First day, be in the park around 3pm ?

[GrumpySly]

Hi all,

we will arrive wednesday in LAX at around noon. I figure that with the transfer and hotel check-in we would be able to make it to DL around 3pm.

Since we are from the east coast and I don't want my DD8 to be up at 4:00am the next morning, I was considering to spend the night at DL or DCA to get her to go to sleep later and hopefully sleep a little bit later the next morning.

We have five days hopper passes, so I was assuming that even if there are longer lines b/c we most likely will be too late to grab any FP, it would be worth while anyway to go on our arrival day so we can actually start to feel the magic. It is our first trip to DL, we went to WDW two years ago.

What are your thoughts about my plan ?

 

[kaceyisme]

This is exactly what we are doing. We are also from the east coast, and our flight arrives at noon. We are definitely going to the park that day, especially since we only have a day and a half in the park before our cruise. Since DL closes so late, you will have plenty of time!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I would do that too. If I were to arrive at that time, I would grab a FP for something first, then go to Pirates. That line alwyas moves fast. If you stay late, that would be a good time to hit the Fantasyland rides.

 

[vinnie_a72]

We just got back from Disneyland yesterday. We had purchased a 5 day hopper pass for Mon.-Fri., but got there last Sunday evening around 6 p.m. My husband talked me into getting another day added and it was only $15 for 3 of us. We walked in at 6:10 and left about 9:30 and were able to ride 7 rides in a little over 2 hours. Since the park is open til midnight, most rides still had fast passes.

This was our first trip to DL and we had a blast. We have been to DW 6 times in the last 8 years.

 

[avalon451]

Definitely go in and stroll around, enjoy exploring at a leisurely pace! That's a great introduction to your trip. The next morning will be a Magic Morning, so if you're using it, presumably you'll be getting there around 6:30 a.m., and you will be touring with a purpose for those first few hours. Not a whole lot of time to explore and soak it in, until later!

A great way to start is to see "Disneyland: the First 50 Years" movie on Main Street; it's hosted by Steve Martin and Donald Duck. It's a nice intro to your trip, to get you in the magic mood!

FPs will likely be gone for Space, Indy and Splash. You might be able to snag some for BTMRR, Buzz, Roger Rabbit or Autopia. They'll have a late return time, though.

You can watch the parade at 6:30, catch the fireworks, then maybe go over and see the late viewing of Fantasmic at 10:30 before heading back to your hotel.

Have a great time!

 

[Disney Dreams]

The 1 thing that i think MANY out-of-town visitors do NOT allow enough time to do at Disneyland is just wander, without a checklist of attractions, parades, and shows to rush to next. Use the extra time that you have on your arrival day to just ake in the sights and sounds of the park. Wander aimlessly and enjoy.

 

[heatherleigh]

I think this is a great idea. Three hours is a pretty big time difference, and the extra hours would help put her on the new schedule.

 

[GrumpySly]

Thanks everyone !

Only 48 hours left and we will be going down main strreet !

 

[bumbershoot]

A great way to start is to see "Disneyland: the First 50 Years" movie on Main Street; it's hosted by Steve Martin and Donald Duck. It's a nice intro to your trip, to get you in the magic mood!

That is such a good idea! It's very easy to just walk past it and not see it, but once you've seen it, you're glad you did! And seeing how it all got started adds a new dimension to the visit.

 

[perlster]

How about a trip around Disneyland on the Railroad?

 

[avalon451]

How about a trip around Disneyland on the Railroad?

Oh, yeah, that would be a great idea! I have to put that on my list, too, for our first afternoon's wanderings. DD13 missed the RR last time.

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with all of the above. (There are 4-5 non-crowded attractions mentioned above that would be great to do on your first day/night). & Nothing will put you in the mood for DLR like the fireworks the first night.

Two other thoughts / tips:

- Use that first day afternoon to get your bearings & get the lay of the land.
("Land" locations, Dole Whip & Churro Stands, FP machines, bathroom locations etc.)
- If Nemo is under an hour....ride it & get it out of the way....that way you won't blow a MM or early morning on it (when you could ride 4 rides & pick up 2 FPs instead).

Have a great time.

 

[brenda1966]

When I arrive into town midday, as a rule I head into CA and spend the rest of the day there. Heading into a fully crowded DL just isn't that satisfying to me.

Especially if DD is young enough to enjoy the kiddie rides in CA, it's a great place to start. We grab a cherry cooler, spend some time getting wet in the splash area (pack some extra dry clothes) and ride all the kiddie rides. Oh, first I grab fastpasses for soarin so we can do that after dinner.

After that we catch the last showing of Aladdin and then eat dinner. Ride Soarin and catch the EL parade. This is all doable in the summer. If ELP is not running, you could hop over to DL and see the fireworks. If Aladdin doesn't interest you, CA has a great new parade.

That's my plan for an inital half day like that.

 

[wdhinn89]

Silly question

For us east coasters-- the time in California will be 7 am but our body clock will say 10am, so it will be easier for us to get up early and make rope drops. Is that right or do I have it backwards.

 

[avalon451]

That's right, you lucky people! Magic Mornings will be a cinch for you. My kids just about mutinied on me when I dragged them out at 6 a.m. for MM!

 

[Hound 109]

Silly question

For us east coasters-- the time in California will be 7 am but our body clock will say 10am, so it will be easier for us to get up early and make rope drops. Is that right or do I have it backwards.

Correct.

& this is one reason why (imo) if one has only 1 MM, it's best to do it the first available day, so it's easier to get up.