1st-timer with 1 day!

[marielynn724]

I'm planning my first visit to the west coast (and that means Disneyland!!) and I'd love some help from the veterans - what should I make sure I see in Disneyland Park if I only have one day? also what's a good place to get food that is quick service? Thanks!!

 

[Jerry Horne]

Get there early and do rope drop! With only one day make sure and use FP whenever you can.

 

[marielynn724]

specifically, I am looking for things that are special to Disneyland California, I've been to WDW several times being an east-coaster.

 

[BlueBayou]

For food/quick I like Bengal BBQ across from Indy and Jungle Cruise. They have meat and veggie skewers that always seem to settle well. Filling but not overstuffed.

 

[vladimir p]

if fantasmic is showing, you seriously cannot miss it, you might need to spare an hour+ to get a good seat but it's definitely worth it.

 

[mumto2]

I am in the same boat. Still trying to figure it out, but so far, I am planning on early entry (arriving early in the morning, checking in in time to take advantage of most if not all of that extra hour) and heading straight to Carsland. After that, I am developing my DCA touring plan to include the things I can't do at WDW before heading over to DL. It sounds crazy, but if it is hot, I will probably take a break at the hotel since DL is open late. I am trying to figure out food too. I don't think I will make a reservation anywhere and just do counter service.

The one exception to my DL/DCA exclusive plan? A Dole Whip Float

Would love to hear about everyone's favorites if you only had one day and two parks.

 

[afnaechiquita]

i'm not a DL veteran at all (only went once), but by far my favorite thing was IASW, if only because it was fun to pick out the characters hidden in the scenes.

barring that, cars land and RSR are as good as everyone says they are. my DF and i rode RSR like three times in one day. we never made it to any of the nighttime attractions (and i even posted a thread here asking for help picking which one!) but those would also be good options.

 

[Disneykatz]

I go to DL regularly & I just went to WDW for the first time this summer, so as far as what to ride that is different...

At CA - All of Cars Land, best ride is Radiator Springs, similar to Test Track but with the Cars theme, California Screamin', Mickeys fun wheel, Monsters Inc, Goofys Sky school, the Golden Zephyr. There is a QS Paradise Cafe that serves clam chowder in a bread bowl among other things.

At DL - Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, Mr. Toads Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Storybook Canal, Finding Nemo Sub, Sleeping Beauty Castle instead of Cinderella castle. The rides that are basically the same but the DL version is way better are Space Mountain & Pirates. Haunted Mansion, IASW, Peter Pan, & Jungle Cruise are also slightly different. The QS we like is the Plaza Inn for their fried chicken meal.

If you are interested in checking out my new blog I have some posts about our visit this summer to DL/CA with lots of pics - jensjourneys.com.

Have fun!

 

[goooof1]

In DL....Indy, Matterhorn, Indy, Pirates, Indy.......Mr. Toad, Snow White, Alice, Indy...!! (can you tell my favorite?!)
In DCA....Carsland / RSR are not to be missed.
As far as CS, lots of good choices. Jolly Holiday, Plaza Inn (really big, shareable meals), Bengal BBQ skewers, Riverbelle Terrace, Royal St. Veranda for gumbo, ....... In DCA have heard good things about Paradise Garden Grill.

Have fun!

 

[Vexorg]

Here's a (non comprehensive) list of how I'd compare various rides to the WDW versions:

Rides that are comparable in both parks: Soarin' Over California, Star Tours, Toy Story Mania, Dumbo, It's a Small World, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (but it will be closed anyway), Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain (YMMV).

Rides that have better versions at WDW (this is, of course, subjective) : Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion (regular version).

Rides that have better versions at DLR: Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

Rides that are unique to DLR: Haunted Mansion Holiday, all of the Cars Land rides, California Screamin', Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn, Submarine Voyage.

The one thing not to miss (if circumstances permit): World of Color

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I would also take a few minutes to walk through Bug's Land at DCA. The rides are all the "kiddie" variety but the theme is terrific. There is nothing like it at WDW!

 

[marielynn724]

we will be visiting friends in the LA area and really do only have one day to visit DL and we are only going to be able to go to DL park (not spending extra $ for park hoppers, either) so too bad World Of Color isn't an option By the way, what is "RSR"?

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

RSR = Radiator Springs Racers in Carsland over in DCA. Gosh I wish you had at least another half day. DCA is really cool. Enjoy Disneyland as it is amazing too!

 

[marielynn724]

As it turns out, we will be park hopping, so we will have half a day at each park (I hope I'm not crazy for doing that!!) so I am very excited to see what both parks have to offer. We will probably start our day in California Adventure and hit the major rides, then switch over to Disneyland Park for the afternoon and evening. I know World of Color is really popular, but I REALLY want to see the castle lit up for Christmas!! It's been a lifelong dream of mine to see a Disney park at Christmas time!

 

[pjhootch]

If you hop, you might miss more than if you just stuck it out at one park, to be honest.

Can't miss at DL is Indy. Pirates is better than WDW, and I agree Space Mountain is also. Pirates line ebbs and flows even when the park is busy. SM and Indy can back up so if you go to DL in the afternoon you will likely need to use FP unless you picked a very slow (or rainy) day.

DL is so much smaller than getting around the Florida parks in mileage, but can be a bit confusing for WDW veterans because things aren't quite in the same place.

 

[rentayenta]

How fun OP! First off, I would start in DCA (rope drop) and do Carsland and maybe Screamin' then hop over to Disneyland and spend the rest of your day there.

Don't miss Indy, IASW, POTC, Alice, Storybook Boats, Mr. Toad, the Matterhorn, and the Tiki Room unless you've seen the original in MK. Space is better at DL but basically the same. WDW's Splash is better. HM queue is different. Disneyland's Fantasyland is far better than WDW's. Ride the Disneyland Railroad all the way around the park. Oh and Toontown is really cool even without kids and especially during the holidays if you're into little details. Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Thru too. It's awesome.

For food try the fried chicken at the Plaza Inn. I know MK has a Plaza Inn thats a TS but Disneyland's is a CS so no reservation needed and the menu is different.

Night time is tricky unless you can hustle and make both WoC and fireworks. If I had to choose, I'd choose the fireworks and snow on Main St. If you're not going during the holidays then I'd be tempted to do WoC.

 

[dreamseeker9]

I'm in the same situation as the OP. I'll be with 2 other adults, first time to DLR, with only 1 day for both parks.

Our plan is to get there for rope drop in DCA and go on a day without EE so we can hightail it to RSR, then explore the rest of CarsLand, then ride (and use FPs when needed) Soarin', TOT, Cali Screamin' and TSMM. Lunch at DCA, then off to DL for Indy, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain (if it's warm enough outside), POTC, Tiki and a Dole Whip , HMH, Buzz, and Matterhorn. We'll walk by IASW, maybe ride it if we have time. Then back to DCA for a late dinner and WOC.

We're going on a very slow day, thank goodnes, so I hope we can fit all that in. If not, we're going to have to make some tough decisions!

Have a blast!

 

[DLfan4]

if you are park hopping and want a Disneyland resort unique QS meal, then i suggest the Cozy Cone in carsland.