Disneyland Newb!

[Philsfan77]

We are heading to Disneyland in July for a few days, and I know WDW really well, so I'm trying to make sure I have all the differences between the two locked in before the real planning begins.

Park Pass reservations open 120 days out versus whenever you buy your tickets like at WDW?
Dining is 60 days to the day, not 60+ length of reservation up to 10 days?
Dining will open at 9AM EST?
Fantasmic dining packages have you sit on the ground? are there any that give you seats?
Planning to stay at Paradise Pier our first day, and then move to VGC for days 2 and 3. Will they transfer luggage between the resorts?

Is there anything a DL vet might think of that is important that I am missing right now?

 

[irlandaise]

I'll let those who've been there more recently address your logistics questions. But as for the "anything else" question, I would suggest putting yourself in the frame of mind that DL isn't "small," it's "intimate."

Some people get to DL Main Street and think, "Wow, that castle sure is small!" But as you pass through security and enter the Esplanade, consider how easy it's going to be to walk the 200 feet between DL and DCA. Then when you go into DL, look above the fire station for the lamp in Walt's apartment, and stand for a moment looking down Main Street with the full history of the place in mind. I think it will help you adjust to the different atmosphere at Walt's original park. Have a great time!

 

[sophy1996]

We are heading to Disneyland in July for a few days, and I know WDW really well, so I'm trying to make sure I have all the differences between the two locked in before the real planning begins.

Park Pass reservations open 120 days out versus whenever you buy your tickets like at WDW?

Yes.

Dining is 60 days to the day, not 60+ length of reservation up to 10 days?

Yes. Though sometimes reservations won’t be made available 60 days out and you’ll have to keep checking.

Dining will open at 9AM EST?

Probably. Some people have reported being able to reserve earlier but there doesn’t seem to be any consistency or rhyme/reason with regard to that.

Fantasmic dining packages have you sit on the ground? are there any that give you seats?

Yes, mostly. There is a River Belle Premium Package where you sit at the tables on the River Belle terrace, but the number of tables is limited and reservations go super fast.

 

[BrianL]

I'll let those who've been there more recently address your logistics questions. But as for the "anything else" question, I would suggest putting yourself in the frame of mind that DL isn't "small," it's "intimate."

Some people get to DL Main Street and think, "Wow, that castle sure is small!" But as you pass through security and enter the Esplanade, consider how easy it's going to be to walk the 200 feet between DL and DCA. Then when you go into DL, look above the fire station for the lamp in Walt's apartment, and stand for a moment looking down Main Street with the full history of the place in mind. I think it will help you adjust to the different atmosphere at Walt's original park. Have a great time!

I fellt this way the first time I saw that...rather quaint little castle. The advice I was given was to step back and look at the full picture,The Matterhorn off to the right, the beauty of the scene. It is a little small, but it's all in the details.

I'll offer some attraction advice - don't discount stuff that's the same at WDW, because some of it is rather different. Definitely chekc out Pirates as it is different and much better at DL. Space Mountain is a completely different ride too. Some stuff is identical though, like all the Star Wars rides (including Star Tours). Some rides just have little differences, but they are usually worth seeing.

 

[Philsfan77]

I'll let those who've been there more recently address your logistics questions. But as for the "anything else" question, I would suggest putting yourself in the frame of mind that DL isn't "small," it's "intimate."

Some people get to DL Main Street and think, "Wow, that castle sure is small!" But as you pass through security and enter the Esplanade, consider how easy it's going to be to walk the 200 feet between DL and DCA. Then when you go into DL, look above the fire station for the lamp in Walt's apartment, and stand for a moment looking down Main Street with the full history of the place in mind. I think it will help you adjust to the different atmosphere at Walt's original park. Have a great time!

I am excited and definitely plan to take it all in. My wife's family were there about 12 years ago and they are really looking forward to going back as well. Should be a great trip.

 

[Philsfan77]

Yes.

Yes. Though sometimes reservations won’t be made available 60 days out and you’ll have to keep checking.


Probably. Some people have reported being able to reserve earlier but there doesn’t seem to be any consistency or rhyme/reason with regard to that.


Yes, mostly. There is a River Belle Premium Package where you sit at the tables on the River Belle terrace, but the number of tables is limited and reservations go super fast.

Is fantasmic in DL all ground seating? we have a couple in the group with some bad knees (one coming off knee surgery) not sure the sitting on the ground will go over well for them.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

There is a fantasmic premium dining package where you eat dinner right before the show and keep the table during the show. It’s pricey, but you get a seat.

 

[TexasJedi]

If you're interested in Genie+, there are quite a few differences to look into, including needing to have physically scanned into the park (or Monorail) before you can make your first reservation of the day.

 

[sophy1996]

Is fantasmic in DL all ground seating? we have a couple in the group with some bad knees (one coming off knee surgery) not sure the sitting on the ground will go over well for them.

For the dining package areas, yes, except the River Belle Terrace package. If people in your group prefer to stand, you could try a non-reserved area (like the bridge over the Pirates entrance). Or maybe rent them a wheelchair for the show? We were in the Hungry Bear dining package section and there was a wheelchair in the back row of the seating area.

 

[Philsfan77]

If you're interested in Genie+, there are quite a few differences to look into, including needing to have physically scanned into the park (or Monorail) before you can make your first reservation of the day.

Thats a good one...we plan to rope drop each day, so will be there early to get a head start on that, but I didn't realize they don't open at 7 on the west coast as well.