First Time Disneyland Excitement - Advise & Tips

[OswaldBro]

I've been solidifying my plan to visit Disneyland this May. My friends and I are visiting for the first time around the start of the 70th Anniversary kickoff. We're from the East Coast, I don't expect to come back soon, so I want to make the most of it:

Sat. 5/17, Tues. 5/20, and Wed. 5/21.

We have park hopper and Lightning Lane multi-pass. I've also been going over dining reservations. So far I plan to take advantage of that Saturday with Lamplight Lounge Brunch in the morning and the Rancho Del Zocalo Fantasmic Package for dinner. We'll try to watch the fireworks on Main Street and then the 2nd showing of Fantasmic. That Sunday I managed to snag a spot at Trader Sam's (unfortunately only for 3 when we have 5, but I'll keep looking for additional seats). For Tuesday we'll do mostly quick service meals, but I was considering the World of Color Dessert Party. Wednesday I was thinking we should do Blue Bayou for lunch. That day is a Grad Night I've heard, so we'll stick to Disneyland mostly.

For rides, I definitely want to hit all of the classics: the haunted mansion, jungle cruise, pirates, enchanted tiki room, Indiana Jones, and the other dark rides. I'm not a big fan of roller coasters or thrills, but I'm willing to try out Space Mountain and Big Thunder.

This trip is mostly for me, so all my friends put me in charge of putting it all together. If anyone has any tips or advice about my plan, I'd appreciate it!

 

[LKing]

If you are an Oswald fan, he can often be found just inside DCA's entrance on the far right side before you even get to the flag pole (red circle). Occasionally he is on the opposite side by Oswald Gas (teal circle).



Saturday: Lamplight Brunch, RdZ Fantasmic is a great plan. Since Saturday is the first weekend of the 70th Celebration, Disneyland is going to be more crowded. Both parks have been fully booked for Magic Key pass holders for several weeks. I'm sure a lot of people will be lining the parade route to see the new cavalcade. Paint the Night is the evening parade. They haven't released the times yet, but I imagine that a lot of people will camp out on Main Street for the parade and then stay for fireworks.

If you are watching the fireworks from the Frontierland side of the hub, you will not have the parade pass in front of you. That might be a better place to camp out if your priority is viewing the fireworks and then Fantasmic.

 

[OswaldBro]

Thank you so much! This is great advise. I'm hoping I can meet Oswald as he's my favorite, though I know there's a chance he won't be out while we're there.

I considered doing the 1st Fantasmic show and then simply staying at Rivers of America to see the fireworks afterword. Though since Sat. is the only day we have to see it, I wanted to have a chance to see an over the castle instead. I'll keep being near Frontierland in mind. I also thought about trying to be on Main St. for it.

 

[DizMe]

I've been solidifying my plan to visit Disneyland this May. My friends and I are visiting for the first time around the start of the 70th Anniversary kickoff. We're from the East Coast, I don't expect to come back soon, so I want to make the most of it:

Sat. 5/17, Tues. 5/20, and Wed. 5/21.

We have park hopper and Lightning Lane multi-pass. I've also been going over dining reservations. So far I plan to take advantage of that Saturday with Lamplight Lounge Brunch in the morning and the Rancho Del Zocalo Fantasmic Package for dinner. We'll try to watch the fireworks on Main Street and then the 2nd showing of Fantasmic. That Sunday I managed to snag a spot at Trader Sam's (unfortunately only for 3 when we have 5, but I'll keep looking for additional seats). For Tuesday we'll do mostly quick service meals, but I was considering the World of Color Dessert Party. Wednesday I was thinking we should do Blue Bayou for lunch. That day is a Grad Night I've heard, so we'll stick to Disneyland mostly.

For rides, I definitely want to hit all of the classics: the haunted mansion, jungle cruise, pirates, enchanted tiki room, Indiana Jones, and the other dark rides. I'm not a big fan of roller coasters or thrills, but I'm willing to try out Space Mountain and Big Thunder.

This trip is mostly for me, so all my friends put me in charge of putting it all together. If anyone has any tips or advice about my plan, I'd appreciate it!

Sounds like you've done great planning! You're smart to grab the TS's reservation for 3 and keep your eyes open for another reservation in the meanwhile. Even if you don't see one, it's worth checking with them when you get to the resort to let them know you have 2 more in your party and see if they can work them in. If not, you can probably get seated outside but you may be able to get in if you're willing to wait or come back at a later time. I used to use dining alerts but I'm not sure if those are still a thing. I used the free version of Mouse Dining but it does require you to be quick about grabbing one when you get a notification.

Good choices on the rides, as the ones you mentioned are different from the WDW versions. I just got back from my first trip to WDW and was pretty blown away by the enormity of it! It was super fun to try the rides I'm used to at DLR and I very much enjoyed the WDW versions.

 

[OswaldBro]

Sounds like you've done great planning! You're smart to grab the TS's reservation for 3 and keep your eyes open for another reservation in the meanwhile. Even if you don't see one, it's worth checking with them when you get to the resort to let them know you have 2 more in your party and see if they can work them in. If not, you can probably get seated outside but you may be able to get in if you're willing to wait or come back at a later time. I used to use dining alerts but I'm not sure if those are still a thing. I used the free version of Mouse Dining but it does require you to be quick about grabbing one when you get a notification.

Good choices on the rides, as the ones you mentioned are different from the WDW versions. I just got back from my first trip to WDW and was pretty blown away by the enormity of it! It was super fun to try the rides I'm used to at DLR and I very much enjoyed the WDW versions.

Thanks for the tips! Earlier today I was actually able to to get an additional late night table for 2 at Trader Sam's on the day that we were going. So I'll try what you've suggested here, and if we get outside I can go back later to get an indoor experience.

I've been to WDW once when I was young so I can't remember too much but I'm so glad you had a good time there. I can't wait to experience all of the cool unique experiences at DL and DCA.

 

[LKing]

Though since Sat. is the only day we have to see it, I wanted to have a chance to see an over the castle instead. I'll keep being near Frontierland in mind. I also thought about trying to be on Main St. for it.

I get it. Just realize that it is going to be very crowded.
Those that are guessing timing think that the first parade will leave Small World around 8:30 pm and end at Town Square around 8:50 pm. Fireworks start at 9:30 pm. The second parade would be after fireworks and go in the opposite direction (start at Town Square and end at Small World).

Look at this map.
The navy blue line indicates the parade route
The orange area on Rivers of America is where the dining packages sit. The only access to those seats is from the orange star on the far left side of the photo (near Harbour Galley).
The teal line through Adventure land is the direction that the masses from the first Fantasmic and fireworks will be directed to exit.
The purple line line through Frontierland is the direction that the people from Main Street will be directed to enter for the second Fantasmic show.
The pink line from the top is how those watching Fire of the Rising Moon in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge will enter for the second Fantasmic show.
The red circle is where I was suggesting that you watch the fireworks. While it isn't on Main Street, it will be closer to the Frontierland entrance.
If you are on Main Street, you will need swim up stream against the masses leaving the park after the parade, Fantasmic and fireworks. You can do it. Just walk the path when there is daylight so that you know where you are going.

 

[OswaldBro]

I get it. Just realize that it is going to be very crowded.
Those that are guessing timing think that the first parade will leave Small World around 8:30 pm and end at Town Square around 8:50 pm. Fireworks start at 9:30 pm. The second parade would be after fireworks and go in the opposite direction (start at Town Square and end at Small World).

Look at this map.
The navy blue line indicates the parade route
The orange area on Rivers of America is where the dining packages sit. The only access to those seats is from the orange star on the far left side of the photo (near Harbour Galley).
The teal line through Adventure land is the direction that the masses from the first Fantasmic and fireworks will be directed to exit.
The purple line line through Frontierland is the direction that the people from Main Street will be directed to enter for the second Fantasmic show.
The pink line from the top is how those watching Fire of the Rising Moon in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge will enter for the second Fantasmic show.
The red circle is where I was suggesting that you watch the fireworks. While it isn't on Main Street, it will be closer to the Frontierland entrance.
If you are on Main Street, you will need swim up stream against the masses leaving the park after the parade, Fantasmic and fireworks. You can do it. Just walk the path when there is daylight so that you know where you are going.

View attachment 950032

This is some really good advise, thank you! I see what you mean about having to fight the outgoing crowds. That red spot should work fine for us, so I will try for it. Around what time do you think we should try to get a spot? Our fantasmic dining package is at 6pm, so i imagine we can get there around 7pm, maybe a little earlier.

 

[LKing]

This is some really good advise, thank you! I see what you mean about having to fight the outgoing crowds. That red spot should work fine for us, so I will try for it. Around what time do you think we should try to get a spot? Our fantasmic dining package is at 6pm, so i imagine we can get there around 7pm, maybe a little earlier.

That's the ten thousand dollar question. I think people will be camping out along the parade route and in front of the castle very early in the day. The red area is not along the parade route (nor is area directly facing the castle) so I think the other side of hub will be more crowded.

For the parades, they let the front row sit and everyone else needs to stand. For fireworks, everyone needs to stand. If you see an area where people are sitting, know that they will be asked to stand before the fireworks show. When they do, more space opens up and everyone pushes forward.

Since you will have reserved seating for Fantasmic, you don't need to rush to get to that area. However, since you aren't familiar with the layout of the park, and it will be dark, it is probably best to head over to Harbour Galley as soon as fireworks are over. There are no restrooms convenient to Fantasmic. If anyone in your party needs to use the restroom after fireworks, you might use the restrooms on your way in, next to Adventureland Bazaar.

For rides, I would add Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge as well as Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railroad in Toontown. Rise is a LLSP ride meaning that you can wait in the standby line or pay (on top of LLMP) to go on the ride. I think Rise will be very busy on Saturday. You might be better off trying to ride it on one of the other days.

The other LLSP attraction is Radiator Springs Racers (RSR) in DCA. RSR has a single rider line that moves very quickly. It means that each person in your party will be seated in cars that have space available - next to strangers. If you want to ride in the same car with your friends, you'll either wait in a very long standby line or pay (on top of LLMP) to ride using LLSP.