Never been to DSLND...a little help, please?

[Lorelai]

We will be in Anaheim for 2 days in November...I've been to WDW 9 times and feel really good about our park plans there. However, I have no idea at all how to negotiate Disneyland...is 2 days even enough time to scratch the surface?

Thanks, in advance, for any help.

 

[whimsy87]

You can get a lot done in 2 days! I would check out the sticky threads at the top of the page, especially Hydroguy's tips. They definitely helped me get my plan of attack together for my first trip!

 

[Sherry E]

We will be in Anaheim for 2 days in November...I've been to WDW 9 times and feel really good about our park plans there. However, I have no idea at all how to negotiate Disneyland...is 2 days even enough time to scratch the surface?

Thanks, in advance, for any help.

Hi, Lorelai!

Two full days would enough to scratch the surface and get quite a bit done if you plan wisely. Three days would be even better.

My question is this, because it would make a difference in the crowd levels at DLR:

When in November are you going to DLR?

The official start date of the holiday season is Friday, November 12th. If you are going after 11/12, you are in for a treat as it is absolutely beautiful and magical at DLR during that time. However, recent reports have been that right before Thanksgiving it gets pretty crowded, and right after Thanksgiving the crowds thin out quite a bit.

 

[Sherry E]

Also, if you are going to be at DLR on 11/12 or after, you might want to subscribe to our Disney at Christmas super thread. Not only are there plenty of stunning photos in that thread, but there is lots of discussion and planning; there are many questions and answers about all things pertaining to the holidays at DLR - all kinds of fantastic information. Since some of these things may affect your agenda at DLR, it could be helpful to check out that thread when you have time.

 

[Petraman]

Sherry E makes a very important point....
...the time of the month you are going November will make a Drastic difference in how much you will get done. Also, if they are weekdays or a weekend will matter as well.
Also, are your kids younger (want to see every princess for autographs & pictures) or are you going to focus mainly on experiencing the park moreso than character greets. 2 days "can be enough" if you plan well and avoid too many charqacter greets, they really suck up the time.

We found that for our family, 3 days was a great balance now that my girls are past the autograph stage.

 

[aurorae]

Here you go:

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

It's Hydroguy's guide for WDW vets.

 

[Lorelai]

Oh my goodness...you folks are amazing! I feel like I landed in the right place here on this Disneyland forum.

Okay, here's my info...I have 2 full days, Monday, Nov. 22nd & Tuesday, Nov. 23rd. My kids are 16 (boy), 12 (boy) & 8 (girl). I know we'd all like to try the rides and attractions that are specific to Disneyland (Matterhorn, etc.).

When i plan our WDW trips, I adjust our plans so that we can get on the slower loading rides early and the fast loaders later in the day. But I don't know how these rides load...

Also, we are interested to see rides/attractions that exist in different parks in Orlando, all in the same park in California. Or mostly, I know there is a California Adventure park, but I don't know what's there or how to navigate that either.

 

[Sherry E]

Oh my goodness...you folks are amazing! I feel like I landed in the right place here on this Disneyland forum.

Okay, here's my info...I have 2 full days, Monday, Nov. 22nd & Tuesday, Nov. 23rd. My kids are 16 (boy), 12 (boy) & 8 (girl). I know we'd all like to try the rides and attractions that are specific to Disneyland (Matterhorn, etc.).

When i plan our WDW trips, I adjust our plans so that we can get on the slower loading rides early and the fast loaders later in the day. But I don't know how these rides load...

Also, we are interested to see rides/attractions that exist in different parks in Orlando, all in the same park in California. Or mostly, I know there is a California Adventure park, but I don't know what's there or how to navigate that either.

Okay, so for 11/22 and 11/23, you will definitely be there right smack dab in the holiday season. That will affect crowds somewhat, especially since folks have been reporting that the days leading up to Thanksgiving were quite busy.

Also take into account that there will be holiday-specific things you may want to do as well, in addition to the rides that are specific to Disneyland.

For example, do you think any of the kids will want to visit Santa? He will be situated in at least 4 places around DLR (in all 3 DLR hotels and in DL), and possibly in California Adventure too.

Santa's Reindeer Round-Up in DL is an interesting thing to see. Not only is Santa there but also real "reindeer." (Holiday cookie decorating relocated to Plaza last year!)

Don't miss It's a Small World Holiday (a holiday overlay of the regular IASW) - especially at night, as the lights are exceptionally beautiful.

There will be "snow" on Main Street every night, and a little light display that extends from the Winter Castle (also breathtaking at night) all the way to the Main Street tree. Don't miss that!

Haunted Mansion Holiday (with a Nightmare Before Christmas motif) is another ride overlay and is exclusive to DLR.

There is also a holiday tour, which gets you priority seating on both IASW Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, as well as reserved seats for the holiday parade, a gingerbread cookie with red mouse ears, hot cocoa, a collectible pin, etc.

Someone else will help you with the slow loaders/fast loaders issue, but in California Adventure you have Toy Story (no Fast Pass), Soarin' Over California, Monsters, Inc. (exclusive), California Screaming (exclusive), A Bug's Land (with its own unique holiday decorations), Tower of Terror, Grizzly River Run, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, the Animation Building, Aladdin (a great musical - very entertaining, with current, topical humor from the Genie), and.....World of Color (exclusive, though we don't know yet what WoC's schedule will be for the holiday season))!!! There are other things too, but those are some highlights.

When you have time, make sure to check out that Disney at Christmas super thread I posted the link to above!

 

[goldies 5]

Sherry I can't remember exactly where, but they moved the cookies and the Mrs. Claus etc. due to the BBQ. I thought they moved it to Plaza, but didn't check for certain. It was very nice before with everything in one location. So now it is just Santa and reindeer at the Ranch. I will find out where for sure this year because my boys' missed making cookies last time.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry I can't remember exactly where, but they moved the cookies and the Mrs. Claus etc. due to the BBQ. I thought they moved it to Plaza, but didn't check for certain. It was very nice before with everything in one location. So now it is just Santa and reindeer at the Ranch. I will find out where for sure this year because my boys' missed making cookies last time.

Yes, you're right - the cookie decorating was moved last year. This is true - I had forgotten that! It was nicer having it all in one location, that's for sure!

Especially since the cookie decorating is in a different location from the Reindeer Round-Up now, all the more reason to make extra time for it if it is at all interesting or important to one's plans (which it may or may not be).

 

[mousermerf]

Big note:

If you're used to seeing WDW as a vacation destination "resort", there will be a bit of culture shock at DLR.

Policies and operations at DLR have been in place for years to cater to the locals, sometimes at the expense of the tourists. And the locals are there, en masse, repeating the ghost host lines in Haunted Mansion, sitting at tables at counter service places they didn't buy food from doing crafts, and staking out spots for shows 3-4 hours beforehand.

There seriously are people who treat the parks like they're some local mall or neighborhood hangout. Just be mentally ready for it and don't let it get in the way of your vacation and having a good time.

 

[Sherry E]

Big note:

If you're used to seeing WDW as a vacation destination "resort", there will be a bit of culture shock at DLR.

Policies and operations at DLR have been in place for years to cater to the locals, sometimes at the expense of the tourists. And the locals are there, en masse, repeating the ghost host lines in Haunted Mansion, sitting at tables at counter service places they didn't buy food from doing crafts, and staking out spots for shows 3-4 hours beforehand.

There seriously are people who treat the parks like they're some local mall or neighborhood hangout. Just be mentally ready for it and don't let it get in the way of your vacation and having a good time.

I gather that we pesky locals were a problem when you last visited DLR? Well, it's a little more fast-paced and less leisurely during the holiday season. Things are usually quite active and hoppin' and very busy. And we don't have a Ghost Host during the holidays. We have Jack Skellington. The entire Haunted Mansion ride has a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay (from the beginning of the ride to the end of it) from September to early January. So Jack's dialogue is not as widely memorized as the normal HM dialogue because many of the locals don't even like Haunted Mansion Holiday. I love Haunted Mansion Holiday and I still don't repeat any lines by Jack Skellington!

 

[Petraman]

the only slow load/fast load info I might add to Sherry's is that I always found when going into DL, the left side of the park is much more mepty at rope drop than the right. We usually go left, do main rides (POTC, IndyJones, Splash, Haunted Mansion, BTMRR) as quickly as possible. Take advantage of FP whenever possible. Remember that you can get FP's to use later and you don't have to return to use them at the time on the pass if it's not convenient... you just must use them the same day.

Hydroguy gave a great link in his DLR guide for ridemax.com. I have used them as well, with great results. It is a customizable touring plan software.

With only 2 days in the parks, you really should sit down and figure out the "must-do's" and schedule them.... keep in mind that "park-hopping at DLR and DCA is really simple. YOu just make a 2 minute walk across the plaza between the 2 parks, so going back and forth to better hit all the "hotspots" is not a problem.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Sherry I can't remember exactly where, but they moved the cookies and the Mrs. Claus etc. due to the BBQ. I thought they moved it to Plaza, but didn't check for certain. It was very nice before with everything in one location. So now it is just Santa and reindeer at the Ranch. I will find out where for sure this year because my boys' missed making cookies last time.

Mrs. Claus was at the Reindeer Roundup last year, and the cookie decoration was near Plaza Pavillion.

 

[Hound 109]

Here you go:

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

It's Hydroguy's guide for WDW vets.

This is definitely the first place for any WDW vet to start.


After reading it (twice), then start on the rest of Hydroguy's tip threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Many who post here are VERY familiar with WDW & the differences between WDW & DLR....so post away with those questions.


A quick question.....Have you decided where you will be staying? (It makes a difference with early entry...& other things.) If not on site, you may very much want to consider a 3 day hopper (& go an extra morning or the first evening). Lots to see with the holidays.



Also....I had put this together for some first time visitors:

Here is some good basic info for the first time DLR visitor:

30 minutes early is typically when security opens (so getting in THIS line 35-40 min. early is best). Being one of the first 8-10 families at Security will get you up front (probably first thru third family) in line at the DL turnstile. Being very near the front of the turnstiles is important (to me) so that:

- For MM I'm first on Peter Pan...if i'm first on PP then the rest of MM flows easily. & even if i'm not doing PP, i would want to be first on Matterhorn...or SM (or whatever) during MM.

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


- Even on a non MM day, I want to be one of the first few the turnstiles so i can get to SM (or Indy) FP machine first (to start the FP collection clock). Then we'll hop on our first ride a minute or two later & begin the important first 90-120 min. of the day 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


The one time that I lined up 5 min. before opening (instead of 35 minutes before opening), I was way back (40-50 families back) at the turnstiles when i walked up. 2-3 rides could have been ridden by the time I had made it thru the turnstiles 10-12 min. after opening.

Plus there's lots to do while you wait the 30 min at the turnstile.... Pics to take, maps (& touring plans) to study, sunscreen to put on, McBreakfasts to munch on, people watching to do, talking to others in line who are as pumped up as you.

& if they "let people onto Main St." early.....the first ones thru the turnstile are also the first ones on the rope on Main St.

Some may think that this thought process is a tad anal (& they're right )....& many will say the prefer to "go with the flow".......But Hydroguy & I (& many others here) also like to "go with the flow".......but we will tour (& collect FPs) very scientifically the first 2-2.5 hours, & then because we are so productive those first 2 1/2 hours...... we are able to "go with the flow" the rest of the day (& still enjoy all of our favorites ).

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's park.

 

[mousermerf]

I gather that we pesky locals were a problem when you last visited DLR? Well, it's a little more fast-paced and less leisurely during the holiday season. Things are usually quite active and hoppin' and very busy. And we don't have a Ghost Host during the holidays. We have Jack Skellington. The entire Haunted Mansion ride has a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay (from the beginning of the ride to the end of it) from September to early January. So Jack's dialogue is not as widely memorized as the normal HM dialogue because many of the locals don't even like Haunted Mansion Holiday. I love Haunted Mansion Holiday and I still don't repeat any lines by Jack Skellington!

I lived there for about a year. I adapted but even on my last visits before moving again there were just some common practices of "locals" that made me shake my head.

 

[Lorelai]

Okay, so for 11/22 and 11/23, you will definitely be there right smack dab in the holiday season. That will affect crowds somewhat, especially since folks have been reporting that the days leading up to Thanksgiving were quite busy.

Also take into account that there will be holiday-specific things you may want to do as well, in addition to the rides that are specific to Disneyland.

For example, do you think any of the kids will want to visit Santa? He will be situated in at least 4 places around DLR (in all 3 DLR hotels and in DL), and possibly in California Adventure too.

Santa's Reindeer Round-Up in DL is an interesting thing to see. Not only is Santa there but also real "reindeer." (Holiday cookie decorating relocated to Plaza last year!)

Don't miss It's a Small World Holiday (a holiday overlay of the regular IASW) - especially at night, as the lights are exceptionally beautiful.

There will be "snow" on Main Street every night, and a little light display that extends from the Winter Castle (also breathtaking at night) all the way to the Main Street tree. Don't miss that!

Haunted Mansion Holiday (with a Nightmare Before Christmas motif) is another ride overlay and is exclusive to DLR.

There is also a holiday tour, which gets you priority seating on both IASW Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, as well as reserved seats for the holiday parade, a gingerbread cookie with red mouse ears, hot cocoa, a collectible pin, etc.

Someone else will help you with the slow loaders/fast loaders issue, but in California Adventure you have Toy Story (no Fast Pass), Soarin' Over California, Monsters, Inc. (exclusive), California Screaming (exclusive), A Bug's Land (with its own unique holiday decorations), Tower of Terror, Grizzly River Run, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, the Animation Building, Aladdin (a great musical - very entertaining, with current, topical humor from the Genie), and.....World of Color (exclusive, though we don't know yet what WoC's schedule will be for the holiday season))!!! There are other things too, but those are some highlights.

When you have time, make sure to check out that Disney at Christmas super thread I posted the link to above!

WOW! Your info is amazing...and that Hydroguy really knows his stuff.

I have a few embarrasing newbie questions...

Is the Monster's Inc. a ride through? They have a Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club in MK at WDW but it's a live theater show/comedy club with the same technology as Turtle Talk. I'd love to know what the California version is like as my daughter loves Monster's Inc. characters.

Also, unfortunately it looks like we are a bit further from Anaheim than I thought. I've never been to California but I hear the traffic is a bit difficult to navigate. However, I am from North Central, NJ and the traffic from here to Manhattan is no party...so i hope I am prepared for West Coast gridlock. We are coming from a town called Newport Beach??? It looks like it's about 21 miles from Disneyland. Should I plan on roughly 2 hours of traffic/gridlock on a Monday morning from Newport to Anaheim?

Lastly, where can I find a really clear online park map of DL & DCA so that I can get my "crazy mama" plan in motion. I feel like I need to see where the rides/attractions are located to plan our itinerary.

Thanks again...you are a lifesaver.

 

[Lorelai]

the only slow load/fast load info I might add to Sherry's is that I always found when going into DL, the left side of the park is much more mepty at rope drop than the right. We usually go left, do main rides (POTC, IndyJones, Splash, Haunted Mansion, BTMRR) as quickly as possible. Take advantage of FP whenever possible. Remember that you can get FP's to use later and you don't have to return to use them at the time on the pass if it's not convenient... you just must use them the same day.

Hydroguy gave a great link in his DLR guide for ridemax.com. I have used them as well, with great results. It is a customizable touring plan software.

With only 2 days in the parks, you really should sit down and figure out the "must-do's" and schedule them.... keep in mind that "park-hopping at DLR and DCA is really simple. YOu just make a 2 minute walk across the plaza between the 2 parks, so going back and forth to better hit all the "hotspots" is not a problem.

Would you liken Ridemax to Tour Guide Mike? Maybe I should do something like that.

My original goal was to attempt to fanatically learn as much as I can from all of the DISboard authorities here. Then put a well thought out plan into action and see if I have succeeded... or made a complete fool of myself.

This is one of a few cases when in comes in handy to be an obsessive/compulsive planner. At least, I hope.

Thanks again...truly, everyone has shared such valuable info. I feel really positive about being able to see and do quite a bit with my children while in Disney.

 

[Petraman]

Would you liken Ridemax to Tour Guide Mike? Maybe I should do something like that.

My original goal was to attempt to fanatically learn as much as I can from all of the DISboard authorities here. Then put a well thought out plan into action and see if I have succeeded... or made a complete fool of myself.

This is one of a few cases when in comes in handy to be an obsessive/compulsive planner. At least, I hope.

Thanks again...truly, everyone has shared such valuable info. I feel really positive about being able to see and do quite a bit with my children while in Disney.

I definitely agree wholeheartedly! I am clearly a "Disneyaholic"... I Loooovee to plan out every detail, then redo it, then try again. It is a part of the joy for me on our trips... but it has definitely paid off. Plan hard now, so you can relax and enjoy when you are there.

As far as TGM vs Ridemax, I looked into using TGM last year and was impressed but I had already bought Ridemax andalso touringplans, so I felt like it was just overkill for me.... so I haven't tried TGM. I would say that IF TGM will give you the flexibility you find in Ridemax I might consider it because of the other cool features like tracking ressies etc.

Let me give you an example of Ridemax. You pick the day and park you are interested in. Then select the hours of day you plan to be there .... maybe ealry start, late, even a partial day in each park. Then you can actually hand pick the specific rides you want or leave it up to Ridemax. You can tell it if you are slow travelers in park... or if you are kamikaze, and it will adjust the travel time between rides. You schedule in dining breaks, restaurants you will be eating at, even schedule nap breaks or whatever. You can tell it if you prefer a certain time that a show is playing. Then you tell it to compute and it will do its best to fit everything in. If it can't then you just start tweaking it. In the WDW version of Ridemax, you could even tell it if you had a runner in your group who would run to get FP's while others got in line for rides. I ran many scenarios with it, then changed what I didn't like and eventually got the plan I was comfortable with, then simply printed it out.

I have used it 2 years (once in DLC and once in WDW)with great success. The 2 items I found to be the best balance of help fo rme was the Unofficial Guide and Ridemax. Between the 2 it was amazing.

But I must admit, TGM looks like a great software.... if it gives you some flexibilty to adjust it to your liking, I might give it a go

 

[Petraman]

Lorelai,

I just did some research at TGM's site and at first it didn't look promising. It talked alot about "sample park tours" and custom tours based on your "preferences" which sounded like you wouldn't get any manual tweaking abilities.... then I found this statement.

The ability to add or delete any attraction, restaurant, hotel, activity, ticket, or vacation article to/from your itinerary with a click of the mouse.

Now that sounds like what I would want... I think I may give TGM a go on my next trip