Going to CA on business, and guess where I'm squeezing in a day?

[DaraAllen]

OK, here's the drill. I just was notified that I need to go to California the week of August 7th. Instead of having to take the o'dark 30 flight from here, fly for six hours, get in a car and drive 3 and a half hours, I finagled (sp?) a fly-out on Sunday (and do the drive on Monday). That puts me in LA around 0930, which I hope will put me at the resort (Disneyland Hotel) about 11:30ish on Sunday, August 6th.

I am open to any and all suggestions to how to maximize my one and only day at Disneyland. Not CA adventure, just Disneyland.

Oh, and what's the thing with the flat VMKers? Should I print out DaraSue and take her with me for photo ops?

I now open the floor...

 

[DaraAllen]

bippidy boppity bump

 

[Lady Boadicea]

Hi!
Glad to hear you are coming to disneyland. If you want to meet up with some of us locals we would be glad to do that! My hubby and I are usually at the park on Sundays. And there are many others that might be around if you post that you want to meet up. I would suggest going to vmk central to get your quest items first thing then maybe into innoventions for a born in park character.
If we meet up with you we have all the completed quests so you can just turn them in or you can find the spoilers here on the board.
When you turn in all the quests they let you pick 2 fast passes, I beleive the choices are: Roger Rabbit, Space Mountain, Autopia and BuzzLightYear Ride.
I would say drop by space mountain frist to see if you can get a fast pass there so you can use your other 2 for the others. They let you get them even if you have a fast pass, which is what is cool about it.
Definitly plan to go on pirates as soon as you can and the haunted mansion as they have made changes to both of those rides.
I am not sure if they are offering fast pass on the Haunted Mansion right now. Last time we went on it they were not but the line went quick. The pirates line, even though it looks long, goes very quick too.
I think you could get all the major rides in if you pick up fast passes to Space Mountain and Big thunder and then the vmk fast passes.
Hope this helps! If you want to meet up post here and we can plan to meet you when you get to the park.
VMK flats: That is a contest here on the board, print out a pic of your character, I like to laminate mine so they don't get wet or food stains LOL, then when you go take some tape so you can pose your character where ever and take lots of pictures! Then when you get home post your pics on the thread. Hope this info helps!

Lady

 

[Nanoer]

maybe you'll meet renpener or me we're in los angeles

 

[Disney Dreams]

OK, here's the drill. I just was notified that I need to go to California the week of August 7th. Instead of having to take the o'dark 30 flight from here, fly for six hours, get in a car and drive 3 and a half hours, I finagled (sp?) a fly-out on Sunday (and do the drive on Monday). That puts me in LA around 0930, which I hope will put me at the resort (Disneyland Hotel) about 11:30ish on Sunday, August 6th.

I am open to any and all suggestions to how to maximize my one and only day at Disneyland. Not CA adventure, just Disneyland.

Oh, and what's the thing with the flat VMKers? Should I print out DaraSue and take her with me for photo ops?

I now open the floor...

Ok, trying to follow you in your excitement - first, yay you're going to Disneyland!

In order to help you at all - first i need to try to understand your schedule.

You are flying in to LAX? There are a few airports in the area - all difference distances from DLR.

Then you are driving 3.5 hours. Which way? Again, trying to help you determine distance to DLR

Then is get confused.... You say you are flying "out on Sunday (and do the drive on Monday). That puts me in LA around 0930, which I hope will put me at the resort (Disneyland Hotel) about 11:30ish on Sunday, August 6th."

Not following when you are where. LA to DLR is quite a drive depending upon when and where in LA. Trying to get your logistics down so I can help more. Do you know when you are at DLR and how much time you have?

- Disney Dreams

 

[DaraAllen]

It's not good that I did not write this clearly, seeing as I write technical documentation for a living! LOL

I am flying into LAX, the LAX. My United flight from Baltimore arrives around 9:30 am on Sunday, August 6th. Mapquest states that DLR is about 35 minutes from LAX, which I figure is fairly accurate for a Sunday. I will drive directly from LAX to DLR, and spend the day at DLR. I am staying at the Disneyland Hotel the night of August 6th. The next morning, I am picking up my client from LAX at 11:00 and driving to China Lake (aka, the armpit of the universe), which is 3.5 hours away. I know it will take a long time to get to LAX on a Monday, but so be it!

I will only have Sunday at DLR, unfortunately, hence my request for help in maximizing my time there.

Lady and Nano, and you too Disney Dreams, I would love to meet up with you and anyone else at DLR, if we can work it out. Not knowing exactly how long it takes to get from LAX to DLR, parked, tram to MK, then over to VMK makes it a challenge, but I could PM cell phone number and we can coordinate.

Lady, thanks for the tips. I will plan to do what you suggest. Maybe we can all hang together for some rides, too.

Oh, does anyone know if Pal Mickey works at DLR?

 

[Disney Dreams]

... I am flying into LAX, the LAX. My United flight from Baltimore arrives around 9:30 am on Sunday, August 6th. Mapquest states that DLR is about 35 minutes from LAX, which I figure is fairly accurate for a Sunday. I will drive directly from LAX to DLR, and spend the day at DLR. I am staying at the Disneyland Hotel the night of August 6th. The next morning, I am picking up my client from LAX at 11:00 and driving to China Lake (aka, the armpit of the universe), which is 3.5 hours away. I know it will take a long time to get to LAX on a Monday, but so be it!

I will only have Sunday at DLR, unfortunately, hence my request for help in maximizing my time there.

Lady and Nano, and you too Disney Dreams, I would love to meet up with you and anyone else at DLR, if we can work it out. Not knowing exactly how long it takes to get from LAX to DLR, parked, tram to MK, then over to VMK makes it a challenge, but I could PM cell phone number and we can coordinate.... Oh, does anyone know if Pal Mickey works at DLR?

Okay! That helps. btw, i think we all posted at about the same time above as nothing was there when I started my reply.

First, just know that if you make it from LAX to DLR in 35 minutes, you have luck on your side and I would stop off to buy a lottery ticket! In your timing, keep in mind you will probably be looking at more time than that. Welcome to So. Cal. Once you get to Disneyland Resort, you can be at the gates of Disneyland in about 15 minutes.

If it is by any chance your birthday, stop at Town Hall on your way in at the top of Main Street. They will give you a sticker and it sometimes gets you little perks during your visit.

As for what to do, Lady gave you some great tips. Also, take the list of stores from which you can get vmk items (gold ears, penny press, etc.....) and weave them in to your visit. Now, as for non-vmk related stuff....

As for my personal favorites, I love the shops on Main Street - not the Emporium, everything you want with mickey stuff, but the other stores. The Crystal Shoppe, there is an art store, and the music shop are some of my favorites. Main Street is nice to just have time to wander without feeling rushed, with the castle as the back drop.

New Orleans Square is a great place to sit, enjoy, and watch the world go by. Check the entertainment schedule and you can plan a nice little break just right to enjoy some musical entertainment while there.

If you can be there at night, you will want to see Fantasmic on the river. It is a great show - and even moreso for a true Disney fan! And, of course, the fireworks show. I am a parade fan, so I enjoy catching the parade during the day as well.

If you are not "into" parades, this is the best time for you to shop and go on the "long line" rides, including Small World.

There's so much more, but those are my favorite Disneyland spots. Leave time to wander aimlessly and you are sure to find your own as well.

As for my list of "have tos" at Disneyland, Small World is absolutely on that list. It is different than that at WDW. There are so many countless details to see on that ride it is truly a sensory sensation! Lady already said HM and Pirates, I agree. Big Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn are good fun. The Jungle Cruise and Tiki Room are also fun and entertaining.

If you mail a postcard from Main Street it will actually be postmarked from Disneyland - something that is a fun keepsake when you get home!

 

[Nanoer]

I can't go my dad has work so no one can take me

 

[Califgirl]

If Cazalet is not at a horse show that weekend I would love to meet up with you too!
Disneyland is similar, but quite different from Magic Kingdom and it is fun to discover the differences.

Everyone gave you great tips! You should have time to enjoy most everything you would like at Disneyland.

Unfortunately Disneyland no longer postmarks the mail, all the mail now goes through the Anaheim post office, but it is still fun to send yourself a postcard!

 

[BelleRosie]

Hi,
I was there about a 1 1/2 ago or so. It was very hot in CA. If you get a chance see the afternoon parade and the fireworks show. Those shouldn't be missed. The 2 rides you must do are Mattherhorn and Indiana Jones since they are not at WDW. Also Pirates since they just change it. It's also longer than the POTC in WDW.

Also get a chance to see all the stuff for the 50th anniversary. Plus print out any quest for vmk. Have them already answered. I got the answer on VMK Guide. I turn it in and got my prizes . If there is a fast pass for ride get it. I know that Pirate doesn't have a fast pass.

Well , that all for now unless I can think of more. Hope that helps.

 

[ktink94]

OK, here's the drill. I just was notified that I need to go to California the week of August 7th. ::

Wow.. I hope you will have a nice time! On August 7th Ill be in school :...but have a great time!

 

[PoohBear]

I'm not sure how to maximize the day but if you stuff me in your (largest) suitcase, I can help you maximze the FUN !

I can feel your excitement have a great time.

 

[CinderellaWannab]

Last year we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. It was so handy. Just walk through Downtown Disney to Disneyland. So much easier than Magic Kingdom. ENJOY!

 

[DaraAllen]

Thanks everyone for the great replies so far. I am putting all the hints into a Word document that I will edit for my use (i.e., I have a weird brain and I need it to be sorted a certain way!). I also have notes on who wants to meet up.

PoohBear, I'd love to stuff you in my luggage and take you with me, but do you really want to be x-rayed and manhandled, then stuck in a compartment that doesn't have normal oxygen, just to go to Disneyland? Hmmm, I don't even need three guesses as to what your answer would be!

Nano - Sorry I won't be able to meet you. It would be nice to have a face behind all that trouble, I mean, all those wonderful ideas you have!

CinderellaWannaBe - Of course Disney would put Downtown Disney on the way to Disneyland! Gotta walk through those shops before and after your excursion! Ugh. And the sad, pathetic thing is: I'll probably be doling out my money like an ATM going and coming!

I hope to meet up with as many of you as I possibly can. If nothing else, it will be fun to have buddies to ride some rides with. I've done Disney by myself twice, and it's just not as much fun. More efficient maybe (no one to say, "I don't want to ride Small World, I want to ride Mission Space" when I have severe motion sickness!), but not as much fun.

We are moving this weekend, so I don't expect to be on much, but please keep the ideas and tips coming!

Thanks again, all!

 

[Makeminemusic]

DaraAllen,
Enjoy your time in the "Original" Happiest Place on Earth!

For a day trip I go along with others..Indiana Jones, POTC, Matterhorn are a must. Small World is good, as well as Tiki room since it is in original shape (get a Dole whip!! ) VMK is located in what used to be the "Carousel of Progress", now Innoventions. I like the setting for Fantasmic better in DL although finding a good seat is more difficult than WDW. Make sure you look at the upper windows on main street and see who the Disney legends where at DL.

Have Fun!!!

 

[DaraAllen]

Any last minute advice?

Those who wanted to meet up, where and when should we shoot for?

 

[Lady Boadicea]

Shall we say VMK central Booth just outside of Innoventions in Tomorrowland at 11:30am? Let me know. Also I have a cell Phone so if you want to PM me we can exchange #'s. That way if you are running late you can let me know. Looking forward to meeting you.
Lady