Advice for a single-day visit

[Mississippian]

As a kid I visited Disneyland many times when we would visit my uncle and aunt roughly every two years. I think when Disneyworld opened in 1971 I had already been to Disneyland four times, which was quite rare for someone from the Southeast

I'm coming out with my daughter to spend a few days with my uncle and aunt and all of their folks. My uncle is about 90 now but in good health, and actually preaches a sermon every now and then. Anyway, I'm planning to spend two nights at a Comfort Inn just next to Disneyland and spend Saturday, July 25 with a one-day park hopper riding some of the main attractions. My daughter has been to Disneyworld many times, so the idea is to ride some of the unique rides.

My memory is that the Matterhorn Bobsleds had lines that were killer. Are Fastpasses available at Disneyland, and do they run out?

Do any of you have advice for things we could do from say 4 p.m. Friday onward. I figure just wander around Downtown Disney and eat somewhere. On Saturday I'm planning on making a lunch reservation at the restaurant in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I remember as a kid walking outside and being stunned that it was mid-day since we had spent 90 minutes eating under the starlight. It was kind of neat. Any thoughts on this, or any other suggestions?

I was planning on riding all of the "kiddie" rides that don't exist at WDW, such as Storybook Canal Boats and Alice in Wonderland. That's if my daughter will let me. Thanks for any thoughts on how I can spend what will clearly will be a very busy day. And we may very well walk back to our hotel room to rest for a couple of hours. We would rather have fun than be miserable and do a punch list.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Saturday, disneyland has already been open for an hour before you can allowed in.....so join the crowd at DCA to secure your RSR fastpass or go straight to the attraction, but the problem is that it may not be operating, try to grab one for around the noon hour and then headback to Disneyland to ride the matterhorn for which there are no fastpass but single rider option. if ride RSR at opening and hop back to Matterhorn, this should put you at 10:00 to have completed both rides. Grab a fastpass for your Tomorrowland choice and the wrangle out the Kiddie rides till 2:00 ,eat lunch, ride the train. you do not have enough time to leave the park so you also want to have grab another FP in the ROA area. The other activity you will to accomplish is the lighting of Radiator Springs and seeing that land in the dark.

 

[Mamarilu]

The restaurant inside The Pirates of The Carribean ride is called Blue Bayou and I loved it! Since you are going pretty soon I would highly suggest making reservations. Some things I would suggest (and i'm somewhat sure these aren't at Disney World) is Cars Land, especially Radiator Springs as chikapin mentioned. These fast passes do go out fast! Try to grab some if you can. Also the World of Color show is fantastic. Enjoy!

 

[Mississippian]

I've got my Blue Bayou reservation. Now just need to plan my ride schedule. For supper I think I'll just grab whatever I can.