First timers to Disneyland NEED TIPS

[DisneyDad64]

We’ve been to Disney World many times, and consider ourselves Disney World experts. But, we’ve never been to Disneyland and would like some tips and help on how to best make use of our time in the parks. Thanks

 

[Rose77]

Check out this thread: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

 

[MaC410]

As someone who would consider himself a Disney World expert as well and only been to Disneyland once (and about to go again later this month) I could share some things I learned right away from my first time.

1) I wouldn't say park hopper tickets are a must but they are certainly so much easier to get your monies worth at Disneyland. With both parks being right across from each other you can hop back and forth very quickly. With DCA closing earlier than Disneyland you never have to end your day when DCA closes!

2) As someone who feels like they NEED to stay on property at Disney World I do not feel that same need at Disneyland. The Disney owned resorts are all deluxe priced resorts and don't give you as many benefits as you would get staying on property at Disney World. With how compact things are in the Disneyland area you could stay at much cheaper hotels that are still in walking distance of the parks. Some non-Disney hotels are even a quicker walk to the parks than a Disney owned hotel like the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel.

3) You definitely don't need to plan as much as you would when going to Disney World. You don't need to worry about fastpasses ahead of time and dining reservations don't seem as hard to come by.

4) We found sooo much worth in buying maxpass. This lets you make fastpasses on your phone through the Disneyland app. A little word of warning...The maxpass/fastpass system at Disneyland is NOT the same as it works at Disney World. Think of the Disneyland system as how the fastpass system works at Disney World once you've used your initial 3 fastpasses for the day. You make one fastpass at a time. There is a "cooldown" period until you can make a new one of either 90 minutes or until that return time hits. If it's 9am and you make a fastpass for 4pm, you can't make another fastpass until 10:30am. If it's 9am and you make a fastpass for 9:30am, once 9:30am hits you can make another fastpass right away. I would suggest reading into how the rules work and looking at all the tips on how to use the system and get the most out of it.

 

[imbatman]

There's also a sticky at the top of the main page: Hydro's newbie tips

 

[Dr.Mickey]

As someone who would consider himself a Disney World expert as well and only been to Disneyland once (and about to go again later this month) I could share some things I learned right away from my first time.

1) I wouldn't say park hopper tickets are a must but they are certainly so much easier to get your monies worth at Disneyland. With both parks being right across from each other you can hop back and forth very quickly. With DCA closing earlier than Disneyland you never have to end your day when DCA closes!

2) As someone who feels like they NEED to stay on property at Disney World I do not feel that same need at Disneyland. The Disney owned resorts are all deluxe priced resorts and don't give you as many benefits as you would get staying on property at Disney World. With how compact things are in the Disneyland area you could stay at much cheaper hotels that are still in walking distance of the parks. Some non-Disney hotels are even a quicker walk to the parks than a Disney owned hotel like the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel.

3) You definitely don't need to plan as much as you would when going to Disney World. You don't need to worry about fastpasses ahead of time and dining reservations don't seem as hard to come by.

4) We found sooo much worth in buying maxpass. This lets you make fastpasses on your phone through the Disneyland app. A little word of warning...The maxpass/fastpass system at Disneyland is NOT the same as it works at Disney World. Think of the Disneyland system as how the fastpass system works at Disney World once you've used your initial 3 fastpasses for the day. You make one fastpass at a time. There is a "cooldown" period until you can make a new one of either 90 minutes or until you use that fastpass. If it's 9am and you make a fastpass for 4pm, you can't make another fastpass until 10:30am. If it's 9am and you make a fastpass for 9:30am, if you use that fastpass at 9:30 you can make another fastpass right away. I would suggest reading into how the rules work and looking at all the tips on how to use the system and get the most out of it.

All of this! Now, I will say we splurged on DLH instead of off-site, and we loved it. Especially since it may be our only chance. The Walt history and photos is so cool! I wish they would do a Walt themed hotel in Florida.

But there really is no need to do this unless you want to. I suspect the closest one or two hotels on Harbor are closer.

As to the other topics quoted here:

Plan as you go! Forget picking a ride time 60 days early. And you WILL get to ride the ride you want if you prioritize it early.

Maxpass is awesome and worth the money, especially if DLR is a rare trip for you. Hydroguy has a thread about maximizing Maxpass and it was very helpful.

We park hopped every day at DLR. It is so easy. Like walking from the gate at MK to the edge of the 7 seas lagoon. It is especially nice to park hop when planning fast passes and watching crowds.

One more thing: most of the year, the weather at DLR is miles better than the Florida swamps!

 

[smartlabelprint]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...thread-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/
Helpful thread regarding maxpass.

 

[DLRExpert]

If it's 9am and you make a fastpass for 9:30am, if you use that fastpass at 9:30 you can make another fastpass right away. I would suggest reading into how the rules work and looking at all the tips on how to use the system and get the most out of it.

Close but incorrect.
If you get your first FP at 9am and the return time says 930am-1030am, you can get your next FP at 930am even if you still have not used your first FP. The only time this does not work is if you are trying to get FP for the same attraction. In that case you will need to use that original FP first.

You will have until 1045 to use that first FP. So from experience you can be holding multiple FPs at one time. Depending on the return times for certain attractions.

ME

 

[MaC410]

Close but incorrect.
If you get your first FP at 9am and the return time says 930am-1030am, you can get your next FP at 930am even if you still have not used your first FP. The only time this does not work is if you are trying to get FP for the same attraction. In that case you will need to use that original FP first.

You will have until 1045 to use that first FP. So from experience you can be holding multiple FPs at one time. Depending on the return times for certain attractions.

ME

Ah that's right. I forgot in that scenario you don't have to use the fastpass you just would need to get to the return time.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

From the sticky threads at the top of the first page:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets
Read through these and come back with any questions!

Download the free DLR app and start playing with it to get used to it. Make sure you download the most recent version and that your smartphone can handle it. (Some older phones can have problems with the app.) Study the maps to get a basic idea of where major landmarks and favorite rides are located. Many WDW vets report getting disoriented when they automatically make their way toward rides, restaurants, restrooms that aren't where they think they should be! You can also use the app to get an idea of wait times and FP availability at various times during the day. This can give you a feeling for the crowd patterns in both parks and how long FPs remain available for certain rides. If you will be using the app and the Disney Play app, bring battery back up for your phone or plan on using the Fuel Rod vending machines located in the parks (Help me understand how fuel rods work).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I do have a bit of a funny to add. Of course, one of the biggest complaints you will hear from some WDW people is that the castle is so small. Well, it is... But that became our family joke every time we finished the next awesome thing. After riding Hyperspace Mtn, which blows away the one at WDW, it was “yeah, but the castle is small”. RSR is an awesome ride, but the castle is small. What’s great is that we LOVED the fireworks, especially Nemo trying to go through the ring of fire. And of course, that is right under the “small” castle. I think the best thing about the small castle is that our room in DLH had a picture of Walt standing under the castle. I think that’s good enough for me.

So glad you and your family had a great trip! We love that photo of Walt and his castle! The size of SBC makes much more sense when you realize that at DL, the Matterhorn is our visual focal point, not the castle. We are used to getting our visual bearings from that snow capped peak. And when you stand back and see SBC with the Matterhorn rising up behind, things make sense. Because how many castles do you know that are bigger than an alp?!

(HT: Google)
View attachment 414263

These posts from another thread address the "Sleeping Beauty's castle vs. Cinderella's castle" question.

 

[indoshakespeare]

Unlike WDW, some rides in Disneyland don't have FPs. Peter Pan's Flight is the big one. It constantly gets long lines but no FP. You may want to rope drop it or do it during a Magic Morning/EMH

 

[Mich1218]

As someone who would consider himself a Disney World expert as well and only been to Disneyland once (and about to go again later this month) I could share some things I learned right away from my first time.

1) I wouldn't say park hopper tickets are a must but they are certainly so much easier to get your monies worth at Disneyland. With both parks being right across from each other you can hop back and forth very quickly. With DCA closing earlier than Disneyland you never have to end your day when DCA closes!

2) As someone who feels like they NEED to stay on property at Disney World I do not feel that same need at Disneyland. The Disney owned resorts are all deluxe priced resorts and don't give you as many benefits as you would get staying on property at Disney World. With how compact things are in the Disneyland area you could stay at much cheaper hotels that are still in walking distance of the parks. Some non-Disney hotels are even a quicker walk to the parks than a Disney owned hotel like the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel.

3) You definitely don't need to plan as much as you would when going to Disney World. You don't need to worry about fastpasses ahead of time and dining reservations don't seem as hard to come by.

4) We found sooo much worth in buying maxpass. This lets you make fastpasses on your phone through the Disneyland app. A little word of warning...The maxpass/fastpass system at Disneyland is NOT the same as it works at Disney World. Think of the Disneyland system as how the fastpass system works at Disney World once you've used your initial 3 fastpasses for the day. You make one fastpass at a time. There is a "cooldown" period until you can make a new one of either 90 minutes or until you use that fastpass. If it's 9am and you make a fastpass for 4pm, you can't make another fastpass until 10:30am. If it's 9am and you make a fastpass for 9:30am, if you use that fastpass at 9:30 you can make another fastpass right away. I would suggest reading into how the rules work and looking at all the tips on how to use the system and get the most out of it.

I would agree with all of this. We love Disneyland a little more than WDW because it's just more relaxing. It's easier to make plans based on how we feel that day.