First Visit, I'm lost!

[tinklvsu]

Ok, so we will be attending the E3 and Sony conference in LA in two weeks. I have two free days that I will be using to visit Disneyland, and California Adventure. I visit WDW EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR, so I'm pretty comfortable with everything there, feels like my second home. I am so lost trying to figure out my game plan for Disneyland.

Can anyone help with what the most popular rides are there? What would be the best ones to try to snag a fast pass for? Which ones normally don't have a huge wait? I'm not worried about catching the attractions that can also be found at WDW as we already have a sept/oct trip booked for this year. Please! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Drusilla99]

Most rides at dl can be found somewhere at wdw. You'll want to hit Indiana jones & Matterhorn for sure. I like dl's splash mountain better than wdw & the autopia is a different setting. Gadgets go coaster is basically the barnstormer, & wdw's big thunder is a little better. Check out pirates, the one at dl is much longer w/ another, bigger drop. Ca adventure is another story...the only thing you will see that's similar is tot, the Ariel ride, soarin, & grizzly river run is the same as kali river rapids. You can't get a fast pass for Matterhorn, but do for Indy; do that one early as it breaks down often throughout the day. The typical ones will be crowded too, space, thunder, splash, @ dca - screamin. I hope this helped

 

[mesaboy2]

Ok, so we will be attending the E3 and Sony conference in LA in two weeks. I have two free days that I will be using to visit Disneyland, and California Adventure. I visit WDW EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR, so I'm pretty comfortable with everything there, feels like my second home. I am so lost trying to figure out my game plan for Disneyland.

Can anyone help with what the most popular rides are there? What would be the best ones to try to snag a fast pass for? Which ones normally don't have a huge wait? I'm not worried about catching the attractions that can also be found at WDW as we already have a sept/oct trip booked for this year. Please! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

See this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Disney Dreams]

The link that mesaboy2 gave you is the best place to start. Just remember, you are NOT going to a smaller WDW. The Disneyland Resort is an amazing place. The Magic Kingdom and Disneyland will feel similar -- but different at the exact same time. I have always said that walking through the Magic Kingdom if you are familiar with Disneyland (or vice-versa) is like walking through your own house where someone has moved the furniture around a little bit and changed some of the artwork on the walls. It seems like home, it feels like home, but something it's just quite like you know it should be, but it's special and wonderful to it's own right. Enjoy!

Most rides at dl can be found somewhere at wdw.....

Well... there's quite a few attractions at Disneyland that are nowhere to be found at WDW actually.

- Alice in Wonderland
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
- Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Treehouse
- Columbia Sailing Ship
- Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Gadget's Go Go Coaster
- Indiana Jones
- Innoventions - Dream Home is not at WDW, nor is the ASIMO show, nor are the Marvel Character meet and greets or virtual reality experience
- Mark Twain Riverboat
- Matterhorn
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Pinocchio's Daring Adventure
- Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin
- Snow White's Scary Adventures
- Storybookland Canal Boats
- Tarzan’s Treehouse (used to be Swiss Family Treehouse at DL)

And then there are others inside DCA, as well, including:

- Luigi's Flying Tires
- Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
- Radiator Springs Racers
to name a few.
And if you enjoy theatre, do not miss the Aladdin show in the Hyperion theatre at DCA. It's fantastic!

- Dreams

 

[SplashMo]

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


I would recommend Park Hoper tickets. For shows WOC and Fantasmic (as it is different than WDW) also the Fireworks. For a splurge the Chef’s counter at Napa Rose.


Disneyland (DL)


Arrive 30 minutes early. If you have an Early Admission day arrive 1:15 before official park open (Early admission is on certain days and is a one shot deal for most 3 or more day tickets as well as onsite hotel guests can do this as often as they like during their stay on days that it is offered. ). There are two gates behind trees (I think they are 14 and 17) that do not form lines as folks do not see them/use them.


Top Priority Rides: Peter Pan and Dumbo (Ride first and in this order, assuming you were early to the gate).

Exception to above is Anna and Elsa if you want to see them and their line opens around park opening . Ask a CM (Disney Employees that are roaming the parks). Hard to say if you would want to use an Early admission day for this to wait in line. I would pick a day where Early Admission is at DCA to do this if you have the option.

Jedi Training Academy. To have your child picked bring a small blank paper and pen to make a sign. Signs are not allowed into the gates but are tolerated at the Jedi Training Academy. Sign can say Pick Me or Use the Force, etc…

FastPass (FP). Once everyone has entered either one of the parks with their ticket a runner can be sent to any ride in either park with all of the tickets to collect fast passes for the entire party. FP have a time stamped on them when the next FP is available (anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours).

Rides to fast pass first are Big Thunder, Splash, Space and Indy. (normally Big Thunder does not need a FP but currently it is helpful).


Disney California Adventure (DCA)

Arrive 45 minutes early. If you have an Early Admission day (onsite Hotel guests only) arrive 1:20 before official park open at the Main Gate. Do not use the Hotel entrance for Early Admission unless you are 2 hours before official park open. If you do not have early Admission the right hand gate is often best as they will sometimes will open additional gates to the right just as the park opens.

Top Priority Ride: Radiator Springs Raceway (RSR) in Cars Land.

If you do not have early admission the fastpass runner should get inline with everyone’s ticket for Radiator Springs Raceway (RSR) Fastpasses which is at a Spanish/Mission style looking building. The others should get in line for RSR and stay to the right. Once the FP runner has FP they can jump in the single rider line and likely catch up with their party (but ride separately). If you party is all old enough the single rider line for RSR works great (Also Indy in DisneyLand).

Hotel Guests can jump into the FP line near the end of early admission (10-15 minutes before official park open). UPDATE: Hotel guests may be asked to jump into standby line to ride actual ride instead of being allowed to get in the FP line.

FastPass (FP). Once everyone has entered one of the parks with their ticket a runner can be sent with all of the tickets to collect fast passes for the entire party. FP have a time stamped on them when the next FP is available (anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours).

Rides to fast pass first are RSR, SOARIN, TOT and SCREAMIN

After visiting Carsland grab a FP for World of Color (WOC).

Also disconnected FP machines in DCA are RSR, WOC and SCREAMIN.

Which means you can get an additional FP on a different ride immediately. And for SCREAMIN you can collect a lot of FP for this and ride it 5-6 times (You can generally pull an additional SCREAMIN FP every 40 minutes on average without impacting your other FP eligibility.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I have been trying to wrap my head around a WDW trip for upwards of 2 months and I've come to the conclusion that unless I book everything 18 months out and take a Sue Heck-esque binder with me I won't be able to ride or eat anything.

Disneyland is sooooo easy compared to WDW!
Stay: Castle Inn & Suites (super cheap), BWPPI (cheap), or DLH (expensive).
Ride: If it has a Fastpass, get one - or get in line if the wait is <20 min.
Eat: When you want, where you want. Yes, even table service.

 

[SplashMo]

I have been trying to wrap my head around a WDW trip for upwards of 2 months and I've come to the conclusion that unless I book everything 18 months out and take a Sue Heck-esque binder with me I won't be able to ride or eat anything.

Disneyland is sooooo easy compared to WDW!
Stay: Castle Inn & Suites (super cheap), BWPPI (cheap), or DLH (expensive).
Ride: If it has a Fastpass, get one - or get in line if the wait is <20 min.
Eat: When you want, where you want. Yes, even table service.

Not so bad Use easyWDW for their daily cheat sheets and eat counter service except at DHS have one reservation there for dinner and one dinner at Epcot. Super easy way to go.

 

[tinklvsu]

Thank you everyone! You were all very helpful! I'm feeling a lot less anxiety about it all now!

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Not so bad Use easyWDW for their daily cheat sheets and eat counter service except at DHS have one reservation there for dinner and one dinner at Epcot. Super easy way to go.

Thanks for the tips! That is a plan I can work with!

 

[chathaway]

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


I would recommend Park Hoper tickets. For shows WOC and Fantasmic (as it is different than WDW) also the Fireworks. For a splurge the Chef’s counter at Napa Rose.


Disneyland (DL)


Arrive 30 minutes early. If you have an Early Admission day arrive 1:15 before official park open (Early admission is on certain days and is a one shot deal for most 3 or more day tickets as well as onsite hotel guests can do this as often as they like during their stay on days that it is offered. ). There are two gates behind trees (I think they are 14 and 17) that do not form lines as folks do not see them/use them.


Top Priority Rides: Peter Pan and Dumbo (Ride first and in this order, assuming you were early to the gate).

Exception to above is Anna and Elsa if you want to see them and their line opens around park opening . Ask a CM (Disney Employees that are roaming the parks). Hard to say if you would want to use an Early admission day for this to wait in line. I would pick a day where Early Admission is at DCA to do this if you have the option.

Jedi Training Academy. To have your child picked bring a small blank paper and pen to make a sign. Signs are not allowed into the gates but are tolerated at the Jedi Training Academy. Sign can say Pick Me or Use the Force, etc…

FastPass (FP). Once everyone has entered either one of the parks with their ticket a runner can be sent to any ride in either park with all of the tickets to collect fast passes for the entire party. FP have a time stamped on them when the next FP is available (anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours).

Rides to fast pass first are Big Thunder, Splash, Space and Indy. (normally Big Thunder does not need a FP but currently it is helpful).


Disney California Adventure (DCA)

Arrive 45 minutes early. If you have an Early Admission day (onsite Hotel guests only) arrive 1:20 before official park open at the Main Gate. Do not use the Hotel entrance for Early Admission unless you are 2 hours before official park open. If you do not have early Admission the right hand gate is often best as they will sometimes will open additional gates to the right just as the park opens.

Top Priority Ride: Radiator Springs Raceway (RSR) in Cars Land.

If you do not have early admission the fastpass runner should get inline with everyone’s ticket for Radiator Springs Raceway (RSR) Fastpasses which is at a Spanish/Mission style looking building. The others should get in line for RSR and stay to the right. Once the FP runner has FP they can jump in the single rider line and likely catch up with their party (but ride separately). If you party is all old enough the single rider line for RSR works great (Also Indy in DisneyLand).

Hotel Guests can jump into the FP line near the end of early admission (10-15 minutes before official park open). UPDATE: Hotel guests may be asked to jump into standby line to ride actual ride instead of being allowed to get in the FP line.

FastPass (FP). Once everyone has entered one of the parks with their ticket a runner can be sent with all of the tickets to collect fast passes for the entire party. FP have a time stamped on them when the next FP is available (anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours).

Rides to fast pass first are RSR, SOARIN, TOT and SCREAMIN

After visiting Carsland grab a FP for World of Color (WOC).

Also disconnected FP machines in DCA are RSR, WOC and SCREAMIN.

Which means you can get an additional FP on a different ride immediately. And for SCREAMIN you can collect a lot of FP for this and ride it 5-6 times (You can generally pull an additional SCREAMIN FP every 40 minutes on average without impacting your other FP eligibility.

LOVE these boards. This info is so helpful!

 

[figment_jii]

Eat: When you want, where you want. Yes, even table service.

Just a caveat: Dining at DLR is much easier than at WDW, but there are a few restaurants where getting an ADR is still highly recommended. Almost every time I've gone to the Blue Bayou, the CMs were turning away walk-ups and not taking reservations for later in the day. So if you want to eat at Blue Bayou, I would highly recommend making an ADR. Other places were reservations are recommended are: Carthay Circle (weekends) and Fantasmic Dessert Package. I would also consider making reservations at Café Orleans and Carnations Café because both venues are fairly small and can get backed-up pretty quickly (i.e., long waits for walk-ups).

Dining reservations open up 60-days in advance. The operating calendar is released 45-days in advance, but entertainment and EMH/MM hours are generally not listed until about 30-days out. In terms of ADRs, you generally do not have to call/be online right at the 60-day mark. You can usually get reservations a few days in advance.

 

[swooshbear]

I will be at E3 this year, this will be my 11th E3, and will be going on June 7th before the show starts. One thing to note, this is Grad Nite season and we are here at DLR this weekend. Saturday was nuts, very high crowd index. Today (Sunday) was much more manageable.

Definitely check out the Grad Nite schedule if your schedule is flexible: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/Events/grad-nights.html

 

[tinklvsu]

I will be at E3 this year, this will be my 11th E3, and will be going on June 7th before the show starts. One thing to note, this is Grad Nite season and we are here at DLR this weekend. Saturday was nuts, very high crowd index. Today (Sunday) was much more manageable. Definitely check out the Grad Nite schedule if your schedule is flexible: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/Events/grad-nights.html

Oh no! Unfortunately we aren't flexible. We only have June 12th and 14th "free" while we are there. The other days will be spent at E3 and Sony. Thank you for the heads up!! I will set my expectations for unusually high crowd levels.

 

[figment_jii]

It's worth noting that Saturdays are normally busy, but this last Saturday (5/25) was the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Crowds are usually higher than typical on three-day weekends.

 

[swooshbear]

Oh no! Unfortunately we aren't flexible. We only have June 12th and 14th "free" while we are there. The other days will be spent at E3 and Sony. Thank you for the heads up!! I will set my expectations for unusually high crowd levels.

Don't worry, navigating the show floor at E3 will help prepare you for the crowds at Disneyland! Disney Interactive has had some pretty good giveaways the past few years, 2012 was the personalized Oswald ears and last year was Infinity toys. The line usually goes all the way around their booth.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Just a caveat: Dining at DLR is much easier than at WDW, but there are a few restaurants where getting an ADR is still highly recommended. Almost every time I've gone to the Blue Bayou, the CMs were turning away walk-ups and not taking reservations for later in the day. So if you want to eat at Blue Bayou, I would highly recommend making an ADR. Other places were reservations are recommended are: Carthay Circle (weekends) and Fantasmic Dessert Package. I would also consider making reservations at Café Orleans and Carnations Café because both venues are fairly small and can get backed-up pretty quickly (i.e., long waits for walk-ups).

Dining reservations open up 60-days in advance. The operating calendar is released 45-days in advance, but entertainment and EMH/MM hours are generally not listed until about 30-days out. In terms of ADRs, you generally do not have to call/be online right at the 60-day mark. You can usually get reservations a few days in advance.

Except for Carthay Circle and Fantasmic Dessert Package, which we have never done, I stand by my advice that no reservations are needed. The hostesses at DL, as at most restaurants where they are not trained well, inflate the walkup time by at least 2x. There have been 0 times out of over 50 when we have waited more than 15 minutes without reservations. In fact, the two times I made reservations - once at Blue Bayou and once at Ariel's for breakfast - we waited over 30 min after our reservation time!
It really is no big deal to walk up when you want a table. If your trip/life will be ruined if something weird happens that prevents walk ups at the exact moment you want to eat, then make reservations.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We are WDW vets too who have never been to Disney Land and are actually considering switching it up next year to go there for a first time. I feel the same way the OP does.

Does DLR have FP+ yet? And will it by Dec 2015? (So far, I have mixed feelings about FP+)

I also know nothing about the resorts there and we are considering staying on property this time so that our party can come and go as they please and we can get the dining and extra hours options. What are the value resorts there?

I also have two Disney Chase accounts, and I loved our photo at EPCOT this year, do we also get one at DLR? And if so, where is it at?

I assume DLR is as good as WDW was about GF meal options?

 

[figment_jii]

Does DLR have FP+ yet? And will it by Dec 2015? (So far, I have mixed feelings about FP+)

There is no way to know what will happen that far into the future, but at this point, it is unlikely that DLR will get FP+ (and Magic Bands) until the issues and bugs are worked out at WDW. I do think it'll eventually be implemented at DLR as well, but not within the next year. DLR does enforce FP times (like WDW).

I also know nothing about the resorts there and we are considering staying on property this time so that our party can come and go as they please and we can get the dining and extra hours options. What are the value resorts there?

DLR actually only has three resorts: Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, and Paradise Pier. Paradise Pier is the lowest priced of the hotels, but I still think it's more expensive than the values at WDW. Guests of the three hotels have access to extra magic hour (EMH). EMH at DLR is only for one hour in the morning in DL or DCA depending on the day of the week (usually only one park per day has EMH). There are no evening EMHs (except for special events). Guests with a 3-day or longer park ticket are also eligible for Magic Mornings (one hour at DL).

I'm not sure what you mean by "come and go as they please" but there are also several motels along Harbor Blvd and Katella that are within walking distance of DLR. Those tend to be cheaper than the three DLR hotels and can be good alternatives. Staying "offsite" at DLR is much easier than it is at WDW.

In terms of the dining packages, most folks feel it is not worth getting it. It's basically vouchers and you don't save much of anything. I would plan on just paying OOP because you have more freedom where to eat (the vouchers are only good at select restaurants). Also, as far as I know, resort guests to do not have any additional access to reservation times (i.e., there is nothing like the "+10" feature at WDW), but it's not a big deal because reservations are much easier to get at DLR.

I also have two Disney Chase accounts, and I loved our photo at EPCOT this year, do we also get one at DLR? And if so, where is it at?

Yes, it's over in DCA near the Monster's Inc Ride. I believe it only runs for a few hours per day.

 

[jrtoastyman]

The Magic Kingdom and Disneyland will feel similar -- but different at the exact same time. I have always said that walking through the Magic Kingdom if you are familiar with Disneyland (or vice-versa) is like walking through your own house where someone has moved the furniture around a little bit and changed some of the artwork on the walls. It seems like home, it feels like home, but something it's just quite like you know it should be, but it's special and wonderful to it's own right. Enjoy!

This is a great description. When I was at Disneyland for the first time last week, I was reminded of the scene at the beginning of Pulp Fiction when Samuel L. Jackson's character (Jules) and John Travolta's character (Vincent) were discussing the differences between Europe and the U.S. Had they been talking about WDW and DLR, I think it would have sounded like this:


VINCENT

But you know what the funniest thing about Disneyland is?

JULES

What?

VINCENT

It's the little differences. A lotta the same stuff we got here, they got there, but there they're a little different.

JULES

Examples?

VINCENT

Well, in Disneyland, you can buy a churro. And I don't mean like a breadstick dusted with cinnamon, either, I’m talking about a proper churro. Also, you know what they call Soarin’ at Disneyland?

JULES

They don't call it Soarin’?

VINCENT

No, they’ve got this California theme over there, so they call it Soarin’ Over California.

JULES
(repeating)
Soarin’ Over California. What'd they call Toy Story Mania?

VINCENT

Toy Story Mania is Toy Story Mania, but they call it Toy Story MIDWAY Mania

JULES

Midway Mania. What do they call Astro Orbiter?

VINCENT

I dunno, I didn't bother to go to Tommorowland.

 

[ktlm]

You will be fine!! Don't stress out! DL/CA involves much less planning then WDW. It is much more laid back as there are so many more local day visitors. You can just show up and explore and have a great time! I'm a fellow WDW vet, but we have developed a love for DL/CA and have been alternating trips the last few years. The best thing is that everything is close together so you can walk anywhere in about 10 minutes. It saves so much travel time from what you are used to at WDW. I would recommend hoppers for a short trip because unlike at WDW, at DL/CA hopping between parks is a 5 minute deal. The walk between parks is less than walking from some of the bus stops into the parks at WDW. Also, the gates aren't typically bad if you are not at the opening or another prime entry time. The bag check is on the sides of the plaza for both parks, so you do not have to go through bag check when hoping. We have actually made it from the back of one park to the back of the other in 10 minutes. Also CA usually closes a couple of hours earlier then DL, so you can maximize time by hopping over and catching that extra couple of hours at DL at night. CA used to open an hour or two later as well, but since Carsland has been around I think they most often open at the same time now.

Even though you have a short time, if you like Aladdin at all, taking time for the 40 minute Aladdin show is absolutely worth it! A few years back when they were going to end it but changed their mind, we actually switched our WDW trip to DL, just so DD could see it before it was gone. (DH and I saw it on a business trip before then).

Fantasmic is better than at WDW, BUT it is a big investment of time that you might not want to make when you only have 2 days. We love the Fantasmic dessert package, but even with that, you have to wait in line to pick the seats you want well before the show, so it is still a time suck.

We love World of Color. If you get a chance it is something to see. It is standing only, which is a bit of a pain. We like to do the dining package, and then we go right up to the rail in the wet zone. You will get wet-you can bring a poncho or just deal with it, but at least to me (being short) and DD (being shorter) the view is well worth it.

If you like shows, Mickey and the Magical Map is really good, and the little Rapunzel show is actually quite entertaining.

Absolutely follow the above advice for RSR. It is a great ride. It puts Test Track to shame. I think Indiana Jones is probably my favorite ride in any Disney park. It is the same vehicle and track type as Dinosaur at WDW, but nothing like it. I hate Dinosaur, and I LOVE Indiana Jones.

DL/CA has great CS options. We think they are much better than WDW. You can easily get by without TS if you don't want to spend the time on TS. I would go crazy with just CS at WDW for more than a day- especially at MK. We always do TS at DL/CA, but I would be absolutely fine without it.

Peter Pan is not fast pass like it is at WDW, and the line is consistently long. Hit that early in the morning. Some people like DL's Peter Pan better- we really prefer WDW's version.

DL will feel strangely familiar- like you are dreaming you are at MK, but things are just slightly off. You will have no problem navigating it, if you are familiar with MK.

Don't miss Pirates at DL, it is much better than WDW's version. We really like Small world better too. We also like doing the Non-WdW things like the Alice in Wonderland ride and Nemo subs- but I think those will both be on refurb when you are there. There are still things like the Storybook land Canal Boat ride, Mr. Toad, Pinnochio, and Snow White (WDW's was much better, but since it is now gone DL is all there is). Just FYI- unless you are sporty, the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes are much better in theory than in practice-- they look fun, but you quickly realize it is work. We had a pretty funny ride on those, with everyone around us new to the canoes and hilariously complaining after about 4 minutes. The Monster's Inc. ride at CA is pretty cute. We didn't think we would like Luigi's Flying Tires much, but they are a whole lot more fun than they looked. We loved them. That is one to hit early because they don't take many people at a time. TSM is not a FP ride at CA, but the lines are never as long as they are at WDW either. You should try to hit that one early, because the line is pretty consistently 30 to 45 minutes- but at least they aren't consistently an hour or more like at WDW. Be sure and walk through Sleeping Beauty's castle, it is kind of fun to be able to walk up in the castle at DL and see the story- the entry door is a bit tucked away on the back side of the castle. Also, if you like meeting characters and seeing villians, keep an eye out around town square during the day. Unlike WDW, where you don't see villains out for meet and greets much- they pop up here and there frequently at DL. We have seen Cruella out in Town Square in the afternoon more than once. We have run into the Queen of Hearts there as well. We've also seen the evil queen from Snow white popping up here and there.

Have a great time! Be careful though- our DL/CA addiction started out with DH and I going out to CA for the weekend before a Monday business meeting, and we just happened to decide to spend a Sunday at DL/CA. That one day led to DD just having to see the Aladdin show before it was gone and a full trip being booked... and that trip led to a love of DL/CA and alternating coast trips!