Advice for first time Disney land visit in 2022

[Bird003]

We are Disney world APs and go twice a year usually. We are looking to try Disney land next year. Any advice about navigating the parks, strategies for rides, and dining would be much appreciated.
we are staying 7 days with two of them travel days. We will stay onsite for sure. It is between Disneyland hotel and grand Californian , we are a family of three with our daughter being almost 7 at time of travel. Thank you!

 

[SteveH]

So much is going to change in a year. As Disneyland is just slated to reopen and they've made some pretty big changes (dropping APs for one) there is a lot more unknown right now. Might kick back and watch, read and wait a few months but even then I think the one constant at Disney right now is change. By the end of 2021 we should have a lot more answers then questions.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We are Disney world APs and go twice a year usually. We are looking to try Disney land next year. Any advice about navigating the parks, strategies for rides, and dining would be much appreciated.
we are staying 7 days with two of them travel days. We will stay onsite for sure. It is between Disneyland hotel and grand Californian , we are a family of three with our daughter being almost 7 at time of travel. Thank you!

While the information in this thread is pre-COVID, it is still very helpful in explaining the differences in how to approach a DLR trip vs. a WDW trip: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. That thread is a classic and has helped many, many people here.

 

[ninergrl6]

My first piece of advice is to not stay at a Disney property. They're outrageously expensive and not worth the price if you won't be spending much time at the hotel. There are dozens of off-property hotels that will save you money and are really convenient.

My other advice is to make a priority list of what you want to see, do, and eat. I'm a planner, so I always want to have an idea in mind of my "musts" for trips. If you're going to the parks for 5 days, you'll have *plenty* of time to see and do everything you want.

 

[Epicnemesis]

There is so much unknown right now. Not sure what your week plans are, but 5 days in the resort might be overkill.

Given I’m a local AP, so maybe I just don’t know, but I would devote a maximum 3 days in the parks. 1 day per park and then a wild card day to redo things you loved/ prioritize things you missed.

I would suggest a day for universal studios, the backlot tour is a must do to see where some of your favorite movies and shows were actually shot. (Nothing against Universal Orlando, which is a better amusement park, but not a better tourist activity)

There is so much to do in the SoCal area the the opportunity cost for day 4 and 5 in the parks is really high.

 

[chickapin parterre]

the beauty of a 7 year old child taking naps is that the gate is very close to both lodging, so one parent can return to lodging for swim and naps with out any stress in catching transport. this will allow the in park adult to ride the challenging attractions that 7 year old would not board. as first timer...I encourage a vacation attitude with someone so young and take it slow over 5 days and allow one adult to venture by self into the artsy side of Disneyland. and time to photograph and take in all the historic details.

 

[Traver Freeman]

Awesome! So excited to see some WDW APs coming to our little slice of heaven. You'll have a great time I'm sure! The advice in the other posts is spot on. You're probably better off staying off property. Check out the Candy Cane Motel (right on the other side of DCA, you can see the back of Cars Land from the hotel) it's easily one of the best hotels in the area.

The on-property resorts are way over priced.

And unless you plan to spend several days lounging around the hotel or going to Knott's Berry Farm, you only need a max of 3 park days. With new COVID restrictions I could see that being 4 for first time visitors if you want to spend 2 days at both parks. It used to be you'd just hop and 3 was more than enough. I personally wouldn't visit any more than 2 days, but we're frequent attenders.

Fastpass isn't likely to come back, just like WDW, but when it is back, the MaxPass is definitely worthy of consideration.

Start at Disneyland Park as that's going to be more familiar to you since it's basically Magic Kingdom in smaller scale. There's lot of fun to be had for sure! You absolutely must eat at either the French Market or Rancho Del Zocalo for quick service. If you want a great table service, Story Tellers (if it's open) at the Grand Californian is amazing. Blue Bayou is an experience not to be missed (you can see the Pirates of the Caribbean boats floating by, kind of like San Angel Inn)

 

[Kit Jackson]

I would suggest a day for universal studios, the backlot tour is a must do to see where some of your favorite movies and shows were actually shot. (Nothing against Universal Orlando, which is a better amusement park, but not a better tourist activity)

I agree that Universal Orlando is the better theme park. It's been years since I did it, so maybe it's changed. When I did the Universal Hollywood backlot tour, it felt more like a theme park ride than a look at an actual look at a movie studio. If you want a behind the scenes look of an actual working movie studio, the Warner Brothers Studio tour is fantastic.

5 days at Disneyland is long, but it will allow to be sure you get to do everything you want, and maybe even do some of the rides twice. If you want to do Rise of the Resistance, it gives you more chances to get a boarding group.