1st Time Jitters

[Canadian Ladies]

I will be arriving at Disneyland for the first time on Oct 28 (next week)

I am trying to make a plan for each day we are there (5 days) but I am super overwhelmed by this planning process. The only thing planned so far is Fanstamic fire works on the 30th for my birthday with the dessert buffet.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to plan your day out? My mom is joining me and said we should go to each park and see everything we want to see then move on to the next. Good idea or not?


Thanks for all the great advise given on this site, it has been a huge help.

Getting my ears in 9 days

 

[APX]

If your going for a couple of days, I (I don't know about the dis vets) would stay in that certain park for the day and go to the next on the second day, after that, it's all about park hopping. i suggest that because it's your first time, so you should be able to get the feel of each park on one specific day and after you do, you know what to ride/do on the other days.

Try booking the Alladin show, and possibly character resturants and maybe tours?

 

[ballarinamom]

Check out allears.net for the menus of the all of the restaurants. That can help you decide where you would like to eat. Go to the Disneyland website for the maps to see where the restaurants are.
Decide if you want character meals. Most are only for breakfast. Only Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland hotel and Ariel's Grotto at DCA have lunch and dinner too.
Go to the Disneyland website to know the park hours.
Know which days are early entry days and know how many you have. Since DCA will usually open later than DL, go to DL first and ride a few rides while the park is fairly empty. Also grab some fast passes. Figure out which rides have fastpass and how that works
Then hop over to DCA when it opens and stay there for the day. You can do everything at DCA in a day. Then go back over to DL in the evening as it will probably close later than DCA

Hope that helps!

 

[fairykin]

It's going to be busy, and since you have your mom with you, i'd make priority seatting reservations.

Will you be wanting to sit down to eat? Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, or Plaza Inn, might be good selections.

Also... Look at each land then think about what rides are suited for your mother and you.

Like do you want to go on a jerky ride? or a scary ride?

What are the highlights You just don't wanna miss? It's a small world? Teacups? Jungle cruise? Haunted Mansion?

Have a great trip.

 

[ballarinamom]

Also, being there 5 days, please don't feel you will be missing stuff. That is a good amount of time to see and do anything without going commando style.

 

[LuLusApple]

I am not a big fan of running from land to land and hopping back and forth each day. I like to take my time in a land and move on.
Even with that said I do think it is very important to collect your FPs.
So our daily plan usually looks something like this.
Breakfast in the park, either counter service or PS (Carnation Cafe)
get 1st FP Indy or Space
stay in land where we got the FP until time to get another
repeat
I try to make only one PS a day, that way we have some flexibility and don't feel rushed going to reservations.
I was surprised that we could spend an entire day at DCA, previous years 1/2 day was enough. The food at DCA has improved, the sites and shows alone can entertain you, not to mention it has some great rides. Soarin is really good and not wild, same with TSMM
you may find you have spent many hours there. But... I often find once we have gone and spent an entire day we do not return that trip or only wander in to ride one or two favorites, then back to DL.
With 5 days you will have plenty of time to find your own groove
enjoy your trip

 

[Queenbillabong]

I will be arriving at Disneyland for the first time on Oct 28 (next week)

I am trying to make a plan for each day we are there (5 days) but I am super overwhelmed by this planning process. The only thing planned so far is Fanstamic fire works on the 30th for my birthday with the dessert buffet.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to plan your day out? My mom is joining me and said we should go to each park and see everything we want to see then move on to the next. Good idea or not?


Thanks for all the great advise given on this site, it has been a huge help.

Getting my ears in 9 days

Welcome Canada It can be overwhelming when you plan your first Disneyland vacation (or your second, or third, or...... ) The tips by the previously posters are all great! I second going to allears.net and checking out the menus. October is fairly busy, so I would decide where you want to eat and make priority seating arrangements to make sure you are not waiting for a long time when you're hungry.

Take a look at the disneyland.com website and check out the parks, rides, etc. and note what you "must do" - I highly recommend the Aladdin show in DCA at the Hyperion Theater. It is so funny, love it!

I also wanted to mention that although you said you have arrangements for the Fantasmic dessert buffet, you realize it is no longer a buffet right? You get a box of goodies (a rather large box with a fab assortment) and drinks. Just wanted to make sure you are aware of this..... and that you have to pick up your tickets ahead of time, then also line up to get your seats assigned. It is so worth it though - we love it.

Make sure you go to City Hall and get your birthday button and your first time button. Did you sign up to get your birthday present (one day ticket, fast passes, or a gift card)???

Most of all - Happy Birthday and have a wonderful time in Disneyland

 

[Canadian Ladies]

Thanks for the great advise.

I think we will take our time and go park to park once we have seen everything we wanted to. I will take advantage of the PS for our meals it sounds like to would make things less stressfull.

I saw the dessert box for Fantasmic and it looked pretty good. Can you also get a similar deal at the Aladdin Show? For the rides, we are up for anything! You only live once. I also signed up for the birthday deal online.

I feel like a little kid already, how many people get to spend their birthday at Disneyland? I'll be 33 years young loving every minute!

Thanks again.

P.S. Is it true that liquor is only served in DCA?

 

[Hound 109]

Liquor is served at a couple of locations in DCA. It's not served in DL.

It's served at dozens of locations in DTD & the Disney hotels (a short walk from either park).

I'm going against the grain here. I think the parks will be crowded for you all after 10 or 11 am. (Each day). Because of this, I would:

- Definitely plan on being at the parks early (at rope drop) each day.
- "plan out" the first 2-3 hours of your first 3 days. (Keeping in mind rides you want to ride, slow loading rides & FP collections.)
- Have 3-4 FPs in your pocket by noon each day so when it's mobbed at night, you can avoid long lines.
- Select one meal per day for a reservation. (but don't make during the first 2 hours of touring).
- If you need help in planning these 2-3 hours (per day). Post again what you REALLY want to see, do, ride & post the dates you'll be there & times of arrival.

If you "plan out" the first 2-3 hours of 3 days, you'll get ALOT of the things you WANT to do in a shorter amount of time.....plus the "planning" process will help you get a feel for what you'll want to do during the "go with the flow" part of the day (which will be 80% of the time).

Have fun at Walt's park.

 

[Queenbillabong]

Thanks for the great advise.

I think we will take our time and go park to park once we have seen everything we wanted to. I will take advantage of the PS for our meals it sounds like to would make things less stressfull.

I saw the dessert box for Fantasmic and it looked pretty good. Can you also get a similar deal at the Aladdin Show? For the rides, we are up for anything! You only live once. I also signed up for the birthday deal online.

I feel like a little kid already, how many people get to spend their birthday at Disneyland? I'll be 33 years young loving every minute!

Thanks again.

P.S. Is it true that liquor is only served in DCA?

You cannot get a dessert box with Aladdin. I think you can get reserved seating and dessert with the parade at DCA though - but I would really think if you want to do that twice in one trip. Seriously, you will have leftovers!! Celebrating your b-day at Disneyland is the BEST I did this year too and I loved it.

PS - yes, it's true that you can only get alcohol inside DCA (unless you are fortunate enough to be going to Club 33......). Of course, you can also get it at DTD, but not inside Disneyland.....

 

[Canefamily]

I think it's important to go to the Disney's entertainment schedule and make a print out of all five days you will be there. Not all the entertainment and special shows run everyday of your stay. For instance, Aladdin may only play Thur., Fri.,Sat. and Sunday. So, you need to be aware if there is something you want to see, you know what days they are.