First time at Disneyland! Just a few questions...

[mcdeluna]

Hi everyone! My name’s Marcella and I’m a WDW veteran from Brazil who’s going to the East Coast for the very first time! I’ve been a longtime lurker on the boards and I’ve finally decided to join ahead of my first trip to Disneyland!

So... here’s some background. I started going to WDW in 2006, and have gone back in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015. I’m 36 and I’ll be travelling with my 72 year-old dad, who is kind of tired of theme parks, but when he said he wanted to go to Vegas, I convinced him to go to Disneyland too! Two birds, one stone, etc... (however the saying goes, right? I just love Disney too much!). I’ve always been a big planner before the trip (incessant research), and I usually throw away most of my plans on my first day there and just let things happen however, whenever. I’ve been reading all the posts (Hydroguy’s tips for newbies are GREAT!), but I still have some questions...

We’re spending 5 nights in Las Vegas first (Sep. 11-16), then taking the Lux Bus to Anaheim - has anyone done this before? I hope it’s ok. We’re staying at the Fairfield Inn across the street from Disneyland from Sep. 16 to Sep. 21, and won’t have a car, so any tips on transportation are welcome! We got a 3-day park hopper to the parks, and my Dad wants to do one day in LA. So... here are my questions:

1. Can anyone recommend how we should do Los Angeles? Public transportation, a tour bus... I’ve never been, so I have no clue! All I know is that my Dad doesn’t want us driving in the LA area.

2. I checked the calendar on the Disneyland site and the only day I’ll have to see Fantasmic is on Sunday, the 17th. Are Fastpasses necessary? Are the Dining Packages worth it? We tend to stay on a budget for food, and I’m a bit of a picky eater, so... just curious.

3. Is the Halloween party worth the cost? Or should I just add another day and head to the parks Saturday night? We’ll arrive in Anaheim around 8pm, hopefully.

4. My Dad is diabetic - any tips on sugar-free snacks and desserts?


I’m really sorry for the long post! Just nervous that my trip’s getting close and I’ll finally be able to be in the park where it all began! I’m a sucker for the nostalgia and the magic of Disney! Anyway, any tips are welcome, no matter what! Thanks to everyone in advance, and sorry if I’m asking things that can be found elsewhere on the boards - it’s a lot of info to comb through. I’ll appreciate if anyone can just point the way!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'd do a full 4th day at Disneyland/DCA.

 

[Keels]

The Fairfield Inn is great! You can see the monorail and Space Mountain from the hotel, and you can even see the fireworks from the pool on nights that the fireworks are a go! It's my favorite off-property resort at Disneyland!

To answer your questions ... my opinions:

1. For touring LA, I would check out Starline Tours - it's a hop-on, hop-off bus that runs on a loop. The Anaheim loop leaves from down Harbor - about a 30 minute walk, or a 10-11 minute drive. I would do the monuments bus and maybe try to see the beach. Hollywood is definitely lackluster and is kind of trashy (in my opinion), and it can be crazy crowded around the Chinese Theater. Santa Monica Beach and the pier is one of my favorite places to visit when I'm in SoCal.

2. Check the menu for the on-the-go meal that gets you a spot at Fantasmic! and see if that menu suits you a little bit better. It's pretty cost-efficient compared to the sit-down meal.

3. I haven't done the Halloween Party at DL - but I believe it includes both parks this year. I'd check the cost between adding a fourth park-hopper day or the party. Adding a fourth day will ultimately get you more hours in the parks, but you won't have the Halloween festivities.

4. You'll find offerings that fit his dietary needs everywhere! And always feel free to ask for/if there is a special menu for diabetics, especially at table service restaurants.

 

[mcdeluna]

@smartlabelprint I wish I could... but we only have four full days and we're using one to go to LA... but thanks!

@Keels Thanks for all the tips! I'll definitely check out Starline Tours. I've been binge-listening to the Dis Unplugged podcast (Disneyland) for all the extra tips.

Just one more question... if I don't get the dining packages, are Fastpasses necessary for Fantasmic! or World of Color? Or are they just to get better seats? I've seen Fantasmic at DHS, but I just stood in the stand-by line - it IS one of my favorite shows at Disney!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

@smartlabelprint I wish I could... but we only have four full days and we're using one to go to LA... but thanks!

@Keels Thanks for all the tips! I'll definitely check out Starline Tours. I've been binge-listening to the Dis Unplugged podcast (Disneyland) for all the extra tips.

Just one more question... if I don't get the dining packages, are Fastpasses necessary for Fantasmic! or World of Color? Or are they just to get better seats? I've seen Fantasmic at DHS, but I just stood in the stand-by line - it IS one of my favorite shows at Disney!

They're pretty necessary to decent viewing for both shows. Neither FPs are to get actual seats, just to get in an area where you can stand and see the show. It's worth checking out the threads for each show to get details on the best places to stand - for WOC in particular, it can be important to get certain spots if anyone in your party is short.

Fantasmic! at DL is sooooo much better than at DW. If you love it, you might consider a dining package for a chance to sit (on the ground) and get better viewing.