First timer advice, what should I know/not miss?

[Reighngold]

Hello DisBoards! I am a frequent (very frequent) visitor to WDW, annual pass holder and DVC member. I am super excited that this June my husband and I will be going to Disneyland for the first time together!! We are wondering what are the must dos for WDW folks at DL and also if you have any tips or tricks for us.

FYI. I will be in my second trimester of pregnancy so sadly fast and crazy rides are out

Thank you in advance!

 

[Nosepass]

I don't know much about what the difference are between WDW and Disneyland, but the World of Color dining package is definitely worth it (dinner + special place to watch the show).

 

[ktlm]

WDW person here. I agree with WOC. The Aladdin show at CA is a must do for us. When they almost discontinued it a few years ago, we actually cancelled a WDW trip to get DD there to see it before it was gone (so glad they changed their minds and it is still there). Also, if you want to splurge, the Fantasmic dessert package is great! Fantasmic is better at DL, than it is at WDW- especially if you are a Peter Pan fan, but there also is no auditorium area like at WDW and people stake out spots for hours. The dessert package is expensive, but you have actual seats and CMs waiting on you hand and foot to make sure you have all the drinks (non alcoholic) you need. If you book the first Fantasmic, you will stay in your seats for the fireworks which is nice. It isn't the view where you can see the castle behind them, but having a seat to sit in is great and you can still see Tink (and Dumbo in the summer show) flying although that is a little obstructed by trees.

I don't know if you care about characters at all, but Minnie's breakfast is our favorite character meal than any at WDW or DL combined. You never know who you will run into. We've seen a minimum of 7 characters and once saw 13. It isn't like WDW where it is a set 5 at every meal. We have seen Minnie, Hook, Max and Fairy Godmother every time we have been there, but other than that there has been a huge variety of characters and some it would be unusual to run into at WDW, especially at a character meal, like Tweedle Dum, Gepetto Rafiki, Brer Fox, etc.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hello DisBoards! I am a frequent (very frequent) visitor to WDW, annual pass holder and DVC member. I am super excited that this June my husband and I will be going to Disneyland for the first time together!! We are wondering what are the must dos for WDW folks at DL and also if you have any tips or tricks for us.

FYI. I will be in my second trimester of pregnancy so sadly fast and crazy rides are out

Thank you in advance!

This is the default starting point for WDW vets. It will help get you oriented to what questions you should be asking and how to prioritize.

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Pesky]

Yep, hydroguy's thread is the place to start. Definitely see PoTC and IASW -- I think both are better in DLR. We saw Aladdin while we were there and the kids talked about it for days.

 

[Reighngold]

OMG thank you so much!! That thread is amazing, I just can't believe you took the time to write it! You are my new Disney Hero!!

I do have a couple of quick questions for the community at large if you have the time to answer them.

1. If we are only going to have two full days and three nights at DL is a three day park hopper worth it just for the EM hours (Arriving evening of Tuesday June 17th and departing on the morning of Friday the 20th)

2. Have any of you stayed at the Marriott Anaheim? Would you recommend it?

3. Does the tram from Toy Story parking lot go to the main gate? Do you know if there is a map which shows the tram stops/route?

Thanks again

 

[xmansmom]

I don't know if it's the same but we stayed at the Marriott Suites and liked it. The only problem was with the public shuttle. The hotel was one of the last on the route and was full when it arrived. We had to wait for the third bus before we could get on. The next day we drove and it was fine. This was about 5 years ago so it may not be a problem anymore. It looks like you may be driving yourself but if you plan to use the shuttle I would look into it.

 

[luisov]

Indiana Jones and Radiator Springs Racers are two of the best attractions at DL, but if you think they're too bumpy/fast, you should definitely take a look at DL's exclusive dark rides in Fantasyland like Mr. Toad's Wild Adventures, Pinoccio's Daring Journey or Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. Also PotC is better at DL.

And you shouldn't miss Fantasmic! (I think it's better at DL) nor World of Color.

 

[ktlm]

OMG thank you so much!! That thread is amazing, I just can't believe you took the time to write it! You are my new Disney Hero!!


1. If we are only going to have two full days and three nights at DL is a three day park hopper worth it just for the EM hours (Arriving evening of Tuesday June 17th and departing on the morning of Friday the 20th)


Thanks again

Parkhopping is the norm at DL/CA. It takes 5 minutes to get out of one park and into another. The walk between the 2 parks is shorter than the walk from most of the stops where the resort buses let you off to the gate of the park at WDW. I would say the shorter the time you have there, the more important hoppers are so that you can maximize your time. Also DL is usually open later than CA, so if you are stay until closing people (which might be midnight), you can hop parks and get a couple of extra hours in at DL most nights.

 

[alex881]

3. Does the tram from Toy Story parking lot go to the main gate? Do you know if there is a map which shows the tram stops/route? Thanks again

Yes the busses drop you within 200 yards of the entrance. And if staying off site near toy story, you can still ride them vs walking too!

 

[Chuckers]

I think, even pregnant, Radiator Springs Racers wouldn't be too bumpy for you.. it's just fast. It was a very smooth ride.

Roger Rabbit's Toon Car Spin is a fun ride, it's not bumpy and you don't have to spin the car fast. Alice In Wonderland is only at DL. I also agree with a previous poster that Fantasmic is SOOO much better at Disneyland. To me, it's worth the $60 preferred seating dessert package. Finding Nemo is in the submarines and lagoon from the original 20,000 Leagues.

If you can handle spicy food, get some "meat on a stick" from Bengal BBQ across from the Indy ride in Adventureland. It's GREAT! Also, Cafe Orleans has AWESOME Monte Cristo sandwiches and fries... and mickey begniets (sp?).