First Trip To Disneyland!

[Paflyers]

Hello Everyone!!

it's getting so close to our honeymoon.. I am super excited! We go to WDW every other year, so I know all about fast passes, and planning and all that jazz.. However; this is out first time EVER at DLR and DCA!! We will be there from February 5th to February 10th. We are staying at the DLH and I have maxpass for 5 days. We will arrive at LAX around 9:00 am. I was hoping to be at the park by about 1:00 PM. My question to all of you, is which park should we do on out first day, as well as on our last day do we forgo the EMH and go to DL? I have it set as the following:

Wednesday: Arrive - Free day, just explore and take in a few rides, no real plans.
Thursday: DL for EMH
Friday: DCA for EMH
Saturday: DL for EMH
Sunday: DCA for EMH

Hoping I have the EMH correct! However; I wasn't sure if I wanted to end our trip at DCA. Which park has more to see? Will two days be enough time to explore the majority of DL? Should we do DCA on our arrival day and just forgo the EMH and hit up DL on our last day?

I am not a go go go kind of person, we like to walk around and enjoy the sites, take in the rides, see shows.. etc.. We are more of a slow paced take it as it comes kind of couple. Since we will be there alone (unlike when we go to WDW) We have the options to just relax and take it all in. Also being February, I wasn't sure if the night time shows would be playing or any parades, so until those are released, I don't have any real set in stone kind of plan. f WoC and F! are playing, I do want to try and get dining packages for those. I have read a whole bunch of stuff on the forums and saw people set plans of what rides to do and what order. I have worked some of that out, but like I said we aren't go go go people and like to take our time and walk around and see the sites as well as do the rides and take photos.

As a side note. we are coming from the Midwest and will be on a time delay, so we will most likely already be up, so getting up early to make EMH shouldn't be an issue, I think what it comes down to is which park as more to see and do? Which one can I fit into 2 days and which one would be better for 2.5 ?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

To address your fist question, you should get park hoppers. That way you can take advantage of EMH at the parks every day and not worry about being stuck in one park all day.

Unlike at WDW, the two parks are right across from each other with no need to travel or go through security again. I often hop multiple times in one day for certain shows, rides, food, etc. it takes just minutes. Also since you will have MaxPass you can collect fastpasses for either park once you enter one park. You can easily stack FPs for the other park for later in the day and then hop over in the afternoon or evening.

 

[dieumeye]

On your arrival day, go into DL first. Instead of obsessing about what day to spend at each park, consider getting Park Hopper. Hitting EMH is good, but don't think of it as being stuck in one park all day. It's super easy to start at one park, lunch at the other, and go back and forth at your leisure.

I was recently at DL with a WDW frequenter and it blew her mind when we exited Snow White and the entrance to Pinocchio was only a few feet away, and then later when we walked over to DCA for lunch. Also, make sure you know the difference between WDW FP+ and the FP?MaxPass system at DL.

 

[Paflyers]

Thanks! I guess I am so used to the travel time it takes out of your day at WDW, so we never park hop. I didn't really consider park hoppers.

 

[PiratesMansion]

At DLR there is ZERO reason to not get a park hopper, especially since you're already at DLH with MaxPass, it'd be silly not to IMO. You can park hop in under five minutes and do whatever you want, whenever you want.

DL has much more to see than DCA.

During February the general tendency is for Fireworks and Fantasmic to run Fri-Sun only. WOC should be showing every night. Just know that DLR takes FOREVER to confirm entertainment schedules for whatever reason.

WOC/Fantasmic packages are optional IMO, but my recommended splurge would be on a nice dinner at Napa Rose.

 

[dieumeye]

Thanks! I guess I am so used to the travel time it takes out of your day at WDW, so we never park hop. I didn't really consider park hoppers.

Park Hopper is amazing at DL/DCA. It's a longer walk from the DLH to the the park gates than it is from Sleeping Beauty Castle in DL to Car's Land in DCA!

 

[mouschievous]

I totally agree on getting Park Hoppers. My husband, who is the cheapest person I know (like, he doesn't want to get Disney+ because it's $7 a month ) said we should get hoppers for our next trip. Personally, I don't think DCA is a full-day park and would love to do EMH there, then hop over to DL later in the day. I'd also love to be able to do dining reservations in either park, regardless of the day, or see a show in a park without having to plan our whole day around that one show.

FWIW, I just got 5 day hoppers for $325.77 through LMTC (Last Minute Travel Club), as opposed to the $395 cost through DL. You have to call them, but it's worth it! It's a voucher, so you trade it in for a ticket when you check in at the hotel (you can do it at the ticket kiosks, but that seems like it would be less efficient). The LMTC vouchers do not come with MaxPass, but you can add it daily through the app. You may find you don't even want it every day, especially if you aren't doing a full park day.

 

[pharmama]

I totally agree with everyone above. Get hoppers.

And definitely take advantage of EMH at DCA at least one of the days (and yes, you have the schedule correct). You can do SO MUCH during DCA EMH (more so than at DL since only hotel guests have access to EMH at DCA) that will help leave even more time for leisurely strolling, exploring and shows the rest of the day.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I echo everyone else's comments above about getting hoppers. Seriously. Do it! We hop multiple times a day, its so quick and easy. You don't even have to go through security again.

If you are interested in seeing the nighttime shows, I'd suggest looking into the World of Color Dessert party. It is expensive, but you get an actual seat and a delicious plate of desserts while you enjoy WoC! If you wanted to save some money for F!, a lot of folks tend to do the Hungry Bear package. It's less expensive than the other two options, but the seating is great -- just slightly off center from the Blue Bayou package (dead center). But if you want another splurge, and want to eat at Blue Bayou anyway, that package may be a good call.

I hope you two have a wonderful honeymoon! DLH is a great choice. We love Trader Sam's and Steakhouse 55 Lounge (have yet to eat in the actual restaurant yet).

 

[austinbrud]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I also plan to make my first trip to Disneyland in late January and I'm looking for a little advice. Having been to WDW several times, is two days enough to really experience the two parks (knowing I wont see everything)? I noticed that it appears cheaper to buy two 1-day value tickets instead of the 2-day 1-park, both with MaxPass. Is there any downside to going with the 1-day value tickets? Should I spring for the 3-day tickets?

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Just did 5 days here's some advice

Parkhoppers

U plan to sit down restaurant get reservations thru your phone or call they don't take walk ups.

Use mobile order for all other eating places it's the only way to go

Ice water is free go to any restaurant place and ask for ice water.

Paper straws suck I hate them but it is what it is

Oga cantinas in star wars land to drink drinks get a reservation.

Your holiday churros 6.75 are 2 dollars more then a regular churro 4.75

Use maxx pass

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... We go to WDW every other year, so I know all about fast passes, and planning and all that jazz.. However; this is out first time EVER at DLR and DCA!! ...

Here are some threads with great trip planning information for you:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- from the sticky threads at the top of the first page -- so much helpful info here!
From that sticky:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- this is a classic thread with lots of good info for you!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- a treasure trove of great info!
From the above thread:
World of Color Superthread -- read the first post and study the map of the viewing area carefully -- ask any questions in that thread -- knowledge is power when it comes to viewing WOC!
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- read through this very helpful thread and ask any questions there -- you'll get great help from our MP experts!
Fantasmic Dining Package -- a recent thread with updated info