Disneyland for the first time, what do I do?

[Bridgett_Anna]

Hello! I am going to DL for the first time and I am so excited! I am a AP holder for WDW and I adore Disney! So this trip is a dream come true to be able to visit the park that started it all! So, I don't know where to eat, what to do, what rides I should avoid if they are the exact same as WDW. I have the hotel already, I just don't know what I should do at Disneyland to get the best experience possible. I am going to be there for 2 days, and I have park hopper. I am going with my family of 4. Thank you in advance!

 

[Darkhaund]

I am in a similar situation as you.
Here is a post I made a fwe months ago where I received very good advice

https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...-1st-in-11-years.3654571/page-3#post-58900621

 

[Sue M]

Definitely hit up the rides that aren’t in WDW. Also there are rides that are in both WDW & DL but different, Small World, Space Mtn, Pirates, even Big Thunder varies a bit esp the last scene you go by.
Get Max Pass. 2 days isn’t very much time so you’ll want to maximize your time there.
There is a thread called DL for WDW veterans that is very helpful. You can do a search to find it. I happened on it when planning our first DL trip last Sept.
Same rules apply when touring DL as WDW. Get to the park 30 min before rope drop, head to most popular attractions first, etc.
Touringplans.com prob has some very good ideas on touring order. Or their book Disneyland-The Unofficial Guide.
Imo a lunch at Blue Bayou is a must for the atmosphere! It’s in POTC! The theming is wonderful. It is a bit pricy which is why I’d do lunch.

 

[BrianL]

Hi, I'll chime in on the ride thing as I am endlessly fascinated with the similarities and differences. We'll just go around the parks:

Disneyland:

Tiki Room - This is a longer show that still has the fountain. Grab a Dole Whip and enjoy!

Jungle Cruise - DL version is slightly shorter with no temple (they removed the original temple tunnel for Indiana Jones), but basically the same thing.

Indiana Jones - This is basically the same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK, but with more to look at. It is a must do!

Pirates of the Caribbean - DL has a much longer, more fleshed out, and better version of the ride. Don't skip it thinking it's the same!

Haunted Mansion - The DL version is a little shorter with some differing scenes. The recent addition Hatbox Ghost though makes it worthwhile as he is so totally cool!

Splash Mountain - The DL version is a littel different and not as good in my opinion. The logs are single-file.

Winnie the Pooh - Basically the same thing though the ride vehicle is a beehive.

Big Thunder Mountain - This is basically the same, however some new projection effects in the last cavern are cool to see.

Peter Pan - It's a bit shorter at DL with some things in a different order. The MK version is better for the most part.

Other Fantasyland Dark Rides - Since they're all gone at MK, definitely check them out. Mr. Toad is a must, and Alice in Wonderland is very cool and never had an MK analogue.

It's a Small World - The exterior is incredible at DL, but the ride is basically the same. There are Disney characters interspersed in the scenes.

Mickey and the Magical Map - Watch this show! That is all.

Matterhorn - This ride is actually quite similar to the Space Mountain in WDW, but you can see most of the time and it feels a bit slower. It's still a cool ride.

Autopia - A longer, better version of the Tomorrowland Speeedway

Buzz Lightyear - It's basically the same except you can hold your gun so aiming is easier.

Space Mountain - It's a totally different ride at DL. Don't miss it.

Star Tours - This is identical, but the line is slower because it only has 4 simulators.

California Adventure

Soarin' - This is identical to the WDW version, but still great of course.

Grizzly River Run - A longer, better version of Kali River Rapids.

Under the Sea - The MK one is an exact clone of this ride

Radiator Springs Racers - This is AMAZING! I's basically Test Track, but much longer and better.

Guardians of the Galaxy - As you probably know this was the Tower of Terror. The DL version was always a little different than the WDW version (and not as good in my opinion). I haven't experienced teh new theme yet, but will in a couple of days!

I think that covers the big ones. I am probably forgetting some, but I will add them if I think of it.

 

[azdisneylover]

Only two days, yikes! I would suggest being there when the parks open, make a list of top rides and/or attractions everyone wants to do/see and make sure you do one from each person. If you can, add another day to your ticket so you would get more time to see and do things.

Carnation Cafe is a great place to eat on Main Street. This serves a few of Walt's favorites. I would suggest making a reservation. We usually have either an early lunch or early dinner here.

 

[chickapin parterre]

what are your dates and what was your lodging choice

 

[Bridgett_Anna]

I am in a similar situation as you.
Here is a post I made a fwe months ago where I received very good advice

https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...-1st-in-11-years.3654571/page-3#post-58900621

Thank you so so much!

 

[Bridgett_Anna]

Definitely hit up the rides that aren’t in WDW. Also there are rides that are in both WDW & DL but different, Small World, Space Mtn, Pirates, even Big Thunder varies a bit esp the last scene you go by.
Get Max Pass. 2 days isn’t very much time so you’ll want to maximize your time there.
There is a thread called DL for WDW veterans that is very helpful. You can do a search to find it. I happened on it when planning our first DL trip last Sept.
Same rules apply when touring DL as WDW. Get to the park 30 min before rope drop, head to most popular attractions first, etc.
Touringplans.com prob has some very good ideas on touring order. Or their book Disneyland-The Unofficial Guide.
Imo a lunch at Blue Bayou is a must for the atmosphere! It’s in POTC! The theming is wonderful. It is a bit pricy which is why I’d do lunch.

Thank you so much. This was very helpful!

 

[WonkaKid]

I would suggest being there when the parks open, make a list of top rides and/or attractions everyone wants to do/see and make sure you do one from each person.

Agree completely. Be at rope drop each day. I suggest hitting Fantasyland on day one, Peter Pan, Alice and then Mr. Toad, in that order. Ride them early or not at all is always my policy.

 

[Sue M]

I forgot to explain if you haven’t researched Max Pass. It allows you to make FP from the App. Every 90 min. We arrive 30-40 min before rope drop, typically will ride Guardians of Galaxy standby while making our first FP.
We got so much done using Max Pass. It also includes Photo Pass.
So far it’s $10/day and worth it for that price. However it’s an introductory price so I expect it to go up sadly. At $10 per person add on it’s doable.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread will give you lots of helpful info to get started: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

This thread will help, too: Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You. Choosing a hotel at DLR is quite different from choosing a hotel at WDW. So many choices, on site vs. off site, advantages and disadavantages, etc. You'll get lots of helpful tips and advice in this thread.

 

[Bridgett_Anna]

what are your dates and what was your lodging choice

Check-in at Paradise pier on July 18th and out the 21st. My park days are 19-21st ( I added a day )

 

[Sagginit]

There are always tons of these threads floating around so you should get lots of advice. I would say plan in advance to skip some rides so you can really enjoy the ambiance and take in a few more unique things about the park other than rides. For ex. I always find random characters floating around DL with no lines but never saw that in WDW! Just read up and then take out a list of rides and decide which ones are your must do. Start with that and then plan away as you do with WDW taking into account that park hopping is easier and you have differences in the crowd flows. I feel like there is no way you have to do DL if you have been to WDW, the assumption is you skip over lapping rides but if a ride is one of my favs I don't care which park it is in lol.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Check-in at Paradise pier on July 18th and out the 21st. My park days are 19-21st ( I added a day )

Advantages for your dates: longer hours, full staffing, most/all rides up and running (few, if any, planned refurbs) -- yay!
Tips:
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! (free cups of ice water at almost all CS locations!)
DLR ride queues don't have a lot of dependable shade, so stock up on sunscreen, wear a hat, and be proactive about not overheating.
Use your EMH/EE/MM perk to full advantage!
Download the free DLR app ahead of your trip so that you can start getting used to using it, start learning how to use MP, make sure you have a credit card loaded on your app account, tickets scanned in, etc.
Check the DLR menus at allears.net to see what interests you, ask any questions here about dining and dining packages for shows, then get ready to make your reservations 60 days out (not really necessary for everything, but highly advisable for dining packages, certain restaurants, and certain events).

 

[peterpanandwendy]

Check-in at Paradise pier on July 18th and out the 21st. My park days are 19-21st ( I added a day )

Hey! We are going to be there for those exact same dates We love going in the summer for the reasons lots of other people have said... it's not as busy as one might think, everything is running, all the shows are on.... we just find it is really the best time to go. You will have a great time!

 

[davidl81]

We are in the same boat as we have DVC and we have been to WDW at least 25 times. We have our first trip to DL in June (27-July 1). Four park days planned. Right now we are staying at the Courtyard Theme Park entrance. I am starting to think more about just staying on Disney property. The main reason is that as silly as it sounds the courtyard has a min height for the water slides and Disney resorts don't. My youngest DD is all about slides and it may be easier to stay at a Disney resort. Do the Disney resorts ever have summer sales by any chance? I see there is a spring one right now, but I was not sure about the summer. If not no big deal since PPI and about the same price as the Marriott Courtyard.

 

[ellamama]

The main reason is that as silly as it sounds the courtyard has a min height for the water slides and Disney resorts don't. My youngest DD is all about slides and it may be easier to stay at a Disney resort.

Just in case you don't know, the height requirement at the Courtyard is only for 2 large slides. There are several smaller slides in the "splash zone" that have no height requirement. My younger DD is super tiny and still met the height requirement for the large slides last summer, however after 1 turn down it was clear that wasn't a great idea for her - you have to ride solo and she isn't a strong swimmer, so she found it a bit too scary. I can't remember what exactly the height requirement was, but I can't imagine there are many kids that wouldn't meet it and would still be old enough/with the water confidence to be able to do it on their own.

For what it's worth, we loved staying at the Courtyard and are heading back there. My kids picked visiting at Disney and staying at the Courtyard for a shorter time vs staying for more days at a cheaper hotel.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Matterhorn - This ride is actually quite similar to the Space Mountain in WDW, but you can see most of the time and it feels a bit slower. It's still a cool ride.

Ive never heard it described that way, BUT Matterhorn is only at DL and there is nothing like it at WDW. This has always been on of my favorite rides. The line can look scary because of how it wraps around the mountain but I’d consider this one a must-do!!

 

[BrianL]

Ive never heard it described that way, BUT Matterhorn is only at DL and there is nothing like it at WDW. This has always been on of my favorite rides. The line can look scary because of how it wraps around the mountain but I’d consider this one a must-do!!

Well, when you say "nothing like it" I would say that MK's Space Mountain is very much like it. It uses the same basic ride technology, vehicles, even the two track design. Now, they're not exactly the same track layout but side-by-side they are quite similar rides aside from the theming.

Matterhorn is definitely cool too, though people claim Space at MK is rough, Matterhorn's a back-breaker! It's those little "thumps" where the vehicle drops like an inch and the strong, sudden breaking run.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Well, when you say "nothing like it" I would say that MK's Space Mountain is very much like it. It uses the same basic ride technology, vehicles, even the two track design. Now, they're not exactly the same track layout but side-by-side they are quite similar rides aside from the theming.

Matterhorn is definitely cool too, though people claim Space at MK is rough, Matterhorn's a back-breaker! It's those little "thumps" where the vehicle drops like an inch and the strong, sudden breaking run.

I don’t remember there being Bobsleds in Space Mountain. I guess I ride the CA version too much! But the ride itself, the theme and story and visuals are completely different. Its indoors and out through a frozen mountain with a Yeti, instead of a dark ride through outer space. ;-)