Is there a Disneyland FAQ?

[Klayfish]

As much as I love, love, love WDW and have spent a ton of time there, I know absolutely zero about DL except that it exists. Never been there, never considered it.

I have a business trip coming up at the end of January, which is in Temecula, CA. I fly into San Diego and have an entire day to kill...I land in San Diego at 10am and my conference doesn't start until the next morning. So there is potential for me to visit DL for a day. Just some of the basic questions I'd have are:

I'm an AP holder at WDW. Does this get me into DL or if not, does it get me a discount?

Can I use my WDW Magic Band, or does DL use something entirely different?

Do they have a similar FP+ system to WDW?

 

[bumbershoot]

There's the "sticky" thread above, though I imagine a lot of it is outdated now.

I'm an AP holder at WDW. Does this get me into DL or if not, does it get me a discount?

Nope, not at all.

If you were taking a few trips to DL inside the year of your WDW AP you could upgrade it to the Premier, but that's $$$$ and not worth it for just one DL visit.

Can I use my WDW Magic Band, or does DL use something entirely different?

Nope. DL uses tickets. Like WDW did until a few years ago.

Do they have a similar FP+ system to WDW?

Nope. They've started some extra-cost MaxPass thing, but other than that it's paper FPs just like WDW used until a few years ago.



My biggest two tidbits for Disneyland Resort are

1. Go to California Adventure b/c it's awesome and ALWAYS has been... and

2. The castle belongs to Sleeping Beauty. It's a different castle and a different SIZED castle, because it's not Cinderella's. It's Aurora's. Don't go in expecting Cinderella's huge castle because that will cause you disappointment. And it can't be bigger than the Matterhorn, because that would be weird. Castles are smaller than big snowy alpine peaks.

 

[Klayfish]

Ah...so it sounds like it's similar to WDW circa 2009 from the ticket and FP+ perspective. I wouldn't even show up at the gate until noon, if I'm lucky. Would all the paper FP+ for the good rides be gone by then? I remember the old days at WDW...if you wanted a FP+ for TSMM, you better be there by 9:30am.

Thanks for the tip on the Castle...one of my favorite things at WDW is Cinderella's Castle. I've told DW that on our Xmas trip I want to pick up cup of hot chocolate or coffee and just sit in front of the castle at night for a while just soaking it in.

 

[HydroGuy]

As much as I love, love, love WDW and have spent a ton of time there, I know absolutely zero about DL except that it exists. Never been there, never considered it.

This guide from my favorite DIS poster rolleyes1) is up to date. It is certainly more geared to a multiday visit but should answer most all your questions.

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

 

[mom2rtk]

Ah...so it sounds like it's similar to WDW circa 2009 from the ticket and FP+ perspective. I wouldn't even show up at the gate until noon, if I'm lucky. Would all the paper FP+ for the good rides be gone by then? I remember the old days at WDW...if you wanted a FP+ for TSMM, you better be there by 9:30am.

Thanks for the tip on the Castle...one of my favorite things at WDW is Cinderella's Castle. I've told DW that on our Xmas trip I want to pick up cup of hot chocolate or coffee and just sit in front of the castle at night for a while just soaking it in.

TSMM is not like it is at DHS because there are enough other attractions in the park to spread the crowds out.

I will add though that Guardians and RSR can run out early on a busy day. GoTG because it's new. And RSR because it's a high quality ride for the entire family.

 

[SteveMP]

You land in SD at 10 am then getting a rental car? So i am guessing you would be leaving SAN with a rental car at 11 and arriving at DLR resort around 1 PM. I would definitely check the hours for that day because if its a day the close at 6 or 7 PM you'll only have a few hours.