Your Number One Favorite Hint

[theluckyrabbit]

My number 1 tip would be use the single rider line as much as possible...

OP: If you plan to use the SR lines with your daughter, make sure to go over a plan together on what to do if you get separated (riding in different vehicles -- a very probable occurrence) , if she exits the ride before you do (where to wait for you, not to run off without you, etc.), and what to do if the ride breaks down while she is still inside and you are outside -- or vice versa -- (don't panic, wait for CMs to escort her safely to an exit, assure her that you will not leave without her, etc.). We do get the occasional report of parents being separated from their kids on rides, so it can't hurt to be prepared ahead of time.

 

[Babystitch]

Wow, thank you guys So Much for all of this advice. I've been combing through the forums as much as I could today, but there were so many tips here that I still did not catch! Can not thank you enough for taking the time to help me out!!

F! was revamped in 2017. In addition to some changes to the actual show, the biggest change that you'll notice will be the viewing area.

Thank you so much for all of your info!! The mega thread on MaxPass, especially, was a huge help. And I was really interested about what to do re: Fantastmic! We were considering the Hungry Bear option to view it, or maybe try to go at 10:30 (with a break during the day to stay up that late). It sounds like it might be worth it to just pay the $, so thank you!

Be flexible and enjoy the little things

Yes! Thank you so much for the reminder. This is definitely going to be my mantra. What I love about Disneyland is even if plans go completely awry.. you are still at Disneyland!! There is always magic!

And flexibility is especially important when you're going to the parks with someone new.

I loved your story!! Your experience sounds, pretty much, like every time I've ever tried to take my daughter to something like this. I always have to remember that she is having fun, even if it was nothing like I planned (or that I think is fun!). I actually am very curious to see if she will like the pin trading, now that you mentioned it- sounds very much like her. Thank you very much for reminding me that that was a thing!

Also, we have big talks with the boys about their expectations.

Thank you so much for sharing this!! Really good reminder. I also have a 'go with the flow' type kid, and I do think it will be a really good idea to have this talk with her on our drive there. I am so excited to get the birthday button for her! And I've started 'The Snack Bag' (but keep eating the trail mix, haha).

My favorite tip is to take advantage of the picnic area under the monorail beam in the esplanade between parks.

Nice, I would have never checked that out! Thank you!!

My favorite tips

'VandVsmama' .. all of your tips so were amaze, I couldn't even pick one to quote from. Thank you SO much for sharing all of those with me!! Already making a note to set an alarm, noted the spots for water.. and thank you for the advice about Peter Pan! I was already kind of hesitant about us making it that far that fast that early, haha. But we will definitely get there super early! No monorail! Thank you!!

waistline be damned! There's only so much damage you can do in two days.

I love this, totally agree!! I'm already making a 'snack map' for myself because I am just going to go crazy. Plus.. all that walking! Gotta burn a lot of it off right? .. Right? (haha)

When going back to your room at PP, you can cut through the GCH.

I did not know this!! Thank you so much, nice time saver (and toe saver) for sure!

And to echo everyone else, go at rope drop.

Yeah, I am also a night owl.. so thank you for this reminder!! It is less than a week away and I'm trying to train myself to go to bed early to prepare.. and yet here I am at 1 AM. However, the prospect of Mickey beignets and Space Mountain is much more of a motivator than getting up to make oatmeal tomorrow, so I'm counting on that to make this happen!

I would add that you need to be careful about getting over-tired, especially with a child in tow.

Really appreciate this reminder!! Totally new experience for all of us, which is one reason we decided to stay close. Thank you for reminding me about stacking up the Fastpasses during breaks. Will be a lifesaver!

Getting super excited about this, can't believe it is this week!! Thank you guys, again. Makes me so happy that this board is still just as fantastic as it always was- actually, even better Hope everyone else going this fall/winter is getting just as psyched up!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

One word of caution - I've been hearing reports that they're no longer allowing guests from PP to cut through the GC since the change in the security checkpoint location. So just be aware that this may or may not be allowed while you're there. I don't have any personal experience with it, but had heard this from a friend who was there a couple months ago.

 

[crystal1313]

One word of caution - I've been hearing reports that they're no longer allowing guests from PP to cut through the GC since the change in the security checkpoint location. So just be aware that this may or may not be allowed while you're there. I don't have any personal experience with it, but had heard this from a friend who was there a couple months ago.

I believe that is only in the mornings. In the evenings they should be able to cut through over to the PPH.

We were there 9/12-9/13 and were able to exit the Grand and walk towards the PPH without any issue. Can someone correct me if I am wrong?

 

[Babystitch]

Thanks for the heads up!! I will scope it out on our return from the park for sure and report back as well

 

[theluckyrabbit]

One word of caution - I've been hearing reports that they're no longer allowing guests from PP to cut through the GC since the change in the security checkpoint location...

I believe that is only in the mornings. In the evenings they should be able to cut through over to the PPH...

Thanks for the heads up!! I will scope it out on our return from the park for sure and report back as well

Since the security changes in 2017, non-GCH guests are not allowed to cut through the hotel from PPH to get to DCA or DTD. However, non-GCH guests are allowed to cut through the hotel to exit from DTD or DCA to get to Disneyland Dr. or the PPH. That has been allowed all day -- no hours limitations. The hours limitation is on non-GCH guests using the hotel entrance to DCA. Usually, that entrance is for hotel guests until around 11 am or so. After that, anyone can use that entrance to DCA.

 

[Congo Queen]

As everyone has wisely shared already, number 1 hint is to use EMH/MM, and further that EMH/MM (and the following morning hours of low crowds) is best used to ride the rides that have no FP and/or will have long lines later in the day. You do not want to use this golden time to shop or sit down and eat. So I will offer my number 2 hint which is a strategy for getting you and yours out of the hotel early enough and fed so you can make EMH ready to hit the rides. Source your breakfast the night before and store it in your mini fridge. Thus in the morning eating and dressing happens efficiently, and there is no hunting for what's open for breakfast before EMH (which is slim pickings in the summer when we go.) One way to have your breakfast items already purchased and in the fridge is to buy them the night before as you leave the parks or walk through DD. Stop at Jolly Holiday or Starbucks and get individual containers of box milk, bottled juice, muffins, pastries, fruit cups etc. Put them in your fridge when you get back to the room. Wake up and enjoy.

 

[kristie73]

As everyone has wisely shared already, number 1 hint is to use EMH/MM, and further that EMH/MM (and the following morning hours of low crowds) is best used to ride the rides that have no FP and/or will have long lines later in the day. You do not want to use this golden time to shop or sit down and eat. So I will offer my number 2 hint which is a strategy for getting you and yours out of the hotel early enough and fed so you can make EMH ready to hit the rides. Source your breakfast the night before and store it in your mini fridge. Thus in the morning eating and dressing happens efficiently, and there is no hunting for what's open for breakfast before EMH (which is slim pickings in the summer when we go.) One way to have your breakfast items already purchased and in the fridge is to buy them the night before as you leave the parks or walk through DD. Stop at Jolly Holiday or Starbucks and get individual containers of box milk, bottled juice, muffins, pastries, fruit cups etc. Put them in your fridge when you get back to the room. Wake up and enjoy.

That is an excellent tip regarding the getting breakfast items the night before for the morning. We are only doing 3 days in the parks and so it's not worth a grocery order and so I was wondering what to bring with us - we'll pack some granola bars, mini muffins, crackers, chips, and such for snacks, but wondering what we could get in downtown Disney the night before to eat during our EMH. I will look for the drinks and fruit cups, etc. We plan to try the Starbucks mobile ordering as well.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

It would be such a bummer to skip DCA when you are right there. DCA is amazing! I love it almost equally as much as DL and that’s saying a lot. Plus you’re staying on site and EMH alternates between the two parks so you would be missing out on your EMH on DCA days.

 

[AlienBrain]

This thread is filled with great advice.

Don't forget to grab those fastpasses for Fantasmic (it's easy to get caught up in the morning excitement and forget).

Also, I'm a big fan of taking a mid-day nap to break up your day and re-energize for the evening.

It would be such a bummer to skip DCA when you are right there. DCA is amazing! I love it almost equally as much as DL and that’s saying a lot. Plus you’re staying on site and EMH alternates between the two parks so you would be missing out on your EMH on DCA days.

Agreed. DCA has grown into such a nice park. My only peeve with it right now is how difficult it is to get to GotG:MB from Pixar Pier. Other than that, it's a phenomenal park: Cars Land, Soarin', GotG, Incredicoaster, TSMM, WoC, and great eats. Once Avengers Campus is open, it'll be a daytime parade away from being almost toe-to-toe with DL.

 

[Becca1007]

Don't wait in the massive line for a Dole Whip at the Tiki Room entrance; walk around the corner to the Tropical Hideaway and you will have ordered, gotten and consumed your Dole Whip before you would have gotten through the other line. Pssstt... don't tell all the other people this secret though

 

[AlienBrain]

Don't wait in the massive line for a Dole Whip at the Tiki Room entrance; walk around the corner to the Tropical Hideaway and you will have ordered, gotten and consumed your Dole Whip before you would have gotten through the other line. Pssstt... don't tell all the other people this secret though

Even better.

USE MOBILE ORDERS!!

It will save you hours each day.

Seriously, mobile ordering is such a time saver, I'm surprised it's still free to use. Chapek, don't get any ideas.

 

[Babystitch]

Thank you again for all of the tips!! I had the same thought to get breakfast the night before. Definitely will do. And I spaced and forgot I could order stuff on mobile, so thank you for that! Dole Whip on mobile, kind of a dangerous concept for me...

 

[azdisneylover]

That is an excellent tip regarding the getting breakfast items the night before for the morning. We are only doing 3 days in the parks and so it's not worth a grocery order and so I was wondering what to bring with us - we'll pack some granola bars, mini muffins, crackers, chips, and such for snacks, but wondering what we could get in downtown Disney the night before to eat during our EMH. I will look for the drinks and fruit cups, etc. We plan to try the Starbucks mobile ordering as well.

Craftsman Grille (former Whiterwater Snacks in GCH) has a lot of prepackaged breakfast stuff. I like the yogurt parfait. Perhaps if you go back to your room for a nap during the day, stop by and pick up some food there.

 

[Babystitch]

I just wanted to post in this thread one last time and thank everyone who responded, again. We just got back from our weekend and it was pretty much the best two days we've ever had. The tips that you all gave us were an enormous help!! I loved the park ten years ago, but I love it even more now. Hope everyone else with an upcoming trip has a fantastic time!!

 

[tarheelalum]

Mobile order your food whenever possible. Try to eat before or after normal meal hours to find a place to sit while you eat.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I just wanted to post in this thread one last time and thank everyone who responded, again. We just got back from our weekend and it was pretty much the best two days we've ever had. The tips that you all gave us were an enormous help!! I loved the park ten years ago, but I love it even more now. Hope everyone else with an upcoming trip has a fantastic time!!

So glad you had a magical visit! Just curious, what surprised you most about all the changes since your last visit to the parks??

 

[superdeluxe]

Hello! I was a fan of this board back in 2008.. which was the last time I was able to go to Disneyland! I went a ton when I was growing up in southern California, but (I can't believe this).. now it's been over ten years! We are finally able to return.. and this time, I have a nine year old with me! In fact, we are going this upcoming weekend for her birthday.

I know the ropes when it comes to the 'basics' of Disneyland.. after all, I went often from age 0 to about 25. But so many things have changed! So, I thought I would ask on this board I used to know and love: What is your number one favorite tip/hint/advice for visiting Disneyland right now?

I would appreciate ANY fun advice at all! But, especially- tips for visiting in early October? Tips for visiting with a child with a birthday? Tips for visiting with a child (around age 9) at all?! Or just.. any tips! What is the new Fantasmic! like? Tell me about touring the new Star Wars stuff! Are Tigger Tails still amazing (shyea I know that already!). I would be so thankful for any advice you can share. I love to read stories about Disney adventures!

PS: We are going to be at Disneyland from October 5 and 6th. We are NOT going to do California Adventure this time. We ARE staying at Paradise Pier (so any tips about that would be cool, too!) and checking out downtown Disney on the 4th.

Thanks all !!

Number one tip is to pace yourself and take an afternoon relax period.

 

[Babystitch]

Just curious, what surprised you most about all the changes since your last visit to the parks??

That's a really good question!! I was surprised at how much of the park still felt completely familiar and how all of the updates (many of which I was so unsure about when I heard about them!) only enhanced the spirit of DL that I knew and loved We were pleasantly surprised at how much better some of the menus have gotten, and just how much of a (good) game changer Maxpass is! But- and this will probably sound funny- as a mom now.. I think what surprised me the most was how much I loved the included photo pass! I could never afford 'professional' pictures at Disneyland when I was younger.. and now I got snaps in front of the castle, with characters, and every single Splash and (Hyper)Space Mountain picture! I didn't know I would want that until I had it!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

That's a really good question!! I was surprised at how much of the park still felt completely familiar and how all of the updates (many of which I was so unsure about when I heard about them!) only enhanced the spirit of DL that I knew and loved We were pleasantly surprised at how much better some of the menus have gotten, and just how much of a (good) game changer Maxpass is! But- and this will probably sound funny- as a mom now.. I think what surprised me the most was how much I loved the included photo pass! I could never afford 'professional' pictures at Disneyland when I was younger.. and now I got snaps in front of the castle, with characters, and every single Splash and (Hyper)Space Mountain picture! I didn't know I would want that until I had it!