DL newbie--Only have one day!

[cleophus12]

I have been to WDW many times, but this is my first visit to DL and I will be going with a group so I only have one day in March. Can both parks be done in one day (sun-up to sun-down)? Is there a thread here that can help me with some planning so I can make the most of my time? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[DisneyMax74]

In my opinion there is no way you can get everything in, in one day. What you need to focus on are the things you really want to do. Are you going to be spending the whole time with this group or can you break off into smaller groups? What are your favorite things/interests? Do you want thrill rides or themed attractions? Do you love Indiana Jones and Star Wars or are you more of a Peter Pan/Wnnie the Pooh/Alice in Wonderland type of fan?



It might be helpfull if we know exactly the kinds of things you enjoy, to help point out the things you may want to make sure you get too.



Personally I would hit Disneyland first thing, early. Do the main attractions you want to first. Maybe Indiana Jones, Buzz Lightyear, Matterhorn and Nemo. Then I would head over to DCA for a bit and hit the things you want too there, Soarin, Cal Screamin and Grizzly River Rapids just as am example. Then once youve seen what you want there head back over to DL and hit anything you feel you want too see.



Hope that helps a little.

 

[cleophus12]

Thanks for the info. I am traveling with a group of HS students and we will be in small groups for the day. Most of us have been to WDW so we really don't need to do the "signature" rides in Fantasyland; just interested in the headliners. Any other insight would be helpful.

 

[Eeee-va]

Being in a group, I don't know what kind of leeway you'll have to do what you want, but I'd look for a good "comparison of WDW to DL" guide and figure out what you want to do. While some (OK, a lot) of personal preference is involved, most people will agree that some rides are better at DL (Pirates of the Caribbean, probably Space Mountain), some are better at WDW (Splash Mountain, Snow White), and some exist at DL but not at WDW (Indy (unless you count the Dinosaur ride as its equivalent), California Screamin', Monsters Inc., Sleeping Beauty walkthrough). There are a lot where they're kind of a toss-up as to which is better, too, or some where it's basically the same (Soarin', Star Tours, all 3-D movies except the upcoming Captain EO ).

My priority would probably be to aim for rides/attractions that are better (or possibly just different) at DL and rides that WDW doesn't have, and plan from there. Once you've figured out what you hope to accomplish (and keep it reasonable) you can devise a general plan of attack. If you keep your "must-do" list fairly short then you will probably avoid being disappointed better than if you planned to ride and do EVERYTHING, because the latter just isn't possible.

You should be able to have a great time--on my first (and so far only) trip to WDW, we did almost all of Epcot and much of DHS in one day and I had a great time, even though as a WDW vet you'd probably say (rightly) that they can't both really be experienced in one day.