HELP first time to Disneyland, need advice

[lindym]

Been to Disney World many times and know exactly how to plan everything. Going to Disneyland July 19-22, staying and Candy Cane Inn and don't know anything about disneyland. Arrive at Lax July 19 at 11:05am. Will want to do 2 Disney Parks the rest of that day, and all of July 20 and 21. Need lots of advice. there will be 2 of us, (myself who is mom and 18 year old son who is a disney fanatic). How do you suggest getting from Lax to our hotel. Quickest way, want to get to the parks. Also other suggestions on what to do first, tips on seeing parades and fireworks, restaurants and how far in advance we can make reservations etc, etc. Is the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet worth it and is balcony better? Would really like somewhat of a schedule of certain things. thanks everyone in advance for your help.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Transportation options:
Taxi- will be about $80-100 each way. Probably one of the quickest ways, but not cost effective.
Disney express bus- $20 or so each way (find exact price, schedule and coupon at www.airportbus.com). Very cost effective, not the quickest, but it works.
Shuttle- (www.supershuttle.com) for more info. Pretty cost effective and quick. Might have to share the van with someone that is not going to the Disney area, but typically its a very effective way for round trip.
Other than that, you are looking at a rental car or limo. Rental cars can actually be pretty cheap. I like Alamo. I've gotten cars for $30-40 for an entire weekend. They release "hot deals" about a week before the dates, and you can use D60C for $10 off the weekend rate. But if you dont feel comfortable driving in heavy, agressive traffic I wouldnt rent a car.

I recomend getting a spot for the fire works about 1- 1 1/2 hours before they start. You'll want to be near the hub, with a view of the castle and matterhorn. If you dont want to hold a spot that long, watch them in front of Its a small world.

The balcony or riverside seating for F! are both nice. Its usually out of our budget, but for 2 people it wouldnt be so bad. The nice thing is, you dont have to get there super early and hold a spot. But, if you go to the 10:30 you dont have to get there super early anyway. Personally, I like to be down on the ground where I can feel the heat from the fire and mist from the water.

You can make dinning reservations 60 days in advance. F! seating can be made one month before. Make sure if you reserve for F! that you start calling a couple minutes before 8 a month before you want seats. SO if you wan July 20, call on June 20, 7:55 am. Keep calling until you get thru.

Plan on getting to the parks before opening, so you can get right in. Go to Fantasy lan first, Peter Pan and Dumbo lines get really long really early in the day. Then dont get better until very late at night. You first fast pass of the day should be space mountain. First fast pass in DCA should be soarin'. DONT wait until the end of the day to shop. Shop midday when the park is at its busiest. Most people wait until closing time and the stores are crazy.

 

[DisGirl819]

We just got back from DLR. You will have a great time. We used the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) shuttle to get to DL from our hotel. Candy Cane Inn is closer than ours, but not sure if its in walking distance or if you want to walk. We were beat after a day of walking...and then a second day of walking! We lucked out on fireworks, but I agree with the other poster, see it from Its a Small World. They shoot some of the fireworks from near Toon Town which is right behind IASW. We were on the ride and got to see the grand finale while on the boats! I got some great video, although we couldn't hear the story. The closer to the castle/matterhorn you are the better the view is. We also lucked out the next night. We saw everything from the top floor of innoventions. We had just exited and they had just started. We could hear the music and see tinkerbell, etc. Was a much better vantage point, but you have to get into innoventions for one of the last entrances of the night. THey close early.

A few other tips, if you want to eat in DTD make reservations...we got stuck waiting forever for dinner! Get fastpasses for space mtn, indiana jones, splash mtn, soarin, california screamin and TOT if you plan to ride any of those. Ride Peter Pan and other Fantasyland rides early! Eat in DCA, lots of restaurants and its quick, even the TS restaurants! Have fun in DL!

 

[lindym]

anyone else????

 

[hlbtimes2]

You'll get a lot of info just by reading old threads. I'm guessing you havent had a lot of response to your questions because they are asked almost daily, an people get tired of retyping the same answers over and over.

Is there any other specific things you want to know? Its a lot easier to answer specifics then just general info.

 

[daannzzz]

I Agree. Get to the parks before opening. If it is an earl entry day and you are included. Go. Got to Peter Pan first, then do Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland and the Matterhorn. I don't mind waiting longer for the big E tickets but waiting 40 minutes for Peter Pan and the C tickets isn't as fun.
If you can see the fireworks show from the hub area it is better. The show was designed to be seen from there and some of the effects are not as good if you are out of the area. Don't hesitate to ride things with the same mane as at WDW. Many things are a bit or a lot different. As far as I am concerned the only things that are the same are the movie oriented attractions.
The Candy Cane Inn is about a 7 - 10 minute walk to the front gates of the parks or they have their own private shuttle which was convenient.

 

[Caprice]

i'm 17 and went with my aunt and uncle to DL last august so i've been on ur boat. Remember to get the "extra magic hours" in the morning and at night if possible, usually if you stay at a disney hotel you can either get in the park an hour early or stay 3 hours later. You'll have to check and see if they're doing the extra hours when you're there.
Your first day is going to be kind of annoying b/c it looks like you'll be getting there during the busy time in the afternoon. Use the fast pass system to your advantage and the matterhorn line usually moves faster than you expect it to.
Make reservations for the Blue Bayou, it's a restaurant inside the pirates of the caribbean ride, ask for a water side table. The foods great and it's pretty cool to eat in a ride. Plus you get embarassing cardboard pirate hats and chocolate coins.
Deffinately hit the big rides first, the matterhorn, space mountain, and on your way to space mountain grab a fast pass so that you can hop right back on it once your done with splash mountain, indiana jones and star tours. then, if you like the kid rides too, which i do, i'd go for peter pan first b/c that line fills up faster than the thrill ride lines. go for the haunted mansion and pirates of the caribbean if it's open, i don't know when the premiere is but it might conflict with your trip. don't freak out tho, i could be way off here .
I live as cheaply as possible, i didn't make any fantasmic reservations, i got to the seating area 5 minutes before you were allowed to sit down and got great seats. Of course, living cheaply doesn't promise you a good seat so you can make reservations if you simply MUST have a perfect seat, which is prob the smarter choice.
Plan your day similarly for DCA, and remember, like WDW, the lines are shorter during shows and parades. Have an awesome time