Disneyland Trip Itinerary

[mkla2015]

Good Morning All! We have our first family trip to Disneyland fast approaching- January 14-18th. As WDW regulars, we usually go into a Disney trip with a complete itinerary- Park days completely planned, FPs booked, etc.

I know Disneyland is different but are there any examples or tips on how to make the most out of a park day? Any certain order to pick FPs? Is it better to use a magic morning at Disneyland or CA?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

 

[Darkbeer1]

Well, you have two periods to worry about, the 14th through the 16th, which is a major 3 day Holiday weekend and the fact the Super Heroes Half Marathon will be on Sunday the 15th.

So we know that Sunday the parks open late due to the Marathon, and the crowds will be heavy. Plan to see the evening entertainment like fireworks that won't be held during the week.

Use the 17th and 18th to focus on the attractions, especially the "E" ticket type of attractions, as the much lower crowds should make waits short.

 

[Geemo]

Good Morning All! We have our first family trip to Disneyland fast approaching- January 14-18th. As WDW regulars, we usually go into a Disney trip with a complete itinerary- Park days completely planned, FPs booked, etc.

I know Disneyland is different but are there any examples or tips on how to make the most out of a park day? Any certain order to pick FPs?

Is it better to use a magic morning at Disneyland or CA?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Is it better to use a magic morning at Disneyland or CA?

Magic Morning (MM) is included with ADVANCED purchase 3-day (or more) park tickets.
Magic Morning is ONLY for Disneyland. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Early Entry (EE) is only for Disney Hotel Guests. A room key along with a park ticket will get you into the parks for EE.
Early Entry for Disneyland is the same as MM.
EE for DCA is Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Due to the events during your stay, start the day right when park opens. Later in the day/evening will be packed.

Enjoy your trip

Geemo

 

[dshimel]

MLK holiday, ouch. I tend to avoid holidays, even the B-list (or is MLK on the D-list of holidays?) ones. 3-day weekends bring out the crowds for Sat and Sun (though the Mon is better as everyone is traveling back home).

As Geemo said, Magic Morning is only Disneyland and only Tue, Thur, Sat. For your dates that means Sat or Tue. I'd use it Sat. Only people staying in one of the 3 Disney owned hotels can get in early to DCA.

Fastpass order
Disneyland: Assuming you are in the park at rope drop, Space Mt first.... after that is less important.
DCA: Radiator Springs Racers first. Tower will be closed, so I'd go with Soarin' second.

Can't give advice as to other rides without knowing ages and ride preferences.

In the magic morning hour you can do all of Fantasyland then head for Tomorrowland at regular rope drop, or you could do something like Space, Space, Buzz, Star Tours, then head over to the east side at regular rope drop and do Indy, Indy, jungle cruise, thunder, pirates, mansion (oh, may be down for holiday removal). Which plan to use depends on whether you prefer Peter Pan or Space Mt.

 

[Darkbeer1]

And will the Marathon effect changes to the Magic Morning offerings? I know in the past, they have switched things around due to the running event, as they can't do an EMH at DCA on Sunday, so the Magic Morning might be on Sunday that weekend.....

 

[94bruin]

The Star Wars 10K run will be on Saturday 1/14. The Half Marathon will be on Sunday 1/15. The park will open at 9am on both days. I believe that DL will have early entry/magic morning on Saturday at 8am; DCA will have early entry on Sunday at 8am.