DL Newbie looking for advice.

[UncaDonald]

Ok, so this is going to be our first trip to Disneyland. We are flying to LAX on March 27 and will be in Anaheim until April 3. We have 4 day park hopper passes and are staying at a hotel about a mile from the park gates. We do not intend to rent a car, so we are limited to public transportation for anything that is not within walking distance.
That is the extent of my plan! I am feeling very unprepared. What am I missing?
It will be me, my wife and a 9 year old daughter and a 4 year old son. I am open to suggestions, but would like to keep the trip as economical as possible (read cheap).
What things should we be looking for at DL? What should we avoid? Any suggestions as to how to spend our 3 days away from the park....remember no car.

 

[Sherry E]

I moved this over to the main Disneyland planning forum.

 

[jlmarr]

You can take ART to get to/from DLR. Here's a map: http://www.rideart.org/index.php?loc=3

If you want to take a tour of LA/Hollywood/Universal Studios etc check out the Gray Line tours: http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/us/losangeles.go

Particularly the Hop On Hop Off tour: http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/GraylineAssets/files/franchises/StarLineDoubleDeckerBusMap.pdf

The MTA #460 bus will get you from DLR to Downtown LA, with a stop at Knott's Berry Farm: http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/bus_overview/images/460.pdf

The Anaheim Angels are playing pre-season home games on Thursday and Friday nights during your stay. You can get to the stadium via ART or city bus.

On your off days maybe go to the beach or a shopping mall? There are movie theaters at DTD and Gardenwalk (east of DLR about a block), and Gardenwalk has a bowling alley and some very good restaurants.

 

[teacups]

Ahh, we all remember being in these shoes!

One of the best pieces of advice I got was to do DL in the morning, go back to hotel for nap or swim and then do DCA in the afternoon. Use your fast passes... and my own personal advice is not to stand in hour long lines for character signatures! We did that our first trip and never did it again!

Is the Mark Twain operating while you're there? If you are the first to ask, your kdis can drive it. Kids love it and parents get great pictures.

We HATE the food at Test Pilots Grill.
LOVE the food and atmosphere at Blue Bayou.

Have fun!

 

[franandaj]

The Blue Bayou can be difficult to get into if you don't have a reservation, but their signature lunch dish the Monte Cristo can be found across the way at Cafe Orleans. They also take reservations, but the Monte Cristo is not to be missed!

The rides unique to DL are Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, California Screaming, the train through the Grand Canyon and Primeval Village, and I'm sure there are others I am forgetting. Take your time visting the park, don't try and hurry there are so many little details to see. One thing I always do when I leave Disneyland at night (which is most often), is look up in the window over the Fire Station. That is where Walt's apartment is and you will see a light on in the apartment, they leave it on in his honor. This is the only park that he saw completed, lived in and cherished. I'm sure he would have loved the other parks, but this is the only one that he knew. I always give a silent "thank you" to him for everything when I leave the park.

 

[jimreuter]

One thing I always do when I leave Disneyland at night (which is most often), is look up in the window over the Fire Station. That is where Walt's apartment is and you will see a light on in the apartment, they leave it on in his honor. This is the only park that he saw completed, lived in and cherished. I'm sure he would have loved the other parks, but this is the only one that he knew. I always give a silent "thank you" to him for everything when I leave the park.

They leave the light on because it was always on when Walt was in the park - and we all like to think that he is still there, watching over the wonderful place that he created.

When you visit, be sure and smile at Cast Members and guests alike, say "Hi" to anyone who makes eye contact, and enjoy your time at the friendliest place on earth.