First Time At Disneyland

[ironband]

If you have a 3 day park-hopper, you probably have one magic morning - most of them come with one, so check your info! You can get A LOT done in one magic morning - the trip we took last week, our Magic morning got us through 8 attractions (Peter Pan, Dumbo, Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland, Teacups, Snow White, Mr. Toads, and Pinnochio!).

Roger Rabbit is fun - take a dark ride, put a teacup on it, and go. Of course, you can't spin willy-nilly, but it is a good time, and since the FP for it is disconnected, you can grab one whenever, so low risk. Stay away from the Go-Coaster, though (IMHO).

Depending on money, there are great restaurants. Blue Bayou and Napa Rose if you are looking to drop coin on marvelous food (Blue Bayou gets the edge for ambiance being in POTC). For less money, the new Hungry Bear is surprisingly good, and if you like potato soup DO NOT miss the Carnation Cafe's Loaded Baked Potato Soup! I like the breakfast at the River Belle Terrace, but I think it is more because Walt used to eat breakfast there than the food (which isn't bad). We also make a habit of eating at Rancho del Zocalo (by Big Thunder) - The mexican food is quite tasty there!

And, yeah, WOC is great. I like the picnic lunch (not too expensive, decent fare, and no waiting in line for a WOC fastpass).

Also, don't miss the Animation building at DCA - it is a real gem with some fun stuff - and I will second the person who said to definitely see Aladdin, especially since the rumors are that it will be replaced in the near future.

Andre

 

[Hunter182]

If you have a 3 day park-hopper, you probably have one magic morning - most of them come with one, so check your info! You can get A LOT done in one magic morning - the trip we took last week, our Magic morning got us through 8 attractions (Peter Pan, Dumbo, Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland, Teacups, Snow White, Mr. Toads, and Pinnochio!).

Roger Rabbit is fun - take a dark ride, put a teacup on it, and go. Of course, you can't spin willy-nilly, but it is a good time, and since the FP for it is disconnected, you can grab one whenever, so low risk. Stay away from the Go-Coaster, though (IMHO).

Depending on money, there are great restaurants. Blue Bayou and Napa Rose if you are looking to drop coin on marvelous food (Blue Bayou gets the edge for ambiance being in POTC). For less money, the new Hungry Bear is surprisingly good, and if you like potato soup DO NOT miss the Carnation Cafe's Loaded Baked Potato Soup! I like the breakfast at the River Belle Terrace, but I think it is more because Walt used to eat breakfast there than the food (which isn't bad). We also make a habit of eating at Rancho del Zocalo (by Big Thunder) - The mexican food is quite tasty there!

And, yeah, WOC is great. I like the picnic lunch (not too expensive, decent fare, and no waiting in line for a WOC fastpass).

Also, don't miss the Animation building at DCA - it is a real gem with some fun stuff - and I will second the person who said to definitely see Aladdin, especially since the rumors are that it will be replaced in the near future.

Andre

Was totally looking forward to doing Aladdin, and the animation building at DCA. Have only heard stellar things about both. Also plan to see the Blue Sky cellar, and whatever catches my eye.

 

[Hunter182]

If you have a 3 day park-hopper, you probably have one magic morning - most of them come with one, so check your info! You can get A LOT done in one magic morning - the trip we took last week, our Magic morning got us through 8 attractions (Peter Pan, Dumbo, Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland, Teacups, Snow White, Mr. Toads, and Pinnochio!).

Roger Rabbit is fun - take a dark ride, put a teacup on it, and go. Of course, you can't spin willy-nilly, but it is a good time, and since the FP for it is disconnected, you can grab one whenever, so low risk. Stay away from the Go-Coaster, though (IMHO).

Depending on money, there are great restaurants. Blue Bayou and Napa Rose if you are looking to drop coin on marvelous food (Blue Bayou gets the edge for ambiance being in POTC). For less money, the new Hungry Bear is surprisingly good, and if you like potato soup DO NOT miss the Carnation Cafe's Loaded Baked Potato Soup! I like the breakfast at the River Belle Terrace, but I think it is more because Walt used to eat breakfast there than the food (which isn't bad). We also make a habit of eating at Rancho del Zocalo (by Big Thunder) - The mexican food is quite tasty there!

And, yeah, WOC is great. I like the picnic lunch (not too expensive, decent fare, and no waiting in line for a WOC fastpass).

Also, don't miss the Animation building at DCA - it is a real gem with some fun stuff - and I will second the person who said to definitely see Aladdin, especially since the rumors are that it will be replaced in the near future.

Andre

Glad to also hear that Rover Rabbit is enjoyable.

What should one order at the Blue Bayou? Anything in particular?

 

[HydroGuy]

Glad to also hear that Rover Rabbit is enjoyable.

What should one order at the Blue Bayou? Anything in particular?

Last I heard they had Rover Rabbit on the menu.

My kids love, love, love their Jumbalaya.

 

[Hunter182]

Last I heard they had Rover Rabbit on the menu.

Gosh darn it! D: My bad.

Ohh! Fun question! Which Matterhorn side is better?

 

[HydroGuy]

Gosh darn it! D: My bad.

Ohh! Fun question! Which Matterhorn side is better?

Obviously they are both better!

In reality they both seem just as good as the other one to me. We often do the TomorrowLand side because the line tends to be shorter because it is in the back.

 

[dreaming-of-disney]

I am a WDW vet as well and am very excited about visiting DL for the first time. I will only have a day as I am there for a conference. I'alm definitely hitting DL and probably will not get a chance to return as flight is terribly expensive (we drive to WDW). My goal is to hit the rides that WDW doesn't have and the ones that are better at DL than WDW. I have already read that SM and Pirates are a must do. But what about these? Are they better at DL than WDW?
Peter Pan?
Snow White?
Pooh?
BTMR?
Buzz lightyear?
Haunted Mansion?
Jungle Cruise?
Any opinions are welcomed and appreciated

 

[HydroGuy]

I am a WDW vet as well and am very excited about visiting DL for the first time. I will only have a day as I am there for a conference. I'alm definitely hitting DL and probably will not get a chance to return as flight is terribly expensive (we drive to WDW). My goal is to hit the rides that WDW doesn't have and the ones that are better at DL than WDW. I have already read that SM and Pirates are a must do. But what about these? Are they better at DL than WDW?
Peter Pan?
Snow White?
Pooh?
BTMR?
Buzz lightyear?
Haunted Mansion?
Jungle Cruise?
Any opinions are welcomed and appreciated

IMO all of these are comparable. I happen to like JC, BTMRR and Pooh a little better at WDW. Buzz LY is better at DL mostly because it is easier to fire your laser because it is not fixed to the ride vehicle. HM and PP and SW just seem so similar it is hard to say.

 

[Hunter182]

IMO all of these are comparable. I happen to like JC, BTMRR and Pooh a little better at WDW. Buzz LY is better at DL mostly because it is easier to fire your laser because it is not fixed to the ride vehicle. HM and PP and SW just seem so similar it is hard to say.

But our Mansion just got updated. ;D

We have a new interactive queue, and an guest interaction hitchhiking Ghost scene. Add that to the 2007 major refurb, which updated the bride, added the staircase scene, ect. Supposedly our Mansion is the best, but I will withold judgement 'till after I see the original.

But from what I hear, most Disneylander's think that we at the very least have a better "Mansion". Not the ride itself, but the building. Instead of a quaint southern style, we have this kinda ominous, Dutch/Gothic style.

Pretty neat to compare when I get there though, considering the HM is my favorite Disney attraction ever.

 

[skiingfast]

But our Mansion just got updated. ;D

We have a new interactive queue, and an guest interaction hitchhiking Ghost scene. Add that to the 2007 major refurb, which updated the bride, added the staircase scene, ect. Supposedly our Mansion is the best, but I will withold judgement 'till after I see the original.

But from what I hear, most Disneylander's think that we at the very least have a better "Mansion". Not the ride itself, but the building. Instead of a quaint southern style, we have this kinda ominous, Dutch/Gothic style.

Pretty neat to compare when I get there though, considering the HM is my favorite Disney attraction ever.

As far as the ride I in DL, you are actually on an elevator in the stretching room. When you exit you walk down a little hallway that has a couple of things that are part of the ride scenery in WDW.

In WDW you have a the Escher Stairway room, which is pretty cool. And now the new hitch hiking ghosts. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2693811

As far as the buildings, I don't like the WDW version as much. It's more out of place. Where as the DL mansion next to the park in front of the railroad station and looking out on ROA with its riverboat is a much nicer fit.

 

[HydroGuy]

But our Mansion just got updated. ;D

We have a new interactive queue, and an guest interaction hitchhiking Ghost scene. Add that to the 2007 major refurb, which updated the bride, added the staircase scene, ect. Supposedly our Mansion is the best, but I will withold judgement 'till after I see the original.

But from what I hear, most Disneylander's think that we at the very least have a better "Mansion". Not the ride itself, but the building. Instead of a quaint southern style, we have this kinda ominous, Dutch/Gothic style.

Pretty neat to compare when I get there though, considering the HM is my favorite Disney attraction ever.

And the DL HM gets a Halloween makeover for 3+ months of the year... And the DL version got its own general makeover a few years ago. Which is not to say the DL version is better. I missed seeing the new stuff at MK by about a week.

 

[merriwthr]

As a WDW vet, I am super excited about going to Disneyland - I've also been to Disney Paris. It's my goal in life to hit every park at least once.

Glad to read all about the must see's at DL - my list keeps growing. I've finally decided to skip the list and just make sure I ride and see *everything*!!

My favorite at WDW by far is HM - so I was really looking forward to seeing the original... I know there are differences, but that just makes me more excited to see it and ride it. I just hope my companions don't abandon me when I want to ride it a half dozen times or more!!

 

[skiingfast]

Glad to read all about the must see's at DL - my list keeps growing. I've finally decided to skip the list and just make sure I ride and see *everything*!!

I know there are differences, but that just makes me more excited to see it and ride it. I just hope my companions don't abandon me when I want to ride it a half dozen times or more!!

X2

 

[Hunter182]

I missed seeing the new stuff at MK by about a week.

That is terrible. D: They really are spectacular.

 

[Hunter182]

Well tomorrow I will be boarding my flight! So excited.

Off to WDW to get me in a Disney spirit! (Staying at Coronado Springs for the night.)

 

[HydroGuy]

That is terrible. D: They really are spectacular.

Next time!

 

[Hunter182]

Well guys, this is it. I am currently boarding my flight, I will be in Disneyland tomorrow morning at opening.

Any last minute tips/suggestions?

 

[rivey]

Don't have time to read thru the entire thread, so sorry if this is repeated information!!!

Pirates take down may still be wrapping up. I think that F! is not going to be showing until the 14th!!!!! Hopefully you can catch it. I think most of the other ROA stuff should be open on the 13th. For this reason, I suggest starting (like a half day and then a full day) at DCA, whilst they get Dland cleared up and back to normal.

Splash Mt will not be open.

 

[karmutt]

Don't know if anyone mentioned these or if you knew about them beforehand...

The ASIMO show in Innoventions is really cool. It's a little Honda robot. I'm pretty sure it's still there. I think shows start at the top of the hour. You can ask one of the Innoventions hosts.

And also be sure to stop by the Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln building, even if you don't want to see the show. Inside is The Disneyland Story, which has concept art and models of the park and various attractions.

Also, there are cats living in both parks. It's fun to try to spot them. They can often be found at the Hungry Bear restaurant and at Whitewater Snacks at the Grand Californian (there is a calico and one that looks like a Maine Coon that hang out there).

 

[DisMike]

I am a WDW vet as well and am very excited about visiting DL for the first time. I will only have a day as I am there for a conference. I'alm definitely hitting DL and probably will not get a chance to return as flight is terribly expensive (we drive to WDW). My goal is to hit the rides that WDW doesn't have and the ones that are better at DL than WDW. I have already read that SM and Pirates are a must do. But what about these? Are they better at DL than WDW?
Peter Pan?
Snow White?
Pooh?
BTMR?
Buzz lightyear?
Haunted Mansion?
Jungle Cruise?
Any opinions are welcomed and appreciated

You missed Indiana Jones!!! Only THE best attraction ride at DLR!!! Also, the only ride that is at all the Disney resorts EXCEPT WDW????!!! What is up with that?