First Visit to Disneyland THIS WEEKEND - Top 3 tips??

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'll be there on Sunday, too. Going with some friends, and I think there'll be some fans celebrating Dick Van Dyke's 90th birthday.

 

[figment_jii]

I haven't done the WoC Dining Package, but they originally said that for reservations before 7:00 pm, guests received FPs for the first show and dining reservations after 7:00 pm got FPs for the second show. I don't know how strictly they adhere to this at this point, but it's a rough guideline.

Regardless of which night, I generally do think the second showing of PtN tends to be less busy than the first. You'll see a lot of folks head straight to a PtN viewing spot as soon as fireworks end (so they're still waiting about an hour), but it's better than 2+ hours for the first showing.

If you have a F! dining package you're going to be viewing the show (ground seating only, no chairs) from the center area. While not necessarily the best view, you can also watch fireworks from there and then head to a PtN viewing area. Alternatively, if you don't care about fireworks, you could try to move to a PtN viewing area as soon as F! ends (while fireworks are happening). I do think Disneyland Forever is an amazing show and worth seeing at some point.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

I haven't done the WoC Dining Package, but they originally said that for reservations before 7:00 pm, guests received FPs for the first show and dining reservations after 7:00 pm got FPs for the second show. I don't know how strictly they adhere to this at this point, but it's a rough guideline.

Regardless of which night, I generally do think the second showing of PtN tends to be less busy than the first. You'll see a lot of folks head straight to a PtN viewing spot as soon as fireworks end (so they're still waiting about an hour), but it's better than 2+ hours for the first showing.

If you have a F! dining package you're going to be viewing the show (ground seating only, no chairs) from the center area. While not necessarily the best view, you can also watch fireworks from there and then head to a PtN viewing area. Alternatively, if you don't care about fireworks, you could try to move to a PtN viewing area as soon as F! ends (while fireworks are happening). I do think Disneyland Forever is an amazing show and worth seeing at some point.

Thanks Figment. I think we have a few opportunities to fit most of the parades and shows in (which I love) now if the rain holds off and keeps the monkey wrench out of my plans. Or if it doesn't then we will just enjoy lower crowds and don ponchos. The nice thing about it being a first visit is EVERYTHING is new and I won't mind so much if I missed something when so many new and exciting adventures at hand.

I'll be there on Sunday, too. Going with some friends, and I think there'll be some fans celebrating Dick Van Dyke's 90th birthday.

How exciting! If you see some gobsmacked woman wondering around with a delighted smile and a heavy Texas accent, you found me!

 

[figment_jii]

I'll be there on Sunday, too. Going with some friends, and I think there'll be some fans celebrating Dick Van Dyke's 90th birthday.

Micechat has posted a schedule of events for the Dick Van Dyke birthday celebration.
http://micechat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/DVD-schedule.jpg

I think we have a few opportunities to fit most of the parades and shows in (which I love) now if the rain holds off and keeps the monkey wrench out of my plans. Or if it doesn't then we will just enjoy lower crowds and don ponchos.

I don't think there is much rain predicted for this weekend. I looked at the forecast and it shows 0% to 20% chance over the next week, which isn't very much or very likely.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

You have gotten some great advice! Just wanted to say hello because we will also be in the parks this weekend! Looking forward to taking in all of the Disneyland Resort holiday decorations! I hope you have an amazing trip in Walt's first park. It is my favorite

Thanks Satchmo! We just can't wait!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Micechat has posted a schedule of events for the Dick Van Dyke birthday celebration.
http://micechat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/DVD-schedule.jpg

I've been following it on Facebook. I was going to try and do the flashmob dance, but since the day and location moved to the Grove I can't do it. However, I'm looking forward to watching the video when it comes out.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

So is it appropriate to wear my black boater with cherries and daisies?

 

[Gisele]

Top 3:

3.

If you ride Splash Mountain, it is imperative absolutely so, to wear a rain poncho. At least for your tushie.
Plus bring socks just in case you need to change them. Or wear cheap flip flops.

2.

When embarking upon a jungle cruise, do not, I repeat do not anger Trader Sam. Otherwise you will lose your head, literally. That's how I lost my poor poor Uncle Bud.
No matter how many times we tried to tell him to stop teasing the jungle king he just kept it up! Well next thing ya know, my poor Uncle is recreating that infamous scene in Apocalypse Now. Only for real....as the boat pitched and rolled so did my uncle's head. No matter how well the crew attempted to clean up the mess, they just couldn't get that last bit of red off the floor, and they used Bon Amie!


1.

Several angry, blood thirsty natives have taken refuge in the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. You never know where they might pop up. But know this especially so, they are apart of a special tribe of head hunting cannibals. So if you dare to venture forth into this infamous temple just make certain to watch your step and especially your head!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Ok We have WoC dining on Friday Night and if it's early showing 9:00 (not sure if you get to choose with the package) we may be able to hop to DL and see the PtN late parade. If it's late maybe we can hop to DL early and catch 8:45 PtN then fireworks then hop to CA for the late WoC. I rather hope it's not the late WoC though as I am (please don't hate me) not a huge Frozen fan. Sat we have reserved for Fantasmic and MAYBE after we can catch the late PtN depending on when our F! seating might be. If not maybe Sunday is where I flop down and hold the spots for the Christmas Fantasy Parade at 4:30 and hold the spots for PtN and fireworks at 8:45. Does that sound doable? Oh heck...we'll make it work one way or another

We had WOC lunch reservations at Carthay Circle in November. We were asked when we checked in what show we preferred - both by the hostess who checked us in, and by our waitress. If you don't get asked, then I would definitely ask yourself if you can choose which show.

If you aren't a Frozen fan, you'll want to see the Celebrate! WOC over the Winter Dreams one. Winter Dreams has a lot more Frozen in it. Both have the Let it Go sequence, but Winter Dreams is hosted by Olaf and has other Frozen songs in it as well. When we were there, Winter Dreams was the early show and Celebrate was the late show, not sure if that's the same now or not.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Oh my gracious! We have had such a busy day and more to go! Flew in this morning and the time difference helped us! We checked in at Paradise Pier and left our luggage at bell services. We were in California Adventure by 9:45 or so. We stuck to California Adventure all day and did Soarin, ToT, California Screaming, the devilishly scary Fun Wheel, saw Viva Navidad right up front - thanks for the great advice on where to watch! Had a wonderful lunch at wine country trattoria and visited a good handful of other attractions and just now came back to get our bags and chill a bit before we go back to use our RSR fast passes and to see WoC and I thought it couldn't get better but we just got to the room and we were sprinkled withbpixiendust and have a one bedroom suite with theme park views. i am so giddy I could just squeal. It's so pretty and everyone has been so nice and it's better because of the help of awesome folks like you!

 

[mich311e]

Have fun!!

 

[blondietink]

Glad you are having a great time. We went last month for our first ever DL/DCA trip and are also WDW veterans. WE loved it so much more than WDW. The parks are absolutely beautiful and so much more to see and do than WDW, in my opinion. We loved it and hope you will, too. We have decided our next trip will be to DL and not WDW.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Sounds like you're having a great time!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

What a great way to start your visit!

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

What a great way to start your visit!

So we watched the Dick Van Dyke pre-parade from the upper level of the train station and since we decided to watch the actual parade the day before we decided to hop on the train to clear the area but as we waited to board Mr Van Dyke came around and shook hands and we all wished him a happy birthday and he saw my MARY Poppins daisy and cherry hat and blew me a kiss. Super duper awesome day.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Such an amazing experience and he was so warm and kind. He saw the train and said "is this whole car for me?" When the hostess confirmed it he smiled and sang "Hey diddly see, an actors life for me!" And then asked her "Do you remember that one?" Just charming and so fun!

 

[mich311e]

So we watched the Dick Van Dyke pre-parade from the upper level of the train station and since we decided to watch the actual parade the day before we decided to hop on the train to clear the area but as we waited to board Mr Van Dyke came around and shook hands and we all wished him a happy birthday and he saw my MARY Poppins daisy and cherry hat and blew me a kiss. Super duper awesome day.

SO COOL!!