Need Trip Plan for Disneyland Days

[JenniferH]

We are going to be at Disneyland for 2 whole days and 1 partial day. We are staying at onsite (PP) and won't have park hopper tixs. We have 3 kids going with us (11,8,5) and this is their first trip to DL. What is the best way to schedule each to make sure we get to see/do everything? What places to eat do you suggest for each park?

 

[Angel Ariel]

We are going to be at Disneyland for 2 whole days and 1 partial day. We are staying at onsite (PP) and won't have park hopper tixs. We have 3 kids going with us (11,8,5) and this is their first trip to DL. What is the best way to schedule each to make sure we get to see/do everything? What places to eat do you suggest for each park?

When are your trip dates? Days of the week and time of the year will play a part in many people's advice

 

[Abbey1]

You can accomplish a lot in that time, I think! If characters are important, maybe you could do a character breakfast one morning before the park opens. I like Goofy's Kitchen because it includes a lot of the main characters my son wants to see (Goofy, Minnie, Chip, Dale, and Pluto). I like doing this because it saves time waiting to meet the characters in the parks.

One of our favorites is Cafe Orleans for lunch or dinner, but since it's your first time, you might want to eat at Blue Bayou. It's inside Pirates of the caribbean, and the atmosphere can't be beat.

 

[JenniferH]

When are your trip dates? Days of the week and time of the year will play a part in many people's advice

Tentatively scheduled for Sunday March 6 & Monday March 7.

 

[ADLFAN]

Without Park Hoppers, you'll probably want to split your two full days, one at Disneyland and one at California Adventure, and use the partial day to go to Disneyland again (or is your partial day the arrival day?) to pick up things you missed and maybe second rides on favorites. I'm afraid you'll be planning future trips to see that stuff, too, because it is impossible to see it all in 3 days!

Early entry is available for onsite hotel guests every day, so you have that going for you. In DL, they'll open up Fantasyland and Tomorrowland an hour early for hotel guests plus any guest choosing to use the Magic Morning included in their 3-5 day Park Hopper Ticket. However, in California Adventure, it's only open an hour early for the on site hotel guests, so there are fewer people and it's a great time to hop on Toy Story Midway Mania a few times with short lines.

The park offerings magic morning hours alternates every day, and I believe Disneyland has Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays which would leave DCA with Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

First thing in the morning, the popular rides in DL are going to be Peter Pan (because it was recently updated and loads slowly), Hyperspace Mountain (because it just got new Star Wars themeing), and Star Tours (because a new scenario was introduced from the new Star Wars movie).

In DCA, the popular attractions are going to be Radiator Springs Racers and Toy Story Midway Mania, followed by Tower of Terror. RSR and TOT use the Fastpass system, but TSMM doesn't and constantly has a 40 minute line largely in the sun. That's why you want to knock it out in the less crowded early hours!

I'd definitely recommend downloading the Disneyland app and studying the map so you will have somewhat of a mental picture when you arrive. Plus you can see trends in wait times, FP return times, and restaurant information. I don't know if they've got the menus linked, but they can all be found on the Disneyland website. I found that we'd spend too long trying to find something to eat and get cranky! Now I have a plan for at least one of our park meals. If you can pack some lunches and snacks for the kids, that's a good way to save money for one meal, and DL allows you to bring food and drinks in. For the other meal, I'd suggest finding a place ahead of time where you know everyone will find something they like. Rancho Del Zocalo in DL is a Mexican place with pretty good food and the portions are sharing size. In DCA, I love the themeing of Flo's V8 Cafe in Carsland! Plus there's a relaxing patio out back where you can watch the Racers go by. Lots of popular restaurants in the parks and there are dedicated dining threads that I love following to see the pictures!

Keep asking questions on the Disboards because explaining the awesomeness of food, shows, and rides is almost as good as being there and we love to share our experiences!!

 

[chickapin parterre]

you made the statement, this the kids first time to Disneyland, when was the last time you were in Disneyland