Disneyland--Can you give me a quick tutorial? :)

[HollVoll]

We live in SC and have been to Disneyworld several times. We know how to do the trip so that it works for us and is as affordable as possible (which means free dining and staying at Port Orleans Riverside). My husband and I have talked about going to Disneyland. We would also take our youngest child with special needs (in the past we've gotten a stroller as a wheelchair pass for him, but disabilities options changed just after our last visit). It would need to be as economical as possible, but we'd still like to eat on site and perhaps have at least one character meal for our little guy. I guess we'd aim for 3 days there and 2 days traveling.

From the little I've seen of Disneyland it is a different beast to tackle and I feel very lost. Can you give me some pointers or places to start? Disneyland for Dummies?

 

[shelemm]

The first thing you need to know is that not everything is as competitive as in WDW. It is more laid back. Other important things to know, though I can't take into account any special needs:

Do not miss Aladdin. See a pwerformance of Mickey and the Magical Map. Make sure you see World of Color and Fantasmic. See the Cars land at night as well as daytime. And of course anything unique to DL such as Roger Rabbit, Radiator Springs Racers, Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Storybook Canal Boats, and Alice in Wonderland. Winnie the Pooh is a bit differentt. The World of Animation has some great displays, so make sure you leave some time for that. Piratesd Lair on Tom Sawyer Island is a big upgrade. Get a Monte Cristo sandwich from the counter service New Orleans Cafe or at the table service Blue Bayou. It's a big, heavy sandwich, so one could feed two people. Storyteller's Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel is a beautiful place to eat, but I suggest ordering form the menu instead of the getting the buffet.

There is a lot more street entertainment at DL, so you can enjoy that as well. Especially the band/singer in New Orleans Square. See the show at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, you can eat lunch in there.

I think the FP for Grizzly Run Rapids is still unconnected to the system, so you can hold that at the same time as others.

Best Western Park Place Inn is right across the boulevard from the entrance to DL. Rooms are surprisingly spacious. If you stay here, you may actually be closer to the park entrance than some of the onsite options.

Enjoy!

 

[nikkislaght]

Disneyland is two parks.. easy to get to and from each other... less hassle in getting fastpasses.. no magic Bands.. dont need dinners ressies as much..
Can take your own food into park .. we do this.. and eat once a day in the park or even leave and eat back at hotel... we get a kitchen suit..
Getting to City Hall is as easy as walking to the left of the tunnels and there it is... town square right there for photo ops.. and down main street for the rest of the park...
C/A is across the way.. again left of entrance is where you pick up a GAC or stroller wheelchair pass. and then head onwards straight down will take you to Carsland and Bugsland and right will take you to Condor flats.. and GRR.. and then onward to the Pier.. its condense and easy to get around.. although when you get back to your hotel you realize how much walking you have done.!!!
I would say if you can afford to come to Disneyland,, then do so..
Go during the "low" season and it will be even easier to get around...
If someone gave me the money to go to either FL or CA. CA win everytime... the weather is more stable and the parks are easier for me.. with a disability to get around.
Find Hydro guys posts he is a wealth of information for the eastern coaster coming to D/L.. the GAC is easy to use and for me,, not a bother at all,, l have found that people get upset with change.. but for me,, the changes with the passes etc did not impact me at all.. only to improve my trip as I wouldnt be able to get half way round the park without it..
We do 5 days in the park.. but 3 would work if thats all you can manage... sharing food, taking your own.. no glass bottles.. taking lots of snacks..
we travel jet blue so get free luggage so basically take one bag between the 3 of us full of food... then hit the supermarket to get fresh fruit and veg , milk and bread.. some drinks etc.. very cost effective..
I hope you have a great trip.

 

[shelemm]

Also I should mention that Main Street is CA is more 'real' than main street in FL, where it is just one long, continuous gift shop. The movie theatre actually plays movies, early animated Disney shorts.

 

[figment_jii]

I would highly recommend you take a look at HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[HollVoll]

Y'all are wonderfully helpful! Great info! Thanks for posting!