First Time at Disneyland - Strategy help

[RatherBeAtDisney2Day]

Hi all, We are arriving on this Friday 11/9 and leaving on Tues 11/13. I've been to Disney World numerous times but this is our first time to DisneyLand (DH, DS6 and me)

Our primary reason for visiting is Cars Land. My son is a Cars FANATIC. If we don't see anything else, he'd be completely happy.

Which days are best to do CA -- Saturday, Sunday, or Monday? Since DL has early entry on Saturday, I was thinking CA would be best for this day.

Should we plan to go straight to Cars Land when we arrive?

We are staying at the Fairfield Inn Anaheim - can we use early entry by staying at a Good Neighbor hotel?

Any other must sees for a 6-year-old? He's been to DW four times, but I still want the full experience of DL since we likely won't be heading back anytime soon.

Thanks!
Diane

 

[yaya74]

We were at the park during the past weekend. On Saturday, the lines at the turnstile of DCA were longer than that of DLR. We were there at 9am. The line for RSR fasspast was already at Cathay Circle and almost reached Disney Junior Live On Stage. The time for the fastpast return was around 1230pm.

On Sunday, we were there at 8am and the lines were definitely shorter comparing to Saturday. But the line for RSR fastpass was still long.

Definitely go early because the crowd level increases by noon.

I am not sure about early entrance if you stay at a good neighborhood hotel. I thought Early Entrance is only for guests staying on property.

Other than Carsland, I would recommend Toy Story Mania, Soarin' Over California, Grizzly River Run and redwood-creek-challenge-trail if he likes outdoor activities and climbing up and down. Turtle Talk with Crush was very interesting and interactive. There were only two families there the day we went so we had a great time talking to Crush who was very funny. Animation Academy was interesting, too, if your son likes to draw. We had preferred seating for it so we had a front row seat, and we received the artist's drawing as a souvenir at the end.

Overall, we found DCA much much more interesting than DLR. I am sure you and your son will have a great time there no matter what you do. Have a great trip!

 

[Girimama33]

Hi all, We are arriving on this Friday 11/9 and leaving on Tues 11/13. I've been to Disney World numerous times but this is our first time to DisneyLand (DH, DS6 and me)

Our primary reason for visiting is Cars Land. My son is a Cars FANATIC. If we don't see anything else, he'd be completely happy.

Which days are best to do CA -- Saturday, Sunday, or Monday? Since DL has early entry on Saturday, I was thinking CA would be best for this day. I think Saturday and Monday would be good to start at DCA

Should we plan to go straight to Cars Land when we arrive? Yes, and make sure you get there an hour befor opening (gates will open 30 minutes prior, and will let you on BVS). Get to the right of the rope drop, and stay on the right if you want to ride RSR first. Otherwise, get in the RSR FP line.

We are staying at the Fairfield Inn Anaheim - can we use early entry by staying at a Good Neighbor hotel? No. EMH is only for DLR hotel guests. If you have a 3+day parh hopper, you get one Magic Morning at Disneyland only, not DCA.

Any other must sees for a 6-year-old? He's been to DW four times, but I still want the full experience of DL since we likely won't be heading back anytime soon.

Thanks!
Diane

Yaya has some great suggestions for other stuff to do in DCA.

 

[DaveNinja]

The RSR FP line usually looks worse than it actually is. I've gotten in like for it a half an hour before rope drop and was back at the Disney jr live stage and ended up getting through the line about 15-20 minutes after rope drop. Twice Ive heard the CMs telling people the line would take an hour or two and both times it took a lot less time.

 

[interstate70s]

There are lots of threads for strategies for Carsland if you do a search.

As for not be be missed for 6 year old boys... hmm... My DS turned 7 on our last trip, and was barely 6 on our trip before that to DL. Theres not much he doesn't like about DL but his favorites are

In DLP-Mr. Toad, Splash, Star Tours (over and over), Buzz (over and over), Haunted Mansion, PotC, Disneyland Railroad (has dino scene) Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, Tom Saywer island


DCA- Grizzly River Run, Goofy's Sky School, TSMM, (if you skip the rush to Carland one day you might be able to ride several times in a row with no wait) RSR, Maters (wrap your arm around him so he doesn't get banged around) Redwood Creek Challenge trail.

Those are his favorites, I tried not to list every ride, Oh, he also like the Magic Shop on Main Street, where they do demonstrate magic tricks.

 

[mydisneymoney]

In addition to DCA, you may want to try and hit a couple of the rides at Disneyland that are not at WDW. Pirates is totally different and everyone says it is way better at Disneyland then WDW. Unfortunately Indiana Jones will be closed but you DS might not meet the height requirement anyway. I have heard people say that Peter Pan is better and then I believe there is no Mr. Toads, Storybook Canal or Casey Jr. (the ride) at Magic Kingdom. You can ride the train around the park and if you go to the Train station at Main Street, you can ask if he can ride up at the engine.

Early entry into DCA is only for onsite hotel guests. If you have a three day Park Hopper, you will get one Magic morning for Disneyland.

 

[ArchOwl]

Hi all, We are arriving on this Friday 11/9 and leaving on Tues 11/13. I've been to Disney World numerous times but this is our first time to DisneyLand (DH, DS6 and me)

Our primary reason for visiting is Cars Land. My son is a Cars FANATIC. If we don't see anything else, he'd be completely happy.

Which days are best to do CA -- Saturday, Sunday, or Monday? Since DL has early entry on Saturday, I was thinking CA would be best for this day.

Should we plan to go straight to Cars Land when we arrive?

We are staying at the Fairfield Inn Anaheim - can we use early entry by staying at a Good Neighbor hotel?

Any other must sees for a 6-year-old? He's been to DW four times, but I still want the full experience of DL since we likely won't be heading back anytime soon.

Thanks!
Diane

On Friday, I am assuming you will be arriving in the afternoon some time? If so, you could do something fun in Carsland like have dinner at Flo's and watch the neon come on (dusk). The RSR FPs will have been long gone (usually run out in the first hour or so) and the standby line will be long (at least an hour). It is up to you if you want to do that. Mater's will be a short wait, though, and you can also explore Carsland to your heart's content. Then when you arrive the next time in the morning, you can focus on getting the RSR FPs.

Unfortunately, as others have stated, you don't get early entry for staying at a good neighbor hotel, only for staying at one of the three Disney hotels.

Do you have a Magic Morning on your ticket? If so, Magic Morning is for Disneyland and is available Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I would definitely take advantage of it. Since your only day to use it is Saturday, if I am understanding your days correctly, then I would go to Disneyland on Saturday. Be at the gates at least twenty minutes before opening (thirty is better).

If you do not have Magic Morning on your ticket, then I would go to DCA on Saturday. If you do have Magic Morning, you can still have a good time at DCA on Sunday, it just might be a little more crowded and I would definitely head for RSR FP instead of going for RSR standby. And Radiator Springs Racers is notorious for not being up and running at opening anyway. This past week it was down one day past noon.

Which ever day you are DCA, I would get there at least half an hour to forty five minutes before park opening. They will open the gates about thirty minutes before park opening. Follow the signs and the CMs to the RSR FP line. You can also have one person wait in the FP line while the rest of your family heads to Carsland. Pick a place to meet up, i.e. Luigi's or Mater's.

It is usually recommended to ride Luigi's early, because it is a very slow loader and the line builds throughout the day. Either wait for the FP runner or ride and meet the runner at the exit.

On Monday, I would see what your son wanted to do and make my decision based on that.

And here is the strategy for Disneyland Morning Magic if you are eligible:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403&highlight=early+entry

 

[RatherBeAtDisney2Day]

Thank you to all of you for your replies. I really appreciate the strategy tips for Cars Land and RSR as that is our main priority. I've noted the only must see attractions for my son.

We are getting a three day park hopper, so we'll have Saturday, Sunday and Monday in the parks. On Friday, we arrive around 1pm, but we are coming from the east coast, so I'm trying not to plan too much for that day as I think my son will be exhausted and cranky by 5pm!

Thanks again. Very excited for Friday!

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

In addition to DCA, you may want to try and hit a couple of the rides at Disneyland that are not at WDW. Pirates is totally different and everyone says it is way better at Disneyland then WDW. Unfortunately Indiana Jones will be closed but you DS might not meet the height requirement anyway. I have heard people say that Peter Pan is better and then I believe there is no Mr. Toads, Storybook Canal or Casey Jr. (the ride) at Magic Kingdom. You can ride the train around the park and if you go to the Train station at Main Street, you can ask if he can ride up at the engine.

Early entry into DCA is only for onsite hotel guests. If you have a three day Park Hopper, you will get one Magic morning for Disneyland.

Thanks for the info