Is everything doable in one day only?

[pipervali]

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip to LA for the beginning of October, and we have basically one day that we can allot to Disneyland. I've already looked at both California Adventure and Disneyland itself and our group has decided that Disneyland's attractions are more must see than CA.

But with only one day, do you think we can actually hit all the rides and whatnot? It doesn't seem as though the operating hours have popped up yet, so I'm not sure how much time on that day we're looking at ether. On top of that, I'm not remotely familiar with the crowd patterns at DL. I know the first week of October is usually pretty light in DW, but I'd guess DL is a whole other ballgame.

This is probably a once in a lifetime trip to California, so I want to at least try to see as much as I can. We're going to be a group of four adult females, so we can skip the smaller, children oriented rides.

 

[DharmaLou]

The children oriented rides are my favorite (Dumbo, Tea Cups, Small World)

There's no way to see and do everything in one day, IMO - but I would make a list of what's important for you to see, take advantage of FPs and make the most of it.

 

[lalasmama]

1 day, for me at least, would not be enough. For me, I like at least 2 days--one day to do the open-to-close, ride everything challenge, and one day for anything I missed the day before, anything I want to ride again, and just the general experience of the ambiance of Disneyland. Any way you could add one more day to the trip?

Like the previous poster pointed out, part of the fun is the smaller-kid rides. I love riding the Canal Boats, I love riding the carousels, I love trying over and over for a high score on Buzz. I also love being a foodie while I'm there, and 3 meals and 3 snacks just isn't enough time to experience Disneyland foods!

And in October, the Halloween decor will be out--that could be a day's worth of "ooo"s and "ahh"s just checking out all that!

 

[disfaninca]

It can be done. Like the pp said, make a list of what you really want to see and make that your priority. If you are going the first week in October, you should be fine with crowds. Fall breaks for some AZ schools are not until the week of October 15. The best days to go are Tues-Thurs. If you can, avoid the weekends. If you are not really into the shows and parades, I would recommend park hopping. With Carsland just opening up, there is fun stuff to do at California Adventure. Park hopping is very easy to do at DLR.

 

[lulubelle]

In a word - No.
But it sounds like you know that. Just pick and choose which rides and attractions you want to experience and make a plan. Going on a weekday will make a huge difference. Weekends are a mad house. But you can see a lot when you plan ahead. How fun to have an adult girls trip, those are so much fun. Have a magical trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

For a once in a lifetime trip, add more days! No you can't do it all. You can do some.

But hey, why once in a lifetime? I live in WA and have made it out to Orlando three times since 2010...why limit yourself?

 

[mystic_path]

I'm a little nervous for you. I cant lie. I want you to have the best time of your life, and I know you will even if you only have one day. However if you were thinking about doing both parks... You may as well go try and find the genie and ask him for his magic lamp, cause there is no hope is seeing both parks in one day. For most people on this site they say it takes a minimum of 4 days to see all of both parks. Lots of people like adding a day or two onto that to not feel so rushed and enjoy their favorite things a few more times before leaving their trip.

First off if you are going in October, well that is off season and during the week the park is only open until like 8pm and some of the shows like the Fireworks and Fantasmic wont be playing those nights. But if you were going on the weekend (friday-Sunday) where the park is open until 11pm or midnight, you maybe able to catch them as those shows only play on weekends in off season. However you have to remember that if you just wanted to see Disneyland you are going to have all the rides, the pirate island, parades, Fantasmic, Fireworks, Innovations, Toon Town, Princess Fantasy Fair, Pixie Hollow all the shops, characters to meet, entertainers everywhere, you are going to want to fit in meals. Who knows if you were hoping to get in a character meal like the one at the Plaza Inn. Most of these things require way more then an hour to see. Sometimes for parades alone you can be sitting on the sidewalk 45 minutes before the show starts just to keep a viewing spot. Plus if you were trying to fit in the Fireworks & Fantasmic in one night, that is a tricky beast to contend with but it's doable if you plan right and run from one to the next like the headless horseman was after you. But I wont lie it is stressful. Ive done it, and I wont do it again.

However if you were just sticking with only Disneyland alone and just going for the rides, yah its most likely doable. But if you were hoping to pack in EVERYTHING about Disneyland in one day I wish you luck.

 

[pipervali]

Thanks everyone for the responses

I would actually love to add more than one day, but unfortunately our girls trip is packed to the brim because we all work together and thus it was like pulling teeth to just be allowed to have ANY time off together. So adding on just isn't feasible. And we're doing two days in Vegas at the end of the trip too, so it's just not in the cards.

Only two of the four of us are the ones chomping at the bit to see everything, so I think that will actually help in the sense that we won't have four people pulling in four different directions. None of us are big on the parades, so I'm hoping that will save some time too.

I think the big goal is to see and do things that we can't at DW. My family goes to Orlando every other year, so I really am excited to see the difference between DW and DL. The Indiana Jones ride, the difference between IASW, Pirates and the HM especially. Glad to hear the crowds should be light. We're actually looking to go on a Thursday, so definitely avoiding the weekend.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[lwilkison]

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip to LA for the beginning of October, and we have basically one day that we can allot to Disneyland. I've already looked at both California Adventure and Disneyland itself and our group has decided that Disneyland's attractions are more must see than CA.

But with only one day, do you think we can actually hit all the rides and whatnot? It doesn't seem as though the operating hours have popped up yet, so I'm not sure how much time on that day we're looking at ether. On top of that, I'm not remotely familiar with the crowd patterns at DL. I know the first week of October is usually pretty light in DW, but I'd guess DL is a whole other ballgame.

This is probably a once in a lifetime trip to California, so I want to at least try to see as much as I can. We're going to be a group of four adult females, so we can skip the smaller, children oriented rides.

The easiest way to put this is that there is a reason there are multi-day passes...because there is no way to see it all in one day, sorry

The best plan would be your "bucket list" of must do's or must-rides and maybe you can ask others about their must do's from the veterans. We have been 7 times and each time we buy a 6 day park hopper simply because it is so much. Make sure you get up early, get there at opening and go for it You will be extremely tired but the magic of Disney will infect you

Also, remember DLR is completely different from WDW, smaller etc...but all in one place

Enjoy your trip! We always do! For us we always love to do the Castle walk through...gives you a break from hurly-burly of the crowds, Indiana Jones is awesome, Haunted Mansion a must do as well as Splash, Big Thunder, Buzz Lightyear...I know I am missing some great stuff but I just woke up...also if you do get a sneek over to DCA...try out California Screamin and Grizzly River and Soarin and well...we haven't tried RSR but from what I have been reading Carsland has brought some serious magic to DCA. Game changer!

Have a magical trip

We always do even with our DD who will be 4 1/2 when we go in October for 10 days

 

[sheetz]

I say if it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime visit and you want to experience all the unique attractions that distinguish DLR from WDW then DCA is a must see. Carsland, BVS, Aladdin, WoC, Screamin, Grizzly River Run--all unique to DLR.

 

[PigletSeeker]

Of course you won't see every little thing, but you'll still have an amazing time! And if you're sticking to just one park, you'll definitely hit all your must do's. We usually only do 1 or 2 day trips and always have fun. Definitely put on your list Indy, Pirates, Matterhorn and Space (way better and SMOOTHER than WDW version!), IASW, Storybook Land Canals, Mr. Toad. I'd probably skip most of the other dark rides except for maybe Alice in Wonderland. Peter Pan is better at WDW, IMO. Winnie the Pooh is MUCH better at WDW. And pinnochio is just bad- LOL. Also, if you want to Park Hop, it's a million times easier than at WDW, and World of Color is pretty amazing. However, you may be more satisfied just having a great day at DL, because I think with a good plan you'll do an amazing amount of things there.

 

[tanyaewa]

The Unofficial Guide has a 1 day touring plan. Use that as a "roadmap" and follow where else the mood takes you.

It will be a fantastic and magical day! And a wonderful trip.
Good for the 4 of you for taking the time to make it work!
ENJOY!

 

[cats mom]

I say if it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime visit and you want to experience all the unique attractions that distinguish DLR from WDW then DCA is a must see.

ITA

If you got a one day park hopper ticket you definitely wouldn't be able to fit everything in. But you could put together a list of your must do's and experience more of what makes DLR unique than if you stuck to just one park. On the plus side hopping at DLR is a breeze compared to WDW.

Good luck with your planning, what ever you decide.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Is your available day set in stone? A weekend or a weekday? In October there are halloween parties which close the park early.

 

[krispin41]

Thanks everyone for the responses



I think the big goal is to see and do things that we can't at DW. My family goes to Orlando every other year, so I really am excited to see the difference between DW and DL. The Indiana Jones ride, the difference between IASW, Pirates and the HM especially. Glad to hear the crowds should be light. We're actually looking to go on a Thursday, so definitely avoiding the weekend.

Thanks again everyone!

Keep in mind in October, HM should be rethemed to Nightmare Before Christmas, and it's my understanding they don't do that in FL. Have fun, my best advice is go with an open mind, and have fun!!!

 

[Shananana]

Only two of the four of us are the ones chomping at the bit to see everything, so I think that will actually help in the sense that we won't have four people pulling in four different directions. None of us are big on the parades, so I'm hoping that will save some time too.

I think the big goal is to see and do things that we can't at DW. My family goes to Orlando every other year, so I really am excited to see the difference between DW and DL. The Indiana Jones ride, the difference between IASW, Pirates and the HM especially. Glad to hear the crowds should be light. We're actually looking to go on a Thursday, so definitely avoiding the weekend.

Thanks again everyone!

I agree with the PP. It's not doable. It's a totally different experience than WDW. With that in mind, might I suggest going to Disneyland in the morning and riding those 4 rides (plus maybe BTR, the materhorn, space mountain and autotopia. Those are the biggest differences.) AND THEN get a park hopper and spend the afternoon in DCA. You can eat lunch in DCA and enjoy Carsland, california screaming and the TOT.

I think on a Thursday in October this plan is definately do-able with an early morning and a great attitude. Good luck!

 

[Disney Dreams]

No.

That doesn't mean don't go, just know that you will see and do everything. It's just not possible. There's soooooooo much to experience.

- Dreams

 

[pipervali]

Thanks again everyone for the responses

I think at this point, with 2 of my girls kind of hating rollercoasters and thrill rides, we're going to stick to DL and forgo CA. None of us really has any interest in Carsland, and after showing the girls all the attractions on the website, they all agreed that there would only be about 2 or 3 rides that they'd actively want to see at CA. And they don't think the extra $40 some dollars for the park hopper was worth it. That may change over the next couple of months, but I guess we'll see. I'm hoping once the park hours pop up, it'll give me a better idea on what kind of plan I can come up with to make the most of our day in the park.

 

[Poohstick]

I'm hoping once the park hours pop up, it'll give me a better idea on what kind of plan I can come up with to make the most of our day in the park.

Last year on the 1st Thursday of October, DL park hours were 9 to midnight. DL usually follow the same patterns for park hours. I hope this helps. IMO, if you stay at DL, you will see and experience everything without having to rush.

 

[zavandor]

I've been to DL less than a month ago and I was there for 2 full days and two afternoons. I did almost everything and made my favorites multiple times, but I had to skip many things too. So I'm planning to go again next year

One day is absolutely not enough to see everything, but if you want to see mostly what's different from WDW you can come out with a good plan and see most of the different attractions.

I'm not a WDW or DL expert, but having seen both I can suggest what are the Must Dos in my opinion, maybe others can add too:

Disneyland must see:
- Indiana Jones
- Matterhorn bobsled
- all Toontown
- Magical (the fireworks)
- Fantasmic! (better than WDW)
- Nemo's submarine
- Space Mountains

Different from WDW, non really a must do but nice:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Mr Toad's
- Pinocchio
- Monorail
- Casey Junior train and canal boat

Slightly different, can see if you like also the WDW version:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Haunted Mansion
- It's a small world
- Buzz lightyear
- Big Thunder Mountains

Others are worst that WDW version or mostly identical.

Disney California Adventure must dos:
- Carsland
- World of color
- Little Mermaid
- Monster $ co. dark ride
- California screaming (the only very intense coaster in DL)
- Goofy Flying school
- Aladdin's musical
- Mad Tea Party
- Grizzly River Run (bring a change of cloths!)
- Ferry Weel


The two parks are really one big park with turnstile in the middle. Hopping is just a few minutes and really worth it (since fastpasses of the two parks are not connected, so if you take a fastpass in DL you can immediately go to DCA to take another one).

You'll not be able to experience all attractions I listed in one day (most of those are the most popular with long lines all day), so I would suggest your group to make a priority list and do as much as you can. If you don't mind riding alone, Single Riders lines are way quicker than standby lines.
However DL is really wonderful, you'll enjoy yourself even only walking and checking the ambience.