1st Timer! Help

[loveDisneyinTN]

I am traveling to S. California for work and am able to fly out the day before on a Sunday and want to visit both DL and DCA. I've been to WDW numerous times but have no idea what the must see and do's should be at DL! I only have 1 day so I want to maximize my visit and I'll be alone. Also my hotel is nearby, The Menage...anyone familiar? Is it walking distance?

Thanks for the help in advance!!

 

[figment_jii]

As a WDW vet, HydroGuy's guide to DLR for WDW Vets is a good place to start.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

If you only have one day, you will probably have to made some choices about things to do and things to leave out. You asked about both DL and DCA, so I'm going to guess you'll get a park hopper ticket. The two parks are about 100 yards apart, so it's pretty easy to go between them. Think of it like going from Future World to World Showcase.

Over in DCA, I would make a point of checking out Carsland and riding RSR. If you like thrill rides, CA Screamin' is a good choice. I'd probably skip Soarin' and TSMM (pretty much the same as at WDW). ToT is similar, but not identical. If you're there when it's running, Mad T Party is fun. The Aladdin stage show is pretty impressive, but it's a huge time commitement (the show is 45-minutes).

For me, there would be more "must do" level rides over at DL. If you just wanted to focus on the unique, I would ride Matterhorn, some of the Fantasyland rides (e.g., Storybook Canal), and Indy Jones. Other rides that are similar, but different, are PotC, Big Thunder, IaSW, Space, Splash, HM, and Buzz. When are you going? If it's during Halloween and/or Christmas, then some of the rides might have an overlay. From mid-Sep to Halloween, Space has the Ghost Galaxy overlay. From mid-September through New Year, Haunted Mansion has the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, and from mid-November through New Year (at least), Small World has the Holiday overlay. I would definitely ride any of the rides with the overlay.

In terms of the nighttime shows, they all require a time commitment if you want a good spot. With only one day, I would probably forgo them on this trip.

Also my hotel is nearby, The Menage...anyone familiar? Is it walking distance?

It depends a little on how much you like to walk. From what I can tell, the Menage is at the corner of Harbor and Ball. I think you have two options to walk to DL. If you walk south on Harbor, you'll come to the pedestrian entrance to Disneyland. It's about 0.8 miles. You could also walk to the Mickey & Friends parking lot and take the tram to DLR. I don't know how far that is.

 

[loveDisneyinTN]

Oh wow!!!! That you SO much for your super helpful post!! I really do appreciate it and the time you took to respond! Great Info!!!

 

[ktlm]

You can get a ton done in 1 day as a solo adult. Definitely get hoppers. It just takes a couple of minutes to hop between parks (you walk across a plaza and bag check is on the edges of the plaza so there is no bag check when you hop). You definitely want to see as much of both parks as you can. DH and I did the 1 day on a business trip thing back in 2008, and it was the first time either of us had been to DL since we were kids. I will warn you that it was addictive. We now alternate between WDW and DL, because we loved DL so much. Our 1 day, we did all CS (which is better at DL than WDW), and just went at breakneck speed from open to close to get as much done as possible. We did about everything including fitting in the 40 minute Aladdin show, which is definitely worth the time. We think it is the best show in any of the WDW parks. They have added a lot since 2008 though- Carsland, WOC, some shows over at DL and more. I don't know that you will have time to do the nighttime entertainment as that takes a lot of time to stand in line to get a good spot, but if you do, WOC is fantastic. You have to have FP to enter, so I would go ahead and get one when you get there, and then if you decide you have the time to spare or want to invest in it, you can. Don't miss POTC- it is so much better at DL. Indiana Jones is a fantastic ride. We think the Monsters Inc. ride at CA is fun as they don't have it at WDW and we have never had to wait long for it. Carsland is just amazing. At some point during the day walk into it from the entrance at the back of the pier- the view is beautiful. Hopefully you will get a chance to ride RSR- it puts Test Track to shame! Have a great time!

 

[superlarz]

If you are solo and only have one day, and you are good a maximizing your time you will be able to ride just about everything in both parks that is worth riding. Dont skip a ride just because it is at WDW (except TSMM and Soarin as they are exactly the same.)

 

[rydersmommy]

Take advantage of the Single Rider line when possible. When a ride doesn't offer Single Rider get a Fast Pass if possible.

 

[ktlm]

Take advantage of the Single Rider line when possible. When a ride doesn't offer Single Rider get a Fast Pass if possible.

RSR has a single rider. It is still often a 20-30 minute wait, but the ride is well worth it! Definitely do that one if you don't pick up a FP at a time you want. The RSR fast passes are like the TSM ones (pre-FP+) at WDW- they are gone early.