Boss me around!!

[cgattis]

LOL! First real trip to Disneyland (did one day at DL MK in 2010). Going Labor Day weekend, four full days with 3-day single-park tix with Genie+ (or whatever it is now—ugh gotta learn those changes). Plan right now is MK Sat, DCA Sun, resort/DTD day Mon, and repeat the fave park Tue.

A few other notes…two 50 something friends, no kids traveling. Staying at HoJo. Eat vegetarian (but I’ll cheat if I see something better on the menu LOL). Planning mostly quick service dining. Want to to try to hit Trader Sam’s. Willing to skip rides that are very close to WDW versions.

You guys, hit me with your best touring plans!! Including the resort/DTD day! Do I NEED a plan? Anybody know how the HM/HMHoliday VQ works? What else has VQ? Help me, DIS’ers, you’re my only hope! LOL

 

[mom2rtk]

Welcome to the DLR side of things! The best part is that you really don't need as much of a plan here as you do at WDW. We were primarily WDW visitors until we made the big switch in 2013. We've been back to WDW since then, but DL is now our favorite.

Make sure you see WoC and DL's Fantasmic.

 

[Tinkaboo]

DTD isn’t that big that you can spend a whole day there but I would check out all the resort hotels, especially the new Pixar one. It’s supposed to have some cool memorabilia (check out the Pixar Hotel thread for deets) and Bing Bong is there plus Joe plays piano. I haven’t done it myself but plan to next trip.

You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to get around. Spend time in CarsLand and Avengers Campus as they are unique to DL. Get ILL for RSR and ride at night..so much better. Pirates is awesome. Many of the Fantasyland rides are originals so don’t pass them up. Get a dining package for Fantasmic so you can get an up close view.
Eat Mickey beignets at Mint Julep.

Others will chime in here but you really don’t need a touring plan like WDW…we’re small and cozy, just how we like it.

 

[Dr. G]

You will have to decide before your trip what your Tuesday park will be since reservations must be made in advance and can run out, especially around Labor Day. You might consider adding Parkhoppers to have flexibility to move between parks each day.

 

[Becca1007]

If budget allows, GET THE HOPPERS! Hopping at Disneyland only takes 10 min or so. We hop for lunch or beer/wine and then hop back some days. It also allows you to move to areas with lower standby times.

 

[DodgerGirlMissy]

Besides Fantasmic!, another cool show to check out is World of Color. I'd suggest getting a dining package for that, so you can have premium viewing. You can get the WOC Dining Package at Wine Country Trattoria (at DCA) or Storytellers Cafe (inside the Grand Californian). For either option, just let the cast member know that you want the World of Color Dining Package when you check in. Have fun!

 

[LKing]

Plan right now is MK Sat, DCA Sun, resort/DTD day Mon, and repeat the fave park Tue.

You want me to boss you around? There is no MK in California. We have two parks - Disneyland (DL) and Disney's California Adventure (DCA). Disneyland Resort (DLR) encompasses both theme parks, the hotels and DTD.

I agree that you should add Park Hoppers. While the distance from HoJo to security is approximately half a mile, the distance between the two parks is only 400 feet. Besides, the the quick serve options are better in DCA than in DL.

I'll share @BrianL amazing comparison of DLR to WDW:

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin'

 

[LKing]

Anybody know how the HM/HMHoliday VQ works?

Nope, they haven't announced it yet.

What else has VQ?

No attractions. You can do a VQ for World of Color.

 

[cgattis]

Welp….I posted this and then immediately launched off into a huge “thing” at work and forgot all about it!! Some great info here—thank you all!!

 

[cgattis]

Welcome to the DLR side of things! The best part is that you really don't need as much of a plan here as you do at WDW. We were primarily WDW visitors until we made the big switch in 2013. We've been back to WDW since then, but DL is now our favorite.

Make sure you see WoC and DL's Fantasmic.

That’s what I’m hoping! I guess I just need to look at LL and see what’s available, and then just make a casual plan.

 

[cgattis]

DTD isn’t that big that you can spend a whole day there but I would check out all the resort hotels, especially the new Pixar one. It’s supposed to have some cool memorabilia (check out the Pixar Hotel thread for deets) and Bing Bong is there plus Joe plays piano. I haven’t done it myself but plan to next trip.

You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to get around. Spend time in CarsLand and Avengers Campus as they are unique to DL. Get ILL for RSR and ride at night..so much better. Pirates is awesome. Many of the Fantasyland rides are originals so don’t pass them up. Get a dining package for Fantasmic so you can get an up close view.
Eat Mickey beignets at Mint Julep.

Others will chime in here but you really don’t need a touring plan like WDW…we’re small and cozy, just how we like it.

Yes, definitely more excited about the resorts than DTD, but I need some Pandora for my daughter’s birthday! Hoping there is something DL-exclusive. Or something Deadpool

 

[cgattis]

You will have to decide before your trip what your Tuesday park will be since reservations must be made in advance and can run out, especially around Labor Day. You might consider adding Parkhoppers to have flexibility to move between parks each day.

Thanks for that tip! Is there a general feel for which one is hardest to get?

 

[cgattis]

If budget allows, GET THE HOPPERS! Hopping at Disneyland only takes 10 min or so. We hop for lunch or beer/wine and then hop back some days. It also allows you to move to areas with lower standby times.

Trying to go super low budget since I already have about a trip per month for the next six months……this was a last minute opportunity with a friend!

 

[cgattis]

Besides Fantasmic!, another cool show to check out is World of Color. I'd suggest getting a dining package for that, so you can have premium viewing. You can get the WOC Dining Package at Wine Country Trattoria (at DCA) or Storytellers Cafe (inside the Grand Californian). For either option, just let the cast member know that you want the World of Color Dining Package when you check in. Have fun!

We’ve been trying to convince ourselves we don’t need any add-ons….whats our best WOC strategy if we don’t do a package?

 

[cgattis]

You want me to boss you around? There is no MK in California. We have two parks - Disneyland (DL) and Disney's California Adventure (DCA). Disneyland Resort (DLR) encompasses both theme parks, the hotels and DTD.

I agree that you should add Park Hoppers. While the distance from HoJo to security is approximately half a mile, the distance between the two parks is only 400 feet. Besides, the the quick serve options are better in DCA than in DL.

I'll share @BrianL amazing comparison of DLR to WDW:

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin'

Ahhhh EXCELLENT info!! Thank you!!

And thanks for helping me avoid a faux pas with my terminology! I’ve even been once and still didn’t realize it’s not called MK there. But I guess it was called Disneyland before there WAS anything else, so I should totally know that. I really hope I don’t go too overboard on DLR-specific merch but….

 

[DodgerGirlMissy]

We’ve been trying to convince ourselves we don’t need any add-ons….whats our best WOC strategy if we don’t do a package?

I believe there is a virtual queue that you can join on the Disneyland app. To be honest, I've never used the virtual queue for WOC, so I'm not sure how easy it is to get a spot.

 

[OlliePop27]

I believe there is a virtual queue that you can join on the Disneyland app. To be honest, I've never used the virtual queue for WOC, so I'm not sure how easy it is to get a spot.

The WOC virtual queue is extremely easy to join and it's not a mad rush. You can typically start reserving a spot in the VQ at 12:00 Noon each day it's showing. They first fill up the 9:00 pm show and then the 10:15 pm show. You do not need to be in DCA to enter the VQ, you just need a park hopper.

If you want to see WOC with VQ the key is to get in the front of one of the sections, not the front of the entire viewing area. It's a terraced viewing area with flat concrete sections at different elevations with planters in between. You want to be at the railing, even in the back most section. If you show up at 8:00 pm for the 9:00 pm show, you can easily get the railing in one of the back sections. This is what we just did in July. We were at the back corner closest to Golden Zephyr with an excellent unobstructed view. The dessert party was right next to where we were.

If you want to do the dessert party, they start taking guests to their seats at 8:00 pm and you need to check in around 7:00 pm. You get a reserved seat, desserts, and drinks. It's a big time commitment, but it is popular and the only way to have a seat for the show. The time commitment is obviously part of the experience and fun, but it is not mandatory to spend the $89 per person to have a good view.

 

[pyratgrrl]

You're going to have a great trip! To quote David from Fresh Baked Disney: "Just see where the Disney winds take you."

 

[Lumpy1106]

The splash pad at Ho Jo is the bomb. You 50-somethings will love it.

 

[Chili327]

Plan right now is MK Sat, DCA Sun, resort/DTD day Mon, and repeat the fave park Tue.

There is no MK in California

I was about to say... Blasphemy.!! lol