Just Booked! What do I need to know?

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Just booked my first trip to DLR May 14-17, staying at the Disneyland Hotel. Planning on one day in each park, any tips or suggestions? Thank you!

 

[prestoncaldwell]

Use the early morning hours. That's all I got.

 

[EsmeCullen]

Two words: Dole Whip (though they are the same as the ones at WDW)

Oh and DL seems like the same as the Magic Kingdom, but they are different. I know there may be people who ignore some of the rides at Disneyland because the Magic Kingdom has them (and vice versa), but my advice to you would be to not take those rides for granted. Pirates in Disneyland is different than Pirates in the Magic Kingdom, for example. You may be missing out on pieces of the original magic by not riding them.

 

[Butterfly123]

There is a lot to do in both parks, have you considered a third day?
I would suggest making a list of all the things that you really want to see, ride, and eat. that way you can try to get in all your "must do's" without forgetting something!
If you are used to WDW, focus on the rides are only at DL, or that are different at DL. And at DCA, RSR is really amazing at night!

 

[ADLFAN]

Definitely plan on using the early entry both days so you can get as much done in the early morning hours as possible. The crowds will start to become noticeably thick by 10-11:00 and you'll be grateful you got so much done.

Then when lunch hits, make sure you have a place picked out ahead of time so you don't waste valuable park time looking around and deciding. I like to look at menus on the app and make sure there is something for everyone. I highly recommend the Paradise Garden Grill in DCA and the Jolly Holiday and Plaza Inn in DL.

Make sure you understand and utilize Fastpass, especially for Soarin and Radiator Springs Racers in DCA and Hyper Space Mountain in DL, as they will run out first.

Have fun planning!

 

[Azjenn]

I would think about making a reservation for the blue bayou to eat. It's atmosphere is pretty amazing! Also, you will be there during grad parties, so maybe look up what the dates for those are and plan your parks accordingly. They get entry to both parks for the entire day but their party is in California adventure. I would make sure you try and do the rides that aren't at wdw, but like the pp said, Pirates is different and so is small world, so I wouldn't skip those either disneyland still has most of the dark rides in fantasy land that wdw has gotten rid of , so those are fun too! Matterhorn doesn't utilize fast pass so I would go there first thing, it hurts haha but is definitely a must do! As are radiator Springs racers and screamin over in dca.

 

[MacMama0930]

Read The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and research dlrprepschool.com - I wish I had done both of those things before my first trip! Second time around, after reading and planning, we had THE BEST time!!!

Like someone already said, USE MAGIC MORNING! You get so much done during that time and then the first hour after regular opening.

 

[goooof1]

Early Morning Hours...... MORE DAYS.....and get park hoppers!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

So. Much. JK DLR is pretty easy! (And early entry is THE BEST.)

...I will add May 17 is a "Grad Nite" so avoid Disneyland that night AT ALL COSTS. The grad nites I've had trips around resulted in Disneyland being packed should to shoulder with rowdy teens hitting up all their favorite Disneyland rides before their private party in DCA starts. Also, a couple weeks before your trip double check the grad nite dates because Disney often adds in extra nights when the initial inventory sells out and those could end up on one of your other dates, you should know a few weeks out. (DCA is fine to do on a Grad Nite.)

 

[chickapin parterre]

*ride the tram out to the parking lot…. Counting your blessings come in many forms at Disneyland

* street lamps, cannons, flag pole and even the light bulbs have been re-purposed…do a scavenger search for items re-purposed in Disneyland.

*Bathrooms, …gonna love the bathrooms at Disneyland.

* Great photo opps with the trains, re-purposing does have limits.

* you are gonna love DCA,….because it has been re-purposed twice!!!!

 

[Princess Jaz E Jaz]

Plan out your day based on the park.

Get fastpasses for the rides you want and WOC as soon as you can.

Take advantage of parade times to ride things if you are not going to watch it.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Two words: Dole Whip (though they are the same as the ones at WDW)

Oh and DL seems like the same as the Magic Kingdom, but they are different. I know there may be people who ignore some of the rides at Disneyland because the Magic Kingdom has them (and vice versa), but my advice to you would be to not take those rides for granted. Pirates in Disneyland is different than Pirates in the Magic Kingdom, for example. You may be missing out on pieces of the original magic by not riding them.

I love a good Dole Whip, I plan on eating my fair share of them...word is the coffee shop at the DLH has ones with rum too. And I am definitely trying to ride everything to compare. Wouldn't want to skip anything!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

There is a lot to do in both parks, have you considered a third day?
I would suggest making a list of all the things that you really want to see, ride, and eat. that way you can try to get in all your "must do's" without forgetting something!
If you are used to WDW, focus on the rides are only at DL, or that are different at DL. And at DCA, RSR is really amazing at night!

We are, problem is the 17th is a grad night, so we don't know yet. We weren't originally planning on doing a DLR vacation, originally just San Diego (but I convinced everyone!). So we'll see. Good tips about the rides, thank you!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Definitely plan on using the early entry both days so you can get as much done in the early morning hours as possible. The crowds will start to become noticeably thick by 10-11:00 and you'll be grateful you got so much done.

Then when lunch hits, make sure you have a place picked out ahead of time so you don't waste valuable park time looking around and deciding. I like to look at menus on the app and make sure there is something for everyone. I highly recommend the Paradise Garden Grill in DCA and the Jolly Holiday and Plaza Inn in DL.

Make sure you understand and utilize Fastpass, especially for Soarin and Radiator Springs Racers in DCA and Hyper Space Mountain in DL, as they will run out first.

Have fun planning!

Thank you! We're huge foodies, so we've already started planning where we're eating. We're thinking Cafe Orleans and Corn Dogs for our DL day... Oh and those fabulous Matterhorn Macaroons I keep reading about...and definitely Carthay Circle and maybe Cove Bar for our DCA day. I do have to read more into the FP at DL. Do you think even on a Monday/Tuesday when school is still in it'll be crowded in the mornings?

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

I would think about making a reservation for the blue bayou to eat. It's atmosphere is pretty amazing! Also, you will be there during grad parties, so maybe look up what the dates for those are and plan your parks accordingly. They get entry to both parks for the entire day but their party is in California adventure. I would make sure you try and do the rides that aren't at wdw, but like the pp said, Pirates is different and so is small world, so I wouldn't skip those either disneyland still has most of the dark rides in fantasy land that wdw has gotten rid of , so those are fun too! Matterhorn doesn't utilize fast pass so I would go there first thing, it hurts haha but is definitely a must do! As are radiator Springs racers and screamin over in dca.

We can't decide between Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans...a grad night is the 17th so it's sort of hindering our thoughts for a possible 3rd day, but we'll see. I can't wait for the dark rides, I love Pinocchio! Also can't wait for Matterhorn, hopefully it doesn't hurt too bad! Thank you!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Read The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and research dlrprepschool.com - I wish I had done both of those things before my first trip! Second time around, after reading and planning, we had THE BEST time!!!

Like someone already said, USE MAGIC MORNING! You get so much done during that time and then the first hour after regular opening.

I purchased the newest edition! Thank you for the DLRprepschool.com advice. Thank you!

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

Early Morning Hours...... MORE DAYS.....and get park hoppers!!

We're debating adding an extra day...problem is 17th is a grad night. If it was strictly up to me, I would want 4-5 days LOL

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

So. Much. JK DLR is pretty easy! (And early entry is THE BEST.)

...I will add May 17 is a "Grad Nite" so avoid Disneyland that night AT ALL COSTS. The grad nites I've had trips around resulted in Disneyland being packed should to shoulder with rowdy teens hitting up all their favorite Disneyland rides before their private party in DCA starts. Also, a couple weeks before your trip double check the grad nite dates because Disney often adds in extra nights when the initial inventory sells out and those could end up on one of your other dates, you should know a few weeks out. (DCA is fine to do on a Grad Nite.)

oh I didn't know they sometimes add them...that's good to know because currently I think all of them are sold out except 1 night.

 

[ParksPixar&Pizza]

*ride the tram out to the parking lot…. Counting your blessings come in many forms at Disneyland

* street lamps, cannons, flag pole and even the light bulbs have been re-purposed…do a scavenger search for items re-purposed in Disneyland.

*Bathrooms, …gonna love the bathrooms at Disneyland.

* Great photo opps with the trains, re-purposing does have limits.

* you are gonna love DCA,….because it has been re-purposed twice!!!!

Repurposed, repurposed...REPURPOSED!!

 

[prestoncaldwell]

Thank you! We're huge foodies, so we've already started planning where we're eating. We're thinking Cafe Orleans and Corn Dogs for our DL day... Oh and those fabulous Matterhorn Macaroons I keep reading about...and definitely Carthay Circle and maybe Cove Bar for our DCA day. I do have to read more into the FP at DL. Do you think even on a Monday/Tuesday when school is still in it'll be crowded in the mornings?

Won't be as crowded in the mornings as when school is out. DLR never seems that crowded in the morning, but it can really get cozy in the afternoon, which is why the suggestion for early entry. The more you can get done when it is all peaceful and quiet, the less you'll regret when the queues start burgeoning. Afternoon is a great time for a resort break, camp in the Plaza and relax before a parade, or just walk around taking in the sites and shops while everyone else competes for rides.