First time in 12 years!

[Peachy0118]

Oh I'm so excited! Tickets bought, hotel booked, and now our airfare is all set too. In April we will be heading to Disneyland for the first time since 2008!

I had no idea it was such a "local" park. Was it always this way and I just never noticed when I was younger? Or has this increased with more social media? I kind of feel out of the loop to be honest...

That being said, we are so so excited! I'm a huge Disney nerd and hubby is entirely supportive of that (and likes amusement and theme parks). And we happen to be there for Dapper Days, which we will be dressing up for.

I've started compiling "must do" lists. I was also wondering if someone could please offer suggestions or direct me to threads for suggestions?

 

[dieumeye]

What kinds of things do you like to do? Rides? Shows? Character meets? Table service meals? There’s so much to do depending on your preference. How many days will you be in the park?

 

[Peachy0118]

5 days flex and we will be making use of max pass.

Basically I want to do as much as possible. While we'd like some character meets, it probably won't be a priority. DH would be happy to ride all the thrill rides all day every day. I like the detail and history and all the magic. Both - but especially DH - serious Stat Wars fans. He's intending on building a lightsaber and we will for sure spend time in Galaxy's Edge. We are both ride people but he is more thrill-oriented. I also like shows. Anything with crazy theming makes me happy, so I'm very happy at Disneyland.

We're booked at Stovealls so intend on eating breakfast there and snacking throughout the day with a couple exceptions (planning on booking BB for example).

 

[dieumeye]

If you are really into Disney history and will be there for 5 day, then consider the Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps tour.

For rides, definitely read up on FastPass/MaxPass. There’s a great thread on the boards here.

DCA will be like a totally new park if you haven’t been since 2008. Tons of new stuff, and even most of the old stuff that’s still there has been redone in some way. Highly recommend World of Color - it’s my favorite show. Consider the dessert party for great viewing.

Don’t forget to check out Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel!

 

[Peachy0118]

If you are really into Disney history and will be there for 5 day, then consider the Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps tour.

For rides, definitely read up on FastPass/MaxPass. There’s a great thread on the boards here.

DCA will be like a totally new park if you haven’t been since 2008. Tons of new stuff, and even most of the old stuff that’s still there has been redone in some way. Highly recommend World of Color - it’s my favorite show. Consider the dessert party for great viewing.

Don’t forget to check out Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel!

Thanks! I'm pretty sold on the dessert party for WOC. Debating a package for Fantasmic! Too... not sure yet. That one we have seen before but still.

We did fastpasses before the maxpass system is totally new. Reading up lots on that. Thanks so much!

 

[lalasmama]

Oh I'm so excited! Tickets bought, hotel booked, and now our airfare is all set too. In April we will be heading to Disneyland for the first time since 2008!

I had no idea it was such a "local" park. Was it always this way and I just never noticed when I was younger? Or has this increased with more social media? I kind of feel out of the loop to be honest...

Congratulations on your upcoming trip!

I think Disneyland has always been a "locals'" park, but it's just said more now with social media. I think when it's compared to Disney World, there's only 2 parks so it's less of a "destination." I'm completely in favor of this outlook, as it keeps my home park a little calmer!

That being said, we are so so excited! I'm a huge Disney nerd and hubby is entirely supportive of that (and likes amusement and theme parks). And we happen to be there for Dapper Days, which we will be dressing up for.

I've started compiling "must do" lists. I was also wondering if someone could please offer suggestions or direct me to threads for suggestions?

Dressing up for Dapper Day will be so much fun! I love seeing all the pretty dresses and Disneybounding that happens! So much more creative than I am, hahaha.

5 days flex and we will be making use of max pass.

Basically I want to do as much as possible. While we'd like some character meets, it probably won't be a priority. DH would be happy to ride all the thrill rides all day every day. I like the detail and history and all the magic. Both - but especially DH - serious Stat Wars fans. He's intending on building a lightsaber and we will for sure spend time in Galaxy's Edge. We are both ride people but he is more thrill-oriented. I also like shows. Anything with crazy theming makes me happy, so I'm very happy at Disneyland.

We're booked at Stovealls so intend on eating breakfast there and snacking throughout the day with a couple exceptions (planning on booking BB for example).

Stovall's has a good breakfast. I was impressed by it on my last stay. Admittedly, I'm easy to please with french toast sticks, so I was pleased that I could have them nearly every day of my stay (I think there was one day they didn't have them).

At 5 days, you'll have time to do everything you want, especially using max pass.

Since you both like Star Wars, make sure to get reservations for Savi's workshop and Oga's Cantina in Galaxy's Edge. Currently there's no fast pass or max pass for either of the riders (Smuggler's Run, and Rise of the Resistance which will be opening in a week), so you just gotta hop in the lines and wait them out at this point. Keep tabs on the wait times as your dates get closer so you can have a little idea of when the lines may be shorter.

Galaxy's Edge will definitely impress you with the immersiveness. Likewise, I think you'll be impressed with Cars Land; it brings the movie to life, and somehow feels completely real.

 

[lalasmama]

Thanks! I'm pretty sold on the dessert party for WOC. Debating a package for Fantasmic! Too... not sure yet. That one we have seen before but still.

We did fastpasses before the maxpass system is totally new. Reading up lots on that. Thanks so much!

They re-imagined Fantasmic a few years ago, and it was made better Honestly, I can't remember what is different than it was before, but I remember being pleased with the upgraded version. We do the dining package at River Belle Terrace for Fantasmic (but not the premium seating).