Disneyland First Time!

[skeeterbuge]

I know this is really early! BUT I have decided to start my research on Disneyland since my family & I are going to Disneyland for the first time next August.

We have been to Disney World 5 times, but NEVER have been to Disneyland!

So here what i know so far about our trip. WE are only going to be there for about 4 days or so. Because since we have never been to Cailfornia at all. We are also going to LA and Maybe San Francisco before we head to Disneyland.

WARNING: I know VERY little about Disneyland!! Here is what i do know though. There is only 2 parks, they are right across from eachoher in walking distance. All the hotels are in walking distance of the parks as well, and because of that there is no buses to take you from the hotel to teh parks or vise versa.

I would like to get a teens view on things that are MUST DO'S, whether thats in the parks, or at the hotels, or ANYTHING! Its my first time so I would like to do EVERYTHING that IS A MUST DO! Also which Hotels you guys like, which rides are better or worse than the ones in Disney World. What shows you HAVE to see ect.

Thanks guys!

Oh if there is something that you guys know is a MUST to do in San Fransisco or LA too Please comment below!

THANKS!

 

[thelittlestmermaid]

Hey there!
I have been going to Disneyland at least three times a year for my whole eighteen years of life. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask me!

Next August is going to be a great time to go! California Adventure should be fully completed with the additions and transitioning of the park. It will be an amazing first trip!

My favorite hotel is the Grand Californian. The hotel has a elegant, arts and crafts feel and it's calming and welcoming to me. The hotel has entrances to Downtown Disney and California Adventure. However, it is extremely expensive, about $500 a night.

However, if you're looking for a more "Disney feel", the Disneyland Hotel is perfect! It has just recently been redone. The rooms are new, along with a new pool area and restaurant called Tangaroa Terrace.

I've never stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel. I only know that guests have their own entrance to California Adventure located in Paradise Pier.

If you're looking to stay off property I would recommend Embassy Suites or the Candy Cane Inn. Embassy Suites is quiet, has nice quality rooms for a good price and includes complimentary breakfast for each day of your stay. Candy Cane Inn is at most a ten minute walk from Disneyland. It is budget friendly, the maximum rate for a room is $179 a night.

If you're staying at a Good Neighbor Hotel, they do provide bus transportation to and from the parks. This includes Embassy Suites and the Candy Cane Inn.

Must Do's at Disneyland Park:
Splash Mountain (FASTPASS attraction)
Indiana Jones Adventure (FASTPASS attraction)
Space Mountain (FASTPASS attraction)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (FASTPASS attraction)
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (FASTPASS attraction)
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Pirates of the Caribbean
Fantasmic! Showtimes 9:00 P.M. and 10:30 P.M. The fireworks take place after the 9:00 showing. The music is piped in and most people stick around to watch! If you want to sit right in the front I would recommend getting there at least an hour early.

Must-Do's at California Adventure:
Soarin' (FASTPASS attraction)
Tower of Terror (FASTPASS attraction)
California Screamin' (FASTPASS attraction)
Grizzly River Run (FASTPASS attraction)
Toy Story Midway Mania
World of Color! Showtimes: 9:00 PM and 10:15 PM
To get a viewing FASTPASS to this show, you will need to be in line when the park opens. However, if you do a World of Color Dining Package at either Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country Trattoria you get fastpasses for a preferred viewing area of the show.

I haven't been to Walt Disney World since I was seven years old, so I can't really tell the similarities and differences between the same attractions at Disneyland.

Recommendations for Dining:
Big Thunder Ranch Barbeque (Disneyland)
Hungry Bear Restaurant (Disneyland)
Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta (California Adventure)
Pacific Wharf Cafe (California Adventure)
Ariel's Grotto (California Adventure)
Wine Country Trattoria (California Adventure)
Naples Risorante (Downtown Disney)
Tortilla Jo's (Downtown Disney)
Goofy's Kitchen (MUST-DO) (Disneyland Hotel)
Get a sweet cream cheese filled pretzel! The two places I know to purchase one are the Fantasyland pretzel cart near It's a Small World at Disneyland and the beer cart on Pacific Wharf at California Adventure.

If you are in San Fransisco you should go to the Walt Disney Family Museum! I would also recommend going to Pier 39. It has shopping, dining and games right on the bay!

For Los Angeles I would recommend: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese theater and El Capitan theater, Hollywood and Highland, CityWalk at Universal, and The Grove.

Places to eat in Los Angeles:
In'n out burger
The Farm of Beverly Hills

Again, if you have any questions, feel free to ask!