Disneyland trip - need all the advice!

[Jen_in_NH]

I have a CME conference at the Grand Californian over Memorial Day weekend, so last minute, we decided to bring the family. We haven't been to Disneyland in 5 years now, so no idea what's really changed, etc. Our last trip there was right at the beginning of COVID - we were in the park when they announced they'd be closing, so we really haven't "done" Disneyland with crowds, etc.

1. Is DAS still a thing? My 15 year old uses a wheelchair for mobility, or forearm crutches otherwise. Stamina has always been an issue, and in the past, we were always told to get a DAS pass for him. I know that's not a thing in FL anymore, is the same true for California?

2. Lightening Lanes? We're planning on 4 days in the parks, 2 days each. My husband and kids will have 4 full days, I'll have 2 days where I meet them in the afternoon. Is Lightening Lane worth it, particularly with the holiday weekend?

3. My kids are 15 and 18 - Anything cool as far as Star Wars, Guardians, etc?

4. Any recommendations for good places for sit down meals? Asian and Mexican are always a hit, but pretty much open to anything.

5. Is Instacart the best way to get snacks, breakfast stuff, water delivered to the hotel? We won't have a car.

6. What's the best way to get to and from LAX? We fly in at 9:45pm (from the East coast, so the least amount of thinking I have to do at that house would be great! Jet lag is a thing in my world!!)

Anything else I should know, think about, etc?

 

[Tinkaboo]

Yes, DAS regulations at DL pretty much mirror FL...only for developmental disabilities. I would look over the disability section of the website specifically as it pertains to mobility to see what options, if any, you might have.

Be prepared for crowds, as both top MKs have availability on the weekends, not sure what days you will actually be at parks but it gets more crowded as day goes on so take advantage of early entry if you are staying at GC. Also, check for grad nights...not sure when those are scheduled but should be around that time, though not likely on weekends.

The 70th celebration will have kicked off so that will bring in even more people.
Paint the Night should be on by then, wonderful nighttime parade.

Your boys will probably like Avengers Campus, very cool at night although not a lot to do there besides enjoy the ambience. Guardians and Webslingers are fun attractions. Ditto with Galaxy's Edge, although it's got a lot more going on than Avengers Campus. ROTR is not to be missed!

I recommend park hoppers to everyone, the parks are so close. DL stays open usually to midnight, which gives you two more hours after CA closes. The park typically empties after fireworks and these are close two hours of good riding time.

Can't speak to a lot of the restaurants but do make sure to get a Fantasmic dining package to ensure a great view for that show. RDZ is the cheapest (Mexican food ) and seems to have good reviews.

Uber is probably your best bet although some people prefer the private car service like wilshuttle.

I would definitely do LL, will make lines somewhat better especially since you are used to having DAS.

DL has great counter service options, much better than WDW. Mickey beignets at the Mint Julep are great. It's just much easier to just grab a bite here and there. Everyone still loves Blue Bayou for sit down ambience but for me, the food went downhill before COVID and never came back. Plus extremely overpriced. But each to their own.

Hope you have a great trip and welcome back to the magic !

 

[LKing]

1. Is DAS still a thing? My 15 year old uses a wheelchair for mobility, or forearm crutches otherwise. Stamina has always been an issue, and in the past, we were always told to get a DAS pass for him. I know that's not a thing in FL anymore, is the same true for California?

Yes it is. Others are better able able to guide you with this than I can.

2. Lightening Lanes? We're planning on 4 days in the parks, 2 days each. My husband and kids will have 4 full days, I'll have 2 days where I meet them in the afternoon. Is Lightening Lane worth it, particularly with the holiday weekend?

I would argue that it is MORE important on a holiday weekend. With a little research and planning as far as what rides to book at what times, having LL can make your days much more enjoyable.

3. My kids are 15 and 18 - Anything cool as far as Star Wars, Guardians, etc?

Guardians of the Galaxy is an attraction in DCA. Wait times have been really long the past few months. This is why I suggested researching LL. I would book Guardians as your first attraction. Your return time might not be for an hour or two, but the early mornings are usually less crowded and you can go on other non LL rides while you wait. Return times are going to get much worse for this attraction as the day goes on. Learn how to book and modify your LL times. There are threads and videos explaining it. Let us know if you need directions how to find them.

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge is in Disneyland. If your kids are into SW, they will love it. Rise of the Resistance is an extremely popular attraction. It can have very long wait times. It is not a LLMP attraction. You can, however, purchase a LL Single Pass which is where you pay extra to skip the line on one attraction.

In SWGE, there are currently two evening shows - Shadows of Memory and Fire of the Rising Moon. We're not sure if Shadows of Memory will last past the current Season of the Force (March 28 - May 11).

4. Any recommendations for good places for sit down meals? Asian and Mexican are always a hit, but pretty much open to anything.

For Asian, look in San Fransokyo in DCA. Mexican can be found at Cocina Cucamonga & sometimes Paradise Gardens in DCA. In DL, look at Rancho del Zocalo. If you are thinking of eating at Rancho del Zocalo, you might consider purchasing a Fantasmic Dining Package. For $35 per person, it includes the meal and tickets for the show. If you book a RdZ dining package for the first show, immediately following Fantasmic, you can watch fireworks from the same location.

For sit down, most people recommend Lamplight Lounge or Carthay Circle Restaurant in DCA and Blue Bayou in DL. Cafe Orleans is nice and also has a Fantasmic dining package option.

6. What's the best way to get to and from LAX? We fly in at 9:45pm (from the East coast, so the least amount of thinking I have to do at that house would be great! Jet lag is a thing in my world!!)

Ride share is probably best. There are some long threads about transportation (warning, it is a passionate topic). I'll try to find them and link to them.

 

[Tinkaboo]

I knew you'd jump in here with some good answers for her...mine tend to be a bit rambling sometimes

 

[LKing]

I knew you'd jump in here with some good answers for her...mine tend to be a bit rambling sometimes

No, they aren't rambling to me. We basically said the same thing!

I don't know much about light sabers in SWGE. I know they are popular. Didn't @DizMe just research and purchase one for her grandson? Maybe she (and others) can chime in.

 

[LKing]

Adding links to transportation threads.

V

Thread 'Arriving through LA or Anaheim?'

Jan 1, 2025

Happy New Years!

We are booking a trip to DL/CA in sept.

We arent sure if its better to fly into Anaheim or LA? LA would mean a car service to hotel a block away from DL or a 15min or so cab ride from AN airport. Thoughts? Experience's?

We have been to DL several time in the last 8 years but typically always fly to PS as that's usually home base staying at families before and after. This time just direct no PS this time.

• Varty Yo
• Replies: 64
• Forum: Disneyland (California)

Thread 'Airport Experiences in SoCal'

Nov 21, 2023

I figured I would start a thread for those of us not from CA that fly there for DL to discuss the various airports.

We have now flown into LAX, SNA, ONT, and LGB. I can honestly say that you should choose anything except LAX if you can when going to DL. We frequently have flown in-out of LAX because of the large number of non-stop flights between either Houston airport and LAX. We decided to fly into ONT this trip and out of LGB. We have flown into SNA on past trips. We preferred LGB to ONT. It was a small airport, but it was very easy to get to.

Regarding LAX, it takes well over an...

• TexasChick123
• Replies: 177
• Forum: Disneyland (California)

• 

S

Thread 'LAX best transportation directly to Anaheim area?'

Jan 29, 2025

We're planning our first ever Disneyland trip which will also be our first family of three (2 adults, 1 teen) trip into California. I already booked a flight into LAX because of timing/pricing and had planned to just UBER/LYFT to Disneyland area. However, I see some people saying that is overwhelming? I also saw that Amtrak runs trains from LAX to Anaheim, would this be a smart alternative (super short trip and doesn't deal with traffic)? Locals and regulars, I really appreciate your advice!

• Starryjean
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Disneyland (California)

 

[DizMe]

No, they aren't rambling to me. We basically said the same thing!

I don't know much about light sabers in SWGE. I know they are popular. Didn't @DizMe just research and purchase one for her grandson? Maybe she (and others) can chime in.

OMG, my grandson LOVED LOVED LOVED building his own light saber!! It was by far his favorite part of our grandma/grandson trip. They take the builder into a special room (one other person can go in with him/her and watch) where they go over all the different parts to choose from and show them step-by-step what to do. They pick out a crystal to be used in the saber. They choose different components and are shown how to put them together. They get a case for their completed saber and then they get to go out and get pictures. We got some truly amazing shots, both on our phones and through the PP photographer. It was well worth the absolute, supreme delight my grandson felt. We carried it onto the plane when we flew home with no issues.

Here's a link to the conversation where I asked questions about this: https://www.disboards.com/threads/build-your-own-lightsaber-qs.3960380/
Here's a link to the info and sign up for Savi's Workshop: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/shops/disneyland/savis-workshop-handbuilt-lightsabers/

 

[irlandaise]

OMG, my grandson LOVED LOVED LOVED building his own light saber!! It was by far his favorite part of our grandma/grandson trip.

There's also a less expensive (however, also much less immersive) build-your-own experience in SW:GE, which is the Droid Depot:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/shops/disneyland/droid-depot/

 

[Louis63]

If your going to use ridrshare book an uber black or lyft black as they can come to the terminal, otherwise you have to shuttle to a lot.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I have a CME conference at the Grand Californian over Memorial Day weekend, so last minute, we decided to bring the family. We haven't been to Disneyland in 5 years now, so no idea what's really changed, etc. Our last trip there was right at the beginning of COVID - we were in the park when they announced they'd be closing, so we really haven't "done" Disneyland with crowds, etc.

1. Is DAS still a thing? My 15 year old uses a wheelchair for mobility, or forearm crutches otherwise. Stamina has always been an issue, and in the past, we were always told to get a DAS pass for him. I know that's not a thing in FL anymore, is the same true for California?

2. Lightening Lanes? We're planning on 4 days in the parks, 2 days each. My husband and kids will have 4 full days, I'll have 2 days where I meet them in the afternoon. Is Lightening Lane worth it, particularly with the holiday weekend?

3. My kids are 15 and 18 - Anything cool as far as Star Wars, Guardians, etc?

4. Any recommendations for good places for sit down meals? Asian and Mexican are always a hit, but pretty much open to anything.

5. Is Instacart the best way to get snacks, breakfast stuff, water delivered to the hotel? We won't have a car.

6. What's the best way to get to and from LAX? We fly in at 9:45pm (from the East coast, so the least amount of thinking I have to do at that house would be great! Jet lag is a thing in my world!!)

Anything else I should know, think about, etc?

I got #2 for ya: I would definitely Lightning Lane the Radiator Springs attraction if you're heading to DCA... that attraction is quite consistent in over 100 minute standbys. Lighting Lane will definitely come in handy during the holiday weekend if you are also heading to other high demand attractions like Mission Breakout, Tiana's, and many more.

 

[LKing]

I got #2 for ya: I would definitely Lightning Lane the Radiator Springs attraction if you're heading to DCA... that attraction is quite consistent in over 100 minute standbys. Lighting Lane will definitely come in handy during the holiday weekend if you are also heading to other high demand attractions like Mission Breakout, Tiana's, and many more.

Just to clarify. Radiator Springs is not a LLMP attraction. Like Rise of the Resistance, it is LL Single Pass where you can purchase a skip the line ticket for that one ride.

Radiator Springs has an efficient and fast moving single rider line. Since OP's kids are older, single rider might be a good option.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Just to clarify. Radiator Springs is not a LLMP attraction. Like Rise of the Resistance, it is LL Single Pass where you can purchase a skip the line ticket for that one ride.

Radiator Springs has an efficient and fast moving single rider line. Since OP's kids are older, single rider might be a good option.

Ah, sorry about that. My post-Disney depression is kicking in.