first time

[Cinderella3]

we are going to Disneyland for the first time in June of this year. only going to be able to go for 1 day. Should we try to do both parks? any rides that we should go on for sure>? Usually we goto WDW for 9 days so HELP!!!!!

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you already have the trip booked? If so, you should know that some really big rides are opening June 3rd (Little Mermaid and Star Tours), so the parks will be insane around that time.

Also, I'm sure you've planned it that way for a reason, but is there any way you can extend your trip? One day is just not enough, especially during June, and while sometimes it's unavoidable, I hate for anyone's first trip to be an incomplete one!

If you absolutely have to do one day only, I would try to see the things that you can't see at WDW, such as Mr. Toad, the Matterhorn, World of Color (in DCA) or Fantasmic! (different than WDW), etc.

 

[Cinderella3]

Thanks for the quick response, we are only able to go the one day. going to California actually for a family reunion.
That is exactly what I was planning on doing the things that are different then WDW.
Is Fantasmic(which we always see at WDW) worth the waiting in line to see at Disneyland- that different then WDW?
should I do a dinner plan so I can see Fantasmic?
thanks again/

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks for the quick response, we are only able to go the one day. going to California actually for a family reunion.
That is exactly what I was planning on doing the things that are different then WDW.
Is Fantasmic(which we always see at WDW) worth the waiting in line to see at Disneyland- that different then WDW?
should I do a dinner plan so I can see Fantasmic?
thanks again/

Disneyland doesn't have the dining package for Fantasmic! like WDW does. The closest they have is a $59 dessert package that gets you a guaranteed chair. Everyone else must sit on the ground or stand.

Now that I think about it more, if you only have one day, I would probably skip the nighttime entertainment (F!/WOC). Not that it isn't great, but it will eat up a too much of your time. If you don't get the dessert, you'd have to line up about an hour before to get a good spot, and WOC will require at least 60-90 minutes to get a good spot and you need to have a special Fastpass to see the show - not to mention you still have almost 30 minutes of show time!

This is an old thread, but it gives you an idea of things that are unique to Disneyland or different from WDW: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084

 

[MrShiny]

1 day can be fantastic at DL (much more so than WDW because it is so much more compact)!

I would definitely do both parks, so I'd plan for a long day. The good news is that you can skip much of DCA.

Before your trip, book a sit down or picnic meal that includes World of Color seating. If possible, do this to the earlier show so you can get to the later Fantasmic (especially if there are 3 Fantasmics that night). I paid full admissioin to DCA on a recent business trip just to see part of WoC (did not make reservations!) AND IT WAS WORTH IT.

Fantasmic is worth it - it has Peter Pan on the sailing ship Columbia instead of Pocahontas and of course Murphy the (lately working) dragon. Do check the Internet sites to see if anything has broken down though!

Here would be my must do's for a 1 day trip (not necessarily in order). Even on a busy day, very possible to get this done with the help of Fastpass:

1) World of Color - you MUST make reservations to have a shot at really seeing the show), DCA
2) Little Mermaid, DCA
3) Star Tours II
4) Nemo Submarine Voyage - I actually think you see better in the Seas at Epcot, but it's a sub!
5) Pirates - BETTER
6) Space Mountain - BETTER
7) Matterhorn
8) Eat at Blue Bayou - worth it!
9) Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
10) Haunted Mansion - not better, but different
11) Fantasmic!
12) Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (PLOTSI)- just different...
13) Storybookland (canal boats & Casy Jr.) - charming!
14) Tiki Room - the way it was intended to be
15) Sleep Beauty Castle walk-through - geeky neat!
16) Indiana Jones - one of the best e-tickets ever
17) Corn Dog wagon - heaven deep fried and stuck on a stick
18) Small World - it's so big!

 

[Cinderella3]

thank you for the great info. I know that it is going to be a very BUSY day but well worth it.