First Time Visitor in early June. Tips?

[gemduncan]

I am planning to fly out to LAX with my DD7. We will be visiting my brother in Mission Viejo. I'd like to take DD7 to Disneyland for 1 day. We've never been to any of the Disney Parks. I'm thinking of getting 1 day pass for Wed, June 1st.

The two of us will be staying in a hotel in Mission Viejo. Or is it better to stay at a Good Neighbor hotel for the day before visiting the DL park?

Where can I get information on crowd levels?
What restaurants can I book for dinner with character meet & greets?
What are the best rides for people afraid of heights?

Thank you!

 

[Hojoanaheim]

This thread has A LOT of great information for first timers. Start here :

http://www.disboards.com/threads/dl...iews-hydroguys-tips-newbie-info-here.1072276/

But to answer some of your other questions:

Mission Viejo is about 30 to 40 minutes drive away from the Anaheim area. If you are planning on going to Disneyland early morning June 1, staying at a good neighbor hotel may be more convenient, but the drive is definitely doable.

For Character dining, there are a couple places you can choose from:
Goofy's Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel)
Storytellers (Grand Californian Hotel)
PCH Grill (Paradise Pier Hotel)
Ariel"s Grotto (DCA)
Minnie and Friend Breakfast (Disneyland)

Here is a link for more information about character dining https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/#/character-dining/
Each one has specific times when the characters are available, so make sure to plan for that.

For people afraid of heights, there are MANY rides that you can go on. I would stay away from Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, and California Scream'n, these have really big drops. Big Thunder and Space Mountain are roller coaster types rides with some drops but might be ok.

I hope this helps, have FUN!
Kriss

 

[sherilaine]

As far as crowds go - I believe you will be getting a full park day around that time of year with parks opening around 8AM until likely midnight, although park hours are not released until 6 weeks out. You should be able to get a lot done in one day! It will likely be busy but certainly manageable. My recommendation would be to arrive very early! Before park opening if possible so you are ready to go when they drop the rope! Crowds build as the day goes on - so getting a lot done in the morning and then taking some time in the afternoon to relax and watch some shows or have a nice lunch and then staying to watch some parades and the fireworks in the evening would make for a full day.

As to staying in a hotel nearby, I would almost recommend if you are considering staying overnight in the area, to do so the evening of your park day rather than the night before. You could get up super early (as that would help to avoid traffic) and if you pick a hotel just across the street you could park at the hotel, store your bags and then head over to the parks for opening. Then you could come back for a little break when your room is ready for check in. Then you would be refreshed for the rest of your evening at the parks and be able to get a good night sleep rather than have to drive back after a long day of Disney fun!! But it's certainly manageable to drive both ways and have a full park day, I am sure many people in the area do it.

Either way, I would suggest making google maps a good friend and preparing ahead of time your route and which parking lot you plan to park in and take all that time into consideration when you plan your departure time if you want to arrive for park opening as you will need to get a tram or shuttle from the parking lot to the park, go through security and then wait in line for entrance into the park - all of which adds up. I'd also recommend buying your park pass in advance on line so you do not have to go to the ticket window that morning.

Hope you have fun!

 

[chickapin parterre]

you mention crowd levels... as a first time visitor to any Disney park.... crowds will not be a problem for you as you will be exploring age appropriate attractions and height fear being a factor your choices will be easy and simple

two ways to minimize crowds is for you to stay a hotel a block or two away the night before and arrive 45 mins before the gate open. Second, stay with Wednesday as your choice, as the mornings are very light and you will be able to ride over and over the dark rides and the two storybook land rides.

fear of heights, what does that mean?? Dumbo is high in the air and an attraction that makes you think about heights. Matterhorn, BTMRR move so fast that you are more worried about the next curve rather then how high you are. Tarzan tree house is also a fear of height inducing attraction.

 

[calilou]

Most California schools aren't out yet that week and Wednesdays are usually the least busy day so I think you'll get to enjoy a lovely day in Disneyland with your little lady. I recommend doing Minnie's Breakfast in the Park for a character meal - overall I feel you get the most bang for your buck and it's the most conveniently located for just one day in DLP. Unless you're really not morning people I suggest arriving to the park at least a half hour before opening that way you can do all of Fantasyland with minimal crowds then do breakfast then enjoy the rest of the park. You can always return to Fantasyland for repeats of favorites. Other things to incorporate are the shows - I wouldn't miss Mickey and the Magical Map which is in the amphitheater near It's A Small World and the short comedies in the Royal Theater next to the castle (they will likely be Beauty and the Beast and Tangled in June; show times will be posted out front). It's also fun to get an ice cream or snack and watch the Golden Horseshoe show in Frontierland. If you like parades you should be able to find a spot for Soundsational in the afternoon about 20 minutes in advance for just two of you. Paint the Night parade (PTN) usually requires a little more time. If you want to splurge on a meal in addition to character breakfast, make a reservation at Blue Bayou. There are also dining packages that come with tickets to a reserved area on Main Street to watch the PTN parade and then to watch fireworks after. They are pricey but very well worth it for convenience and a special meal.

As for where to stay, if you're staying in a hotel anyway, I think it would be easiest to stay near the park the night before your Disneyland day so that you can get an early start. Then switch to a Mission Viejo hotel at the end of your day. That way you're not fighting traffic driving from MV to DLP that morning.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...What restaurants can I book for dinner with character meet & greets?..

For character dining at dinner, I believe Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH is your only option. If you decide to get a hotel by the parks the night before your visit, that would be a great time to do your character dinner so that you could start fresh and early the next morning.

 

[LittleBlueFlower]

I am planning to fly out to LAX with my DD7. We will be visiting my brother in Mission Viejo. I'd like to take DD7 to Disneyland for 1 day. We've never been to any of the Disney Parks. I'm thinking of getting 1 day pass for Wed, June 1st.

The two of us will be staying in a hotel in Mission Viejo. Or is it better to stay at a Good Neighbor hotel for the day before visiting the DL park?

Where can I get information on crowd levels?
What restaurants can I book for dinner with character meet & greets?
What are the best rides for people afraid of heights?

Thank you!

Congrats on planning your first trip to Disneyland! It is exciting, but can be overwhelming!

I recommend getting to the parks early (our family likes to get to the gate an hour before the park opens), because the first few hours tend to be when the park is the least crowded. If you can get there at a decent time from Mission Viejo it will be fine to just use that hotel. However, it might be more enjoyable for you if you stay at a good neighbor hotel the night before, if only to get a bit more sleep!

As far as rides go, I recommend NOT riding Astro Orbiter!! That is the one ride in Disneyland Park that really makes me feel the height! Most rides are fine for people who are afraid of heights (my dad is terribly afraid of heights, and he only struggles with the bridge in Tarzan's treehouse and on Splash Mountain). Space mountain and thunder mountain do have drops, but do not really feel like they are very high due to the theme of the rides.

Good luck with your planning, and have an amazing time!

 

[gemduncan]

For character dining at dinner, I believe Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH is your only option. If you decide to get a hotel by the parks the night before your visit, that would be a great time to do your character dinner so that you could start fresh and early the next morning.

That's a great idea to do a dinner the day BEFORE we are actually visiting the park!

 

[gemduncan]

Thank you everyone for the help! I truly appreciate all the tips and tricks to make this a memorable day at DLP!
It is also helpful to know that most kids will still be in school that week. I was debating between going June 1 or June 8. Will kids still be in school? If not, then I will keep June 1st as my preferred date to travel. I'm in Cincinnati and kids get out the week before Memorial Day.

 

[sherilaine]

I didn't read that you will be staying in a hotel regardless, so you could always stay both the night before and night after if you are planning to be at DLR until close to closing. I had read in correctly that you were staying with family so the hotel would be an added cost. The suggestion to do the character meal the night before is a great one, it is nice they have those meals outside of the parks at some of the hotels as that allows people to extend their Disney experience without having to be in the actual parks. If your DD likes princesses, then Ariels' Grotto for lunch might work as well. You cannot book until 60 days prior, so you have plenty of time to read about all the meals and decide.

I think it would be neat to go just with my DD one day - so again, have fun!

 

[gemduncan]

I didn't read that you will be staying in a hotel regardless, so you could always stay both the night before and night after if you are planning to be at DLR until close to closing. I had read in correctly that you were staying with family so the hotel would be an added cost. The suggestion to do the character meal the night before is a great one, it is nice they have those meals outside of the parks at some of the hotels as that allows people to extend their Disney experience without having to be in the actual parks. If your DD likes princesses, then Ariels' Grotto for lunch might work as well. You cannot book until 60 days prior, so you have plenty of time to read about all the meals and decide.

I think it would be neat to go just with my DD one day - so again, have fun!

Thanks! We are going on our very first Disney Cruise (Feb 29th) to Bahamas. DH will be coming with us, but he has no desire to go to the parks. And I've always wanted to do a trip with just me and DD. So, this is the perfect excuse to fly out to CA, visit my brother, and go to DL! Unfortunately, my brother rents a room in a house from someone so he doesn't have room for us to stay with him. Hence, the reason why we need to stay in a hotel.

I'm thinking that we might stay the 1 night prior to coming (May 31st) at Howard Johnson. I saw a discount on Mousesavers. Then we can do the Goofy's Kitchen for dinner the night before and wake up early for the park. We are morning people! Plus, we are coming from East Coast time zone, so I'm sure my DD7 will be up very early! LOL!

 

[sherilaine]

The HOJO is great - we have stayed there 28 nights over the last 4 years and counting...very good service and very clean.

 

[gemduncan]

I just shared my plans with DH and he vetoed staying at a different hotel for DL. Boo! So, it looks like we will have to drive out early in the morning to DL and then drive back that same day to Mission Viejo. I guess this also means no character dinner either.

 

[calilou]

I just shared my plans with DH and he vetoed staying at a different hotel for DL. Boo! So, it looks like we will have to drive out early in the morning to DL and then drive back that same day to Mission Viejo. I guess this also means no character dinner either.

Why? You have to stay in a hotel either way so what's the difference? If you're flying into LAX the day before (5/31 right?), Anaheim is on the way to Mission Viejo. This way you're not backtracking and wasting gas and mileage on your rental car by passing Anaheim on your way to MV on the 31st and having to retrace your path on 6/1 when you go to DL. Tell your husband to reconsider. It's your trip anyway so you should plan what your research shows makes the most sense. I would imagine that the hotel cost in MV can't be that different from HOJO? It's quite feasible for your brother to come join you at Goofy's Kitchen for dinner and to explore Downtown Disney if you're worried about missing time with him. Just plan for dinner a little on the later side (7:00) so he can avoid some traffic on his end. Or perhaps my point is moot because you aren't traveling into LAX on 5/31?

 

[gemduncan]

Why? You have to stay in a hotel either way so what's the difference? If you're flying into LAX the day before (5/31 right?), Anaheim is on the way to Mission Viejo. This way you're not backtracking and wasting gas and mileage on your rental car by passing Anaheim on your way to MV on the 31st and having to retrace your path on 6/1 when you go to DL. Tell your husband to reconsider. It's your trip anyway so you should plan what your research shows makes the most sense. I would imagine that the hotel cost in MV can't be that different from HOJO? It's quite feasible for your brother to come join you at Goofy's Kitchen for dinner and to explore Downtown Disney if you're worried about missing time with him. Just plan for dinner a little on the later side (7:00) so he can avoid some traffic on his end. Or perhaps my point is moot because you aren't traveling into LAX on 5/31?

We would travel into LAX on May 30th. However, my brother has now informed me that it is better for my DD7 and I to visit him on June 6-11. So, I will fly in on Monday, June 6th. Visit Disneyland on Wed, June 8th. And yes, hotels are about the same. Mission Viego is about $40 cheaper.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You might be able to make up that $40 difference by using Priceline or another online travel site.