If you only had 1 day???

[TruBlu]

My son made the Grammy Jazz Band - YAY!!!, so we will be in LA for a week. We have lots of Music stuff to keep us busy, but I refuse to be that close and not go to Disneyland.
We've been to the World lots of times, so we know we want to see stuff we can't see there -
Mr. Toad!!!
Matterhorn...
But, honestly, I don't know much at all about Disneyland.
We're there in early February.
Would it be possible to do both parks, or should we just focus on one?
What should we make sure we don't miss?
Attractions ???
Foods ???
Anything ???
I may or may not be more excited about this than the Grammys... LOL

 

[chickapin parterre]

So you have been registered on this site for over 10 years and your numbers look that you like to contribute.


So make this visit as a tribute to Walt.

· The apartment.

· Eumprohima windows, and all the second story windows.

· The flag pole and the marcelene flag pole and why walt gave the okay

· Petrified wood stump in frontierland.

· The palm trees

· Photograph the ROA construction fences

· Photograph the steam engines in NOS.

· Shrunken Ned

· Get in stand-by line on BTMRR and photograph Rainbow ridge

· Shooting gallery

· Photograph the wasteland called Tomorrowland.

And if you are interested in the history of neon advertising in the US, then a park hopper over to DCA at night would be worth the money to see Carsland. Don’t bother with RSR, because it might break down, explore Bugs land at night, the whole park is much better at night then Disneyland.

Abraham Lincoln , Roger Rabbit and huge ducks in storybook land

 

[TruBlu]

So... I'm going to have to look a few of these up to see what they are! I'm a WDW fanatic, but clearly know nothing about DL.
I feel shame... Hahaha! But, a little for real!

THANK YOU!!!

 

[SMD]

First figure out when you're going. Will it be a rope drop to close day? You could easily just do DL in a whole day, but if it's not really a whole day you might struggle to squeeze in DCA. Also, if you have another half day within the 13 days of use for a DLR ticket you might get more out of a 1 park per day 2 day ticket than a 1 day hopper.

 

[PanIstheMan]

1. In Disneyland, there are several attractions not found at WDW. I would make sure to ride Alice in Wonderland and Storybookland Canal Boats. If you're into thrill rides, the Hyperspace Mountain overlay is great. Many will say the Matterhorn for its classic Disney appeal, but it's a bit too rough for my middle aged backside.
2. Watch some of the Disneyland entertainment: the Disneyland Band, the Dapper Dans, Mary Poppins and Bert's show in front of the castle, or even Mickey and the Magical Map.
3. As a WDW vet myself, I was surprised at the quality of quick service snacks in DLR. Have a corn dog, some beignets, or anything from Jolly Holiday Bakery. (Seriously. Anything.)
4. If time allows, go to DCA to see Cars Land. If you can be there at dusk to see when they light up the street and play "Sh-Boom," it is definitely Disney-magical.
5. If your budget allows, end the night with a World of Color dessert party. I know most people would say fireworks, but those are cancelled often at DL due to wind. With only one day, see the show that's a pretty safe bet to happen.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Lots of helpful information here: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[TruBlu]

First figure out when you're going. Will it be a rope drop to close day? You could easily just do DL in a whole day, but if it's not really a whole day you might struggle to squeeze in DCA. Also, if you have another half day within the 13 days of use for a DLR ticket you might get more out of a 1 park per day 2 day ticket than a 1 day hopper.

I think we can work 2 full days. We were planning 1, but the Matterhorn is closed on the day we're going with friends. We could go on the last day before it closes for refurbishment.

I'm also bummed that POTC is closed the while trip... Is it very different than the WDW one???

 

[tzeitel]

I think we can work 2 full days. We were planning 1, but the Matterhorn is closed on the day we're going with friends. We could go on the last day before it closes for refurbishment.

I'm also bummed that POTC is closed the while trip... Is it very different than the WDW one???

Too bad POTC will be down - it is very different from the one in WDW. If you can do 2 full days I would get a hopper - it will blow your mind how close the parks are! i really think DCA is the prettiest park in the US and should not be missed.

• Alice, Mr Toad, Storybook Canal, Pinocchio, Casey Jr, Matterhorn (watch your spine, I did it once and never again), Nemo Subs, Indy, Roger Rabbit. Carsland!
• Go on the monorail - ask to sit up front or in the back (can't do that at WDW anymore)
• Find Esmeralda and get your fortune, Shrunken Head Ned for some words of wisdom or a potion, and ask for a map on the Jungle Cruise
• Snacks - Mickey beignets and a mint julep, Bengal BBQ skewers
• if you can find time for a TS - Blue Bayou in the POTC ride (kinda like the San Angel Inn at Epcot), Cafe Orleans for a Monte Cristo. In DCA, Cove Bar (more like a TS but no ADRs) has great lobster (chicken, and beef as well) nachos and a great view.
• If only CS - Plaza Inn is famous for their fried chicken, Cozy Cones in Carsland and the Pacific Wharf area have great choices.
• WoC is a must see. Dusk at Carsland is fun - but watch your time since the parade is around the same time and you can get stuck trying to get to CL for the lights.

 

[TruBlu]

Too bad POTC will be down - it is very different from the one in WDW. If you can do 2 full days I would get a hopper - it will blow your mind how close the parks are! i really think DCA is the prettiest park in the US and should not be missed.

• Alice, Mr Toad, Storybook Canal, Pinocchio, Casey Jr, Matterhorn (watch your spine, I did it once and never again), Nemo Subs, Indy, Roger Rabbit. Carsland!
• Go on the monorail - ask to sit up front or in the back (can't do that at WDW anymore)
• Find Esmeralda and get your fortune, Shrunken Head Ned for some words of wisdom or a potion, and ask for a map on the Jungle Cruise
• Snacks - Mickey beignets and a mint julep, Bengal BBQ skewers
• if you can find time for a TS - Blue Bayou in the POTC ride (kinda like the San Angel Inn at Epcot), Cafe Orleans for a Monte Cristo. In DCA, Cove Bar (more like a TS but no ADRs) has great lobster (chicken, and beef as well) nachos and a great view.
• If only CS - Plaza Inn is famous for their fried chicken, Cozy Cones in Carsland and the Pacific Wharf area have great choices.
• WoC is a must see. Dusk at Carsland is fun - but watch your time since the parade is around the same time and you can get stuck trying to get to CL for the lights.

THANK YOU!!!
This is exactly what I need!

 

[prestoncaldwell]

So... I'm going to have to look a few of these up to see what they are! I'm a WDW fanatic, but clearly know nothing about DL.
I feel shame... Hahaha! But, a little for real!

THANK YOU!!!

Use a hopper, go at rope drop, leave when they drag you out kicking and screaming. You'll do a lot in a day.

 

[TruBlu]

Use a hopper, go at rope drop, leave when they drag you out kicking and screaming. You'll do a lot in a day.

That's the plan!!!
It will be easier to make rope drop out on the left Coast when we're used to EST. LOL

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

I think we can work 2 full days. We were planning 1, but the Matterhorn is closed on the day we're going with friends. We could go on the last day before it closes for refurbishment.

I'm also bummed that POTC is closed the while trip... Is it very different than the WDW one???

Yes, POTC is different and IMO the DL version is better. Sorry it will be closed while you're there

 

[IBLarsen]

Sorry I haven't read thru all the suggestions...but I would say go inside the firehouse, and talk to the CM's there about the history. MUST eat a Churro from one of the carts! Use fastpass but remember it's like like the old WDW paper system. Just enjoy the ambience of the park, I really think it just has such a different, more quaint feel to it! I would highly recommend going into DCA. I love this park. My kids don't realize it's a separate park, they call it the other side of Disneyland, that's how close it is. You can easily go back and forth. Grizzly River Rapids is a favorite ride there if its not too cold during your trip.

 

[WonkaKid]

We've been to the World lots of times, so we know we want to see stuff we can't see there -
Mr. Toad!!!
Matterhorn...

Yes, definitely do those two, obv. They're two of my favs. I never miss MTWW. Also, POTC has two drops. I believe DW has only one?

I've been to five of the six Disney parks (all except for Shanghai). I like/love DL Anaheim the best. By far. Hope ya'll have a great time!

Rob

P.S. With one day, only do DL. Forget CA.

 

[ADLFAN]

Indiana Jones for sure!! Grab a Fastpass for that one.

Walk through Sleeping Beauty Castle and enjoy the novelty as well as some awesome dioramas and effects telling the Sleeping Beauty story!

Some of the iconic Disneyland stuff is down to accommodate the construction of Star Wars Land, so no Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, or boat tours of the Rivers of America. However, the Mark Twain has been docked with occasional musical entertainment or meet and greets with Tiana and co. and is still a good place to take pictures!

Churro and a hot chocolate or coffee cannot be beat for a morning or night time snack! There are lots of good counter service places for lunch, my favorites being the Plaza for fried chicken, Jolly Holiday for baked treats and sandwiches, the Red Wagon for legendary corndogs,the Hungry Bear for burgers and frys, and Rancho Del Zocalo for Mexican food. If you do want a nice table service meal/break, some tasty and popular choices are the Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans.

New Orleans Square is fun to explore and quite picturesque!

Sometimes Mickey or other characters meet in Town Square in front of the Firehouse with Walt's apartment above, it makes a great background!

Have fun!

 

[dfb]

Use a hopper, go at rope drop, leave when they drag you out kicking and screaming. You'll do a lot in a day.

That's our kind of day. I'm the one kicking and screaming. My kids are doing the dragging!!

 

[TruBlu]

Lots of helpful information here: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

This is perfect!!! THANK YOU!!!

 

[VandVsmama]

Too bad POTC will be down - it is very different from the one in WDW. If you can do 2 full days I would get a hopper - it will blow your mind how close the parks are! i really think DCA is the prettiest park in the US and should not be missed.

• Alice, Mr Toad, Storybook Canal, Pinocchio, Casey Jr, Matterhorn (watch your spine, I did it once and never again), Nemo Subs, Indy, Roger Rabbit. Carsland!
• Go on the monorail - ask to sit up front or in the back (can't do that at WDW anymore)
• Find Esmeralda and get your fortune, Shrunken Head Ned for some words of wisdom or a potion, and ask for a map on the Jungle Cruise
• Snacks - Mickey beignets and a mint julep, Bengal BBQ skewers
• if you can find time for a TS - Blue Bayou in the POTC ride (kinda like the San Angel Inn at Epcot), Cafe Orleans for a Monte Cristo. In DCA, Cove Bar (more like a TS but no ADRs) has great lobster (chicken, and beef as well) nachos and a great view.
• If only CS - Plaza Inn is famous for their fried chicken, Cozy Cones in Carsland and the Pacific Wharf area have great choices.
• WoC is a must see. Dusk at Carsland is fun - but watch your time since the parade is around the same time and you can get stuck trying to get to CL for the lights.

The above is an awesome list! adding a few more:

• Shrunken Ned is a vending machine/"game" in the Adventureland Bazaar store. Same thing as Esmeralda (I think that machine is in the candy store on Main Street?). You put in something lik $0.75 and Shrunken Ned gives you a 'prescription' card with something funny on it. There's a pirate one hidden away in NOS.
• Cove Bar at DCA usually has a long wait and you can't make a reservation.
• The fried chicken at the Plaza Inn is a large enough meal that 2 people can share it.
• If you only have 1 day, skip DCA. If you have 2 days and can afford park hopper tickets, get the park hopper tickets so you can go to Carsland.
• Coke Corner on Main Street does musical chairs with Alice and the Mad Hatter every afternoon. Ask at Coke Corner for the time. I've heard that it's usually somewhere in the 2-3pm time frame.
• Download the Disneyland smart phone app before your visit and use it while you're there. It's very handy.
• Monorail @ DL is mostly an attraction whereas at WDW it's mostly used for transportation. There's only 2 stops: Tomorrowland and DTD.
• We really love going on the original Autopia when we're at DL.
• Peter Pan has no FP and it will consistently have a wait of 45 min or longer all day long. Except first thing in the morning at park opening. Or at the very end of the day before the park closes. Or right after fireworks.
• There's a cool pirate band that plays off and on during the day in New Orleans Square. They are a lot of fun to watch. Times are listed in the DL app or in the park guide which you can get when you enter the park for the day.
• Meet & greets @ DL are a lot more "organic." There are often characters just walking around, so you never know who you will run into. Fantasyland has a pretty decent selection in the first 2 hours after park opening and you can just walk up to them without standing in a huge long line.
• DCA has some local "residents" on Buena Vista Street. They're Buena Vista Street characters who wander around that area of the park and interact with park guests. For example, you can run into Officer Blue, who hands out tickets for silly things like having too much fun. There's also Donna & her dog, who she takes out for "walks." She's a riot. Molly the Messenger is on a 3-wheeled bike and delivers mail & hands out postcards to park guests.

 

[TruBlu]

The above is an awesome list! adding a few more:

• Shrunken Ned is a vending machine/"game" in the Adventureland Bazaar store. Same thing as Esmeralda (I think that machine is in the candy store on Main Street?). You put in something lik $0.75 and Shrunken Ned gives you a 'prescription' card with something funny on it. There's a pirate one hidden away in NOS.
• Cove Bar at DCA usually has a long wait and you can't make a reservation.
• The fried chicken at the Plaza Inn is a large enough meal that 2 people can share it.
• If you only have 1 day, skip DCA. If you have 2 days and can afford park hopper tickets, get the park hopper tickets so you can go to Carsland.
• Coke Corner on Main Street does musical chairs with Alice and the Mad Hatter every afternoon. Ask at Coke Corner for the time. I've heard that it's usually somewhere in the 2-3pm time frame.
• Download the Disneyland smart phone app before your visit and use it while you're there. It's very handy.
• Monorail @ DL is mostly an attraction whereas at WDW it's mostly used for transportation. There's only 2 stops: Tomorrowland and DTD.
• We really love going on the original Autopia when we're at DL.
• Peter Pan has no FP and it will consistently have a wait of 45 min or longer all day long. Except first thing in the morning at park opening. Or at the very end of the day before the park closes. Or right after fireworks.
• There's a cool pirate band that plays off and on during the day in New Orleans Square. They are a lot of fun to watch. Times are listed in the DL app or in the park guide which you can get when you enter the park for the day.
• Meet & greets @ DL are a lot more "organic." There are often characters just walking around, so you never know who you will run into. Fantasyland has a pretty decent selection in the first 2 hours after park opening and you can just walk up to them without standing in a huge long line.
• DCA has some local "residents" on Buena Vista Street. They're Buena Vista Street characters who wander around that area of the park and interact with park guests. For example, you can run into Officer Blue, who hands out tickets for silly things like having too much fun. There's also Donna & her dog, who she takes out for "walks." She's a riot. Molly the Messenger is on a 3-wheeled bike and delivers mail & hands out postcards to park guests.

THESE ARE GREAT!!!
I want to do all of the things!!!