Going for the first time ever!

[kiltclan]

Hi there everyone!
I'm happy/excited to be here because.... I'M PLANNING MY FIRST TRIP EVER TO DISNEYLAND!

But it may also be our only trip to Disneyland, or at least the last one for many years.

My father (74 and with mild mobility issues) is from California, living in Miami for last 40 years, and went to DL alot when he was young and only vaguely remembers it. We told him about the 60th anniversary celebration and asked if he'd like to take a trip out there to visit and he decided he was interested!

DH and I are Fl natives and live only 4 hours south of the World in Miami. We've been visiting there for nearly all our lives and currently hold seasonal passes so we're quite well versed on what there is to offer there. But we're completely lost as to all the Awesome things to see over on your end!

What would you recommend to someone who may visit for the first and only time ever? Should we stay on property or is it ok to just stay in a good neighbor hotel? Whats the best place to eat? Is there any place I need to make sure we visit before we leave? Any rides that are must-dos? Inquiring minds need to know!!

I'm sorry if I'm asking so many questions lol. I'm just so excited to finally be going and honestly wish I knew more about DL!

 

[figment_jii]

What would you recommend to someone who may visit for the first and only time ever? Should we stay on property or is it ok to just stay in a good neighbor hotel? Whats the best place to eat? Is there any place I need to make sure we visit before we leave? Any rides that are must-dos? Inquiring minds need to know!!

As a WDW Vet, I highly recommend taking a look at HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW vets.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Firstly, when are you thinking of going? That will guide a lot of advice/information.

In general, to answer your questions...
I always stay on-site at WDW, but it's as necessary at DLR. The on-site hotels (GCH, DLH, and PPI) are very nice and I would happily stay at them, but there are many cheaper options that are as closer or even closer than those three hotels. If you do stay on-site, you'll have access to EMH (Extra Magic Hour), which occurs almost daily. One park is open an hour earlier for EMH guests. Just to avoid confusion, DLR has two types of early entry: EMH and MM. All on-site guests are eligible for EMH, which happens at DL and DCA on alternating mornings (normally). MM (Magic Morning) is for guests with certain types of tickets and only occurs in DL. DL's MM and EMH are on the same morning. Also, for DL, only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open during EMH/MM.

In terms of dining, there are a lots of good options at DLR. DLR is much smaller than WDW, so you can easily walk from DL to DCA to DTD to the hotels. DL and DCA are only 110 yards apart. DTD is just beyond bag check. Think of DL like Epcot's FW, DCA as Epcot's WS, and DTD is just outside of International Gateway. To get an idea of some of the food offerings in DLR, check out the food thread (start with the most recent and work backwards).
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888&page=246

It's also worth noting that dining at DLR is not nearly as difficult as at WDW. ADRs can be made 60-days in advance, but in almost all cases that is not necessary. I would still make ADRs if you know you want to eat somewhere specific at a specific time, but you can often wait until a few weeks before you trip (though it depends a little on when you're going).

In terms of attractions, it really depends on what you normally like to do. I would recommend checking out Carsland because there isn't anything like it at WDW. Same for Indy Jones at DL. In the end, there aren't that many carbon copy attractions at DLR and WDW, so I would ride everything you possibly can. Some attractions have the same name, but the differences can be fairly subtle or major. It always fun to me to ride attractions and think about how they are different.

 

[Canuck16]

We do not think that it is necessary to stay on site at DL as there are many great Good Neighbour Hotels that are within walking distance to the parks and are far more economical.

As far as rides go I would suggest to try as many as you possibly can because even if they are the same ride as at WDW there are differences that make them unique to DL.

I find SM at DL way better than the one at WDW....the cars let you ride side by side and I think it is more intense. Definitely try RSR, California Screamin', Mickey's Wheel of Terror as we call it at DCA.

Have a great trip!

 

[figment_jii]

I find SM at DL way better than the one at WDW....the cars let you ride side by side and I think it is more intense.

Just to clarify, but you're talking about Space Mountain, right? "SM" sometimes is also used to mean Splash Mountain. I think it's interesting that at DL, Space is two-by-two and Splash is single file, while at the MK, it's Space that is single and Splash is two-by-two.

 

[kiltclan]

Lol thanks for some of the ride suggestions! How did it get the name 'wheel of terror?"

this is where some of the fun cones in. We haven't decided when to go yet. We were thinking of october when the crowds were low, but it doesn't seem like that would be the best option anymore. It would be kinda nice to go on the actual celebration day but I bet it'll be packed.

 

[figment_jii]

Lol thanks for some of the ride suggestions! How did it get the name 'wheel of terror?"

It's actually Mickey's Fun Wheel, but some folks it's one of the worst rides in the parks because of motion sickness, fear of heights, etc.

this is where some of the fun cones in. We haven't decided when to go yet. We were thinking of october when the crowds were low, but it doesn't seem like that would be the best option anymore. It would be kinda nice to go on the actual celebration day but I bet it'll be packed.

I've been maintaining a list of known events in and around DLR for 2015, so it might help you decide when looks like a good time to go.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3358090

Yes, I think July 17th will be a zoo at DLR because it's the actual day of the anniversary. All information so far points to the 60th anniversary entertainment extending at least through the end of the year.

 

[Sherry E]

October is not a bad time to go -- it's not as quiet as it once was, and it is now quite popular and busy due to Halloween Time and assorted events and school breaks, but it's not on the same level as the post-Christmas/New Year's Eve crowds.

 

[luulu1999]

I have never been to WDW so I can't say anything about comparing rides but all of Cars Land is awesome, we really liked Big Thunder Mt Mine train and splash mountain also...as far as hotels every time I start looking into on site I can never justify the price difference, we stayed at Park Vue Inn this summer and I HIGHLY recommend it...it has free breakfast, free parking, free wifi and it is literally RIGHT across the street from the entrance!! And the breakfast was REALLY good!! And you can get so much done in the mornings with low crowds, we always just tried to make sure and start out at which ever park didn't have EMH that morning. Have fun it is AMAZING

 

[Diszona]

As others have mentioned Cars Land is a must. I would say you definitely need to experience the original Pirates. I grew up going to WDW myself and always blew off the talk about DL's Pirates being better as bias until I actually rode it. It is quite a bit better and longer (almost 2 times as lone) as the one at WDW. Also Blue Bayou is a pretty neat (though somewhat pricey) dining experience, eating as the Pirates boats go by. Definitely something you might want to check out if it is your first time.

As far as where to stay, as mentioned, the onsite hotels are nice, but really expensive and definitely not like what is at WDW. There are hotels that are much cheaper and located directly across the street from the resort entrance. The resort isn't massive like WDW so these hotels are actually closer to the park gates than the on site ones are, only a 5-10 minute walk.

A final thing to keep in mind is, while you definitely want to plan, DL does not require the same level of planning the WDW does. The two parks are directly across the esplanade from each other, maybe a couple hundred feet, so park hopping is much easier than it is at WDW.

Have fun!

 

[Canuck16]

Just to clarify, but you're talking about Space Mountain, right? "SM" sometimes is also used to mean Splash Mountain. I think it's interesting that at DL, Space is two-by-two and Splash is single file, while at the MK, it's Space that is single and Splash is two-by-two.

Yes Space Mountain

 

[Canuck16]

Lol thanks for some of the ride suggestions! How did it get the name 'wheel of terror?"

this is where some of the fun cones in. We haven't decided when to go yet. We were thinking of october when the crowds were low, but it doesn't seem like that would be the best option anymore. It would be kinda nice to go on the actual celebration day but I bet it'll be packed.

We call it Mickey's Wheel of Terror because some of the ride vehicles are not fixed.....they are on rails. So as the wheel goes around the vehicle will roll on these rails and swing as they get towards the inside or outside of the wheel. It is not just your regular ferris wheel

 

[Canuck16]

As others have mentioned Cars Land is a must. I would say you definitely need to experience the original Pirates. I grew up going to WDW myself and always blew off the talk about DL's Pirates being better as bias until I actually rode it. It is quite a bit better and longer (almost 2 times as lone) as the one at WDW. Also Blue Bayou is a pretty neat (though somewhat pricey) dining experience, eating as the Pirates boats go by. Definitely something you might want to check out if it is your first time.

As far as where to stay, as mentioned, the onsite hotels are nice, but really expensive and definitely not like what is at WDW. There are hotels that are much cheaper and located directly across the street from the resort entrance. The resort isn't massive like WDW so these hotels are actually closer to the park gates than the on site ones are, only a 5-10 minute walk.

A final thing to keep in mind is, while you definitely want to plan, DL does not require the same level of planning the WDW does. The two parks are directly across the esplanade from each other, maybe a couple hundred feet, so park hopping is much easier than it is at WDW.

Have fun!

Yes I agree with trying lunch or dinner at the Blue Bayou............the atmosphere is amazing. You get to eat your meal inside Pirates and watch the boats float by. We went on our last trip and have our ADR already booked for our trip this March.

 

[kiltclan]

AWESOME! Knowing that there'll be much less planning than to a WDW vacation makes me feel so much better.

We're def gonna head to pirates since we're pirate crazy and blue bayou sounds like exactly the kind of place we'd enjoy eating at! Cars land also seems to be important and I think we'd enjoy checking that out.

As far as the hotels go though, are they really that much closer? I mean, I could just be accustomed to WDW here, but wow! So, even if we were probably going to rent my dad a wheelchair once in the park, the walk from some of the good neighbor hotels isn't going to be too bad?

 

[Diszona]

AWESOME! Knowing that there'll be much less planning than to a WDW vacation makes me feel so much better.

We're def gonna head to pirates since we're pirate crazy and blue bayou sounds like exactly the kind of place we'd enjoy eating at! Cars land also seems to be important and I think we'd enjoy checking that out.

As far as the hotels go though, are they really that much closer? I mean, I could just be accustomed to WDW here, but wow! So, even if we were probably going to rent my dad a wheelchair once in the park, the walk from some of the good neighbor hotels isn't going to be too bad?

One place you might want to look is the Candy Cane Inn. I have never stayed there myself but it gets rave reviews here. While it isn't directly across from the entrance like some, it has a free shuttle to and from the parks.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

+1 on the Candy Cane Inn. It's one of our favorite off site hotels -- clean rooms, free parking, continental breakfast (delivered to your room if you have a VIP room), and a private shuttle that runs on time. It's nice not having to share a shuttle with other hotels because you doh't have to make extra stops and there is always room so you don't have to wait for the next shuttle.

 

[amie2554]

When are you planning your trip for?

 

[Diszona]

AWESOME! Knowing that there'll be much less planning than to a WDW vacation makes me feel so much better.

We're def gonna head to pirates since we're pirate crazy and blue bayou sounds like exactly the kind of place we'd enjoy eating at! Cars land also seems to be important and I think we'd enjoy checking that out.

As far as the hotels go though, are they really that much closer? I mean, I could just be accustomed to WDW here, but wow! So, even if we were probably going to rent my dad a wheelchair once in the park, the walk from some of the good neighbor hotels isn't going to be too bad?

What I did before my first trip is simply look up hotels near Disneyland on Google maps with the Satellite view. It should show the hotels with labels and gives you a good sense of just how close they are. The closest ones are the Best Western Park Place Inn and the Park Vue Inn, which are literally just across the street from the resort entrance. There are several other hotels next to those that are also good options for walking. Now keep in mind, when I say "hotel" these are really more like motels that have been spruced up.

One other option is to stay at a hotel along the ART line, which is the bus system that runs along a large number of hotels and stops at Disneyland. I have never tried it but will be giving it a shot in March, I can let you know how well it worked after we get back. Personally, though, if it was my first trip there I would probably want to stay at one of the closest hotels, if for no other reason than the convenience.

 

[kiltclan]

When are you planning your trip for?

We were thinking sometime in October

 

[Kit Jackson]

I used an older edition of this book when planning my recent trip, and it was fantastic. It really helped me figure out which rides I wanted to go on, and where I wanted to eat.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Unofficial-Guide-Disneyland-2015/dp/1628090243

Best of luck planning your trip.

 

[jsebsirois]

We were thinking sometime in October

Best choice!

You'll get to enjoy Halloween Time and you might be able to catch one of Mickey's Halloween Party!!!