First Timers to DLR advise please?

[cmlnkb]

We are WDW vets and this is our first time to Disneyland. Any tips or tricks? We have 3 day park hoppers. Is Fantasmic the same as WDW show? We will be there for Labor Day week should we expect big crowds? Not sure if LL is worth purchasing? We are staying at Grand Californian any tips to navigate that resort to enter the parks? Where can we grab a quick cheap breakfast? We have never been to California so very excited!
TIA

 

[BrianL]

People often tell me that this list I post regarding WDW vs. DLR ride differences is helpful. It may help you prioritize or skip some of the things that are also at WDW:

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Jungle Cruise - No temple/tunnel, a bit shorter
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
it's a small world - very similar though with Disney cahracter peppered in - it does have a much nicer exterior.
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin' - though note sometimes they run it with the original Sorain' over California, in which case it is a must do!

Also, per your post, Fantasmic! is somewhat different at DLR. They use both ships that run in the Rivers of America for a different segment. Also, they reworked some of the music a few years back and the dragon had a fire related accident so the ending is a bit different now (I have not seen it). It's too bad about that as the DLR dragon was actually much cooler than the WDW one.

My other tip is to not miss World of Color - there isn't really anything like it at WDW.

 

[LKing]

Can you share a little bit about what you enjoy, number of people, and ages?

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Hi!
We are in the same boat!
Here is my similar thread if you’d like to peruse for additional tips here:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-vets-first-time-dlr…-help-for-august-please.3969829/

Happy planning!

 

[citruscurtis]

What is a cheap breakfast look like

Labor Day weekend... remember Disneyland is the middle of a massive population urban center...spur of the moment visitors can surge the weekend

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Is Fantasmic the same as WDW show?

No, it is very different.
1. All the waterside viewing areas are dining packages, Riverbelle Restaurant, Cafe Orleans Restaurant which are sit down and Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant which is counter service. Dining reservations go onsale 60 days in advance. All the waterside dining reservations sit on the ground. Riverbelle Terrace is seperate viewing area at the restaurant and the only one which has chairs.
2. The show is different. It takes place on Rivers of America. The stage area is Tom Sayers Island and both The Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia are used during the show.
3. There are limited standby viewing areas which are standing only, located behind the dining package viewing areas and the VIP viewing area.

Not sure if LL is worth purchasing?

LL is 100% worth buying at Disneyland. California is a locals park, so you will get high crowds at Labour Day. Many locals are only in the parks for a few hours and will wait in standby lines. They dont buy LL as they are in the parks often. As a result, LL dont sell out like in WDW and they are a great way for those of us who are international or out of state to maximise rides during a 3 day visit.

We are staying at Grand Californian any tips to navigate that resort to enter the parks?

The Grand California has an entrance directly into DCA park. It is located near the pool and restaurants. In the morning time it is limited for hotel guests, but after 11am anyone can use it.

As a hotel guest you will have access to early entry. This is 30 minutes extra time in the parks. It rotates between the main park and DCA. The scan all guests into the park from 7.15am and then hotel guests will get their tickets checked at a roped barrier and be able to go on some rides from 7.30am.

Where can we grab a quick cheap breakfast? We have never been to California so very excited!
TIA

Craftsman Bar in the hotel near the pool has grab and go breakfast items. Some counterservice places in the parks will serve breakfast. Check the App, its all listed there.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

If you can get tickets for the Fantasmic Dinning get lunch at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, the food is good and the viewing area is great for both Fantasmic and then fireworks afterwards

WOC is also great but make sure you see Paint The night, most people think that parade is the best show at the resort right now.

Also WOC second show is always wayyyyy less crowded so hit that one if you want to get better viewing easier for that

Get LL for sure

 

[cmlnkb]

No, it is very different.
1. All the waterside viewing areas are dining packages, Riverbelle Restaurant, Cafe Orleans Restaurant which are sit down and Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant which is counter service. Dining reservations go onsale 60 days in advance. All the waterside dining reservations sit on the ground.

Is it steps we sit on like stadium seating? Or is it sitting on flat ground? We are short

 

[cmlnkb]

If you can get tickets for the Fantasmic Dinning get lunch at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, the food is good and the viewing area is great for both Fantasmic and then fireworks afterwards

WOC is also great but make sure you see Paint The night, most people think that parade is the best show at the resort right now.

Also WOC second show is always wayyyyy less crowded so hit that one if you want to get better viewing easier for that

Get LL for sure

I did reserve Rancho for lunch are the fireworks after fantasmic for the first or second show?

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

I did reserve Rancho for lunch are the fireworks after fantasmic for the first or second show?

It says when you book the package, either 1st showing or second showing. Though sometimes you can change it when you get there, it’s better just to book the one that you want

Edit: oh sorry, misread your question. The fireworks are usually after the first showing, but you can check the schedule

 

[LKing]

Is it steps we sit on like stadium seating? Or is it sitting on flat ground? We are short

It is flat ground, although there is a very slight elevation from front to back.

If you want to sit in the front, arrive at Harbour Galley to line up prior to 7:45 pm.

The dining package area is between the yellow lines in this picture.

 

[LKing]

It says when you book the package, either 1st showing or second showing. Though sometimes you can change it when you get there, it’s better just to book the one that you want

Edit: oh sorry, misread your question. The fireworks are usually after the first showing, but you can check the schedule

Fireworks are ALWAYS after the first show.

The first Fantasmic starts at 9:05 pm. Fireworks are at 9:35 pm. The second Fantasmic starts at 10:30 pm.

 

[cmlnkb]

It is flat ground, although there is a very slight elevation from front to back.

If you want to sit in the front, arrive at Harbour Galley to line up prior to 7:45 pm.

The dining package area is between the yellow lines in this picture.

View attachment 981654

Thank you! THis does not look ideal for us old folks with hip issues. Are there other good viewing areas outside of a dining package?

 

[disneychrista]

Thank you! THis does not look ideal for us old folks with hip issues. Are there other good viewing areas outside of a dining package?

Try for the Riverbelle Terrace Premium dining option. You eat on the patio of the RBT and stay for the show. It is not a front and center view but it is great for those of us where sitting on the ground is not an option. This is book 60days in advance right at 6am PT.

 

[jimmymc]

I would expect big crowds for Labor Day. Lightning Lane is definitely worth purchasing for at least 2 days. The parks have a lot of attractions to get through, and LL is a better value in DL than WDW in my experience.

Getting from Grand Cal to the parks in insanely easy. You have a dedicated entrance to DCA, and for DL, you have a dedicated entrance to Downtown Disney that helps you avoid some of the crowds.

 

[OlliePop27]

Thank you! THis does not look ideal for us old folks with hip issues. Are there other good viewing areas outside of a dining package?

If you are able to stay up later, the 10:30 show is easier to see. You can grab a standing standby viewing spot to the sides or further back from the dining sections by showing up 30 minutes or less in advance.

 

[Genie+]

As WDW folks, we did our 1st DL trip Halloween 2023. 3 nights at DLH. 4 day hoppers but we arrived 1pm and had to leave 4pm so those 2 days were cut short. It was an absolute blast! I really enjoyed the more compact and intimate nature. You’re gonna love it!

There were a few things we meant to do and didn’t get the chance, probably because we opted for spontaneity over a touring plan. Next time I’d start with a list of priority attractions.

LL helped us get more done, so I think worth it at least for a day or two.

We noticed DL stayed quieter for longer than WDW early mornings. With entry starting 7:30/8am, many rides have low waits past 10am. There is definitely more early morning advantage to be had at DL.

Using the list from BrianL ‘s excellent breakdown, these rides left us super impressed:
(we missed a few big attractions, so I couldn’t comment on those)

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes - AND HOW! Loved this original!
Haunted Mansion - the Nightmare overlay was so incredible DH made me go on 3 times… and he had never seen that movie before. He could not get enough!

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - AMAZING job retheming this ride from ToT.
WEB Slingers - fun and unique from WDW
Radiator Springs Racers - the pure joy and excitement of childhood. It’s cool!
Incredicoaster - I almost chickened out but so happy we tried it. Sooo much fun.

…other tip not miss World of Color - AGREED - there isn't really anything like it at WDW.

I’ll add:
Totally worth it to make ADR for Trader Sams. Food and experience was great.
Napa Rose - if you like the best gnocchi ever and lamb, you must try the Gnocchi with Lamb Ragout. Even if you just go in for that as a light meal.

Probably my biggest regret is missing the monorail. No biggie - just proves that with so much to do, it’s easy to miss something personally important if you don’t prioritize it.

Have a fantastic trip!