Must Do's?

[mello]

If you had one day in each park, what would your "Must Do's" list include?

It has been several years since we've been to DLR, and we're trying to help some friends who are going for the first time. I know much has changed since our last visit, so we could use some help from the experts. They'll have two 50-something parents with teens/young adults in their group. They'll have one day each at DL and DCA. Since they've never been to any Disney park, we want to help them have the best experience possible.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Babs09]

DLR-
Fantasmic
Fireworks
Pirates
Indiana Jones
Matterhorn
Its a Small World
Canoes
Haunted Mansion
Thunder Mountain
Captain Eo
Star Tours
Peter Pan
Alice in Wonderland
DLR tour possibly?
Tiki Room
Try a Dole Whip!
Blue Bayou ( If money is not a thing )

DCA-
World of Color
Soarin
Tower of Terror
Grizzly River Run
Aladdin
Silly Symphony Swings
California Screamin

 

[figment_jii]

I would add:
Space Mountain (thrill ride)
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Toy Story Mania!
Muppet 3D

And I echo the PP's on the following:
Fantasmic (show)
Fireworks (show)
Pirates
Indiana Jones (thrill ride)
Matterhorn (thrill ride)
Its a Small World
Haunted Mansion
Big Thunder Mountain (thrill ride)
Star Tours (thrill ride)
Try a Dole Whip (unless you are familiar with the ones at WDW, in which case the ones there are better)
World of Color (show)
Soarin'
Tower of Terror (thrill ride)
Grizzly River Run (water ride)
California Screamin (thrill ride)

 

[chickyann]

Ours are..
Pirates
Peter Pan
Mark Twain
Soarin
Grizzly River Run

 

[Hound 109]

If you had one day in each park, what would your "Must Do's" list include?

It has been several years since we've been to DLR, and we're trying to help some friends who are going for the first time. I know much has changed since our last visit, so we could use some help from the experts. They'll have two 50-something parents with teens/young adults in their group. They'll have one day each at DL and DCA. Since they've never been to any Disney park, we want to help them have the best experience possible.

Thanks for your input!

When are they going & where are they staying? (it makes a difference)

Assuming they have park hoppers, they should park hop each day (especially with only two days to enjoy).....as opposed to doing one park one day & the other park the next.

 

[skiingfast]

I'd add on the Jungle Cruise. You really haven't been to Adventureland if you don't ride it.

 

[mello]

When are they going & where are they staying? (it makes a difference)

Assuming they have park hoppers, they should park hop each day (especially with only two days to enjoy).....as opposed to doing one park one day & the other park the next.

They're going in early August and staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

I'm not sure what kind of tickets they'll have, but I'd love to know how to maximize their enjoyment by park hopping both days!

 

[Brady's Mom]

If they are going in Aug and staying at the DLH they should have access to a MM - even with only a 2 day hopper. Tickets 2 days and over are usually a park hopper.

Park hours will be long - 8 to midnight at DL and 10 to (possibly) 11 at DCA.

Go early before rope drop to DL, gather FP as fast as possible, save those FP for later, hop to CA, gather FP, save those FP, rest if needed in the mid afternoon when hot, go back to DL or DCA, use FP, go to the other park, use FP - enjoy going on the rides, close down the park.

If they are going the first part of Aug. some of the Annual Pass holders will likely be blocked which can make the parks a little less crowded.

Hope they have a great time.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Assuming they have park hoppers, they should park hop each day (especially with only two days to enjoy).....as opposed to doing one park one day & the other park the next.

ditto this!!!

 

[Hound 109]

They're going in early August and staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

I'm not sure what kind of tickets they'll have, but I'd love to know how to maximize their enjoyment by park hopping both days!

I agree that they should plan on using MM each day offered.....& that they should park hop & KNOW how to use FP.

Here's a few tip threads that may be helpful:

In case they are WDW vets:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


FASTPASS AT DLR

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see my post #4 in that thread)

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197


"Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403


"Why I ParkHop at DLR" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

"Critique of MM/EE" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671


The above threads will give them enough info to be dangerous.


Tell them to have a great time at Walt's Park (& to get a 3 day hopper ).

 

[Funball]

Disneyland:

Snow white’s scary adventures
Casey jr train
Story book land canal boats
Celebrate! Parade
Flag retrieval ceremony
Matterhorn
Captain EO
Space Mountain
Star Tours
Haunted Mansion
Big thunder Mountain

And last but not least, you got to see the cute goats at the petting zoo next to big thunder ranch BBQ place!

DCA:

California screamin
Mulholland Madness
Tower of Terror(if you don’t have little kids)..
…If you do have little kids, anything in Bugs land!
Grizzly River Run
Soarin over California
Mickey’s fun wheel
TSMM
Turtle talk with crush

 

[blackjackdelta]

They're going in early August and staying at the Disneyland Hotel.

I'm not sure what kind of tickets they'll have, but I'd love to know how to maximize their enjoyment by park hopping both days!

Don they have a computer? If so they should join us!

Jack