First time to DL

[Born4Travel]

I am SO extremely excited! I am going to DL for my first time since I was 4. (I am WAYYY older now.) I will be going with my 65-year-old non rollercoster loving mom. I am a pro at WDW, but lost for DL.

Can I get any touring suggestions?

We are going to arrive July 5th for rope drop. Staying that night at the Grand Californian. July 6th in the park then departing after park closes.

Which park to do first?
What order to see the attractions?

Anything.

Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

Given that you're a WDW pro, a good starting point is HydroGuy's A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. That will help give you a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

Do you have park hopper tickets? Are you interested in seeing the night time shows (Disneyland Forever, Paint the Night, WoC: Celebrate)? Are you wanting to see Frozen: Live at the Hyperion? Shows will make a big difference in terms of what you can probably get done because most all shows involve some amount of a time commitment.

I would recommend making a list of the attractions, shows, and activities (e.g., character meet and greets) you want to do the most.

 

[Born4Travel]

Given that you're a WDW pro, a good starting point is HydroGuy's A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. That will help give you a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

Do you have park hopper tickets? Are you interested in seeing the night time shows (Disneyland Forever, Paint the Night, WoC: Celebrate)? Are you wanting to see Frozen: Live at the Hyperion? Shows will make a big difference in terms of what you can probably get done because most all shows involve some amount of a time commitment.

I would recommend making a list of the attractions, shows, and activities (e.g., character meet and greets) you want to do the most.

Since I have such a short time, I think no on park hoppers.
Yes for the night time shows!! I think my Mom would love those.
No for Frozen. I don't want to use up and hour of my day for that.

I am working on a list of what to see.

I found that post and will read it . Thanks. :0

 

[figment_jii]

Yes for the night time shows!! I think my Mom would love those.
No for Frozen. I don't want to use up and hour of my day for that.

The nighttime shows involve a fair time commitment if you want to really see them. The second parade is usually less busy than the first, so you can get a good spot if you head to the PtN viewing location immediately after fireworks ends. For example, I like watching fireworks from Main Street, then I head to the curb to sit down and wait for PtN. However, it does mean waiting about an hour for PtN (or more, depending on where you are along the parade route). The curb spots on Main Street were pretty much gone about 2 hours before the first parade stepped off (I didn't check further back towards Small World). For WoC, you will need to get there when the FP area opens (or before) if you want a chance at a decent view. The viewing area is not really well designed, so if you end up behind someone taller than you, you will miss out on part of the show.

 

[Born4Travel]

The nighttime shows involve a fair time commitment if you want to really see them. The second parade is usually less busy than the first, so you can get a good spot if you head to the PtN viewing location immediately after fireworks ends. For example, I like watching fireworks from Main Street, then I head to the curb to sit down and wait for PtN. However, it does mean waiting about an hour for PtN (or more, depending on where you are along the parade route). The curb spots on Main Street were pretty much gone about 2 hours before the first parade stepped off (I didn't check further back towards Small World). For WoC, you will need to get there when the FP area opens (or before) if you want a chance at a decent view. The viewing area is not really well designed, so if you end up behind someone taller than you, you will miss out on part of the show.

How about the doing the dinner and get the FP tickets for the shows. Is that worth it?

 

[figment_jii]

I haven't done the PtN dinner packages, but that is one option. From what I've read, you still have to get to the viewing area as early as possible to get the best possible spots.

 

[Nevada Jen]

If you are staying at the GCH you will get early entry to the park on your arrival and departure day. Take advantage of that! Assuming the days of early entry days stay the same (which they most likely will), your first day will have early entry at DCA and your second will have it at DL. SO I would do the parks in that order. And with only two days, I think you are going to want park hoppers. If mom doesn't ride roller coasters, That will cut out 2 of 4 headliners in DCA. I suspect that around noon you will be ready to hit DL. You may only be able to get your mom to do the cars ride (RSR) once, so personally, I would save that for a night ride. In DCA I would ride Toy Story ( you can hit California screamin at that time also) and then soarin during extra magic hour and keep an eye on RSR return times until you see it hit about 6 or 7 at night and then go get fast passes. While you are keeping an eye on RSR you can ride the rides without long waits, grab something to eat and just generally explore. As soon as you get your RSR fastpasses (I am thinking it will be around noon), I would head over to DL and see if you can get star tours fast passes and buzz light year fast passes and basically start knocking things off your list that are not in fastasyland. Save fantasyland and the DL night time entertainment for the next day. Head back to DCA for your fastpass on RSR and evening entertainment. Then the next day, use your early entry at DL and do Fanstsyland and when regular hours open, grab a space mountain fastpass for you. Depending on how much she hates roller coasters, you may be able to get her on BTMRR. Its pretty mild and smooth.

 

[Born4Travel]

If you are staying at the GCH you will get early entry to the park on your arrival and departure day. Take advantage of that! Assuming the days of early entry days stay the same (which they most likely will), your first day will have early entry at DCA and your second will have it at DL. SO I would do the parks in that order. And with only two days, I think you are going to want park hoppers. If mom doesn't ride roller coasters, That will cut out 2 of 4 headliners in DCA. I suspect that around noon you will be ready to hit DL. You may only be able to get your mom to do the cars ride (RSR) once, so personally, I would save that for a night ride. In DCA I would ride Toy Story ( you can hit California screamin at that time also) and then soarin during extra magic hour and keep an eye on RSR return times until you see it hit about 6 or 7 at night and then go get fast passes. While you are keeping an eye on RSR you can ride the rides without long waits, grab something to eat and just generally explore. As soon as you get your RSR fastpasses (I am thinking it will be around noon), I would head over to DL and see if you can get star tours fast passes and buzz light year fast passes and basically start knocking things off your list that are not in fastasyland. Save fantasyland and the DL night time entertainment for the next day. Head back to DCA for your fastpass on RSR and evening entertainment. Then the next day, use your early entry at DL and do Fanstsyland and when regular hours open, grab a space mountain fastpass for you. Depending on how much she hates roller coasters, you may be able to get her on BTMRR. Its pretty mild and smooth.

Thanks for the great info! How would I get in early on my arrival day? Would I need to go check into the hotel before the park opens?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the great info! How would I get in early on my arrival day? Would I need to go check into the hotel before the park opens?

Yes. So pretty early!

 

[casagray]

I'd suggest a few other things if your mom doesn't like roller coasters (you may have thought these)
DCA - Turtle Talk - inside and a lot of fun.
DCA- Animation Academy - also inside. You can look at what characters are going to be presented and decide which one(s) you're interested in and see how they fit into where you are at a given time. Also a fun momento to bring back and remember the day.
DL- Jungle Boat Tour

I didn't like Soarin' for the same reason I don't like rollercoasters - heights! I honestly had my eyes closed 75% of the time, so if it's heights that's part of what she doesn't like, you won't want to do that, or the swings, or the ferris wheel...

 

[Nevada Jen]

Yes. You can check in and drop off your bags and you will get your room keys. They will text you when your room is ready. Do early entry from the main gate, not the gch gate. Everyone runs for carsland. Sometimes the Paradise pier area is so empty you are not sure you are supposed to be there! It's really wonderful and the best perk of staying on site. Totally worth the effort. Even if that means you lose a few hours to a nap later in the day!

 

[Born4Travel]

Yes. So pretty early!

OY! I am willing to do it! I have about a 2 hour drive to get there in the morning. (coming from Valencia) Looks like we will be getting up at stupid o'clock. But we can always take a nap, eh? (theoretically. I mean, I AM at Disney. Will I even be able to sleep!!)

 

[HydroGuy]

OY! I am willing to do it! I have about a 2 hour drive to get there in the morning. (coming from Valencia) Looks like we will be getting up at stupid o'clock. But we can always take a nap, eh? (theoretically. I mean, I AM at Disney. Will I even be able to sleep!!)

To make it work you should arrive at minimum at the GCH 30 minutes before EMH starts. I would say 45 minutes will be better. You can have the bellhops take and store your luggage or leave it in your car I guess and get it later. They can valet your car or there is the self-park across the street. Send one person in immediately on arrival to "check-in" at the front desk and get room keys for each person in your group as Nevada Jen (NJ) described. You also need your park passes with you of course. Then head to the main DCA entrance like NJ said.

 

[monorailrabbit]

Can I jump in with a dopey question? How do you know what your magic morning days will be for which park? Is it on a calendar somewhere? We are staying at DLH if that makes a difference.

 

[Jaina]

Can I jump in with a dopey question? How do you know what your magic morning days will be for which park? Is it on a calendar somewhere? We are staying at DLH if that makes a difference.

It says on the DL website, but Disneyland EMH is T, Th, and Sat, and CA are the other days.

 

[monorailrabbit]

It says on the DL website, but Disneyland EMH is T, Th, and Sat, and CA are the other days.

Oh fantastic! Thank you!

Edited to add - well poo! This throws off our entire schedule! We will not want to miss the EMH, of course, but now we have to change everything. Oh well, first world problems I suppose - back to the drawing board!

 

[Jaina]

Oh fantastic! Thank you!

Edited to add - well poo! This throws off our entire schedule! We will not want to miss the EMH, of course, but now we have to change everything. Oh well, first world problems I suppose - back to the drawing board!

I think EMH is mostly useful when it's super busy maybe, or when the park opens later anyways, and you're sitting around. On our last trip we had a 3-day hopper, and had an EE to DL, and decided not to use, it, opening up whichever park did NOT have EMH. It was a good strategy for us. Keep it in mind.

 

[monorailrabbit]

I'm just being way too picky. I am about to drive DH crazy. I really wanted to end at DL, and our last park day with be a Wed. We only have 3 days total and one day at SeaWorld and no park hoppers, so we def want to use all the time we can! Trying to convince myself it will be a nice way to end with a WOC Dessert Party! I know, I am being SUPER high maintenance here... I blame my insane work week so far. It's always so fun after a holiday.

 

[HydroGuy]

I think EMH is mostly useful when it's super busy maybe, or when the park opens later anyways, and you're sitting around. On our last trip we had a 3-day hopper, and had an EE to DL, and decided not to use, it, opening up whichever park did NOT have EMH. It was a good strategy for us. Keep it in mind.

I will add (for others who might be wondering) that when you start at the non-EMH park, that only matters for the first 30-60 minutes of the day as far as efficiency. After that the "EMH effect" will be much less than the normal guest arriving. If you arrive at the park gates an hour after opening just start at whichever park you want and forget which park had EMH altogether.

 

[Travis B]

I would do PTN dining packages, and consider WOC dessert party if it's available and in your budget.