Disneyland and CA in one day

[jecon]

I am attending a conference in LA and have one day to visit DL and CA and I've never been. I plan on purchasing the maxpass. Any other suggestions on maximizing my day? Is rope drop critical to avoid lines?

 

[chickapin parterre]

rope drop is not critical if exploring the west end of Disneyland.....the lands that border Rivers of America...maxpass is of no use for Fantasyland attractions, so you have to let us know how important those attractions are to you. In DCA, RSR will be your problem for planning the day.

 

[jecon]

Thank you! I want to experience and compare the Disney world vs Disneyland rides (the mountains, haunted mansion, pirates) and mr toad bc I miss it!

This is crazy for me bc I can bird box my way through wdw but have no clue about DL!

 

[chickapin parterre]

the one problem you will encounter with the list above is that not all of those attractions are guaranteed to open at rope drop, so it could funnel the early folks else where in ROA and by the time you arrive, the maxpass times could be later in the morning, so if Mr toad is your only fantasyland desire, reserve maxpass for ROA and then board Mr Toad as early as possible. Also, what time do you see yourself arriving at the parking lot? security? entrance gate?

 

[jecon]

Chances are we will leave our hotel in downtown la around 7:30

 

[Skyegirl1999]

When are you visiting? Do you know the operating hours yet? Unless you stumble on a unicorn light-crowd day (rare!) I’d say rope drop is 100% critical if trying to do two parks in one day.

It will be your only chance to get in non-FP lines without a long wait. It will put you ahead of the curve in pulling a lot of FPs with Maxpass. 10/10 would rope drop.

If it’s a midnight close and you’re going to stay that late, that will help if you don’t want to rope drop.

 

[Whistlebee]

When are you visiting? Do you know the operating hours yet? Unless you stumble on a unicorn light-crowd day (rare!) I’d say rope drop is 100% critical if trying to do two parks in one day.

It will be your only chance to get in non-FP lines without a long wait. It will put you ahead of the curve in pulling a lot of FPs with Maxpass. 10/10 would rope drop.

If it’s a midnight close and you’re going to stay that late, that will help if you don’t want to rope drop.

Agree 100% with this

 

[chickapin parterre]

so this not about rope drop or gate opening when leaving downtown LA on a weekday....this is more about what can happen two-three hours once at the gate. make a list of your priorities and as asked....what is the date?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Chances are we will leave our hotel in downtown la around 7:30

Unless the park opens at 10am that day I’d leave downtown at least an hour earlier than that.

 

[jecon]

Thank you all for your feedback. It’s feb. 14 so I’m guessing a busy day. Im ok w leaving earlier esp considering I will be coming from eastern standard time the day before.

 

[chickapin parterre]

that day is a thursday, so park will have been open an hour early because it is one of three days with magic morning hour for guests with the privileged ticket, so no rope drop possible advantage for you, hopefully someone can tell you arrival times to Disneyland if you left at 5:30, 6;30, 7:30. The night should be more busy with folks eating instead of boarding, though canal boat, train, HM and pirates could have more romantic boarders. Could also be the start of a four day weekend.....and all those folks who were married on the 14th. And then you could be lucky and the strange weather could continue into the next month.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Feb. 14th will be a busy day (see park hours -- DLR knows it will be busy and has longer hours). Valentine's Day in the parks is a big tradition with the locals. Expect APs to hit the parks in the early evening after school and work. If you want a TS reservation somewhere, start looking for something now. Otherwise, make sure you have the DLR app on your phone (the latest version -- it just updated) with a credit card on file so you can get MP and Mobile Ordering with ease. Totally agree with Skyegirl1999 and SOCALMouseMommy about RD and leaving the hotel earlier. You will want as much of those early morning hours to use to your advantage as possible. I would RD DCA where you'll be on equal footing with the other guests, since DL has MM which puts you an hour behind those guests in FL and TL. Feb. 14th is also starting a holiday weekend -- that will be the start of a busy several days in the parks, period. Get familiar with using the app now, read up on MP and ask questions, have a basic plan ready to go, and have a great day!
Great info here:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets
www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/
Spring break trip to Disneyland first timers.
Where to view Mickey's Mix Magic w/ no fireworks? -- this is the current "fireworks" show which may or may not have fireworks that night (right now it's been weekends only). The projections show every night. Viewing is a little different from each viewing area. Top votes right now go for Main Street and IASW.
If you can grab a FP or do SR (use the SR lines to your advantage!) for RSR, make sure to ride at night -- totally different ride at night! And, if you can be on Route 66 at sunset (Google for the time), the neon lighting to the Sh'boom song is like something right out of the movie.

 

[jecon]

Again, thank you all. If you need any advice on WDW I’m here for you!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Are you driving yourself or using Uber/Lyft? If driving yourself, give yourself plenty of time for parking. Parking is now $25/day (with in & out privileges, so hang on to your parking stub). Bag check at the M&F structure is pretty smooth and usually moves quickly. If using Uber/Lyft, you can be dropped off on Harbor or at DTD. Personally, I'd choose DTD because bag check there is usually quicker. There is a 15 minute grace period for pick ups/drop offs so the driver won't have to pay anything. Then you'll walk through DTD to the main gates -- about 5-10 minutes.

 

[jecon]

Are you driving yourself or using Uber/Lyft? If driving yourself, give yourself plenty of time for parking. Parking is now $25/day (with in & out privileges, so hang on to your parking stub). Bag check at the M&F structure is pretty smooth and usually moves quickly. If using Uber/Lyft, you can be dropped off on Harbor or at DTD. Personally, I'd choose DTD because bag check there is usually quicker. There is a 15 minute grace period for pick ups/drop offs so the driver won't have to pay anything. Then you'll walk through DTD to the main gates -- about 5-10 minutes.

I think we will Uber then!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I think we will Uber then!

Before going through bag check, place your mobile order at Starbucks (either Starbucks West, closest to the DTD bag check and between EOS and the Lego Store, or Starbucks DTD, the main store, closer to the gates and next to WOD). Your order should be waiting for you when you arrive at the store or shortly thereafter. Send your family on ahead to wait in line at the gates while you pick up the drinks. Then meet up to head for RD.

 

[chickapin parterre]

....but remember, you have secondary rope drop, the park will already be open to special tickets.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

....but remember, you have secondary rope drop, the park will already be open to special tickets.

Which is why it was recommended above that the OP do RD at DCA since he will be visiting on a Thursday. Doing RD at DCA will put him on equal footing with everyone else in that park as opposed to being an hour behind all the early hour people in DL. The OP can be doing as much as he can do in DCA while the lines are shorter, all the while using MP for rides in both parks then head over to DL to start using his FPs. If he stays until closing, he can get things done in DL after DCA closes. It won't be perfect, but it can still be a great day.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Thank you! I want to experience and compare the Disney world vs Disneyland rides (the mountains, haunted mansion, pirates) and mr toad bc I miss it!

This is crazy for me bc I can bird box my way through wdw but have no clue about DL!

so then it depends if visit is a Bucket List experience.....or you want to experience why Disneyland is the best?