First Trip to DL - need help

[ashleyasiegel]

This is my first trip to Disneyland and need some advice. I am going for my birthday. Going to spend one day at DCA and one day at DL. November 2nd and 3rd are the two days. Which park should I go to which day? I wanted to go to DL on the 3rd since it is my birthday but that is an early entry day and we do not have the option so I don't know if we should go DL that day since they crowds will have an hour on us.

Also how do you tour these parks? I have read the unoffical guide to DL and their touring plans which is entirely different than I tour WDW. I use tour guide mike for WDW and he is all about getting as many fast passes you can to use later in the day and the unofficial guide just has you get a pass here and there.

So if you can give me an idea on how you tour these parks that would be great. I am still hoping that at least one parade will be shown but probably not. I am use to WDW that has parades everyday.

Thanks in advance,
Ashley

 

[Tasmen]

The last time we went to DL, we went at that time of year. The crowds were pretty low except the Saturday we were there. And even then, they only got big later in the afternoon after lunch time.

I don't think you really need to worry too much about it being an early morning and people getting the jump on you. We never had a problem getting on the rides we wanted or getting the fastpasses we wanted.

I've never actually used a touring plan for either DCA or DL but I'm sure someone else could offer you some help there.

 

[pixiewings71]

Why are you not hopping? All tickets over the 1 day 1 park tickets are automatically hoppers, the parks are yards apart, just go to both on both days. So I say go to both parks both days and just make a list of what you want to do and get it done.

 

[ashleyasiegel]

I planned on hopping the day we go to DCA since it closes early. I figured it would be easier to spend all day in one park instead of wasting time to hop to the other since I am only going to be there two days? Do you think that I should hop both days? I plan on just buying the 2 day ticket and getting the gift card for my birthday.

 

[pixiewings71]

I definitely think you should hop, we always hop. Really, the parks are so close that if you don't hop you'll be missing out. Start your day off in DL, hop over to DCA for FP's around 9:30, get a Soarin' FP and get in line by GRR for TSMM, ride TSMM and then you'll be ready for another FP. You can have FPs from both parks at the same time so there's no reason not to do that. Go back to DL after DCA closes, you'll have a handful of FPs from your time in DL earlier in the day that you can use.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Since both parks open at 10 am on those two days, it is hard to get a jump at DL and then hop to DCA. Pick DCA to start with on the MM day so you can ride TSMM first thing. You might even be able to ride it a couple of times.

Hop to DL after or slightly before DCA closes, since a lot of other people will have the same idea and DL is only open until 8 pm. You will miss out on FP's at DL, but should be able to ride some of the fast movers without any problem.

Start the non-MM day at DL and ride all of the FL rides - Peter Pan first, always first - and then whatever else you want, collecting FP's as you go and saving them for later.

It is possible that some of the FP machines won't even be turned on since it is low season. DH and I went a few years ago in Sept. and we could walk on almost everything with very minimal waits. I understand the first part of Nov. is the same way. That's why we chose to go that week - we've been during busy times the last couple of times we've been there and want to do some low season/low crowds, even if there isn't any entertainment.

 

[shelemm]

If you need to, hop to Aladdin in DCA. Believe, me, you won't be the only one.

 

[carstinsmom]

We just got back from our first DL trip, we are DW veterns and know that park like the back of our hands. In DL most of the rides that offer fast passes don't offer them this time of year we were told because the crowds are so low so i wouldn't worry about getting them. we walked right on every ride. we spent one whole day in DL and didn't finish it all so I wouldn't see a need to park hop but like you said since CA closes earlier then on that day going back to finish up DL would work out good. If you did want to hop though they are directly across from each other which if very different from DW, no buses, no trams, no monorails, just walk across the sidewalk and you're there, its great, you'll love the easy of switching if you decide too. Have a great time!!!

 

[shelemm]

We just got back from our first DL trip, we are DW veterns and know that park like the back of our hands. In DL most of the rides that offer fast passes don't offer them this time of year we were told because the crowds are so low so i wouldn't worry about getting them. we walked right on every ride. we spent one whole day in DL and didn't finish it all so I wouldn't see a need to park hop but like you said since CA closes earlier then on that day going back to finish up DL would work out good. If you did want to hop though they are directly across from each other which if very different from DW, no buses, no trams, no monorails, just walk across the sidewalk and you're there, its great, you'll love the easy of switching if you decide too. Have a great time!!!

You MUST park hop IF you want to see Aladdin on a day you are at DL. It does not play every day. It is phenomenal. Nothing like it in WDW.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you need to, hop to Aladdin in DCA. Believe, me, you won't be the only one.

Nov 2-3 are on Monday/Tuesday and the excellent Aladdin show only plays Thursday-Sunday.

To the OP, there is a lot of useful info on how to tour here:

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

You can use your TGM principles. If you need help with touring plans I think Ridemax is best - www.ridemax.com. But if crowds are as low as everyone says then you will not need a plan.

 

[shelemm]

Nov 2-3 are on Monday/Tuesday and the excellent Aladdin show only plays Thursday-Sunday.

To the OP, there is a lot of useful info on how to tour here:

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

You can use your TGM principles. If you need help with touring plans I think Ridemax is best - www.ridemax.com. But if crowds are as low as everyone says then you will not need a plan.

Quel domage. Biily Hill and the Hillbillies play on Mondays, but not Tuesdays.

Per the schedule right now, the Tue/Wed show at Diamond Horseshoe is the Laughing Stock Co. Are those the same performers that entertain sometimes in front of Diamond Horsehoe? I saw some characters performing before a Billy Hill show, and they were great.

 

[Brady's Mom]

shelemm - where are you seeing Laughing stock on the schedule? I just pulled up the schedule for the first week in Nov. and there is no entertainment or parades AT ALL that whole week at DL???

They finally did add some things at DCA with Drawn to the Magic, but no Aladdin or anything else, yet.

 

[shelemm]

shelemm - where are you seeing Laughing stock on the schedule? I just pulled up the schedule for the first week in Nov. and there is no entertainment or parades AT ALL that whole week at DL???

They finally did add some things at DCA with Drawn to the Magic, but no Aladdin or anything else, yet.

I was just going by what is posted for this week. Certainly, it could change. But it's a start - for planning purposes.

 

[pixiewings71]

My apologies OP, I didn't realize both parks were opening at the same time your days. I don't check the calender before posting my replies.

 

[DLR29]

I planned on hopping the day we go to DCA since it closes early. I figured it would be easier to spend all day in one park instead of wasting time to hop to the other since I am only going to be there two days? Do you think that I should hop both days? I plan on just buying the 2 day ticket and getting the gift card for my birthday.

Unlike WDW where it takes like an hour to go from park to park using buses/monorails and transfers, etc....

at DLR it takes a whopping 1-2 minutes to walk from park to park. Hardly much "wasted" time. It's like if you were to walk from Space to Splash. That's probably longer than the walk from DL to DCA.