1 day at Disneyland with first timers?

[Caryn H]

Hello Everyone

Well let me tell you, I love me some Disneyland. This is my first thread but I have been a lurker for quite some time now. Reading all the post gets me even more excited for an upcoming trip. So, my family and I made a trip in 2007 (before that it had been twenty years since I had been and it was the first time for my husband and children). We recently went last November and I loved the Christmas Decorations!

So, anywho, we are planning a family trip to Glamis KOA in October and on the way home we wanted to do a day at (I can't wait to see halloween decor) Disney (my sister in law and brother have never been). I am trying to plan what would be the perfect Disneyland day. What would be all the things I would'nt want to miss if I only had one day. I was thinking for sure they have to see Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain and...at DL. For California Adventure I am thinking Soaring, TOT, WOC and ...not sure.

Do you think we can fir it all in? What about food? What would be your perfect DL day? I would love to hear your thoughts!

*Also, I would love to see the new little mermaid ride

 

[Hound 109]

Hello Everyone

Well let me tell you, I love me some Disneyland. This is my first thread but I have been a lurker for quite some time now. Reading all the post gets me even more excited for an upcoming trip. So, my family and I made a trip in 2007 (before that it had been twenty years since I had been and it was the first time for my husband and children). We recently went last November and I loved the Christmas Decorations!

So, anywho, we are planning a family trip to Glamis KOA

Where is this?

in October and on the way home we wanted to do a day at (I can't wait to see halloween decor) Disney (my sister in law and brother have never been).

What day of the week will this be?

I am trying to plan what would be the perfect Disneyland day. What would be all the things I would'nt want to miss if I only had one day. I was thinking for sure they have to see Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain and...at DL. For California Adventure I am thinking Soaring, TOT, WOC and ...not sure.

All of the above.....but what are the ages of those coming?

Assuming adults, I would add:

- BTMRR
- Buzz
- Jungle Cruise
- FantasyLand (for sure Toady, Matterhorn, Alice, Pinocchio & possibly PP (if you can hit it early or late)

- Storybookland, IASW & Roger Rabbit if you have time.

In DCA i would add:

- Screamin
- Grizz Rapids
- Toy Story
- Monsters
- Crush
- Maybe even Tough to be a Bug & Heimlich in BugsLand.



Do you think we can fir it all in? What about food? What would be your perfect DL day? I would love to hear your thoughts!

*Also, I would love to see the new little mermaid ride

I'll let others comment on the Mermaid ride (personally with one day, i'd skip till it becomes less popular).

Food on a ONE day visit?? Counter food & not during normal meal times. If you must do a sit down meal, do it late morning or mid afternoon (i like the Carnation Cafe).

What you are able to "fit in" will depend on how early you get there, how productive you are the first 3 hours.....& how well you use FP.

Know these threads:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718

"Why I Park Hop" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961


Also, get to the Security Tent 35-45 min. prior to general admission (or MM) opening.....in other words... 5-15 min before SECURITY opens. You might want to do a drop off (while one person parks) to ensure getting a desired spot at the turnstile.

The one time that I strolled up 5 min. before MM opening (instead of arriving 35 minutes before opening), I was way back (40-50 families back) at the turnstiles when i walked up. 2-3 rides could have been ridden by the time I've made it thru the turnstiles 10-12 min. after opening.

Plus there's lots to do while you wait the 30 min.... Pics to take, maps (& touring plans) to study, sunscreen to put on, McBreakfasts to munch on, people watching to do, talking to others in line who are as pumped up as you.


Also, I would look at the first page of my trip report below to get some ideas on what one can get done in ONE DAY....if they get there early, nab FPs & have a flexible plan.

Have a great time.

 

[Caryn H]

Well I guess I was just really excited about the thought of even one day at DL this year and even more excited to share it with family who have never been there. I wanted to make it a perfect day for them so they would see why I love it so much (I am sure they will no matter what anyway).

So I guess my perfect day would be Indiana first since I know it gets crowded early, then maybe the jungle cruise. We would head over to NOS and hop on HM followed by POC (NOS is so pretty, it is probably my fav area of the park). I think I am going to allot for at least 1/2 hour per ride so it will be about 10 am by now. I think Space mountain will be next, I would love to see ghost galaxy and if the lines are not too long (which I am sure they will be, hopefully there is a fast pass) try out the new star tours.

Everyone will probably be hungry, I love Carnation Cafe or maybe they should try the corn dogs at the main street cart? We should stop and get a halloween treat before heading out to DCA!

Now at DCA, first stop Soaring, then grab a fp for the little mermaid before getting on tower of terror (I am sure some people will want to sit this one out, including my DH and DS). This is where I am a little stuck, maybe check out paradise pier, I would love to get on TSM again, but last Nov. i stood in the longest (and slowest) line. With now fp available, I guess we will have to see. Before too long we can grab our WOC picnic's, sit down and watch a parade before lining up and end the night perfectly with WOC (everyone will love this, no doubts).

Well, I guess that would be my perfect DL/DCA day! It would have been nice to see some other ideas and different perspective.

 

[calitook]

Unless you're going on a Saturday, the parks aren't going to be open very late in October. I would probably skip DCA on a 1-day visit. That's just me.

 

[Hound 109]

Pretty close to a perfect day.


Hound (& Padewan Alec's) One Day Commando Tour thru DLR. 38 rides, 6 meals & 6 snacks.

Not for the faint of heart, but LOTS of info for the one day commando.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1975805

(Full recap on page one.)

 

[Caryn H]

Hello Hound

I forgot about "It's tough to be a bug", I love that at DCA. I think you are right, we may be able to fit in more than I am planning, if we time it right.

Glamis KOA is about 2 1/2 hours south of Anaheim. It is an ATV camping resort with lots of quad/dirt bike trails. We will be spending a few days there before heading to DL and then home in the bay area (lots of driving).

Mostly adults on this trip, my nephew (17) and my kids (16, 14, 13) so we can skip attractions geared towards the little ones.

This will be a Thursday, so I am hopeful that it will not be packed, and that WOC will be playing.

Thanks for ideas, I knew I would forget some of the must sees.

 

[mabdallah]

In my opinon just do disneyland if you are there during halloween time it can get pretty busy lots of crowdes. If you want to do the new start tours ride from what i have read on this site you need to grab a fastpass asap they have been running out at 9:00 am. Also try to pick a non MM day because that will guarantee if you get there early you will be in the park enough time to get your fastpasses and ride some rides before it gets too crowded.
The little mermaid ride does not have FP unless you are staying in a disney hotel. I think there is something special going on that you get a FP for both LM and ST when you stay in one of the 3 hotels. Hope this helps a little. Just go onto the disboards and read read read do many people have great tips the more you know the better game plan you will have and it will be great experience!

 

[Mama Who]

Well I guess I was just really excited about the thought of even one day at DL this year and even more excited to share it with family who have never been there. I wanted to make it a perfect day for them so they would see why I love it so much (I am sure they will no matter what anyway).

So I guess my perfect day would be Indiana first since I know it gets crowded early, then maybe the jungle cruise. We would head over to NOS and hop on HM followed by POC (NOS is so pretty, it is probably my fav area of the park). I think I am going to allot for at least 1/2 hour per ride so it will be about 10 am by now. I think Space mountain will be next, I would love to see ghost galaxy and if the lines are not too long (which I am sure they will be, hopefully there is a fast pass) try out the new star tours.

Fast Pass one of these (Star Tours would be my suggestion) before riding everything.
Everyone will probably be hungry, I love Carnation Cafe or maybe they should try the corn dogs at the main street cart? We should stop and get a halloween treat before heading out to DCA!

Now at DCA, first stop Soaring, then grab a fp for the little mermaid before getting on tower of terror (I am sure some people will want to sit this one out, including my DH and DS). This is where I am a little stuck, maybe check out paradise pier, I would love to get on TSM again, but last Nov. i stood in the longest (and slowest) line. With now fp available, I guess we will have to see. Before too long we can grab our WOC picnic's, sit down and watch a parade before lining up and end the night perfectly with WOC (everyone will love this, no doubts).

No FP for Little Mermaid, sorry. FP Soarin' instead. And FP is available now for TSMM? Wow, I missed that announcement! Or maybe you're mixing up WDW with DL? Better look in to that too.
Well, I guess that would be my perfect DL/DCA day! It would have been nice to see some other ideas and different perspective.

Remember to ask your first timers what THEY want. Maybe one is dying to meet Mickey or ride Dumbo. The best use of time will be whatever makes the magic for them.