Best Tips for Newbie?

[taythecray]

I think we are officially jumping on the Disneyland bandwagon in May! We've taken a few trips to Disney World in the past couple years and I was just getting use to all the planning and experiences, and now we found an opportunity to possibly visit DL in May! It won't be just a Disney trip, we will be staying about an hour from Anaheim using the family timeshare resort and will be there for a week. This is my first trip to California as well so I am super excited! I'm really just looking for any and all tips because I have no idea where to start! I know you don't have to make FPs in advance and dining reservations open up 60(?) days in advance but aside from that I don't even know where to start! I have come up with a couple questions after searching around:
* It will just be my husband and I (21) and we can last from sun-up to sun-down. We really just want to focus on the rides and entertainment because we can see the characters in DW. How many days would you allow and would you recommend hoppers or just stick to one park a day?
*Someone told me Fantasmic fills up quickly and recommended getting a dining package with it. Yes? No?
*Any amazing restaurants we should try out or certain experiences we should make sure to catch?

From there I would love to hear anything and everything This will probably be our only time out here and I want to make the best of it!

 

[figment_jii]

The first question is when in May are you going? There is a big difference in terms of crowds, operating hours, and entertainment schedules from before and after Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day weekend (starting that Friday), has generally been the kickoff to the summer season. For the last few years, they've had a 24-hour day (i.e., open at 6:00 am on Friday and close at 6:00 am on Saturday) on the Friday before Memorial Day. Last year, it was a zoo in the parks. The year before (2014) wasn't so bad. No one knows what 2016 will be like (or if they'll even have another 24-hour day). Prior to that Friday, the parks are usually operating on shorter hours and with reduced entertainment (on weekdays at least, Mon-Thu). Weekend (Fri to Sun) hours and entertainment tend to be longer (more like summer or other peak periods).

I know you don't have to make FPs in advance and dining reservations open up 60(?) days in advance but aside from that I don't even know where to start!

Disneyland Dining reservations open up 60-days in advance, but generally do not fill up super quickly. You can make them online or over the phone. The online system rolls somewhere between midnight and 6:00 am. The phone lines open up between 7:00 am and 8:00 am, but note that if you call on the 60-day mark and there is no availability, it probably means they haven't loaded it into the system yet (it happens fairly often).

Operating hours are generally announced 45-days/6-weeks in advance and entertainment schedules are often not posted until around the 30-day (or less) mark.

It will just be my husband and I (21) and we can last from sun-up to sun-down. We really just want to focus on the rides and entertainment because we can see the characters in DW. How many days would you allow and would you recommend hoppers or just stick to one park a day?

When you say "sun-up to sun-down" do you mean from park opening to close? I think most folks need 5-days if they really want to do everything (or almost everything) at a fairly relaxed pace. You can probably squeeze a lot into three-days, but it will mean giving up some things. I highly recommend getting park hoppers. DL and DCA are only 110 yards apart; you can see into the parks from each other. To put it in WDW terms, think of DL like Epcot's FW, DCA like Epcot's WS, the Esplanade is like the bridge that connects FW and SW, and DTD would be just outside of International Gateway. It makes park hopping very easy and can be very beneficial, especially when DL remains open later than DCA (often by an hour or so).

In terms of characters, yes, there are overlaps between the two resorts, but DL does have some unique characters (or characters in unique outfits). Everything is subject to change, but if you were going soon, you might see Oswald, Mary Poppins and Bert, Captain Hook, Cruella de Vil, Fairy Godmother, McQueen, Mater, Red, Olaf, Russell, the Mad Hatter, the Evil Queen, and the Fab Five in their 60th Anniversary attire. You wouldn't necessarily find them out and about at WDW on a daily (or fairly frequent) basis.

Someone told me Fantasmic fills up quickly and recommended getting a dining package with it. Yes? No?

Fantasmic, along with the Rivers of America, will be closed starting on January 11th. The re-opening date hasn't been announced, but DLR has been saying they'll be closed for at least a year. So, most likely, there will be no F! in May of 2016.

Any amazing restaurants we should try out or certain experiences we should make sure to catch?

For dining, my favorites are Cafe Orleans (DL), Carnation Cafe (DL), Blue Bayou (DL), Carthay Circle (DCA), Storytellers (GCH), PCH Grill (dinner, PPH) and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen (DTD). There are also several good QS options (French Market and Plaza Inn).

It sounds like you've been to WDW. If you have, I highly recommend taking a look at HydroGuy'sA DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It'll help give you a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

 

[Disney Kidd]

I would also recommend park hoppers, especially since you frequent WDW. I would suggest a minimum of three days. Go to Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney!

 

[taythecray]

Wow thank you so much Figment!

The first question is when in May are you going?

We will be down May 11-18 so it looks like we will hopefully miss the crazy crowds.

When you say "sun-up to sun-down" do you mean from park opening to close? I think most folks need 5-days if they really want to do everything (or almost everything) at a fairly relaxed pace. You can probably squeeze a lot into three-days, but it will mean giving up some things. I highly recommend getting park hoppers.

Yep we like to stay from open to close and just take short breaks inside the park if needed

In terms of characters, yes, there are overlaps between the two resorts, but DL does have some unique characters (or characters in unique outfits). Everything is subject to change, but if you were going soon, you might see Oswald, Mary Poppins and Bert, Captain Hook, Cruella de Vil, Fairy Godmother, McQueen, Mater, Red, Olaf, Russell, the Mad Hatter, the Evil Queen, and the Fab Five in their 60th Anniversary attire. You wouldn't necessarily find them out and about at WDW on a daily (or fairly frequent) basis.

Ah good to know! We may look into a few characters than. Will the 60th anniversary stuff still be going on at that time?

Fantasmic, along with the Rivers of America, will be closed starting on January 11th. The re-opening date hasn't been announced, but DLR has been saying they'll be closed for at least a year. So, most likely, there will be no F! in May of 2016.

Bummer!! I've heard everybody rave about Fantasmic there I haven't heard much about Rivers of America but I won't look into it now knowing it will be closed. Thanks for that heads up. I'll have to find information about other closings. It seems to be harder to find info on DL than DW.

It sounds like you've been to WDW. If you have, I highly recommend taking a look at HydroGuy'sA DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It'll help give you a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

Thanks for the link and all your help!

 

[gilby]

Subscribed

 

[figment_jii]

You're welcome!

Will the 60th anniversary stuff still be going on at that time?

They've announced that the 60th Anniversary Celebration will run through Labor Day (September 5, 2016). So, you still be able to see the characters in their 60th Anniversary attire (check Town Square during the day) and the decor around the park. My guess is that PtN, Disneyland Forever, and WoC: Celebrate will all continue to be presented after the official end of the 60th.

Bummer!! I've heard everybody rave about Fantasmic there I haven't heard much about Rivers of America but I won't look into it now knowing it will be closed. Thanks for that heads up. I'll have to find information about other closings. It seems to be harder to find info on DL than DW.

Unfortunately, yes, DLR does not announce things very far in advance. Often times things won't appear on the schedule until a few weeks ahead, so go with the plan to be flexible.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

As has been mentioned, park hoppers are very beneficial. I find myself hopping several times a day. Keep in mind that the Fastpass systems in both parks are not connected to each other, so you can get a FP in one park and then immediately hop over to the other park and grab a FP there as well.

As for the number of days, I would say that you should plan for three days at an absolute minimum. Four is better, five is the best (they don't sell multi-day tickets longer than five days). Try to plan your trip so that there is at least one weekend day on your trip, since some entertainment options (like fireworks) only happen on the weekends outside of the busy holiday and summer seasons.

I highly recommend dining at Blue Bayou, the restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It is definitely pricey, so if cost is a concern know that you can always go there just for dessert, or you and your partner can split one dish. They are well known for the Monte Cristo sandwich, but note that you can get the same sandwich for almost $10 cheaper at Cafe Orleans (just without the cup of gumbo and a very small side of fruit). Also note that the sandwich is plenty for two people to share!

Unfortunately, the Disneyland railroad is also planned to be closed while you are there. The Rivers of America is the water on which the Mark Twain and Columbia sailing ships travel, as well as the Davy Crockett canoes (which likely wouldn't have been running at the time you are going anyway). These closures are taking place to make room for Star Wars Land. These aren't major attractions, but the area is normally scenic and a nice waterfront along New Orleans Square, so it may look a little less than magical in that area while you are there, but it shouldn't impact your trip too much otherwise.

The best tip, which it sounds like you may plan to do anyway, is to arrive at the parks as early as possible. You will get quite a lot done in the first three hours the park is open. After that, crowds have started to build and you may need to take it a little slower.

 

[taythecray]

As has been mentioned, park hoppers are very beneficial. I find myself hopping several times a day. Keep in mind that the Fastpass systems in both parks are not connected to each other, so you can get a FP in one park and then immediately hop over to the other park and grab a FP there as well.

As for the number of days, I would say that you should plan for three days at an absolute minimum. Four is better, five is the best (they don't sell multi-day tickets longer than five days). Try to plan your trip so that there is at least one weekend day on your trip, since some entertainment options (like fireworks) only happen on the weekends outside of the busy holiday and summer seasons.

I highly recommend dining at Blue Bayou, the restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It is definitely pricey, so if cost is a concern know that you can always go there just for dessert, or you and your partner can split one dish. They are well known for the Monte Cristo sandwich, but note that you can get the same sandwich for almost $10 cheaper at Cafe Orleans (just without the cup of gumbo and a very small side of fruit). Also note that the sandwich is plenty for two people to share!

Unfortunately, the Disneyland railroad is also planned to be closed while you are there. The Rivers of America is the water on which the Mark Twain and Columbia sailing ships travel, as well as the Davy Crockett canoes (which likely wouldn't have been running at the time you are going anyway). These closures are taking place to make room for Star Wars Land. These aren't major attractions, but the area is normally scenic and a nice waterfront along New Orleans Square, so it may look a little less than magical in that area while you are there, but it shouldn't impact your trip too much otherwise.

The best tip, which it sounds like you may plan to do anyway, is to arrive at the parks as early as possible. You will get quite a lot done in the first three hours the park is open. After that, crowds have started to build and you may need to take it a little slower.

Sounds great! We actually have a friend working there as a CM so I believe she plans on getting us complimentary tickets and taking us around one day, so I think we will play it by ear and decide after that how many days to add. Also thanks for the heads up about the entertainment schedule. I will definitely have to make sure to check the event times once it gets closer because I wouldn't want to miss anything!

Blue Bayou has come up a lot so I will definitely look into it. Maybe it can be our one big dinner splurge for the week. I eat like a bird so sharing meals would definitely be an option.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For Blue Bayou, you will have 2 options: share or split. Sharing is free (one plated entree and one extra plate -- you divide the food yourself). Splitting has a $12 fee (the kitchen will divide and plate your meals, each person will get soup or salad). We do both, depending on our mood and how much time we have. One entree divided 60/40 or 70/30, depending on the item, is just about right for us (DH is a hearty eater and I'm not).