Disneyland in 1 day???

[caipiana]

We will be spending a few days in San Diego and drive up to Anaheim for one day. What time does the parking open? And what at what time we should arrive at parking that we don't stand in line too long?
A must do for us is lunch at Ariels Grotto and visit Cinderella's castle. What else would be great for a 3 1/2 year and 1 1/2 year old?
I have never been to any of the Disney parks, so all tips and tricks are appreciated!
Thank you,
Antonia

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome to the DL board Caipiana.

A few thoughts below:

We will be spending a few days in San Diego and drive up to Anaheim for one day.

You should really consider 2-3 days....but if only one day, do it during the week, preferably on a Wednesday.

What time does the parking open? And what at what time we should arrive at parking that we don't stand in line too long?

Depends on the day....& date. Typically 1 hour before general admission, but sometimes 90 minutes.

A must do for us is lunch at Ariels Grotto

This restaurant is in DCA....so you'll need to get a parkhopper....which is a good idea anyway.

and visit Cinderella's castle.

Cindy's castle is the gaudy McMansion in Orlando....Walt's original is Sleeping Beauty's Castle.....a more classic, petite model. (It's really small...but classy. )

What else would be great for a 3 1/2 year and 1 1/2 year old?

Tons & tons of stuff to do. (It's Disney! ) Read the stickys at the top of the thread & read 2- 3 pages of posts....you'll start getting a feel for how much there is to do & how great Walt's park is. (Thus the need for 2 days minimum.)

I have never been to any of the Disney parks, so all tips and tricks are appreciated!
Thank you,
Antonia

Start off with the sticky threads at the top. Have a great time planning a trip to Walt's park.

 

[Diskneenut]

First of all congrats on your first trip to DL. I am not sure about what time the parking lot opens. I always stay at a nearby hotel and walk. I have an annual pass and go about once a month and I have to say you can't do it all in one day. If you are going to visit both DL and CA Adventure you need to at the least have a 2-3 days. It really depends on what time of year you will be going. Your best bet will be during the week. Tuesday though Thruday. There is alot to do there. Best advice is to get there when they open, and since you have a little one, go straight to fantasy land and ride Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and Dumbo first. Those will have the longest lines. Then work your way around the rest of the park. If you want to ride some of the more adult rides in DL you can ask a cast member at the front of the line to give you a parent switch pass and one of you can wait in line for the ride while the other stays with your child, then, when finished can give the other the pass and bypass the line while the other waits with your child. Just be sure to get the pass. All you need to do is ask. Also, use the fastpass sytem while you are there. It will save you alot of time waiting in line. All you need to do is use your ticket on select rides to get a ticket that tells you what time to return. You can bypass lines that way as well. I hope my info. will help make your trip easier. Have fun, and remember get maps and ask cast members questions. They are friendly and will be happy to help.

 

[aagee]

Hey, I'm going for one day this coming week. We were thinking about going Monday, Oct 6, but would Wednesday be better?? Or will there really be much difference? I was trying to avoid Tuesday, since I think that is an early morning day, right? Sorry to ask this here, but I hated to make another thread thanks!

 

[Jenn1116]

I'd say Wed, especially since I think it's gay days that weekend... someone correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[Jenn1116]

Caipiana - did you make PS reservation for Ariels? Call 1-714-781-DINE (3463).

However, doing a sit-down meal, especially a character one will really take up a good deal of your touring time and you may want to skip sit down meals if it's only a 1 day trip.

 

[Jenn1116]

Oh, and if you're going to DCA, don't miss the Playhouse Disney show. Your kids will probably really enjoy it. And take them to Bugs Land - that's where all the rides are for the younger tots. And I agree to hit Fantasyland first over at DL.

 

[caipiana]

Thank you so much for all your help, I really appreciate it. We really have only one day to go to Anaheim and visit the parks, Make a Wish arranged everything for us. The rest of the time we are staying in San Diego and we will visit the Zoo and Seaworld.

We have the park hopper pass already and the lunch at Ariel's Grotto is booked, too. They booked the lunch for us, so that we have a "guarantee" to meet all the princesses (my daughters wish). That really is the main thing. I just wanted to get some tips on, what else would be great for the little ones to see or do, because we are already there

I've bought the unofficial guide to Disneyland two days ago and I am getting a little overwhelmed with it, I did not know that there are soo many important things ...

I've counted 11/2 hours for the drive from San Diego to Disneyland and we will try to be there 1 hour before opening.

Antonia

 

[Marciern22]

I'm have an AP at DL and I go at least 4 times a month. Your kids sound too small to worry about stuffing everything in. There is soooo much to do that if you just relax and take your time, look around you, the whole place is beautiful, you will have a full day of wonderful memories!

 

[Marciern22]

Other than Ariel's Grotto and Playhouse Disney, there is also Flik's Fun Fair in DCA, but if you hang out there, you will be missing the classic Disneyland fun that your kids will love.
In DL, head straight for Fantasyland early in the morning. Go on Peter Pan's Flight first, the line for this will be much longer for the rest of the day. It is my favorite. Then you can relax and do the rest of the Fantasyland rides. Stay away from Snow White's Scary Adventure, it may be too scary for your little ones.
Definitely go to Small World then and that will take you to being right by Toontown where you can meet Mickey Mouse in his movie barn.
If you need to escape the heat at any time, here are my suggestions:
It's a Small World, Enchanted Tiki Room, Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years with Steve Martin at the Opera House (funny, has Donald Duck in it), the Main Street Cinema (shows classic Mickey Mouse cartoons), the Golden Horseshoe and Innoventions. All are places where you can sit for at least 15 minutes in air conditioning. In Innoventions, you can stay for hours.

 

[Hound 109]

Thank you so much for all your help, I really appreciate it. We really have only one day to go to Anaheim and visit the parks, Make a Wish arranged everything for us. The rest of the time we are staying in San Diego and we will visit the Zoo and Seaworld.

We have the park hopper pass already and the lunch at Ariel's Grotto is booked, too. They booked the lunch for us, so that we have a "guarantee" to meet all the princesses (my daughters wish). That really is the main thing. I just wanted to get some tips on, what else would be great for the little ones to see or do, because we are already there

I've bought the unofficial guide to Disneyland two days ago and I am getting a little overwhelmed with it, I did not know that there are soo many important things ...

I've counted 11/2 hours for the drive from San Diego to Disneyland and we will try to be there 1 hour before opening.

Antonia

I agree with much of what Marcie says. If possible choose a Wednesday (or Monday) & do the following in order (given your kids ages):

- Try to be standing at the DL front gate 30 min. prior to opening.
- PP first. (Always first).
- Dumbo.
- Alice & Teacups. (There's a bathroom next to Alice)

Other Fantasyland Rides to do early:

- IASW
- Casey Jones
- Storeybookland Canal Ride
- Carousel
- Maybe Toady.

The above rides would take 70-90 min. first thing, but would take 3-4 hours in the afternoon.

No matter what you are able to enjoy....I hope you and your kids have a magical day at Walt's park.
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