I need DL 101!

[javaj]

I grew up going to Disneyland, but I haven't been there in 8 or 9 years. Plus I took it for granted back then -- so I didn't know much.

This December (15th through 19th) will be our first family trip to DL, AAA package is booked using 4th night free at Paradise Pier. But we're out of our WDW comfort zone, we just don't know much about DL! Is there a good book about DL? Here are a few questions to start off:

1. PSs (or ARs or whatever they call it these days) - how soon can you book?
2. fastpasses are available for which rides?
3. not-to-miss attractions for a 3yo (especially those not available at WDW)
4. from Paradise Pier, best way to get to DL, CA, and DD?

Any other info is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[stacielee]

I grew up going to Disneyland, but I haven't been there in 8 or 9 years. Plus I took it for granted back then -- so I didn't know much.

This December (15th through 19th) will be our first family trip to DL, AAA package is booked using 4th night free at Paradise Pier. But we're out of our WDW comfort zone, we just don't know much about DL! Is there a good book about DL? Here are a few questions to start off:

1. PSs (or ARs or whatever they call it these days) - how soon can you book?
2. fastpasses are available for which rides?
3. not-to-miss attractions for a 3yo (especially those not available at WDW)
4. from Paradise Pier, best way to get to DL, CA, and DD?

Any other info is appreciated! Thanks!

There are some great posts on Micechat's Disneyland forums about most of this stuff, especially how to "work" the Fastpass system.

 

[crazymomof 4]

Birnbaums Guide to DL 2005 if you are unfamiliar this is the book for you plus there are coupons in the back. Cross the street from PP to GCH that is probably the quickest way to get there. You will be able to enter through GC to CA. Sound confusing but everything is right there. SM, HM, IJones, Pooh Ride, I think POTC, Roger Rabbit, Calif Screamin, Tower of Terror, Soarin and I think Grizzly Rapids. I am sure there are more just can't remember them all right now. Info. is in the Birnbaums Guide though. Anyway we might see you we will be there Dec12-17th at PP also. I have never been to WDW but I do know that my 2 year old loved Fantasmic Tom Sawyer, Matterhorn bobsleds and I have heard that Peter Pan is better here. Don't miss Jungle Cruise or Tiki Room. SMH is awesome. Have a great time!

 

[aussiemum]

We will be at DL around the same time. I bought 'The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2005' and really love it.

 

[LucyKate]

Unofficial guide is brilliant for all this sort of stuff - especially as your trip coincides, at the end, with school holidays, when crowds will really take off.

I'd be making sure I got all the major rides out of the way on your first day, the Thursday, before the crowds blow out the lines for major attractions.

That means, with your child, making sure you do Fantasyland first up, and especially rides like Peter Pan.

My 5YO loved Haunted Mansion (which is not remotely scary), Winnie the Pooh, Pirates of the Carribean, Peter Pan, Snow White, Gadget's Coaster, and Autopoia. In DCA she loved Grizzly River Run and California Soarin.

 

[CalGal]

PSs: Park restaurants including Blue Bayou, Princess Breakfast: 6 weeks; Disney Hotel restaurants including Goofy's Kitchen: 60 days

The Disneyland web site shows that the current FP attractions as:
DL: Autopia, BTMRR, Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Manision (not sure about this all year, but should definitely be FP during the holidays), Indiana Jones, Roger Rabbit, Splash, Star Tours; Space Mtn should be FP once it reopens. Small World Holiday is also likely to be FP during the holidays.
DCA: Calif. Screamin, Grizzly River Run, Mulholland Madness, Soaring, ToT

I think the main thing not to miss with a 3 year old is the Electric Parade. Small World Holdiay is unique to DL and pretty special for the little ones. Casey Jr and Storybook Canals are very tame and fun. Alladin. Goofy's Kitchen. All FL rides, (esp. PP and ones mentioned above). And everything you love at WDW. You'll want to do Indiana Jones, but you might need to use the baby swap for that. A 3yr old can probably do Soaring...

From the PP, you can cross the street into a special entrance into DCA just for guests of PP. To get to DTD or DL, take the walkway toward the DLH, and turn at DTD.

You'll be amazed at how much the DL resort has changed since you were last there. It's quite different from WDW, and certainly not as massive, but it's much more extensive than it was 8 years ago. Enjoy!

 

[iceskatejen]

Star Tours doesn't have FP anymore--the machines are still there, but they're no longer in use. HM only has FP for the holiday version.

 

[javaj]

Thanks so much for the info! I'll be heading to Barnes and Noble later to get the Unofficial Guide...

 

[quiltymom]

I grew up going to Disneyland, but I haven't been there in 8 or 9 years. Plus I took it for granted back then -- so I didn't know much.

Expect to be absolutely amazed when you drive up to the resort. When we went back for the first time 2 years ago after not having visited in over 5 years, I thought I was in a completely different place! I still miss the old DL sigh. Sigh... But it is nice what they've done to the place, especially DTD.