1st Timer Hello

[fely1st]

Have been to DL first time last year after many WDW vacations. Stayed at GCH and loved beeing able to be so close to the park, especially at night. We also enjoyed park hopping which is just minutes in DL while it takes some time in WDW. Would go on the old dark rides in Fantasyland and you should really give carsland a chance. It is fantastic, and Guardians is the best ride ever. For QS we loved Hungry bear and Rancho de Zocalo. If you have time I would suggest Blue Bajou for the atmospere. We really liked it and you can not eat in the Pirates ride at WDW. Enjoy your trip.

 

[tarheelalum]

My husband's tolerant of my Disney habit, but not a huge fan. He'd actually rather go to Six Flags or anywhere he can just do a bunch of mega steel coasters.

Knott's Berry Farms is a 10 minute uber from Disneyland and they have some pretty awesome coasters that your husband might like. Also Knott's is super affordable and fun. If you go buy your tickets online to save $. Also the food there is fantastic.
www.knotts.com

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I couldn't have planned my recent WDW trips without this forum, and I already knew those parks so well. Now I'm going to Disneyland for the first time and, oh boy, it's a lot to take in! I've never ventured into the Disneyland threads before so, obviously, I have a lot of reading to do. But if any of you experts are open to some rapid-fire questioning, send me a message! It'd help me find my sea legs...

Welcome to the DLR side of the DIS! Here are some threads where you can find TONS of great information for your trip planning:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- this sticky thread from the top of the first page has so much good information!
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- this thread is a classic! Pre-SWGE, but still so helpful!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- so many helpful threads found here!
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- ask all your FP/MP questions here -- you'll get great help from our resident FP/MP experts!
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- very helpful -- ask any questions on airports and transportation here!

So glad to see you're already getting great help and suggestions! Keep on asking questions -- we're here to help!

 

[HydroGuy]

My husband's a bigger Universal than Disney fan. But CA doesn't have a Diagon Alley, right? He wouldn't want to go without that. (More time for Disney!)

I did not see anyone outright answer this question so here goes. USH does have Diagon Alley and all of HP land. Very similar to USO. I went with DS24 in March to USH. DId USO HP land in 2013.

Thanks for the hotel suggestions! I'm on the fence about DCA... we're not Cars fans, don't have kids, don't do water rides, think Soarin's just okay, and really dislike the Little Mermaid ride. (I am capable of feeling joy, I swear.) So really that leaves Incredicoaster and Mission Breakout?

Reading thru everything it looks like you are giving DCA a shot. I would say if you only have one day then stick with DL. There is planty there to keep you engaged for a day. I agree with others that two days is much better than one at DLR. And I would also agree that DCA is still worth your time even if you do not like Cars etc. There is lots more than CarsLand and GOTG and IC.

Go see World of Color at DCA! The best Disney show EVER.

 

[pharmama]

I did not see anyone outright answer this question so here goes. USH does have Diagon Alley and all of HP land. Very similar to USO. I went with DS24 in March to USH. DId USO HP land in 2013

USH does NOT have Diagon Alley or the Escape from Gringotts ride located there at USO. USH only has Hogsmeade including the Forbidden Journey ride and Flight of the Hippogriff. The train is there but does not move as there is no Diagon Alley to go to.

What USH has is identical to what Universal Islands of Adventure in FL would have had in 2013. However, in 2014 Universal Studios Orlando opened a second HP area, Diagon Alley (in a different park- Studios vs. Islands of Adventure), and the Hogwarts Express now travels between them. This second area, Diagon Alley, does not exist at this point at USH.

 

[HydroGuy]

USH does NOT have Diagon Alley or the Escape from Gringotts ride located there at USO. USH only has Hogsmeade including the Forbidden Journey ride and Flight of the Hippogriff. The train is there but does not move as there is no Diagon Alley to go to.

What USH has is identical to what Universal Islands of Adventure in FL would have had in 2013. However, in 2014 Universal Studios Orlando opened a second HP area, Diagon Alley (in a different park- Studios vs. Islands of Adventure), and the Hogwarts Express now travels between them. This second area, Diagon Alley, does not exist at this point at USH.

Thank you for the clarification! As you gathered, what I saw at USO in 2013 (at IOA) looked the same as what I saw at USH this year. I did not realize there was something new regarding HP at the USO 1st park in 2014.

 

[cinnaminny]

Gosh, I have so many questions, I'd be embarrassed to post them all here. (That also just seems lazy of me.) My husband and I are just tacking on a few days after a conference in San Diego, so I expect to check in the evening of 1/5/20 and check out the afternoon 1/7/20. I may even just do a one day ticket to check out Batuu and squeeze in a few classic attractions. What would be helpful to me in getting started, if you don't mind....

Is there any great reason to stay on property? (I was shocked to see the price tag for PPH was more than I'm used to paying at WDW.)
Any reason to book a Good Neighbor hotel through Disney instead of Priceline/Expedia?

If I were going in January, I would totally stay across the street unless you are really interested in staying at a Disney owned hotel. Our next trip we are staying at the DLH for the first time mostly because we are afraid of the summer crowds (and want the extra hours) and I had such an amazing time staying at the Contemporary last summer I wanted to try the full Disneyland experience. But normally I wouldn't pay those prices. Plus, staying across the street feels like being in Disneyland to me. We usually stay at the Best Western and I love eating breakfast in the morning and watching everyone hurry to the parks. Its exciting!! Plus, you're closer staying off site than staying at PPH. (probably in most cases closer than the DLH too)

 

[Hatbox]

If I were going in January, I would totally stay across the street unless you are really interested in staying at a Disney owned hotel....We usually stay at the Best Western and I love eating breakfast in the morning and watching everyone hurry to the parks. Its exciting!! Plus, you're closer staying off site than staying at PPH. (probably in most cases closer than the DLH too)

I've booked the Hyatt House at Harbor Blvd & Katella. I can cancel anytime if something better pops up. But that seems pretty convenient to me? Or do you mean I should stay literally across the street?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I've booked the Hyatt House at Harbor Blvd & Katella. I can cancel anytime if something better pops up. But that seems pretty convenient to me? Or do you mean I should stay literally across the street?

Literally across the street! Or as close to the crosswalk by the Harbor entrance as possible. Hyatt House is fine, but you can be closer. You can look at Google maps to see which hotels are closest to that crosswalk and check the hotel websites to see rates for your dates. As long as the hotels have no penalty cancellation policies, you can book a few hotels and keep checking to see which one will give you the best deal as your dates get closer. Then keep the best deal and cancel all the others.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Full disclosure, the Hyatt House is nicer than virtually anything right at the crosswalk. Every place to stay right there at the crosswalk will be more or less basic motel rooms without indoor corridors with only a few exceptions (like the new Courtyard Marriott). Not bad, but basic. However, if you are ok with a fairly basic motel room, the convenience of staying somewhere like Park Vue and literally having the crosswalk right there when you leave your hotel cannot be overstated!

Whereas the Hyatt will add ~10 min of walking. It probably won't matter at the beginning of the day when you're excited, but on the walk back at night you might wish you were closer to the crosswalk.

 

[Hatbox]

Hello again, all! Six months later, with starting a new job and a baby on the way, I haven't dived as deep into Disney planning as I would've liked. If anyone would be willing to help bring me up to speed for Monday's Disneyland trip, I'd be so grateful for your expertise.

Rope drop: the park opens at 8am. So what time do the gates open? I'd like to spend as much time on Main St as I can before rope drop. To rope drop Space Mountain, do I need to go straight to the rope and wait? (And forgive me, I see there are lots of threads about rope drop, but the first few I read were specific to certain situations and I'm working around the clock until Monday, and throwing myself at your feet for quick answers!)

MaxPass: Can I request my first FP as soon as I get through the gates or do I have to wait for rope drop?

Touring: My tentative plan is to book an Indiana Jones FP, rope drop Space Mountain, and then spend the time before Indy knocking out a few dark rides in Fantasyland. Is that okay? Should I book it straight to Batuu instead? I have an reservation at Oga's at 7pm and planned on spending a few hours in the land after that. Is there any reason to go first thing in the morning, or am I correct in thinking I can do a lot of headliners in that time instead?

Attractions:

• Is Winnie the Pooh the same as WDW's? I don't feel the need to ride it again, but will if I have time and it's (any) different than WDW.
• Alice in Wonderland... skippable?
• Roger Rabbit.... kinda seems like a Mr. Toad overlay. Should I make time for it?

Shopping: Are there any stores I should make sure to pop into for pet and baby gear?

Hours: I heard somewhere (Touring Plans? WDW Prep?) that some attractions regularly close early or during fireworks and that it's not published anywhere. Is that true? Anything I need to keep in mind?

Trader Sam's: We're planning to go Sunday night for a drink and probably order a bunch of appetizers as dinner. Is there a certain time I should be sure to get there by? Is it any more or less crowded before the 8pm child curfew rule thing?

Hotel: I booked Indigo because the rate was right and there's free parking. I've heard the parking lot can fill up, though. Anyone have experience with this? Should I be worried/have a Plan B for parking? And is Panera the fastest, not-horrible breakfast option on the way to the park?

Thank you in advance a thousand times over. I'm looking forward to my first DL trip and the last Disney anything trip before I'm back with a baby

 

[Hatbox]

Welcome to the DLR side of the DIS! Here are some threads where you can find TONS of great information for your trip planning:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- this sticky thread from the top of the first page has so much good information!
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- this thread is a classic! Pre-SWGE, but still so helpful!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- so many helpful threads found here!
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- ask all your FP/MP questions here -- you'll get great help from our resident FP/MP experts!
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- very helpful -- ask any questions on airports and transportation here!

So glad to see you're already getting great help and suggestions! Keep on asking questions -- we're here to help!

I JUST saw this - thank you! I'm going to dig into this now.

 

[pharmama]

I'll take a stab at some of your questions.

MaxPass: Can I request my first FP as soon as I get through the gates or do I have to wait for rope drop? And then I can request one every 90 minutes or as soon as I've checked in for my current FP, right?

Generally as soon as you've scanned in to the park assuming you have pre-purchased Max Pass with your tickets. If not, you will need to purchase MP first (but if you have a CC already loaded in the app its very fast).

Touring: My tentative plan is to book an Indiana Jones FP, rope drop Peter Pan, and then spend the time before Indiana knocking out the other dark rides in Fantasyland (and maybe Space Mountain). Is that okay? Should I book it straight to Batuu instead? I have an reservation at Oga's at 7pm and planned on spending a few hours in the land after that. Is there any reason to go first thing in the morning, or am I correct in thinking I can do a lot of headliners in that time instead?

If you already have evening plans at Oga's then I'd stick with that. RD is typically one of the busier times in Batuu so you're better to use that time elsewhere, as you say.

Hours: I heard somewhere (Touring Plans? WDW Prep?) that some attractions regularly close early or during fireworks and that it's not published anywhere. Is that true? Anything I need to keep in mind?

Attractions that close early would be Pirates Lair/Tom Sawyers Island, the canoes and the Mark Twain/Columbia all around dusk (basically everything on the RoA). Also Tarzan's Treehouse and the Main Street Vehicles. Snow White, Peter Pan, Mr Toad, Pinocchio and the carousel all close for fireworks and reopen 20-30 min afterwards. All attraction opening and closing times (and the note about the fireworks closures) are in the Disneyland app if you touch on individual rides. Some rides on Pixar Pier also close for World of Color though I'm not sure if you ended up planning to go to DCA or not.

Hotel: I booked Indigo because the rate was right and there's free parking. I've heard the parking lot can fill up, though. Anyone have experience with this? Should I be worried/have a Plan B for parking? And is Panera the fastest, not-horrible breakfast option on the way to the park?

FYI, Panera is not on the way to the parks from the Indigo. It is on the way from some hotels but coming from the Indigo you would actually have to go past "the crosswalk" where you would typically head to the parks. It's not that far past that point but there may be other options between Indigo and the crosswalk that would be more convenient. I don't usually stay that direction so I'll defer to others on those suggestions.

 

[bethwc101]

Hello again, all! Six months later, with starting a new job and a baby on the way, I haven't dived as deep into Disney planning as I would've liked. If anyone would be willing to help bring me up to speed for Monday's Disneyland trip, I'd be so grateful for your expertise.

Thank you in advance a thousand times over. I'm looking forward to my first DL trip and the last Disney anything trip before I'm back with a baby

Rope drop: Typically, 30 minutes before official park opening. And yes, go straight to the rope and wait. You will head straight through the castle, but be careful as the actual line for peter pan entry can move depending on the day. sometimes they begin the line right inside the castle, other times it goes up to the chains.

MaxPass: Right through the gate once everybody in your party has scanned. It might take a minute or two though. When you book your Maxpass it will tell you right on the screen EXACTLY what time you can book your next fastpass. I have found sometimes it might lag 30-45 seconds so if you click in RIGHT on time, it might not let you. YRMV. Just set an alarm on your phone for the time it tells you. Be careful of trying to book your next fp while in some queues as you can loose service so it mgiht be worth waiting a minute and stepping aside if you get to that point and aren't quite ready (Indy, Roger Rabbit, Space, GOTG) I can think of but there might be more

Touring:
If you are relatively quick through the turnstyles and booking FP, then your indy return time will probably be around 8:15-9:15. Do you think you will do everything you want by 9:15 in fantasyland? If not, grab a FP for Matterhorn since you will be over there anyway. Use your FP for matterhorn, then grab one for Indy. My experience with SWGE has been a mad rush in the morning, then it seems to level out and maintain 30-45 minute waits for the rest of the day. Again, YRMV. I would not worry about rushing over there too early. I would honestly head over to SWGE before your reservation, then see if during Oga's if you have any desire of staying longer. I would spend the morning time doing most the headliners in that time and stacking fastpasses for both parks if you have hoppers. We typically start our day at disneyland ride everything we want there while future stacking for DCA. then head there around noon for several hours and usually close back at disneyland but we head back over to disneyland BEFORE DCA closes as there is a mad rush back over.

Attractions:

• Winnie the Pooh No idea sorry.
• Alice in Wonderland... skippable? I think its cute and we try to do it every trip. If PP is already long by the time you get there, just hop over and do Alice. PP is pretty consistently long all day long so we never waste the early morning hours on PP, unless we are top 10 boats. Again, YRMV.
• Roger Rabbit To me, they are completely different rides. Roger Rabbit you actually can spin your car.

Shopping: Are there any stores I should make sure to pop into for pet and baby gear? Gag Factory in ToonTown in the first that comes to mind

Hours: I heard somewhere (Touring Plans? WDW Prep?) that some attractions regularly close early or during fireworks and that it's not published anywhere. Is that true? Anything I need to keep in mind? Toontown closes for the night early and will not re-open. Fantasyland closes early, but will re-open. Typically Matterhorn, teacups, and small world do not fit into this category. The storyboat boats will run a little longer than the other attractions, but will also stop running.

Trader Sam's: We're planning to go Sunday night for a drink and probably order a bunch of appetizers as dinner. Is there a certain time I should be sure to get there by? Is it any more or less crowded before the 8pm child curfew rule thing? We have gone at a variety of times and it seems to be random for hit and miss. Two nights in the same trip we went at 6pm. Monday night it was empty and Tuesday was PACKED. And there weren't any conventions going on that we knew of.

Hotel: I booked Indigo because the rate was right and there's free parking. I've heard the parking lot can fill up, though. Anyone have experience with this? Should I be worried/have a Plan B for parking? And is Panera the fastest, not-horrible breakfast option on the way to the park? No idea with this hotel. I personally, am not a fan of panera. If I am eating on harbor we eat at Mimis cafe. it's more sit down style, but good food and not bad priced. And it is going passed the crosswalk for disneyland so consider if you want to do that extra walking. If I were you, coming from Indigo, I would stop at IHOP, but give yourself PLENTY of time as they can get busy in the morning and you still want to give yourself plenty of bag check time if you want to get to the turnstiles early. Good thing is they are 24/7.

 

[Hatbox]

Rope drop: Typically, 30 minutes before official park opening. And yes, go straight to the rope and wait. You will head straight through the castle, but be careful as the actual line for peter pan entry can move depending on the day. sometimes they begin the line right inside the castle, other times it goes up to the chains.

I've been using my lunch break to catch up on my Disneyland education. I think I'm going to rope drop Space Mountain instead of Peter Pan, since rope dropping Peter sounds even more insane than it is in Florida - and it wouldn't break our hearts if we don't get on Peter this time.

I think we may wait and do single rider for Matterhorn at night.... jury's still out on that.

 

[Hatbox]

Generally as soon as you've scanned in to the park assuming you have pre-purchased Max Pass with your tickets[...]

If you already have evening plans at Oga's then I'd stick with that. RD is typically one of the busier times in Batuu so you're better to use that time elsewhere, as you say.

[...]Snow White, Peter Pan, Mr Toad, Pinocchio and the carousel all close for fireworks and reopen 20-30 min afterwards. All attraction opening and closing times (and the note about the fireworks closures) are in the Disneyland app if you touch on individual rides.

We do already have our Max Passes purchased - I at least knew to do that much! Thanks for the reinforcement on not RDing Batuu. I may walk through it midday just so I can see it in the different light, but I'll probably save the real touring of it for evening.

My husband loves to ride Dumbo during fireworks. At WDW, it's a walk-on at nighttime, but is that true at DL, too?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Definitely skip Peter Pan at rope drop. You will spend the entire first hour in line... you could ride a good portion of everything in Fantasyland in the first hour instead of one ride. I suggest this order: Alice (one of my favorites!), Dumbo, Toad, Pinocchio, Snow White (only if the line isn't nutty), Storybookland Canal Boats, Casey Jr Train, carousel (with Matterhorn FP thrown in somewhere)... It’s a Small World is over there but you can grab a fastpass for that anytime. Don’t waste valuable morning time. It’s a long ride. Only after you do all you want to do in fantasyland should you consider Peter Pan. Or choose a time later in the day to get a snack and wait in line. If the line is less than 30 minutes it’s usually a good time to hop in line.

I think Monday will be very busy! Last day of holiday stuff... first day a lot of passholders will be allowed back in. Plus Mondays are usually one of the busiest days of the week. Prepare yourself and temper your expectations!

 

[Hatbox]

I think Monday will be very busy! Last day of holiday stuff... first day a lot of passholders will be allowed back in. Plus Mondays are usually one of the busiest days of the week. Prepare yourself and temper your expectations!

Thanks for the tips! I think I'll save Peter for a It's 10:30pm and we're about to leave the park possible add-on.
I had wondered why Monday's crowd levels were so high! Alright, gonna get my game face on... oy.

 

[tsumgirl]

You received a lot of great tips so I'll just respond to the one that hasn't been answered yet.

Hotel: I booked Indigo because the rate was right and there's free parking. I've heard the parking lot can fill up, though. Anyone have experience with this? Should I be worried/have a Plan B for parking?

I stayed at Hotel Indigo last June, and the parking was full on 2 of the 5 nights I was there. It took the front desk awhile to straighten out a solution, but it turns out they have some sort of agreement with the Wyndam next door, and I was able to park there. There's a little walkway between the two lots so you're not forced to go out to the sidewalk to walk between hotels.

Have a great trip!

 

[B3rlingirl]

I actually wouldn’t rope drop space mountain but use a FP for it and rope drop fantasyland instead (if you don’t wanna rush don’t do Peter Pan) those rides don’t have FP and wait times can get quite long for short rides...
I did Alice for the first time on my last trip and really enjoyed it! I feel like I missed out not doing it on the last trips...
From what I have read I definitely wouldn’t bother with SWGE in the morning...

One idea you could think about would be to use single rider to your advantage... single rider often works great for space mountain and Matterhorn... (at least in my experience...) it helps to mix some single rider rides into the maxpass FP mix if return times doesn’t work out for you later in the day... (You can also try to refresh a couple of times and hope to pick up a canceled FP for an earlier return timer