First visit, first day, first attraction?

[Smokering]

So I've read all about FassPasses, MM and so on. But when we finally get to Disneyland next year for my first-ever trip, I don't want to spend the first half-hour sprinting through the park to get Splash Mountain FPs or reach ToonTown before anyone else. I want to soak up the ambience and revel in it for a bit. (On the first day, you understand... on the next 4 I'll be more efficient, I promise!)

So, if you'd never been before, what would you recommend? Just wandering up Main Street? Letting my three-year-old loose to see what she'll head for first? Grabbing a bite at some cafe? I thought maybe riding the train around the berm would be neat - we could see all the lands, which would heighten our anticipation and give us a vague idea of where everything was, and it wouldn't be too scary for the toddler. Kind of a sneak preview. Or would it be more fun to discover everything bit by bit?

Another question: I plan to be there for 5 days and use Park Hoppers for at least 3 of those days, but I don't think I'll want to leave Disneyland for the first day! Is it cheaper to get one DL-only day and 4 PH tickets, or do they come in a package so a 5-day PH would be cheaper?

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

It will be MUCH cheaper to just get a 5-day park hopper!!! 1 day/1 park tickets are $72.00 each, and a 1-day hopper is $97. A 5-day hopper is currently $209.00 when you buy online (you said you're going next year, so I'm not including the 5-for-3 promotional price). That's a huge savings!

In regards to your first question, since you'll be there five days, I wouldn't be so worried about cramming everything in. That's a nice chunk of time, enough to relax and explore. Maybe you could start off your visit with a ride on the train so you'd get to go the whole way around the park, then wander down Main St., take a gander at the wait-time board and decide where to go after that!

 

[chickyann]

We wanted our first day to be all about experience, we didn't want to plan anything, being in Disneyland was enough for that first day (We were there for 5 days in September 2008)

So we took photos by the Mickey flowers out the front, strolled under & read the 'Here you enter..." sign on tunnel, came across Goofy right by City Hall had our photo taken with him, strolled down Main Street & let our girls (then 6 & 8) set the pace. They were drawn to the Castle (no surprise I guess) so we found ourselves in Fantasyland, the girls spotted Dumbo & that was the first ride for us.

 

[FlameGirl]

Pirates is a nice way to start off a visit. Old school attraction, really gets you into the Disney spirit. Usually has short lines, too!

 

[sway_559]

I want to soak up the ambience and revel in it for a bit. (On the first day, you understand... on the next 4 I'll be more efficient, I promise!)

Exactly, My plan as well! We're going for DD's 3rd Bday for the first time and just want to take it slow and enjoy it the first day. I was reading somewhere on here about a coach or bus ride I think? That they do by the main gates in the morning before it starts getting busy? I was going to search for it again and see if I'm not mistaken, but I thought that would be fun to do in the first couple hours. We're also doing 'Minnie and Friends' Character breakfast on the first day, just so DD can get an idea of what the characters are all about I was thinking maybe Small World would be a good first ride too. Good luck and have FUN!!!

 

[skiingfast]

I like the PP idea of riding the bus down mainstreet. Sit on the top so you can see extra well.

Also I would either do Junlge Cruise or Dumbo first. Don't do a dark ride it may be too intense right off the bat.

Save the train for later. You see some things on it but not everything as trees and buidlings obscure most of the view. Also the lines on it aren't as bad as others so it's worth doing when it is busier.

 

[Shimmer]

We just had 5 day tickets and wanted also to have a nice, quiet start to our first day. My kids are 3, 4, and 10.

We were there at opening (which was exciting for my kids) and walked with the crowds down Main Street. We headed straight to Fantasyland and to our delight...no one was there! We walked on Dumbo two times in a row, walked on Teacups two times, walked on Alice and then walked on Storybook. That was a great start to our day!

Had it been crowded, our plan was to ride the train around the loop and then enjoy some of the Main Street Vehicles.

You may very well want to leave DL the first day, especially since DCA is so close. We typically park hopped 1-2 times per day. In the back of DCA is Flik's Fun Fair with great rides for young kids. When we were there we never waited more than 5 minutes for a ride. My kids also really enjoyed getting soaked in the water sprayers.

Have fun!

 

[spacemermaid]

Walk up Main Street first & then play it by "ears".

Even though I've been to the Park more times than I can count, there's still something magical about walking up Main Street...so, it's a must-do on your first day, IMO.

Since it's your very first trip and your child's first trip, what I'd do is walk up Main Street, go on it's a small world first (it's a nice, gentle ride), and then take the train from the Toontown station (right nexts to it's a small world) for a circle around the Park....then, go on whatever caught your eye on the train trip!

 

[sway_559]

Also I would either do Junlge Cruise or Dumbo first. Don't do a dark ride it may be too intense right off the bat.

Jungle Cruise!!! That would be a perfect first ride! I was wondering about DD being in the dark on IASW.

Another thing I wanted to add is The Tiki Room might be fun for a first day. Oh, and Alice & The Mad Hatter play musical chairs at Coke Corner @ 2:30 every day. Those are on our list too

 

[kazbar]

Australians and New Zealander's have access to a 14 day park hopper pass so you can take your time a bit more and soak it all in. Its a bit like having a annual pass but for 14 days only. Expedia has the best price (not sure if you have a NZ site but it is on the AU site)

It is only a couple of dollars more than the 5 day pass and is valid for unlimited park hopping for 13 days from your first use and is especially handy for those with small children as it means that you can come and go from the parks for breaks and meals. It is also good for days when you have other activities planned but want to call in and see a parade or fireworks before calling it a day without feeling like you have used a whole days ticket.

Obviously if you are only there for 5 days then it isn't any use to you

 

[perlster]

Take a railroad trip around Disneyland! (including the Grand Canyon and Primeval World)

 

[atmail35]

But when we finally get to Disneyland next year for my first-ever trip, I don't want to spend the first half-hour sprinting through the park to get Splash Mountain FPs or reach ToonTown before anyone else. I want to soak up the ambience and revel in it for a bit. (On the first day, you understand... on the next 4 I'll be more efficient, I promise!)

This is how I felt about both our first trip to WDW and DL. I really wanted DD(5) to experience what Disney was all about and not just rush over to Dumbo or whatever. It was about her experience, not mine

I like walking down Main Street, seeing the castle for the first time, take some pictures. We were just at DL and we found Donald and Mickey so we stopped for autographs.

I do recommend having your breakfast before you arrive so you don't feel like you have to stop and get something. For us that worked better to make sure everyone wasn't starving (and thus cranky) right away. Although the Bakery probably has a lot of tasty treats.

Have fun!