Disneyland newbie needs help!

[disny_luvr]

Hi!

My husband and I are planning our first trip to California next summer as a graduation gift for our twin sons. We are in the very early stages so we don’t have any firm dates yet, but we hope to include a visit to Disneyland as part of our trip. How much time should we plan at Disneyland? I was thinking three full days. Is that enough time?

Also, do most people stay at a Disney-owned hotel or is it more common to stay at one of the neighborhood hotels? Does Disneyland ever release discount codes like Disney World?

If there is anything else I should know, please post it here. We have no idea what we are doing!

Thank you!

 

[mdmost]

I always recommend newbies start here:

https://disneylanddaily.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-disneyland/

Are you planning 3 full days to cover both parks, Disneyland and California Adventure? If so, you can get a lot done if you get park hoppers and do a rotation of starting at DL, CA, DL. With Genie+, I think you can fully do all of CA in one day. There's only a handful of rides that aren't on Genie+. I think a park hopper is good in case you want to go back and ride Guardians at night or Radiator Springs Racers again. 4 days is perfect but we've done 3 before and felt it was a great trip.

I would venture most people stay offsite since there are plenty of great options within walking distance. You can also find bigger rooms for a lower price. That said, there are advantages to staying onsite like the early entry perk and keeping the Disney bubble going. We've never stayed onsite as the perks never justified it for us when you can get something bigger and cheaper. Most of the Harbor Blvd hotels are under a 10 minute walk to security. Disneyland does offer hotel deals like WDW.

There are no WDW type advantages for staying onsite like choosing ADRs for your entire trip or booking earlier than non-hotel guests. Genie+ opens at the same time for everyone. It's a locals park so they cater to the larger audience.

Seriously, read Casey's site which has a great breakdown for newbies. You can always post questions here.

 

[Pluto468]

You'll be able to get alot done in 3 days, but I always want more lol. If you get hoppers and use Genie+ that will help, too.

Staying on property is very nice, but many people stay offsite because it's less expensive and there's more variety of room types. If it's your only trip I'd suggest staying at a resort hotel. You'll stay in the Disney bubble, and you'll get early entry. Also, on the days you choose your ADRs, you'll have access half an hour earlier than everyone else which is a huge advantage for those hard to get places like Oga's or Blue Bayou.

 

[Kit Jackson]

If you want to go old school, this book was incredibly helpful when planning my first trip.

https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-G...ficial+guide+to+disneyland+2024,aps,90&sr=8-1

3-4 days is great.

 

[starlite_]

You'll be able to get alot done in 3 days, but I always want more lol. If you get hoppers and use Genie+ that will help, too.

Staying on property is very nice, but many people stay offsite because it's less expensive and there's more variety of room types. If it's your only trip I'd suggest staying at a resort hotel. You'll stay in the Disney bubble, and you'll get early entry. Also, on the days you choose your ADRs, you'll have access half an hour earlier than everyone else which is a huge advantage for those hard to get places like Oga's or Blue Bayou.

Where does that ADR half hr info come from? I hadn't heard it before.

 

[Chili327]

I always recommend newbies start here:
https://disneylanddaily.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-disneyland

(not to sidetrack, but) Do you know of a similar site for WDW.? (for a DLR regular)

 

[mdmost]

(not to sidetrack, but) Do you know of a similar site for WDW.? (for a DLR regular)

I'll have to look. I can't remember the site I used way back in 2015 but it had really good info. Casey also has a section on WDW as she goes to both.

https://disneylanddaily.com/disney-world-planning/

 

[mommylove70]

I am a Disneyland newbie too, going in July. How important/worth it is Genie+? Park-hopping? I keep adding and taking them away from my tickets because I can't make up my mind lol!

 

[Chili327]

Genie+ is 50/50 depending on how busy the park is and how much you'd rather spend on time or money, but Hopper is a must for me, but again if you'd rather save, you can easily go without.

 

[mdmost]

I am a Disneyland newbie too, going in July. How important/worth it is Genie+? Park-hopping? I keep adding and taking them away from my tickets because I can't make up my mind lol!

I'd get both. You can do so much more at DLR with Genie+ than at WDW. CA is so easy with Genie+. Park-hopping at Disneyland is walking across the Esplanade.

 

[disny_luvr]

I always recommend newbies start here:

https://disneylanddaily.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-disneyland/

Are you planning 3 full days to cover both parks, Disneyland and California Adventure? If so, you can get a lot done if you get park hoppers and do a rotation of starting at DL, CA, DL. With Genie+, I think you can fully do all of CA in one day. There's only a handful of rides that aren't on Genie+. I think a park hopper is good in case you want to go back and ride Guardians at night or Radiator Springs Racers again. 4 days is perfect but we've done 3 before and felt it was a great trip.

I would venture most people stay offsite since there are plenty of great options within walking distance. You can also find bigger rooms for a lower price. That said, there are advantages to staying onsite like the early entry perk and keeping the Disney bubble going. We've never stayed onsite as the perks never justified it for us when you can get something bigger and cheaper. Most of the Harbor Blvd hotels are under a 10 minute walk to security. Disneyland does offer hotel deals like WDW.

There are no WDW type advantages for staying onsite like choosing ADRs for your entire trip or booking earlier than non-hotel guests. Genie+ opens at the same time for everyone. It's a locals park so they cater to the larger audience.

Seriously, read Casey's site which has a great breakdown for newbies. You can always post questions here.

Thank you for sharing this website! It’s very helpful!

 

[mdmost]

Thank you for sharing this website! It’s very helpful!

You're most welcome. She's also on Facebook and Instagram. She has great strategies for maximizing Genie+ if you're interested.

I'd also recommend Provost Park Pass on YouTube. Disney Food Blog also has some Disneyland videos though they mostly do WDW.

 

[Chili327]

I'd also recommend Provost Park Pass on YouTube. Disney Food Blog also has some Disneyland videos though they mostly do WDW.

Also, add in "Fresh Baked" Disney on YouTube, another great source for DLR.

 

[disny_luvr]

You're most welcome. She's also on Facebook and Instagram. She has great strategies for maximizing Genie+ if you're interested.

I'd also recommend Provost Park Pass on YouTube. Disney Food Blog also has some Disneyland videos though they mostly do WDW.

It’s funny you mention Provost Park Pass. I just stumbled across them a few weeks ago when I was looking for YouTube videos on Universal. I’ll look up their videos on Disneyland. I never thought to do that.

Also, I’ve read that Disneyland is more of a locals park. Would we be better off visiting during the week vs. over a weekend?

Thanks!

 

[disny_luvr]

Also, add in "Fresh Baked" Disney on YouTube, another great source for DLR.

I’ll check them out! Thank you!

 

[mdmost]

It’s funny you mention Provost Park Pass. I just stumbled across them a few weeks ago when I was looking for YouTube videos on Universal. I’ll look up their videos on Disneyland. I never thought to do that.

Also, I’ve read that Disneyland is more of a locals park. Would we be better off visiting during the week vs. over a weekend?

Thanks!

I think it all comes down to if the Magic Keys are blocked. Typically most weekends are blocked for all but the top tier Key holders. That's why some argue weekends are better which seems counter-intuitive but probably isn't. The Enchant and Imagine Keys are blocked through most of the summer. That's why some would argue mid-June to July is a really good time to visit.

Take a look at your dates in the calendar below.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/

 

[disny_luvr]

I think it all comes down to if the Magic Keys are blocked. Typically most weekends are blocked for all but the top tier Key holders. That's why some argue weekends are better which seems counter-intuitive but probably isn't. The Enchant and Imagine Keys are blocked through most of the summer. That's why some would argue mid-June to July is a really good time to visit.

Take a look at your dates in the calendar below.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/

I just checked the calendar, and while they don't have anything posted for next summer, I'm assuming it is like this summer, and you are correct, the Enchant and Imagine Keys are blocked out. We actually plan on going at the end of June or the beginning of July, so I won't worry too much about if we are there on a weekday or weekend.

This trip is part of a larger two week trip to see some baseball games and to visit some national parks, so we are kind of in a holding pattern until next year's baseball schedule is released.

Thanks for your help!

 

[mdmost]

If you've never been to Dodger Stadium, you are in for a treat. Angel Stadium is okay.

My brother and I like to take baseball trips. We're heading to San Francisco this August to catch the Giants on a Thursday and the A's on a Saturday. I know the Coliseum is not very good but I'm glad to catch them there before they head to Las Vegas. We're planning San Diego as our next one.

 

[disny_luvr]

If you've never been to Dodger Stadium, you are in for a treat. Angel Stadium is okay.

My brother and I like to take baseball trips. We're heading to San Francisco this August to catch the Giants on a Thursday and the A's on a Saturday. I know the Coliseum is not very good but I'm glad to catch them there before they head to Las Vegas. We're planning San Diego as our next one.

We are hoping to catch Giants, Dodgers, and Padres (my one son's favorite team) games, but we also know that that may not be possible. We will just watch what games we can. If it works for an Angels game, that would be great, too, but that is of least interest to us.

We are trying to get to all the baseball stadiums. We are from PA, so we have hit the east coast pretty hard. We've been to see the Cardinals and the Cubs (my other son's favorite team), and last year we were in Denver and saw the Rockies. Fingers crossed we can knock a few more of our list next summer.

DH and I are Phillies fans so it was fun in our house last year (not!) when the Phillies and Padres played for the National League Championship!

 

[Pluto468]

Where does that ADR half hr info come from? I hadn't heard it before.

I'm not sure where they ever announced it, but a number of people on the boards (including me) have been able to book half an hour early when we had resort hotels booked for the days we needed ADRs.