First Time DisneyLand Visitors

[BostonFriar]

Hi All,

We're a family that were season passholders at Disney World for years (in recent years, we've tapered off more). We're now visiting Disneyland for the first time and we couldn't be more excited.

We are visiting Sunday, December 28th.

We have a few questions, if you all would be so kind as to help us out...

1) Tickets. It's looking like we're going to have to pay full price on the tickets (discounts on one day, one park passes really don't exist, huh?). With that being the case, are we best off ordering our tickets online right now (and if so, will they be delivered or can we print them off?), or is it fine to buy them when we walk up the day of?

2) Crowds. As aforementoned, we're former Disney World passholders and we used to go on holidays all the time. We're very used to big crowds. We're not going to be determined to see EVERY attraction (we're more there for the ambience, the overall experience, and getting to see and do Disneyland). But will the park close to capacity?

2a) If there's any threat whatsoever of it closing to capacity, what time do we need to get there at to ENSURE that this does not happen to us?
​

3) Fastpasses. What's the deal with them these days? Disney World has the new system of wristbands and reserving 60 days ahead of time (we went last year, but several member of our parties never quite "got it"). From what I understand, Disneyland is like the good ol' days of Disney World, where it's first come first serve once you get to the park, is that correct?

4) Park. For one time visitors, looking to just do one park in one day...we kinda have to do Disneyland, correct? And trying to do a hopper on the Sunday after Christmas would likely be asinine?

5) Food. Quick service places are readily available throughout the parks, correct? We've thought about doing dinner somewhere (getting a reservation, possibly at one of the nice sit-down Grand Californian restaurants) but we're a little afraid that doing that would eat up too much of our short time (pardon the pun). Any particular quick service places to go to (or avoid)?

Any other helpful tips for first time visitors to DisneyLand are much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Bud Ice]

1) Online. Might save 5 or 10%.
2) Should be fine anytime.
3) First come first served.
4) Disneyland with Star Wars stuff is a yes. Do recommend DCA on a hopper.
5) Quick Stuff.Star Wars grill in Tomorrowland, Main St Eateries are handy, Toontown has some quick bite places, New Orleans Square has some quickstops, same for Frontierland. Kiosks are all around.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

1. They don't need to discount tickets. There are more than enough people willing to pay full price. I recommend buying your tickets in advance online. If you buy direct from Disney, you print them out at home and take the printout straight to the turnstile thus saving the extra step of the ticket booth.

2. There is a good chance that Disneyland will close due to capacity at some point that day. Closures occur in stages, first to new entries and eventually all the way up to even those who have been in the park earlier in the day and are trying to re-enter. I don't really know when the gate closure is mostly likely to hit, but I would suggest being in DL before 1 PM or maybe even noon.

3. Still paper fastpasses. Hyperspace Mountain will likely be the first to run out. Very popular right now. Return times are being enforced, so unless the ride is broken down during the time, you need to use within the return window.

4. I personally love to parkhop since the gates are directly across from each other. With only one day and likely such a crowded day at that, there is more than enough to do in Disneyland, so I can see why you would stick with the one park. If doing only one park, then, yes, choose DL. The only reason to consider a parkhopper would be if there were can't-miss-to-you attractions you wanted to see in DCA. You do run the risk though of not being able to get back into DL during gate closures though if you have hopped to the other park.

5. For quick service, our family really likes French Market in New Orleans Square. Hungry Bear back in Critter Country doesn't have especially noteworthy food, although it is decent, but it's a nice spot in that it's a less crowded and intense than the rest of the park most of the time. The fried chicken at Plaza Inn at the end of Main Street is really great too. Personally, I would stay away from Tomorrowland Terrace.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you haven't already done so, read through this thread (first post and maybe the last several pages for recent updates): A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Lots of good info there!

 

[beachteachlv]

Hi All,

We're a family that were season passholders at Disney World for years (in recent years, we've tapered off more). We're now visiting Disneyland for the first time and we couldn't be more excited.

We are visiting Sunday, December 28th.

We have a few questions, if you all would be so kind as to help us out...

1) Tickets. It's looking like we're going to have to pay full price on the tickets (discounts on one day, one park passes really don't exist, huh?). With that being the case, are we best off ordering our tickets online right now (and if so, will they be delivered or can we print them off?), or is it fine to buy them when we walk up the day of?

2) Crowds. As aforementoned, we're former Disney World passholders and we used to go on holidays all the time. We're very used to big crowds. We're not going to be determined to see EVERY attraction (we're more there for the ambience, the overall experience, and getting to see and do Disneyland). But will the park close to capacity?

2a) If there's any threat whatsoever of it closing to capacity, what time do we need to get there at to ENSURE that this does not happen to us?
​

3) Fastpasses. What's the deal with them these days? Disney World has the new system of wristbands and reserving 60 days ahead of time (we went last year, but several member of our parties never quite "got it"). From what I understand, Disneyland is like the good ol' days of Disney World, where it's first come first serve once you get to the park, is that correct?

4) Park. For one time visitors, looking to just do one park in one day...we kinda have to do Disneyland, correct? And trying to do a hopper on the Sunday after Christmas would likely be asinine?

5) Food. Quick service places are readily available throughout the parks, correct? We've thought about doing dinner somewhere (getting a reservation, possibly at one of the nice sit-down Grand Californian restaurants) but we're a little afraid that doing that would eat up too much of our short time (pardon the pun). Any particular quick service places to go to (or avoid)?

Any other helpful tips for first time visitors to DisneyLand are much appreciated.

Thanks!

We are going on Monday the 29th and faced many of the same predicaments.

For what it's worth, we are doing one day park hopper passes. Heading to DCA first (rope drop) to ride RSR, then to Disneyland by 10am for most of the day. We plan to leave late afternoon for a break @ hotel and re-enter DCA around dark, then back to Disneyland until park close. I definitely wouldn't try to park hop mid-day, as DL is so likely to reach capacity.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We plan to leave late afternoon for a break @ hotel and re-enter DCA around dark, then back to Disneyland until park close. I definitely wouldn't try to park hop mid-day, as DL is so likely to reach capacity.

I am by no means an expert on Disneyland gate closures, but I would be a little concerned about when I could get back in DL after leaving because it's hard to say what crowd behavior will be like once the gates are closed to re-entry. Those already inside the parks if informed they may not be able to get back in may be more inclined to stay in the park at least through parades and fireworks. There does seem to be a general clearing out that happens after those events. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't count on absolutely being able to get back into DL before the fireworks show if the parks have hit capacity and people settle in to wait, but perhaps you plan to just hit DL for the last couple hours of the night as the crowds begin heading out.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I typically always suggest park hoppers, but for a one-day first time visit on a crowded day like this, I say skip them. Unless you are really set on going on Radiator Springs Racers (main Carsland ride), or really want to experience the ambiance of the other park. Otherwise, just stick to Disneyland, there will be plenty to keep you occupied and you don't want to risk getting shut out if the gates close anyway. DCA has less rides and several of them are found at WDW (Soarin', Tower of Terror, Toy Story).

If you see only one nighttime show, make it Paint the Night. Amazing parade!

Disneyland has plenty of quick service places around. Of special interest to me is the corn dog cart (to the right at the end of Main Street), fried chicken at Plaza Inn (go at off-times and there won't be a long line), and Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square for a quick bread bowl with chicken/veggie gumbo (especially yummy on a chilly night!). However I don't think I have ever had quick service I was really disappointed in at DLR.

 

[beachteachlv]

I am by no means an expert on Disneyland gate closures, but I would be a little concerned about when I could get back in DL after leaving because it's hard to say what crowd behavior will be like once the gates are closed to re-entry. Those already inside the parks if informed they may not be able to get back in may be more inclined to stay in the park at least through parades and fireworks. There does seem to be a general clearing out that happens after those events. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't count on absolutely being able to get back into DL before the fireworks show if the parks have hit capacity and people settle in to wait, but perhaps you plan to just hit DL for the last couple hours of the night as the crowds begin heading out.

Great points. I am just not sure the best way to handle it! I know myself and I need that little break in the afternoon... just a chance to SIT and not be on the go. We also don't want to carry around sweatshirts for the evening - what do lockers cost? We want to catch Paint the Night and Fireworks (5:45/10:45 and 9:30)... so we thought maybe some folks would leave after the 5:45 PTN? Is this wrong? ah!