First time going to Disneyland need help

[Salf777]

So we are Walt Disney World veterans but never been to Disneyland. Been watching some YouTube videos and we decided we need to go.
so we have decided we want to stay at The Grand Californian A few questions
when I go to the Disneyland website I don’t see “vacation packages” does Disneyland have them?
we were thinking we would do a VIP tour but from the videos we saw it looks like Genie + makes Disneyland manageable and lines don’t look as long as they are in World. If we do three days would we need a VIP guide to do everything? (Planning on a February trip)
Must eat restaurants if we can get for Sit Down?
any must dos for a first timers?

 

[CodeGoddess]

WDW vet also planning our first DLR trip now that we live in the PNW.

The big difference I have found from how we normally plan - sit down meals are not as big in DLR as the quick service food is actually good. I think the only one I cam going to try and snag is a character breakfast for my little guy.

 

[danceintherain]

You won't be able to do everything in 3 days, but you can probably do everything you want to do.

You can book a package by going through hotels. Adding tickets is a few pages in. They don't have dining plans, as far as I know.

When I went the first time, I made a list of all the attractions that were different from WDW, either entirely different, or a different variation of the same attraction. I did end up skipping some things, but not many. The main thing I skipped was Tom Sawyer Island and some of the more "carnival" type rides.

The lines definitely aren't as crazy long as WDW for the most part. There are a few exceptions, but they don't seem to get 2+hour waits like WDW. Rise of the Resistance ILL doesn't sell out within minutes etc.

I'm not sure I'll even get G+ for my upcoming trip. We probably WILL buy ILL once for each ride that its an option. ROTR and Web Slingers, because I haven't ridden either. Radiator Springs, because its my favorite ride. We'll do Single Rider Line for re-rides. Honestly, I'm more likely to get the Genie+ for photopass than for rides.

I'm no help regarding dining. We did Blue Bayou per the raving reviews and I was underwhelmed. We also did Oga's Cantina, which was a bunch of effort to be able to stand at a table. I'm trying to get Cafe Orleans this time to try to Monte Cristo, but the counter service food is so good that I don't expect to be at a loss without it.

 

[Kit Jackson]

So we are Walt Disney World veterans but never been to Disneyland. Been watching some YouTube videos and we decided we need to go.
so we have decided we want to stay at The Grand Californian A few questions
when I go to the Disneyland website I don’t see “vacation packages” does Disneyland have them?
we were thinking we would do a VIP tour but from the videos we saw it looks like Genie + makes Disneyland manageable and lines don’t look as long as they are in World. If we do three days would we need a VIP guide to do everything? (Planning on a February trip)
Must eat restaurants if we can get for Sit Down?
any must dos for a first timers?

Three days should allow you to see almost everything you want. I'd skip the VIP tour and save the money for something else. If you have never been to to Disneyland, CarsLand and Radiator Springs Racers is a must do. Pirates is not a carbon copy clone. There are major differences between the Disneyland and WDW versions, so it's worth riding.

Disneyland Gallery is cool if you are into Disney history. At some point, stand near the partners statue and notice paths to all the major lands eminating from the Hub and think about the fact that Wald envisioned/designed it, walked around, and it's still a place people are going to.

Honestly, I'm more likely to get the Genie+ for photopass than for rides.

You can buy PhotoPass without buying Genie+. If you do plan on using Genie+ for some of the rides, I am not going to talk to you out of it. If the only reason you were buying Genie+ was for PhotoPass, you may want to look into buying PhotoPass as a standalone service.

https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/use-disneyland-photopass-make-magical-memories/

PhotoPass Guest Support- (714) 520-7106

 

[danceintherain]

Three days should allow you to see almost everything you want. I'd skip the VIP tour and save the money for something else. If you have never been to to Disneyland, CarsLand and Radiator Springs Racers is a must do. Pirates is not a carbon copy clone. There are major differences between the Disneyland and WDW versions, so it's worth riding.

Disneyland Gallery is cool if you are into Disney history. At some point, stand near the partners statue and notice paths to all the major lands eminating from the Hub and think about the fact that Wald envisioned/designed it, walked around, and it's still a place people are going to.


You can buy PhotoPass without buying Genie+. If you do plan on using Genie+ for some of the rides, I am not going to talk to you out of it. If the only reason you were buying Genie+ was for PhotoPass, you may want to look into buying PhotoPass as a standalone service.

https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/use-disneyland-photopass-make-magical-memories/

PhotoPass Guest Support- (714) 520-7106

Thanks

 

[Salf777]

Three days should allow you to see almost everything you want. I'd skip the VIP tour and save the money for something else. If you have never been to to Disneyland, CarsLand and Radiator Springs Racers is a must do. Pirates is not a carbon copy clone. There are major differences between the Disneyland and WDW versions, so it's worth riding.

Disneyland Gallery is cool if you are into Disney history. At some point, stand near the partners statue and notice paths to all the major lands eminating from the Hub and think about the fact that Wald envisioned/designed it, walked around, and it's still a place people are going to.


You can buy PhotoPass without buying Genie+. If you do plan on using Genie+ for some of the rides, I am not going to talk to you out of it. If the only reason you were buying Genie+ was for PhotoPass, you may want to look into buying PhotoPass as a standalone service.

https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/use-disneyland-photopass-make-magical-memories/

PhotoPass Guest Support- (714) 520-7106

Big Disney history fan that’s a big reason why I want to go it’s where Walt walked.

 

[Brandonius]

3 days is plenty to sample everything at a moderate pace, especially with Genie. You won't be getting like 3 rides on everything and seeing every show and trying every food, but you will "experience the resort" very nicely. No need for the VIP tour. Disneyland doesn't really do vacation packages - it's less of a resort destination than WDW. There's a lot to do in a very condensed space.

On restaurants, Disneyland has a lot of actually super good quick service options! Very different from WDW. We almost never end up doing full on sit-down meals. Recommend Carthay Circle, Carnation Cafe, Lamplight Lounge, or Blue Bayou, or Napa Rose depending on the style of meal you are looking for. Quick service is usually plenty for our group though.

Disneyland is Walt's park - especially since you're a WDW veteran, take lots of time to soak in the nuances of Main Street, the gallery, and Mr. Lincoln. Enjoy Fantasyland, the original (and best) Pirates of the Caribbean, and the overall charm and magic of having so much disney in such a small space. It's hard to explain it until you have been there for a few days.

For rides we have that WDW doesn't, soak in Cars Land - it's amazing. Make sure to get on Indiana Jones - it breaks down every couple of hours so you'll have to be persistent. Pirates and Haunted Mansion are both different so definitely ride those as well. And our space mountain is way, way, way better than the one in WDW.

It's a very different experience from WDW, it's actually pretty hard to compare them. Everything is close, quaint, and has character at Disneyland. That can present crowd flow problems, but it makes for a park that is just overflowing with little nooks and crannies to explore and magic you can lose yourself in. It takes way less planning than WDW too - get genie for your 3 days and explore anything that catches your eye, you won't miss anything major.

Have a great trip!

 

[Salf777]

3 days is plenty to sample everything at a moderate pace, especially with Genie. You won't be getting like 3 rides on everything and seeing every show and trying every food, but you will "experience the resort" very nicely. No need for the VIP tour. Disneyland doesn't really do vacation packages - it's less of a resort destination than WDW. There's a lot to do in a very condensed space.

On restaurants, Disneyland has a lot of actually super good quick service options! Very different from WDW. We almost never end up doing full on sit-down meals. Recommend Carthay Circle, Carnation Cafe, Lamplight Lounge, or Blue Bayou, or Napa Rose depending on the style of meal you are looking for. Quick service is usually plenty for our group though.

Disneyland is Walt's park - especially since you're a WDW veteran, take lots of time to soak in the nuances of Main Street, the gallery, and Mr. Lincoln. Enjoy Fantasyland, the original (and best) Pirates of the Caribbean, and the overall charm and magic of having so much disney in such a small space. It's hard to explain it until you have been there for a few days.

For rides we have that WDW doesn't, soak in Cars Land - it's amazing. Make sure to get on Indiana Jones - it breaks down every couple of hours so you'll have to be persistent. Pirates and Haunted Mansion are both different so definitely ride those as well. And our space mountain is way, way, way better than the one in WDW.

It's a very different experience from WDW, it's actually pretty hard to compare them. Everything is close, quaint, and has character at Disneyland. That can present crowd flow problems, but it makes for a park that is just overflowing with little nooks and crannies to explore and magic you can lose yourself in. It takes way less planning than WDW too - get genie for your 3 days and explore anything that catches your eye, you won't miss anything major.

Have a great trip!

Thank you. As I said I have been watching videos and it looks so much more “comfortable “. I see like you said all little nooks that look so relaxing with beautiful plant life. i love World because it’s so big and so much to do but Disneyland looks so appealing because it’s so walkable and looks so comfortable

 

[katyringo]

Howdy! I love both DLR and WDW but it's very important to not compare them. They aren't the same and they aren't meant to be the same.

VIP tour: 3 days is enough for a sample of Disneyland. This is actually where I think most WDW vets get it wrong. They hear 2 parks and think less days is plenty. My family easily fills 5 days. 3 is okay, but you won't do everything. But! You mentioned VIP
Tour. If you got the $$$, I say do it! You could prioritize rides and show with this day. If you did that 3 days would "feel" like 4-5 to us poor folks.. (I'm kidding.. kinda.. looking to adopt a 33 year old?)

You will love the grand California. But because I have to say it.. it's just something we have to say to WDW vets- staying "on site" at Disneyland isn't the same as WDW. Currently there aren't any perks to it other than the Disney bubble. It doesn't sound like $$$ is an issue, but you can save a considerable amount of money staying off site. There are tons of hotels within 5-10 minute walks. To make a vacation package booking go to the website and click price my vacation.

 

[katyringo]

For food. We actually like having ADR's at Disneyland.. but if you only have 3 days I wouldn't prioritize them. There are lots LOTS of really good quick service.

Our fave QS are: award weiners, ronto roasters, jolly holiday, corn dogs!

However I believe anyone doing disneyland for the first time should try and go to Blue Bayou and Lamplight Lounge.

 

[CodeGoddess]

However I believe anyone doing disneyland for the first time should try and go to Blue Bayou and Lamplight Lounge.

Why these two specifically? (First timer also.)

 

[katyringo]

Why these two specifically? (First timer also.)

Well blue bayou is just unique to Disneyland. It's inside the pirates ride. You can watch the boats go by. It's made to feel like your outside eating at night, but your in a building. It's in New Orleans square- also unique to Disneyland.

Lamplight lounge is the Pixar themed one in Pixar pier. The food is fantastic- especially lobster nachos. You have views on incredicoaster if eating outside. Inside the theming is amazing.

 

[soniam]

Also, ADRs must be booked each day, not 60+10. It's actually kind of easier this way. I have been able to get everything I wanted for 4 days by being online right when they were released, even stuff that is supposedly hard to get. We are going in June. Blue Bayou is currently closed. I don't know when you were planning to go.

 

[CodeGoddess]

Also, ADRs must be booked each day, not 60+10. It's actually kind of easier this way. I have been able to get everything I wanted for 4 days by being online right when they were released, even stuff that is supposedly hard to get. We are going in June. Blue Bayou is currently closed. I don't know when you were planning to go.

So it's a straight 60 days and you get up each morning to book for however may days you are visiting?

 

[soniam]

So it's a straight 60 days and you get up each morning to book for however may days you are visiting?

Yes. ADRs open at 6am PT, which is 8am for me in Central Time. That later time makes it much easier to get up every morning. I was usually booking 2-3 things each day, and I would finish in less than 15 minutes. It usually takes much longer to book an entire WDW vacation at one time, not to mention the website problems. I shockingly didn't have a single website issue over the 5 days I was booking

 

[chezcurrie]

Well blue bayou is just unique to Disneyland. It's inside the pirates ride. You can watch the boats go by. It's made to feel like your outside eating at night, but your in a building. It's in New Orleans square- also unique to Disneyland.

Lamplight lounge is the Pixar themed one in Pixar pier. The food is fantastic- especially lobster nachos. You have views on incredicoaster if eating outside. Inside the theming is amazing.

My two faves at DLR! Why - as PP said, because of the uniqueness (BB) and location/eats (LL). The lobster nachos and secret menu cocktail drinks at Lamplight are my sirens song. ADRs honestly aren’t as necessary, have scored both restaurants with a dining alert service when Ididnt want to wake up so early. Ahhh, so much less stress.

Enjoy your trip! I love the GCH, and want to be in the bubble. as far as any stateside Disney resort goes, you can’t get closer you are literally inside DCA - and it‘s even better than the Poly for that feel (IMO - have stayed at both).

If it is back, do the Walk in Walt’s Footsteps tour instead of a VIP tour, which I don’t think is necessary/would personally spend that $ on a MSEP Dinner Package and WOC or Fantasmic (when its back) package. Also check out the pre-park opening fitness classes in DCA. Even if its not your usual thing there are yoga classes and power walk int he parks before opening that would be so fun (on my list!). Enjoy!!!!

 

[Wedgeout]

You are going to be overcome with emotion with this visit! You do walk over Walt’s footsteps as you explore the park. When in DCA imagine you are walking the original parking lot. I parked there many times. I would rank Carnation and Blue Bayou at the top for a first time visit. The Railroad and Monorail haven’t changed too much. Great for reminiscing. Matterhorn is a park icon. I think it’s the best at night. Can still see where the skyline buckets once passed through. Be sure to drive the Autopia and ride the original ‘it’s a small world’. Genie+, ILL, or VIP are convenience fee options to take away the rushing around feel. Your choice if works in your favor. Will give more time to relax and just look. Most likely genie+ is all you would need for the three days to experience everything. ILL added if don’t get on those once using standby. Genie+ works pretty well overall currently here. Have fun!

 

[Lillebelle]

I have not been to WDW so I can only offer the perspective of someone who has been to Disneyland a bunch and seen WDW on Youtube...

We have done a VIP tour once. It was great but an exhausting day. We felt compelled to make the most of our time so it was very go-go-go. We went on a ton of rides though - it was especially useful to knock out a bunch of non-fastpass/genie+ rides quickly.

That said, those rides usually don't have long lines during non-peak times, so if your group is willing to rope drop and/or shut the parks down, you can probably still get everything you'd want to get done in without needing the VIP tour. The really bad wait rides are all solvable with $$$ at this point, except for maybe Peter Pan.

+1 Lamplight Lounge but I'd suggest going for Brunch if you can get it (only offered Fri/Sat/Sun).

 

[Salf777]

Howdy! I love both DLR and WDW but it's very important to not compare them. They aren't the same and they aren't meant to be the same.

VIP tour: 3 days is enough for a sample of Disneyland. This is actually where I think most WDW vets get it wrong. They hear 2 parks and think less days is plenty. My family easily fills 5 days. 3 is okay, but you won't do everything. But! You mentioned VIP
Tour. If you got the $$$, I say do it! You could prioritize rides and show with this day. If you did that 3 days would "feel" like 4-5 to us poor folks.. (I'm kidding.. kinda.. looking to adopt a 33 year old?)

You will love the grand California. But because I have to say it.. it's just something we have to say to WDW vets- staying "on site" at Disneyland isn't the same as WDW. Currently there aren't any perks to it other than the Disney bubble. It doesn't sound like $$$ is an issue, but you can save a considerable amount of money staying off site. There are tons of hotels within 5-10 minute walks. To make a vacation package booking go to the website and click price my vacation. View attachment 664921

Thanks so much! We were thinking a VIP tour for one day and hopefully be able to knock out the rides we dont have in WDW or ones that are different, pirates, Mansion, etc. then spend the other 2 days revisiting where we want to spend more time and enjoying the atmosphere. Want to enjoy the differences. As I said Disneyland seems more "comfortable". Even when we do WDW we dont run thru rides we also enjoy experiences, shows, parades, I saw a video on the World of Color dessert party and that looked like a nice experience. Any experiences you can recommend that are MUST DO?

 

[Salf777]

I have not been to WDW so I can only offer the perspective of someone who has been to Disneyland a bunch and seen WDW on Youtube...

We have done a VIP tour once. It was great but an exhausting day. We felt compelled to make the most of our time so it was very go-go-go. We went on a ton of rides though - it was especially useful to knock out a bunch of non-fastpass/genie+ rides quickly.

That said, those rides usually don't have long lines during non-peak times, so if your group is willing to rope drop and/or shut the parks down, you can probably still get everything you'd want to get done in without needing the VIP tour. The really bad wait rides are all solvable with $$$ at this point, except for maybe Peter Pan.

+1 Lamplight Lounge but I'd suggest going for Brunch if you can get it (only offered Fri/Sat/Sun).

Thanks our thought was to do a VIP one day to do all the rides and attractions then spend the next 2 days absorbing the history and the atmosphere and FOOD (which I heard is excellent in Disneyland). Question will a VIP tour do both parks? Or are you limited to one?