Disneyland Newbie

[RSJ5]

This will be our first trip to Disneyland - we will be there Oct. 19 - 24. It will be my husband and 2 of our daughters ( 17 and 12). How long does each park take - we are thinking of getting a 2 day park hopper - will we be able to get through both parks? We will be staying at the Cortona - hope that was a good choice.

What else should we make sure we do while in Anaheim? Any advice about Disneyland or what else to plan into our trip would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[GrandBob]

DLR has as many rides in its two parks as WDW has in all four parks combined. Two days is really not enough time. Three is usually considered a minimum around here, and four would give you a more leisurely trip.

Cortona is definitely a nice place - we stayed there once. But it's just a bit far to walk. Fortunately, though, the Toy Story parking lot is practically across the street. You can walk across the street to the lot, and hop onto the shuttle into the parks.

You'll get a lot more responses if you post your question on the main Disneyland board.

Bob

 

[CaptainEIEIO]

Depends on what kind of a park person you are.

If you do comando style (opening to closing) three days would be enough to do both parks, if you are the more leisure type and like to go back and take breaks at the rooms and pools I would give it 4 days to do both.

Other things to do in the area would be Medievil Times or the Pirate Dinner Adventure. Both of those are Dinner and a show attractions. We have done both and enjoyed both of them. Its real close to Disneyland. Knott's Berry Farm is also real close to Disneyland. It's another amusement park with lots of roller coasters. There is also a place called Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center in Anaheim. We went there expecting the worst and got wowed. It was fantastic and even the kids we saw there were having a great time. There is also the beach, the closest popular beach would be Huntington Beach, but the water can be kind of cool that time of year. If you do decide to go to Huntington Beach I highly recommend eating at Ruby's Diner at the end of the pier. We have seen whales, seals, sharks, and dolphins all swimming by and pelicans diving into the water trying to get their evening meal, so get a window seat. Checking out the surfers riding the waves is fun to watch too. Long Beach has the Queen Mary and the Oceans of the Pacific Aquarium and it's fairly close. Universal Studios Hollywood is close by, but that takes you into the heart of LA. San Diego is a couple of hours away by car and has a fantastic zoo and Sea World is there also. Another fun thing to do in San Diego if you go there is a thing called Ride the Seals. Its a tour that takes you around some of the city and also takes you out into the water to a spot where the seals lay out for you to see. Information for all of the places I have suggested are available online.

Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth, I know your going to love it.

 

[kirkclinn]

I would say three days open to close for both parks will be a stretch... But it will get your feet wet and probably wanting to come back

 

[oneskinnieminnie]

Meals...Disneyland
Pizza port in Tomorrowland
Rancho ZoCalo in Fountierland
Best place if cold and raining. They have inside eating areas. Also have drink refills and caffeine free diet soda as well.

Jolly Holiday on Main Street has a really good tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich.

Cafe Orleans has an amazing four cheese monti cristo...

Meals...California Adventure
We enjoy the Boardwalk pizza as they have drink refills and caffeine free diet soda as well.
Ghirardelle Chocolate shop give free chocolate square samples to everyone
In Condor Flats the Taste Pilots grill has great burgers and fries and onion rings.

if you are not wanting to see parades and fireworks head to the rides. Many rides will have shorter lines.

There is a perfume shop in New Orleans Square...many times a month they have a artist that paints perfume bottles. You purchase your favorite or Disney exclusive scent and she will paint your bottle for free. She also uses swarvorski crystals on them as well. I have five bottles so far and love them. She will date them or put happy birthday etc on them. A nice treasure

 

[oneskinnieminnie]

Carsland is awesome. If you stand at one end or the other right at dusk...they play Life would be Dreamin song and they turn on the Neon one place at a time. It is really something to see. Have to see it at night the neon is awesome!!!! If time is an issue then go single rider on the Racers. The hottest ride and the longest lines. But if you dont mind being separated just for the ride it is a fast way to do it.