DL worth it for just one day visit? (no kids)

[Beth76]

DH and I are cruising out of LA with friends next month. We are scheduled to fly out the day after the cruise. I was hoping to go see some Hollywood sites, but it doesn't really seem worth it to do for one day. Plus renting a car and all that seems complicated.

We are planning on taking the kids to DL next summer and now I'm thinking it might help in planning if DH and I go check it out first. We've never been to either Disney park and I'm finding it all so overwhelming.

We probably wouldn't get there until 10am, but we could stay until they close. And depending on ticket prices, we could maybe go for a few hours the next day (we have a later flight). This will be January 7 ( a monday) so I'm guessing it won't be too terribly crowded. Can we see enough of the two parks to get a good feel for it one day? I know we won't see everything, but DH and I would probably only want to ride the more thrilling rides anyway.

 

[Tink208]

I went to Disneyland for five hours in the evening when I was in Anaheim for a convention a couple years ago; I would have loved to have been able to be there more of the day. Even in those five hours, though, I was able to get in a parade, Fantasmic!, the fireworks, and a number of rides.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

How fun for you guys!

I would definitely recommend going while you're here, because no- you probably won't get to see everything the parks have to offer- but you will get to see a lot, and it will give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the rides and the layout and start thinking about/planning for the trip you take with the kids the next time!

Plus, with just the two of you- you can make it a fun Disney Date! :]

Lorealle

 

[JadeDarkstar]

if you have only one day and no kids then id do it, run around the park hit all you'll fav rides and be a kid even if only a day it would be fun

 

[pumpkin5156]

I LOVE DL with no kids. It's awesome. A day is more than enough time to get a really good feel for your future trip. You will have so much fun!

 

[lovedoggies]

I definitely agree you should try to do it. You can see a lot in a full day. Maybe not everything but quite a bit! It will definitely help with planning a future trip with kids. I think you HAVE to go so you can do your RESEARCH

 

[Tink208]

My husband's first trip to Disneyland was with me on our honeymoon (no kids), and we had a blast. It was also back in the stone age (1988) when you really could do Disneyland in one day and it was rare to go for longer.

 

[Beth76]

Plus, with just the two of you- you can make it a fun Disney Date! :]

You know, that's a good point. If my kids happen to be difficult on our trip, I will likely end up hating Disney. If we go first without them, we'll get an "unjaded" view.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to seriously consider this. Already checking out hotel prices. The #%$*&# Grand CA is $400 for one night! Is January 7 still holiday season? We'll probably just do a Good Neighbor even though we don't really like motels.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

You know, that's a good point. If my kids happen to be difficult on our trip, I will likely end up hating Disney. If we go first without them, we'll get an "unjaded" view.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to seriously consider this. Already checking out hotel prices. The #%$*&# Grand CA is $400 for one night! Is January 7 still holiday season? We'll probably just do a Good Neighbor even though we don't really like motels.

That's the spirit! [And I think that you should especially make it a point to see the Boardwalk area at CA- it's really 'date-y'!] :]

DL takes down their holiday decorations on the 6th of January, so the holiday season is officially over as of the 7th.

 

[Hound 109]

DH and I are cruising out of LA with friends next month. We are scheduled to fly out the day after the cruise. I was hoping to go see some Hollywood sites, but it doesn't really seem worth it to do for one day. Plus renting a car and all that seems complicated.

We are planning on taking the kids to DL next summer and now I'm thinking it might help in planning if DH and I go check it out first. We've never been to either Disney park and I'm finding it all so overwhelming.

We probably wouldn't get there until 10am, but we could stay until they close. And depending on ticket prices, we could maybe go for a few hours the next day (we have a later flight). This will be January 7 ( a monday) so I'm guessing it won't be too terribly crowded. Can we see enough of the two parks to get a good feel for it one day? I know we won't see everything, but DH and I would probably only want to ride the more thrilling rides anyway.

Goodness yes. (Especially if you have a day & a half.)

- First read HydroGuy's tips sticky (found at the top of the first page). Especially read his DLR for WDW Vet thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

& his How to Use FP on a Busy day thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

- Consider staying at one of the three DLR hotels (if you're visiting Monday or Tuesday), you will get EE (one hour early entry into DL) & it's worth it if you're only going to have a day & a half.

- I just completed a 1 & 1/2 (or 3/4) day trip & rode virtually everything once & many things twice. My recap is also on the first page & might be helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660025


- Know FP (it's different than WDW)
- Get there 20-30 min. before EE (or if not an EE day Gen. Adm.) opening.

Have fun.

 

[Beth76]

- Consider staying at one of the three DLR hotels (if you're visiting Monday or Tuesday), you will get EE (one hour early entry into DL) & it's worth it if you're only going to have a day & a half.

- I just completed a 1 & 1/2 (or 3/4) day trip & rode virtually everything once & many things twice. My recap is also on the first page & might be helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660025


- Know FP (it's different than WDW)
- Get there 20-30 min. before EE (or if not an EE day Gen. Adm.) opening.

Thanks! We can't do the EE because we are coming from the cruise ship and we'll spend that day at the parks. So we won't be getting there til right about opening time. Besides, we're not the the "mad dash" type of people. We won't be able to go to the parks on the second day as we'd only have 2 hours max and I don't want to pay the extra day. I will take a look at your review though. Thanks for the link.

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks! We can't do the EE because we are coming from the cruise ship and we'll spend that day at the parks. So we won't be getting there til right about opening time. Besides, we're not the the "mad dash" type of people. We won't be able to go to the parks on the second day as we'd only have 2 hours max and I don't want to pay the extra day. I will take a look at your review though. Thanks for the link.

I see your point on the extra day. I made two assumptions that after looking at the calender weren't good assumptions:

- Mon & Tues 7 & 8th - DLR open at 10am. (I assumed it would open at 9am).
- 2008 ticket prices don't have the "deal" for a 2 day hopper that I enjoyed (for son & daughter) last week. (Basically $25 bucks for the second day)

I was hoping you all could do EE on Tuesday starting at 8am for the $25 bucks extra.....worth it for 3 hours of miminal crowd touring.

But even for one day (especially for one day) start collecting FPs early. You should try to have 3-4 FPs in your pocket (do this as you leisurely tour in the morning & early afternoon) & use them for evening touring (so you don't have to stand in long lines at night.)

Even one day is great. Read all the recommended links & have a blast.

 

[bumbershoot]

We had two years of one-day trips, with two couples and our son (1 year old the first time and 2 years old the second time), and we did a TON in that one day. Didn't even set foot into DCA, but that was OK for those trips (we have since been there and we just LOVE it, but I don't wish we had "hopped" on those first trips).

Get some good, most recent, guidebooks from the library, read read read, and you will have a great time!

 

[thewesterberg]

I did a one day trip a few years ago with a couple of friends when were were attending a conference in Anaheim. It was a blast! We got to experience quite a bit of DL in that day and it was such a difference being with adults vs kids. I love my DS4, but standing in line with him isn't usually a highlight of a trip! We could entertain ourselves, move as quick as we wanted, and when we told one friend that 3 times on it's a small world was enough, she didn't throw too big of a tantrum!

The same conference is back in Anaheim in February and we're planning another 1 day trip. Can't wait!

 

[iceprincess]

A great book is the "Unofficial Guide to Disneyland". It has touring plans (what to hit at what time of day) that we have found really useful.