New to board, help planning Spring sister DL trip please! UPDATE NEW QUESTION

[sonnyjane]

First of all, I am SO glad to have found this board! I'm learning so much!

I have been to both DL and WDW, but the last time I was at WDW was in 1995, and DL was in 1989 when Splash Mountain first opened (I remember it being crazy!), so I almost feel like this is my very first trip, and certainly my first adult trip. I am taking my 14 year old sister who has never been to DL and was at that 1995 WDW trip with me when she was an infant, so...basically new to her too!

I don't care much about DCA, I just want to be nostalgic and mostly see DL, and if we have extra time I'll check out DCA.

We will be staying overnight at the Clarion 2 blocks away from the park on Sunday March 29, then going to the park Monday March 30 and Tuesday March 31.

I guess my first question is, since I know it will be spring break for many, is two days (and I plan to make them FULL days) enough to get through DL just the two of us? If not, I already bought a 2 day park hopper pass, but if I change my mind is there a way to refund those and get a three day park hopper instead? Or is my only option to buy an additional single-day ticket?

Also, the idea of fast pass seems really daunting to me! Just how bad DO you think the lines are going to be on the dates I mentioned?

Thank you so much everyone, I am SOOO excited for this trip! I ordered matching Mickey shirts for my sis and I, I've even researched all the food choices and am looking forward to being one big kid for a couple days!

 

[Misskitty3]

I think 2 days is good just for Disneyland. I really think it takes 3 days to do both parks. That said, I would totally advise you to get the additional day and make your trip 3 days and include California Adventure. It is totally worth it to spend some time over in CA.

I don't know anything about adding a day to 2 day tickets but if you can do that, you might get the option of having a Magic Morning (early entry) too!

Fast Passes are not much trouble at all. If you are indeed going to be going in the middle of spring break, you will want to figure how to do the fast passes. I know reading and doing can be two different things. If you read up on the FP procedures and still feel confused, don't hesitate to ask a CM once you are at the park to explain how it works.... That is what I did!

Lastly, I would recomend making Priority Seating (Disney's version of reservations) for any of the sit down type restaurants you might be interested in. You can call Disney Dining to make your PS's.

 

[Teki]

First Hello and Welcome! second, I prefer to do it in 3 (even if my next trip is a forced two day Im still lamenting the loss of that third day), but I have a few must do's at DCA, if your not the least bit interested in DCA, you would be fine in two. If you decided to do three, you can upgrade your tickets either at the gates or if you haven't received them yet over the phone. I hope you and your sister have fun, dont forget to do a trip report!

 

[sonnyjane]

If you decided to do three, you can upgrade your tickets either at the gates or if you haven't received them yet over the phone. I hope you and your sister have fun, dont forget to do a trip report!

Hmm...I got the electronic tickets to print...I guess it wouldn't hurt to call and see! I'm a SoCal resident so it was a really good deal on the 2-day pass, I'm not sure it's worth it to me to pay the $100 plus for the two of us for one extra day at DCA since I'm not that interested

 

[disney-inspired]

Hmm...I got the electronic tickets to print...I guess it wouldn't hurt to call and see! I'm a SoCal resident so it was a really good deal on the 2-day pass, I'm not sure it's worth it to me to pay the $100 plus for the two of us for one extra day at DCA since I'm not that interested

You should get interested! DCA has its own feel and great rides. It's also nice to hop over during peak time at DL because DCA is never as crowded as DL. They have fewer rides but it is definitely worth a go-see.

Must do's in DCA:
- Aladdin show at the Hyperion Theater
- Screamin' (If you like roller coasters)
- Toy Story Midway Mania (addicting!)
- Monsters
- Grizzly River Rapids
- Soarin' over CA
- Twilight tower of terror (if you don't mind heights)

They have THE best corn dogs at Corn Dog Castle!

Two days should be enough to do Disneyland but you really should learn & take advantage of fast passes, they rock! If you don't know much about them I suggest you read Hydroguys tips. I don't have the link but I'm sure some other helpful DIS'er will post it.

 

[sonnyjane]

They have THE best corn dogs at Corn Dog Castle!

OMG I have read all the raves about them on this board, I am DEFINITELY planning on having a corn dog during my visit!

 

[disney-inspired]

OMG I have read all the raves about them on this board, I am DEFINITELY planning on having a corn dog during my visit!

Yes but the best corn dogs are at DCA! The one's at DL aren't so hot. I don't know about anyone else but I definitely taste a difference.

 

[sonnyjane]

Well after reading more, I really felt like maybe I need three days to tackle both parks because you all seem to have a lot of good things to say about DCA. I called to upgrade to a 3-day pass from my 2-day park hopper, but since you have to do it at the park, the online special price doesn't apply, so I'd be paying an extra $105 per person for the day, which obviously is a lot more than a one-day entry ticket! So I think I'll just wing it, try to get up there around Sunday the 29th at 10:00 a.m. or so.

My question is, since I'll be there Sunday, Monday, Tuesday (29-31), which park would be better on Sunday, the more crowded day?

 

[mechurchlady]

Do Disneyland before the park even opens and attack for 2 hours all the rides you can then spend the rest of the day at DCA. Get Soarin out of the way first thing then use a tour plan and decide if you want to do boardwalk first or Tower of Terror.