Disneyland First-Timer Just Back

[DLgal]

I saw some people eating beignets from the Jazz place in DTD and they did look much better.

They are MUCH better because they use Cafe du Monde mix. The ones at Disneyland are powdered sugar flavored air.

 

[Matrixleos]

Fantastic trip report! Loved it!

This definitely was a quickly planned trip. I had already planned my entire SD trip and with about 2 weeks to go, I added the Disneyland part onto the trip. I tried to do some reading, but I mainly spent time fretting over Genie+. Lesson learned!

I see you flew out of IAD? Are you a fellow Virginian?

Close, fellow DMV resident living in Maryland.

 

[Christine]

Close, fellow DMV resident living in Maryland.

Here I was this trip living in Virginia and flying out of BWI. Gotta go where the deals are!

 

[katepass72]

Great report (even the cons). We're headed there in a few days as first-timers to stay in the DL resort and are switching to a CL room for the final night. I didn't want to get overly spoiled the first night . Did you like the offerings in the lounge?

 

[Christine]

Great report (even the cons). We're headed there in a few days as first-timers to stay in the DL resort and are switching to a CL room for the final night. I didn't want to get overly spoiled the first night . Did you like the offerings in the lounge?

I did. "Breakfast" was by far the best. I am one of those rare people that like that big 'ole vat of oatmeal. The "snacks" meal which was from about 11AM-4PM was just so-so but most people aren't really around then. The appetizer meal was fairly sturdy, and the evening desserts were also good. If you don't see something you want, it pays off to just ask one of the CMs. They have stuff in back room (for instance they put out Uncrustables but they aren't always there for each meal--just ask for them). I stopped in before my flight when they were changing over and looking for snack stuff and the CM gave me two Kind Bars, a bag of Peanut M&Ms, and some goldfish crackers. They will also mix up some various drinks for you but you need to just ask for those.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

I hope you have a chance to revisit DLR some time in the future, and have a more leisurely visit. Your cons make total sense - I wish someone could have warned you that splash is SO MUCH wetter than Grizzly, if you are in the front few spots in the log. I'm glad that it was at a time you could quickly change clothes and footwear!

Re: bathrooms, I've been several times and know most of the bathrooms now, but for the areas I wasn't sure about I used the app map and filtered for rest rooms. It was a life-saver in Galaxy's Edge where the theming had me walk right by a bathroom twice without realizing it. I loved the detail, but gosh - it was a bit frustrating to navigate as a first timer.

The food situation is definitely different than in WDW. If you are back in DCA, the Pacific Wharf area might be a good spot to check - there are several places there, and they offer a wide variety of food.

 

[Gypsybear]

I hope you have a chance to revisit DLR some time in the future, and have a more leisurely visit. Your cons make total sense - I wish someone could have warned you that splash is SO MUCH wetter than Grizzly, if you are in the front few spots in the log. I'm glad that it was at a time you could quickly change clothes and footwear!

Personally, I think that CMs like to put us Pooh sized guys in the front, just so we cause a HUGE splash. That's been our personal experience...several times....at DL, AND WDW. Not much different than when they put us in the very back 2 seats in the canoe with a pooh sized CM. I swear, I don't think the oars from the folks in front ever got to touch the water.

 

[Aspencreek]

Personally, I think that CMs like to put us Pooh sized guys in the front, just so we cause a HUGE splash. That's been our personal experience...several times....at DL, AND WDW. Not much different than when they put us in the very back 2 seats in the canoe with a pooh sized CM. I swear, I don't think the oars from the folks in front ever got to touch the water.

LOL! Too funny. Maybe the CMs have some kind of competition going amongst themselves to see who can set the record for largest/most-drenched splashes. That'd be one way to keep themselves amused.

 

[Gypsybear]

LOL! Too funny. Maybe the CMs have some kind of competition going amongst themselves to see who can set the record for largest/most-drenched splashes. That'd be one way to keep themselves amused.

It wouldn't surprise me. I know they get bored....so who knows

 

[starlite_]

Personally, I think that CMs like to put us Pooh sized guys in the front, just so we cause a HUGE splash. That's been our personal experience...several times....at DL, AND WDW. Not much different than when they put us in the very back 2 seats in the canoe with a pooh sized CM. I swear, I don't think the oars from the folks in front ever got to touch the water.

I think this might be a safety thing then if it's a constant

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

I think this might be a safety thing then if it's a constant

My husband is a pretty big guy and they had no problems putting him behind all of us, I think it really is just about making everyone wet/ensuring big splashes.

 

[starlite_]

My husband is a pretty big guy and they had no problems putting him behind all of us, I think it really is just about making everyone wet/ensuring big splashes.

Well that's a relief then haha. Good to know too next time I don't wanna get super wet.

 

[LizzyS]

Your review isn't negative, just honest! Most of the issues you outlined come down to the fact that Disneyland was built in 1955 and it's just a lot smaller than WDW's parks and I totally get that. It sounds like a bit more planning in regard to what restaurants you would've been interested in could've been helpful, but overall it sounds like a great 2 day trip to me!

 

[mikkle]

Wonderful trip report! I don't think it sounds negative at all, and you included a lot of great details that would be helpful to other first-time DL visitors. Thank you for sharing!!

 

[Jrog92]

You committed the cardinal sin of going to Disneyland on a Monday. I'm sorry for that.

I've had trips like you described, but at WDW. I was tired, out of sorts, and just never settled into "vacation mode" and it really does affect your overall impression.

I'd say you did yourselves a disservice of doing this trip over the 2 busiest days of the week, traditionally (Sunday and Monday) and you were already worn out before you even arrived. Next time, arrive on a Monday and make Tuesday your first park day. You'll be glad you did.

I'd encourage you to try again, with a longer, more leisurely visit. The magic of Disneyland is in the details and you miss all of that when you are running around without ever slowing down to get your bearings.

I am a frequent bathroom user, so I know where they ALL are and have never thought there weren't enough, but several ARE tucked away and kind of hidden, so I don't blame you for feeling like there weren't enough around.

Why are Mondays so bad? Are they worse than Friday or Saturday?

 

[Jrog92]

Yeah, I mean, I'm a Dream Key holder and literally go every week, usually on Saturdays, Sundays or Thursdays. Crowds ebb and flow, but the last 2 Saturdays have ONLY been crowded due to grad nite, otherwise not bad at all. Mondays are an absolute "no go" in our household. It's just always a miserable experience. If you HAVE TO go on a Monday, go to DCA first. That seems to work well.

So, what days of the week would you recommend the most? We have to pick some time between Jan 17 and Jan 25th. We were going to do Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and now I'm scared to go those days! What days would you go to try for lower crowds? I was told by others to avoid Saturdays at all costs and to go on weekdays, now I don't know what to think!

 

[DLgal]

So, what days of the week would you recommend the most? We have to pick some time between Jan 17 and Jan 25th. We were going to do Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and now I'm scared to go those days! What days would you go to try for lower crowds? I was told by others to avoid Saturdays at all costs and to go on weekdays, now I don't know what to think!

Saturdays are great. My preference for a 3 day trip would be Friday-Sunday.

 

[Jrog92]

Saturdays are great. My preference for a 3 day trip would be Friday-Sunday.

It's so weird that when you google tips for newbies at DL they recommend AGAINST weekends. They do at least say mid-week is best (no mondays). But digging through the boards here, it seems like that advice can backfire depending on the magic key holders. If we were gunna take a day off to rest would that help? Like maybe do a Thursday, Friday, Sunday? or would you do a Thursday, Saturday, Sunday due to the keyholders being blocked out on Saturdays?

 

[DLgal]

It's so weird that when you google tips for newbies at DL they recommend AGAINST weekends. They do at least say mid-week is best (no mondays). But digging through the boards here, it seems like that advice can backfire depending on the magic key holders. If we were gunna take a day off to rest would that help? Like maybe do a Thursday, Friday, Sunday? or would you do a Thursday, Saturday, Sunday due to the keyholders being blocked out on Saturdays?

I'd do Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. Thursdays are my favorite weekday to go.

I feel like "avoid weekends" is generic theme park advice and it just doesn't apply with the demographic at Disneyland. Saturdays are the best days, almost year round. Sundays are also great. Fridays get crowded. Mondays are the worst, followed by Tuesday.

Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. Focus on those days.

 

[Jrog92]

I'd do Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. Thursdays are my favorite weekday to go.

I feel like "avoid weekends" is generic theme park advice and it just doesn't apply with the demographic at Disneyland. Saturdays are the best days, almost year round. Sundays are also great. Fridays get crowded. Mondays are the worst, followed by Tuesday.

Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. Focus on those days.

This is the most concise answer I've heard, so thank you! Not sure if I mentioned we'd be going in mid to late January if that changes anything.