Crowd/park question

[Soupermom]

Greetings! We will be visiting DL for the first time in early November (after many trips to WDW). Our first full day is Sunday the 2nd and we will have a 3-day LL ticket (no hopper). Crowd calendar is calling for higher crowds on Sunday and Monday (8) with a lower crowed on Tuesday (5). How would you recommend splitting our days--which park on which day? We are two adults so I'm sure we will hit everything at least once.

Thank you!

 

[Aspencreek]

I would say that without hoppers for a 3 day visit I would definitely go for the Oreo/sandwich approach -- DL, DCA, DL. That way you start and end with the better (in my opinion) park.

 

[LKing]

How many people? Ages? Interests? Staying on site or off site? Do you care about evening entertainment?

 

[mdmost]

With 3 days, I always recommend Disneyland, California Adventure, Disneyland as the order so you can begin and end at the original. I wouldn't necessarily believe the crowd calendar on this as Sundays can be really light at DLR but it definitely would require getting there at rope drop at 8am. You can get so much accomplished at DLR in the morning, especially on Sunday. That really goes for any day you're there. We just went on Saturday through Tuesday and the weekdays were definitely busier than the weekend.

For reference but please do not take this as gospel, Touring Plans has 11/2-11/4 as a 4, 5, 6.
The next weekend is 4, 8, 7 for 11/9-11/11.
The reason for higher crowds during the week can be because no Magic Key passholders are blocked on Monday and Tuesday. The lowest key is blocked on Sundays. The Monday and Tuesday ticket prices are also the lowest at $104 versus $180 on Sunday.

 

[irlandaise]

With 3 days, I always recommend Disneyland, California Adventure, Disneyland as the order so you can begin and end at the original.

Yeah, for first-time visitors, this is the classic schedule! Start with Walt's original park!

 

[wench]

I expect that Monday & Tuesday will be a zoo at the parks. They will be the first Tier 0 days after about 6 weeks of higher prices.

 

[Soupermom]

How many people? Ages? Interests? Staying on site or off site? Do you care about evening entertainment?

Girls trip, 31/58, offsite but within walking distance, can take or leave fireworks, interested in yummy snacks and fun, not interested in too much spinning.

 

[lalasmama]

I believe the Tier (price) calendar and Magic Key block-out days from Disneyland more than I believe other crowd calendars at this point. Many crowd calendars focus on data from prior years. Things changed (specifically the reservation system) since Disneyland reopened from "that event that shall be named." That means there's only really 3 years of actual data that's somewhat similar to how the parks are now for those sites to draw from. Some of those sites don't consider things like events at the Convention Center (participants will often tack on Disneyland days to their travel), and school closures from the extended area that could affect crowds. However, Disneyland knows how many reservations they will be releasing for the specific day, and their calendars reflect such.

So, essentially, the cheaper the DL ticket (Tier 1 or 2), the more likely the parks will be busy, as will the days when Magic Key passes reopen.

 

[LKing]

Girls trip, 31/58, offsite but within walking distance, can take or leave fireworks, interested in yummy snacks and fun, not interested in too much spinning.

Take a look at the Halloween Foodie Guide. Some snacks end at Halloween. Some extend until just before Christmas starts (Nov 14) and others will be available all the way until January.

 

[evilmommie]

Girls trip, 31/58, offsite but within walking distance, can take or leave fireworks, interested in yummy snacks and fun, not interested in too much spinning.

I love a good girls trip. It's going to be a lot of fun for y'all. Totally agree with the Dland-DCA-Dland split.
(this way you start and end with the most iconic park, and use DCA as a “middle break” day)

Must-Do Rides (low spin, lots of fun):

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Haunted Mansion
• Jungle Cruise
• Indiana Jones
• It’s a Small World
• Peter Pan (long line, but magical)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Radiator Springs Racers (DCA)
• Soarin’ (DCA)
• Web Slingers (DCA)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (drops, no spinning)

Evening Vibes (beyond fireworks & shows):

• Stroll through New Orleans Square at night; the atmosphere is lively with music and lights
• Ride the Disneyland Railroad loop after dark; relaxing, a good rest for your feet, and a great way to see the park lights at night
• Try Jungle Cruise at night; the skipper jokes hit differently in the dark
• Linger on Main Street with an ice cream or coffee and enjoy the nighttime energy
• Browse the shops on Main Street or Elias & Co. (DCA) with lighter crowds
• Kick back at Trader Sam’s patio or Carthay Circle Lounge for cocktails and conversation
• Walk Pixar Pier in DCA at night; the neon lights and water views are great for photos

Do you want suggestions on cocktail spots, or focus more on sweet & savory snacks?

 

[mdmost]

Don't forget to do the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough. It's something I don't think a lot of people who are new ever know about. The door just outside on the left after you walk through the middle of the castle. There is the Sleeping Beauty fountain right next to it.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/sleeping-beauty-castle-walkthrough/

Another enjoyable thing to do is walk on the right path of the Castle and go to Snow White's Grotto and wishing well. Sometimes you'll catch some characters there. If you hang around the waterfall, you'll hear Snow White sing.

 

[evilmommie]

Don't forget to do the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough. It's something I don't think a lot of people who are new ever know about.

So true!

 

[Soupermom]

I love a good girls trip. It's going to be a lot of fun for y'all. Totally agree with the Dland-DCA-Dland split.
(this way you start and end with the most iconic park, and use DCA as a “middle break” day)

Must-Do Rides (low spin, lots of fun):

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Haunted Mansion
• Jungle Cruise
• Indiana Jones
• It’s a Small World
• Peter Pan (long line, but magical)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Radiator Springs Racers (DCA)
• Soarin’ (DCA)
• Web Slingers (DCA)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (drops, no spinning)

Evening Vibes (beyond fireworks & shows):

• Stroll through New Orleans Square at night; the atmosphere is lively with music and lights
• Ride the Disneyland Railroad loop after dark; relaxing, a good rest for your feet, and a great way to see the park lights at night
• Try Jungle Cruise at night; the skipper jokes hit differently in the dark
• Linger on Main Street with an ice cream or coffee and enjoy the nighttime energy
• Browse the shops on Main Street or Elias & Co. (DCA) with lighter crowds
• Kick back at Trader Sam’s patio or Carthay Circle Lounge for cocktails and conversation
• Walk Pixar Pier in DCA at night; the neon lights and water views are great for photos

Do you want suggestions on cocktail spots, or focus more on sweet & savory snacks?

I’d say more sweet and savory. My friend does like a good coffee though.

 

[evilmommie]

There are soooo many great snack ideas on our forum and it's also so subjective...but here are just a few of my favs.

Sweet

• Lemon Dole Whip (Adorable Snowman, DCA) – tart, refreshing, better than the classic pineapple. IMO
• Churro Toffee (Candy Palace, etc..skip the churro carts, lol...funny because once upon a time I worked the carts)
• Rocky Road (Candy Palace, usually made on Tuesdays)
• Mickey-shaped Confetti Waffles (Schmoozies, DCA)

Savory

• Corn Dog Nuggets (Stage Door Café, DL)
• Bacon Mac ’n’ Cheese Cone (Cozy Cone Motel, DCA)
• Jalapeño-Cheese Pretzel (cart, both parks)

As for coffee, I'm not a huge Starbucks fan...although I do like the cute mugs LOL.
Anyway, I've really enjoyed the coffee out in Downtown Disney at Sip & Sonder. Great signature lattes, good regular drip & I loved the cold brew I got there today.
https://www.parksidemarketla.com/menus/sip-and-sonder
I also LOVE the Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel. They make a really great cold brew, yummy snacks and there are plenty of places around to sit and relax. Closes at 4pm.

Have a great trip!

 

[LKing]

DisneyEats just announced that the Peach Sundae Dole Whip will be available on August 20.

Edit to add photo:

 

[BriannaRuth]

I'd add the following: Don't avoid the Fantasyland rides just because they seem kid-oriented. Those are some of my favorite rides in the park and I have a lot of the same preferences that you've listed. Specifically, Alice and Snow White are must-do's for us, but Toad and Pinocchio are also good if the lines aren't too long. And we always do Small World.

There are a few other rides than spin that I can still do because the spinning is either controllable or minimal. Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters -- you totally control the spin. In Toontown, Mickey's Runaway Railway has a few spins, but the vehicles are large and the spins are minimal, so I can do that one and it's a great ride. For reference, I can't do Teacups at all and even Dumbo and the merry-go-rounds are off limits for me.

In DCA, I cannot do Guardians of the Galaxy since they changed it from Tower of Terror. There's something about the drops in the ride sequence that made me sorry I ever got up that morning after I went on it once. Some of the worst motion sickness I've ever had. Definitely do Little Mermaid. Rise of the Resistance has a couple of spins, but I can do that one because like Mickey's Runaway Railway, the ride vehicle is big and there are only a couple. Toy Story has a little spinning, but it's not much and I can do that one fine as well.