COMPLETELY out of my element! Help me

[joshsmom]

Our family (DS18, Grandma 68, and me 45) have been to WDW every year since 2001. We have it down. . .no problem. But I am COMPLETELY lost with Disneyland. Am reading this forum, got the trip planning DVD, etc., but I still have SO many questions. First, I couldn't find a crowd calendar for Disneyland. Is there a "better" time to go? We were looking at mid-May 2015, for about 4 days. Trying to decide between Good Neighbor hotel or Paradise Pier (which is where we really want to stay). We usually stay in Values at WDW so Paradise Pier would be a luxuary But since we are only staying a short time, we may do it. Are there ever discounts for the Disneyland hotels? I'm so confused. . . .

Relying on the good people here to at least point me in the right direction!! I love researching but I am at a loss as to where to even START! TIA

 

[mesaboy2]

Our family (DS18, Grandma 68, and me 45) have been to WDW every year since 2001. We have it down. . .no problem. But I am COMPLETELY lost with Disneyland. Am reading this forum, got the trip planning DVD, etc., but I still have SO many questions. First, I couldn't find a crowd calendar for Disneyland. Is there a "better" time to go? We were looking at mid-May 2015, for about 4 days. Trying to decide between Good Neighbor hotel or Paradise Pier (which is where we really want to stay). We usually stay in Values at WDW so Paradise Pier would be a luxuary But since we are only staying a short time, we may do it. Are there ever discounts for the Disneyland hotels? I'm so confused. . . .

Relying on the good people here to at least point me in the right direction!! I love researching but I am at a loss as to where to even START! TIA

I was in your position not long ago. I started here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[kate2961]

We are veteran WDW people but we have been to DL twice. Last trip was 2013. We stayed in each hotel the last trip to see which we liked best. We were surprised how much we loved PP. When we go back, we may stay here again over DLH and GF. We thought PP location was great and value too, since cheaper than the other two hotels but very nice.

But we have not stayed off property so I can't compare to those.

We love DL/DCA and we can't wait to go back again.

Magical wishes for your trip

Kate

 

[Barry Browning]

Offsite a Tropicana Executive Suite runs around $160 anight.Faces the park.Two rooms on king bed, one with couch, two 50 inch plasmas and hd cable.Microwave, fridge, jacuzzi for mom.Hide a bed in couch in living room.This is actually closer to the park entrance.

I have been to both parks, the weather in DL cannot be beat.Its just nice and sunny no humidity high of around 80 or less, sweatshirt in the evening.Parks are literally right together.More or less the same rides in a much closer area.

I personally think the best food is in downtown disney, Tortilla Joes on the patio, Hard Rock has one too.It is usually great on the patio unlike the blistering heat.The food is no more than if not less than Blue Bayou and others in my humble opinion.Also we have ate at Tony Roma another across the street about half a block from Tropicana.Always a great steak we usually split entrees.

My son is /was a cm on racers, he is moving to Florida to work at DW I miss California already.

Two offsite day trips Hollywood with Warner Bros and Santa Monica Pier another is Catalina Island so beautiful and different.

My thoughts from someone that has been way too many times.

 

[Jdismom]

We are WDW regulars planning a trip for around the same time as you next year too. I started researching just to get an idea of the crowds, weather, etc. at this time of year. Once I started reading up on DL I found that it probably won't take the same kind of intense planning that we are used to.

For one thing we can't even book a hotel yet. I want to try Paradise Pier and originally thought it was sold out, until I starting checking other hotels and saw everything was also unavailable. Then I found out they weren't even open for booking yet.

And we can't make TS ressies until the 60 day mark, but even then there doesn't seem to be the same rush as at WDW. Things just don't fill up like that.

I think just having everything so close is going to make it a lot easier. And on the first morning try to get up early for EMH because the time change will be in your favor.

 

[SplashMo]

Here are some Disneyland / DCA Tips

NOTE: RSR and SCREAMIN FP are no longer disconnected.

This is meant to be a one page print of things that can be taken with you on vacation. You could also email it to your phone. There are some links at the bottom of the post that are worth reading before heading out. In particular HydroGuy's excellent tips.

Disneyland (DL)

Arrive 30 minutes early. If you have an Early Admission day arrive 1:15 before official park open (Early admission is on certain days and is a one shot deal for most 3 or more day tickets as well as onsite hotel guests can do this as often as they like during their stay on days that it is offered. ). There are two gates behind trees (I think they are 14 and 19) that do not form lines as folks do not see them/use them. They sometimes do not open so perhaps stay in line next to them and watch your line shrink if they do open.


Top Priority Rides: Peter Pan and Dumbo (Ride first and in this order, assuming you were early to the gate).

Exception to above is Anna and Elsa if you want to see them and their line opens around park opening . Ask a CM (Disney Employees that are roaming the parks). Hard to say if you would want to use an Early admission day for this to wait in line. I would pick a day where Early Admission is at DCA to do this if you have the option.

Jedi Training Academy. To have your child picked bring a small blank paper and pen to make a sign. Signs are not allowed into the gates but are tolerated at the Jedi Training Academy. Sign can say Pick Me or Use the Force, etc…

FastPass (FP). Once everyone has entered either one of the parks with their ticket a runner can be sent to any ride in either park with all of the tickets to collect fast passes for the entire party. FP have a time stamped on them when the next FP is available (anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours).

Rides to fast pass first are Big Thunder, Splash, Space and Indy. (normally Big Thunder does not need a FP but currently it is helpful). Star Tours, Autopia, and Roger Rabbit Car-Toon Spin also have FPs.



Disney California Adventure (DCA)

Arrive 45 minutes early. If you have an Early Admission day (onsite Hotel guests only) arrive 1:20 before official park open at the Main Gate. Do not use the Hotel entrance for Early Admission unless you are 2 hours before official park open. If you do not have early Admission the right hand gate is often best as they will sometimes will open additional gates to the right just as the park opens.

Top Priority Ride: Radiator Springs Raceway (RSR) in Cars Land. Toy Story Midway Mania(TSMM) under the SCREAMIN roller coaster (There is not FP available for TSMM).

Radiator Springs Raceway (RSR). Make sure that everyone in the party meets the height requirements for RSR.

The Single Rider Line is recommended if everyone is comfortable with that age wise (must be at least 7 and group will likely be split up).

Hotel Guests during early admission can ride in Single Rider line on busy days or jump in the main line. The RSR FP machine does not open until the park is open and only operates if the ride is functional.

If you do not have early admission and you are a first time visitor to Cars Land you can:

1) Have everyone get in the standby line and stay to the right of the line and ride standby. After riding get FP for RSR
2) Have everyone ride the single rider line. After riding get FP for RSR
3) Have everyone but the FP runner do 1 or 2 above and the FP runner gets FP and then jumps in single rider line.

Once you have experienced the ride other approaches that work well:

Ride TSMM once or twice then send a FP runner to arrive at the RSR FP machines 30 minutes after the park opens. Everyone can ride Single Rider and/or wait for FP return time.

FastPass (FP). Once everyone has entered one of the parks with their ticket a runner can be sent with all of the tickets to collect fast passes for the entire party. FP have a time stamped on them when the next FP is available (anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours).

Rides to fast pass first are RSR, SOARIN, TOT, SCREAMIN, Grizzly River Run. Also Goofy's Sky School has FP.

After visiting Carsland grab a FP for World of Color (WOC).

The WOC FP machine is disconnected from the rest of the systems. Which means you can get an additional FP on a different ride immediately.

I highly recommend HYDROGUY'S SUPER THREAD TIPS:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Extra Magic Hour: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/gue...rly-admission/
Magic Mornings: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/gue...rly-admission/
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[joshsmom]

I was in your position not long ago. I started here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Oh MYYYYYY!!! THIS is SINCERELY AWESOME!! THANK YOU!!!!