How to prepare for first Disneyland trip?

[friedela]

When we did DW last year we had the trip booked a year in advance and spent hours planning our "strategy", booking fast passes, restraunt reservations, calling Disney to book BBB and Pirates League appointments, etc. It was SO MUCH planning! But this time we are going in only 3 months to Disneyland this time (for the first time) and I know NOTHING about Disneyland other than it has 2 parks and it's much smaller than DW. So what should I be doing before we go? Can I just show up and wing it? Or should I have a strategy down?

 

[lalasmama]

Here's some great news for you: Disneyland is MUCH more laid back! We don't start reservations for meals until 60 days out, and many places don't even need them! We don't have pre-booking Fast Passes either!

There's a sticky thread titled "DL for WDW vets" that should be a huge help.

I'm a fan of letting the Disney wind take me where it goes. I plan a ride or two that's a "must" for the day, and then just go with whatever sounds fun.

Who is in your travel party? That might help people give you some direction.

 

[HydroGuy]

Here's some great news for you: Disneyland is MUCH more laid back! We don't start reservations for meals until 60 days out, and many places don't even need them! We don't have pre-booking Fast Passes either!

There's a sticky thread titled "DL for WDW vets" that should be a huge help.

I'm a fan of letting the Disney wind take me where it goes. I plan a ride or two that's a "must" for the day, and then just go with whatever sounds fun.

Who is in your travel party? That might help people give you some direction.

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[sherilaine]

Well you started with the 1st thing which is come here and ask for advice!

I have put off planning a WDW trip simply because we love how relaxed Disneyland planning can be. We make a few reservations - if you want something like Blue Bayou or a Character Breakfast then get on those at the 60 day mark but other than that - it's not too bad to make reservations up to and during your vacation.

Google Maps and the Disneyland App should help orientate you to the area. Honestly Google Maps is such an enormous help to know how far stuff is and you can even do street view to get a better idea.

Right now there are promotional tickets on sale which can be used up until May 23rd so I'd recommend buying those as they are a great deal.

Review the attractions and see which ones you are interested in - keeping in mind that while Disneyland is a much smaller thumb print that Walt Disney World there are still a LOT of attractions to enjoy.

Research MaxPass - it's a new electronic fast pass system as Disneyland that is fantastic - there are lots of threads here that discuss it.

Also when planning your hotel, keep in mind that at Disneyland many offsite hotels are just as close to the park gates as some of the onsite ones - so don't feel you have to stay onsite.

I know you'll get lots of great advice so happy planning!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I think the link for WDW vets has been given to you before in other threads -- it gets linked often on this forum. If you haven't read it yet, do so! There is so much helpful information there!
Have a basic strategy and plan down for your trip, especially since you have a family member with special needs. Have a plan A and a plan B, just in case. But (!), then be prepared to throw all your plans to the wind and go with the flow if that's what feels good that day. One of the best plans at DLR is to "let the magic happen!" Don't micromanage the magic right out of your day. You do need a basic plan, but things are pretty flexible here most of the time, and you really don't know ahead of time what might grab your family's fancy. Want to ride the same ride several times in a row? Do it! Draw several characters in a row at Animation Academy? Go for it! Have a relaxing meal, watch a musical act or two, meet some characters, then watch classic cartoons in the Main Street Cinema? The choice is yours to make!
Based on your food budgeting questions in your other post, I'm assuming you won't be making any TS or dining package reservations. But if you want to do so, your window for making these reservations will open up 60 days before your trip dates. You have about a month to think about whether you'd like to do something like this with your family.
I think one of the most important things to do to prepare for your first DLR visit is to make sure to come to the parks with an open mind. WDW is WDW and DLR is DLR. Yes, they are both Disney, but they are different resorts, with different parks, in different states, with different management, different cultures, and different feels, etc. Neither is better or worse, right or wrong. Just different! One of the worst mistakes we hear on this board (and, sadly, we hear it too often) is when guests come to DLR with the deeply ingrained idea that it has to be WDW 2.0. They have a firm template of WDW that they are determined to force onto DLR. Talk about square pegs into round holes! And when their plan inevitably, and quickly, starts to fall apart, they come here to vent and rant in frustration. Long story, short: don't waste your time ruining your trip this way! Come to DLR with a completely open mind and open heart, ready to see and experience all the magic that is waiting for you here. It may be just what you expected, or not. It may be the same, similar, or totally different. And it can all be really good!

 

[azdisneylover]

My suggestions are: Be at opening daily. Purchase Maxpass (if it fits in budget). Download the Disneyland app. Check out the menus for the eateries/restaurants you would like to try as well as their location in the parks and DTD. Get a Disney gift card or two to use throughout the parks. Gift cards for other places (Starbucks, Patina Group which includes Tortilla Joes our must eat at restaurant in DTD). Make a list of what rides, attractions, restaurants, etc each person wants to see/do. This helps with the planning. Keep checking the Disboards daily and ask questions.
The most important is to relax and enjoy yourself. Slow down, and remember, you can always plan another trip.

 

[friedela]

I think the link for WDW vets has been given to you before in other threads -- it gets linked often on this forum. If you haven't read it yet, do so! There is so much helpful information there!

Oh I totally hadn't noticed that! I will go look through it, thank you! I am really relieved that DL is much more laid back than DW, it was almost exhausting planning our last trip and when it was over I was really lost, I didn't know how to spend my free time anymore, lol.

We aren't doing the maxpass system because of cost mostly (and our exchange rate is awful right now so everything is even more expensive for Canadians) but my daughter also has Autism so we will be getting a disability card. I think we will be ok, but we plan on taking it one day at a time and seeing if we truly need the maxpass.

For who is in our traveling party, we have a daughter aged 8 and a son, age 7 I will take your advice to heart and not go into it with a hard fast plan. Thanks so much everyone

 

[sherilaine]

Oh I totally hadn't noticed that! I will go look through it, thank you! I am really relieved that DL is much more laid back than DW, it was almost exhausting planning our last trip and when it was over I was really lost, I didn't know how to spend my free time anymore, lol.

We aren't doing the maxpass system because of cost mostly (and our exchange rate is awful right now so everything is even more expensive for Canadians) but my daughter also has Autism so we will be getting a disability card. I think we will be ok, but we plan on taking it one day at a time and seeing if we truly need the maxpass.

For who is in our traveling party, we have a daughter aged 8 and a son, age 7 I will take your advice to heart and not go into it with a hard fast plan. Thanks so much everyone

Hi there fellow Canadian - we are from Alberta and yes the exchange is a tough pill when planning.

Have you booked a hotel yet? I would recommend if you wish to stay offsite that the HOJO on Harbor has a great kids suite which offers you two rooms (King in 1 room and bunks in the other) and two washrooms which makes a stay very comfortable. They also have a water park area that younger kids enjoy. They do book up though so if you were interested you could call the hotel for availability.

There is so much to pick from close by though it's hard to go wrong - but being within walking distance is something we always enjoy.

 

[friedela]

Hi there fellow Canadian - we are from Alberta and yes the exchange is a tough pill when planning.

Have you booked a hotel yet? I would recommend if you wish to stay offsite that the HOJO on Harbor has a great kids suite which offers you two rooms (King in 1 room and bunks in the other) and two washrooms which makes a stay very comfortable. They also have a water park area that younger kids enjoy. They do book up though so if you were interested you could call the hotel for availability.

There is so much to pick from close by though it's hard to go wrong - but being within walking distance is something we always enjoy.

Hello

We are booked at the Staybridge Suites, it's about a 15 minute shuttle ride to DL, so not too bad. The shuttle seems to run pretty often so it isn't the BEST option but we also booked a package through west jet and booked last minute.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... We aren't doing the maxpass system because of cost mostly (and our exchange rate is awful right now so everything is even more expensive for Canadians) but my daughter also has Autism so we will be getting a disability card. I think we will be ok, but we plan on taking it one day at a time and seeing if we truly need the maxpass...

Don't forget that MP is only the digital version of FP. You can still do non-digital FP (getting a FP from the machines without the app) for FREE! The DAS and FP systems can work together (for FREE!). So give both systems a try to see what works best for your family: free FP alone (for some families, this works best), DAS alone (for some families this option works best), or free FP and DAS together (for some families this works best). You are not forced to buy MP unless you want to do so.