If you only have a day at DL?

[DisDreaminMom]

I have a family emergency in California next week that I have to attend to and since I have never been out there before, my friend suggested visiting Disneyland briefly before I fly out. I won't even have a full day there but I want to see the things that will knock my socks off compared to WDW. I am an old WDW pro, going on multiple trips per year and I am pretty well read about Walt's plans for both parks, but I am afraid I will miss something in the midst of all the excitement. I DO NOT do rollercoasters or thrill rides that are scary (PotC is my comfort level), so keep that in mind.

Thanks

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Well *here's* how we spent our 1 full day last mid July *2009* if we didn't visit as often as we do I wouldn't have done quite so many meals

 

[mrswh]

See Aladdin at DCA! It's amazing!

 

[Dobie]

If I were there for one day only, and only wanted to see Disneyland specific non coaster things, I would:

1. Try to be there at 8:00.
2. Jet to Fantasyland and ride Mr. Toad.
3. Ride Storybookland boats.
4. Head to Adventureland and grab a fastpass for Indy
5. Go to Critter Country and ride Splash.
6. Ride Pirates.
7. Ride Mark Twain or SS Columbia
8. Use my Indy Fastpass on the way out.

Park Hop to California Adventure

9. Grab Soarin' Fastpass on way in.
10. Check out Bugs land.
11. See Aladdin.
12. Ride Soarin.
13. Ride GRR. (its a good idea to wear flip flops and a poncho for this.)

Grab lunch at any counter service. We especially like Taste Pilots Grill in DCA. Its by Soarin.'

I hope your family emergency works out. Have a blast!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

. I won't even have a full day there but I want to see the things that will knock my socks off compared to WDW. I am an old WDW pro, going on multiple trips per year and I am pretty well read about Walt's plans for both parks, but I am afraid I will miss something in the midst of all the excitement. I DO NOT do rollercoasters or thrill rides that are scary (PotC is my comfort level), so keep that in mind.

Thanks

We are WDW Vets that just came back from our first trip to DLR. Using your words, the two things that WDW has that "knocked our socks off" in DLR were Pirates and Small World. Both are different. As for things WDW doesn't have, we enjoyed Mr. Toad, the Nemo Subs and even though I don't do thrill rides either I did try and did enjoy the Matterhorn and Indiana Jones (although I only wanted to do that one once!).

The Aladdin show in California Adventure was truly amazing but with limited time, it may not be doable for you.

 

[c&m]

We also can only fit in one day at DL/CA during our 7-day trip to SoCal next Saturday. The most important thing we wanted to fit in was World of Color. To ensure we get the Fast Pass to see it, I booked a picnic package online for us. For $14.99pp, we get a picnic dinner and a FP to the WOC show. I don't know if the WOC show is a "knock your socks off" experience, but I've heard good things about it and it's new.

 

[Astro Orbiter]

If I were there for one day only, and only wanted to see Disneyland specific non coaster things, I would:

1. Try to be there at 8:00.
2. Jet to Fantasyland and ride Mr. Toad.
3. Ride Storybookland boats.
4. Head to Adventureland and grab a fastpass for Indy
5. Go to Critter Country and ride Splash.
6. Ride Pirates.
7. Ride Mark Twain or SS Columbia
8. Use my Indy Fastpass on the way out.

Park Hop to California Adventure

9. Grab Soarin' Fastpass on way in.
10. Check out Bugs land.
11. See Aladdin.
12. Ride Soarin.
13. Ride GRR. (its a good idea to wear flip flops and a poncho for this.)

Grab lunch at any counter service. We especially like Taste Pilots Grill in DCA. Its by Soarin.'

I hope your family emergency works out. Have a blast!!

If I was someone who didn't do rollercoasters or scary rides, I'd SKIP Indy! It's the most jarring ride I've been on in a while. DD balked at the last minute when we got there, and after doing a parent swap I'm glad she did!

Lots of rides are different - Peter Pan (a bit), Small World, Pirates. Do Mr. Toad - while it holds no great thrill for me, it is a piece of history. I'm sure some vets will have more advice -

 

[pinktink83]

Indy is definitely one of the most jarring, bumpy rides at DL...also the Matterhorn and Thunder Mountain. You will get jostled around a LOT. Space Mountain is actually very smooth, but super fast and twisty (and in the dark, so kinda scary!)

I would def see Peter Pan, Storybook Boats, Its a Small World, Mr Toad, Columbia Ship, and Pirates. If you're just wanting a true Disney experience, I might not go over to DCA at all. Especially because most of the rides over there are fast, wet, high, etc.

 

[HydroGuy]

No one has said it yet... but World of Color will knock your socks off - if you can stay into the evening when it shows - and be there in the morning to get a FP.

I second the recommendations for Storybookland and Indy (if you can handle Dinosaur you can handle Indy - Indy is way better but has a similar ride system). POTC and Nemo Subs should also be on your radar.

 

[Funball]

if i had one day at disneyland, i would see WOC, go on california screamin. dance the night away at glowfest, go on casey jr and space mountain.

 

[kim3339]

Even though it's not a ride, spend at least a little time in New Orleans Square. It's not in WDW so that is a difference and it is so pretty with all the buildings and little stores. I love it there.