Disneyland is how close both parks are from each other. Also, staying ''off site'' there is almost like staying ''on site''.

 

[sharonabe]

Hyrdroguy's tips over on the Disneyland board are GOLD!! We just went last September. You will definitely want park hoppers. Single rider at RSR is awesome. We rode about 3 times in an hour while everyone else was waiting in the standby. We stayed at Best Western Park Place and loved it. It is literally at the crosswalk onto Disney property. Have fun planning!

 

[Baptist]

I love the land. Only one tip (it's not much of a tip because it's obvious), first thing every day get a Radiator Springs FP. As soon as you crash the gates (I mean rope drop), get in the FP line. Use the single rider line for additional rides.

Since you are a WDW veteran, you might miss out on the planning fun. There is just not a real need after you book your hotel and flights.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I second checking out hydroguy's threads, especially the DLR Guide for WDW vets. He has *excellent* information in many threads that I believe is nicely compiled in a sticky over there on the DLR boards.

 

[figment_jii]

I also highly recommend checking out HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It'll help you get a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts. HydroGuy's Tip Compilations are also very helpful when planning for a trip to DLR.

In terms of guide books, I haven't found any for DLR that I really like. Like the WDW books, they seem to go out of date very quickly (especially at this point while DLR is undergoing a lot of changes for the 60th anniversary). I wouldn't buy any book (maybe borrow from the library) at this point. There really aren't any sites like easyWDW for DLR, but the DLR Disboard board can be very helpful. In terms of crowd predictors, there aren't any really great ones out there, so you're better off asking for thoughts on dates down on the DLR board.

There have been a few WDW Vets going to DLR threads lately that might be useful to look over:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/seasoned-worlder-what-are-the-must-dos-at-disney-land.3410758/
http://www.disboards.com/threads/new-to-dl-help-me-plan.3410607/

 

[Hootch]

It's a different world out there. I'll third (or fourth) HydroGuys posts. We went in 2012 and his tips were spot on. Disneyland seems just different even though many of the attractions are the same, there are enough different experiences to make it worthwhile for even the hardcore WDW fan.

We stayed at the Candy Cane Inn also. The hotel may be a bit dated, but the staff was helpful, the continental breakfast had a lot of options and you're looking at the back of the Cars Land rock work.

There was a hotel thread titled something like "hotels within walking distance" that had helpful information and guest comments.

 

[nanni]

Ok. I consider myself a WDW pro. I have it pretty down pat. Where to go, when to go, touring strategies that work best for me, etc.

We're thinking about going to CA in the next 2 years or so, and I would HAVE to go to Disneyland. And I'm clueless.

Which websites, books, touringplans do you guys recommend for me to start planning? Typically I'd look at easywdw and the unofficial guides (touringplans) for Florida. Sites like those?

Thanks!!

I don't think there is nearly as much advanced planning needed for Disneyland. Dining reservations aren't as big a deal and when I was there last year they still had the old fast past system up. The only thing I reserved in advance was dining to get the World of Color viewing package (I've eaten at Carthay Circle twice for it and it was excellent). And the only ride plan I had was getting a fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers. We went on a Thursday in mid-May and didn't have any problems getting on any rides. Friday was a problem due to it being grad night, so pay attention to that sort of things. Go mid-week if you can.

I stayed on site for one trip and it was nice, but not as critical to me as for WDW. The next trip I stayed at a partner hotel about 3 blocks away (a Marriott of some sort since I use their points). The last trip I was at a conference hotel near the convention center.

 

[PetePanMan]

Love the weather at DL, radiator springs, Indy ride, cali screamin, world of color water show, 2 parks right beside each other, original teacups, fantasmic right in DL, blue bayou restaurant, grizzly river rapids, Grand Cali hotel

 

[yeheyprincex2]

What I like best about Disneyland is, it feels easier, more relaxed trip. Your only planning for two parks and don't have to make ADR until 60 days out. Definitely worth getting the hopper passes. DTD location is great too, right between the two parks. For us it's all the Disney magic with out the exhaustion at the end of a trip. Last year we spent fours days at Disneyland then hopped down to San Diego for four days, we plan on doing the same thing this December for the 60th celebration. I used hydroGuys info to plan our Disneyland trips, lots of great info.

 

[dskib]

Awesome! Thanks guys!

 

[TechGuy]

I love the land. Only one tip (it's not much of a tip because it's obvious), first thing every day get a Radiator Springs FP. As soon as you crash the gates (I mean rope drop), get in the FP line. Use the single rider line for additional rides.

Since you are a WDW veteran, you might miss out on the planning fun. There is just not a real need after you book your hotel and flights.

I have been to DL more times than I care to admit and I live an 8 hour drive away. i guess I am spoiled...

Trip planning for my trip next month... pick the hotel (FFI this time)... buy the package from Costco... ADR for WoC lunch at Carthay (never been to CC)... F! Lunch pack with simple F! FP... DONE. We will be in park 5 days. No other planning needed. No other reservations, no tour plans.

Oh.. I forgot, I ordered a pair of matching tee-shirts for our anniversary (she likes them)

 

[ChristieUndertheSea]

This post read my mind! I'm a WDW AP holder, an easywdw reader, and will be visiting DL for the first time in April 2016. I'm so clueless and have been reading hotel reviews non stop trying to figure out where to stay. Candy Cane Inn sounds like the place to be, but I'm so used to staying 'on property' at WDW. I have to learn to think differently when planning this trip, but I can't wait to see all of the attractions that we don't have at WDW, like Cars Land and I think I saw an Alice in Wonderland ride? I'll definitely be following all of the great tips on this thread.