Just booked! Going w/friend who has never been to disney!

[lvanthony]

My friend and I will be going to Disneyland this summer. Although I have been to WDW many times and DL once (without CA haven't been to DL for 5 years), my friend has never been to a theme park in his life (he is 17)! I'm hoping to make this really special for him because, like many of you know, i know how wonderful Disney is.

So i just wanted to see your opinion on our itenerary and see what tips you can give us! I already made reservations but still would like to hear your opinion. I actually extended the trip an extra day because of what people said on these boards

May 30
-Arrive at DLH around 2
-Go to Beach
-Hang out at Downtown Disney
-6:00 PS at Catal

May 31
-DL all day (have no ps yet. Didn't seem like there were many and was more of a casual eating. Do have free breakfast though from meal plan)

June 1
-PS Goofy's Kitchen at 8:30
-CA all day
-PS Napa Rose at 6:30 (will probably move to it to 730 after park closes)

June 2nd
-Checkout of DLH
-DL all day till midnight
-check in at Fairfield Inn (reason for hotel switch was because they sold out at DLH and Paridise Pier)

June 3rd
-Downtown Disney
-Drive back to Vegas

Just let me know what you think and tips you may have. I'm very excited about this because I love Disney and I know he is very excited because it will be his first time!

 

[Judy from Boise]

My most basic tip is to be open to "park hopping" each day as it is a good way to avoid some crowds, and takes little time out of your day.You also know your faves from both parks, and can repeat them your last day.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I agree with Judy, park hopping will be your best friend if it's really busy. Go to DL each morning at opening, then when the crowds get thick, head over to DCA. Then head back to DL in the late afternoon/evening.

And don't forget to get fastpasses to your favorite attractions!

 

[dornen]

fastpasses are good. and dont worry about getting back to the attraction in time for your end time. it doesnt matter as long as it's the same day and after the start time.

 

[azgal81]

I agree with the park hopping you don't want to confine yourself to just one park. Also I don't see anyone being able to stay at DCA all day long but that's just me!

Get to the park as soon as it opens to avoid crowds and use fast pass. I also think knowing the general layout of each park is important. That way you will be able to spend more time on rides and less time running back and forth like crazy.

Also looks like you will be running into a grad night on the first which doesn't really mean anything for you except that the DL park will close at nine so remember that!

Have fun!

 

[lvanthony]

Thanks for the advice! I will keep park hopping in mind when lines start getting long! < park hopping

 

[dornen]

my family usually only takes about half a day to do all that we need to do in dca. last time we went we arrived at 3 pm or so and did everything we wanted including ToT screaming and the maliboomer. you might want some more time than that if you are wanting to take the tours. if your full party doesnt want to do screaming and maliboomer than those that dont can go to the tortilla factory tour and the bread factory tour while the others go on the rides. interesting thing is that when dca opened they began making all the bread and tortillas they use in both parks on property at those factories.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

May 30
-Arrive at DLH around 2
-Go to Beach
-Hang out at Downtown Disney
-6:00 PS at Catal

Depending on what beach you choose to go to you may not have much time. Actually, after you check in and get going it will be close to 2:30 or 3. By the time you get to the beach it will be 3:30 or 4 (assuming you don't hit traffic, which you may hit due to the time). By the time you get to the beach you'll have an hour to spend there if you don't want to change and shower before Catal. If you do want to change and shower you'll pretty much have to turn around and come back.

 

[lvanthony]

Yeah I was thinking about that. What we may do is leave Vegas a little earlier and go straight to beach (Newport Beach Center) and then goto DLH to check in. This way we aren't leaving DL once we get there.

 

[charstar]

I just sent you a PM ,