Not been to Disneyland in 54 years. Please help

[Little Doe]

I went to Disneyland as a 6 year old (60 now). All I remember is the Teacups. I ordered the Unofficial Guide, but what else do I need. What do you recommend we do? We are staying in one of the hotels on Disneyland, the Grand Californian. Please give me any advice you have.. Thanks

 

[lalasmama]

Expect a whole lotta changes!

The Unofficial Guide is a good book to read ahead of time. I didn't follow the plans in it, but I appreciated the "heads up" on so many things!

Who is going with you? When are you going?

The answers to those things will help us advise you on what to expect.

 

[Geemo]

I went to Disneyland as a 6 year old (60 now). All I remember is the Teacups. I ordered the Unofficial Guide, but what else do I need. What do you recommend we do? We are staying in one of the hotels on Disneyland, the Grand Californian. Please give me any advice you have.. Thanks

Be sure to have shoes you can walk 10 miles in! This is no joke.
At the end of the day, even with good shoes, your feet are going to ache. I've learned to take two pair of shoes with me. Switching shoes in the middle of the day can really make a difference for not only my feet but my legs too.

The first time we stayed at the GCH, our room was about as far from the lobby as possible. From that I have learned to ask for a room near the lobby elevator.

Knowing your dates and number in your group would be helpful.

Geemo

 

[Indiana Scott]

Oh my, your going to be very impressed and have a great time!
Please come back and tell us what you think after your visit.

 

[Rebekkap]

You are going to have So Much Fun!

Make sure you read up about fastpass so you can skip some of the big lines. Getting there early (before the gates open) is the other thing that really helps with the queues.

 

[Luisa]

Wow, what a wonderful time you are going to have! And what a coincidence, I literally just finished watching 'Saving Mr Banks' again, set around the time when you were last at the park. I'm taking my mum for her first visit this year, she'll be 72 when we go, so the only advice I'll give you is the same I've given her - don't feel you have to do and see everything, take in the beauty of the parks, relax, let your inner child out and have fun, buy Mickey ears if you want and wear them proudly and it's ok to be so happy you get teary.

 

[Jerryp49]

Staying at any of the Resort Hotels gets you EMH ( Extra Magic Hour) where you can enter the park one hour early before the general public . EMH is good for DCA on Sunday, Monday, Wed. and Friday. EMH is good for DL on Tue , Thur. and Sat , the same days that MM(Magic Morning) is given to those with multi day park hoppers. The GCH has a separate entrance to DCA that is only available to Resort Hotels Guests mornings until about 11am after which everyone is allowed to use it. Be sure to bring your room key for everyone in your party. You need to show your room key along with admission to access the GCH entrance to DCA early mornings. The line for EMH entry to DCA really gets long and starts about an hour before the EMH opening but goes fairly quick. A lot of guests just use the main entrance to DCA to get to the rope drop for RSR(Radiator Spring Racers). There is a special turnstile and line there for Early Entry. You need to show your room key for Early Entry at DCA and DL.

 

[Jerryp49]

You will love the GCH. It is beautiful. Be sure to check out the Terrace on the 6th floor that overlooks DCA. When we go we take advantage of EMH to do RSR first before it gets crowded. So do many others with EMH but it still goes faster than if you tried to get on later in the day unless you have a FP(Fast Pass). FPs for RSR are distributed at the entrance to Bugs Land It`s Tough to be a Bug. FPs for RSR are all gone early , usually by noon on busy days so if you want to get some plan to get them early.

If you are bringing young ones, they will get a kick out of the character breakfast at the Story Tellers Café in GCH.

 

[YukonMommy]

How exciting!
-Order the free Disney planning dvd (you can find a link on their website).
-good shoes are important
-check out the Disney website to see maps of both parks
-book any special or character meals before you go
-get ready to have the most fabulous time!

WIshing you a magical time!

 

[VandVsmama]

Read a bunch of the sticky threads at the top of the Disneyland DISBOARDS page. They have tons of useful information.

Go to www.youtube.com and look up the Fresh Baked Disney channel for a nice taste of what it's like. The narrator of the videos does a good job capturing the spirit of the parks.

Adhere to a couple of Hydroguy's DL commandments:
1. If you want to see fireworks, see them early in your trip in case of weather cancellations.
2. Get there for rope drop to take advantage of low crowds.
3. Read up on how to use fast passes.
4. Pick your #1 ride that you REALLY want to ride on that trip and ride it on the first day.

I also think that you should tell them at check in at GCH that the last time you were there was in 1955 so you can get a special button and extra attention from all the Cast Members during your trip.

You absolutely MUST go on Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean! YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE AN AWESOME TIME!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

That's so exciting, it's like a whole new world now! Groan I know I just couldn't resist There is obviously a lot to see & my best advice: slow down. Take some time in the parks to relax and soak it all in. My favorite places to do this are where I can relax & eat at the same time!

1) Blue Bayou. The restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean is a one of its kind. Take the time out of your day or evening to have a meal, wait the extra time to be seated in order to get "waterside" (or as close as is available) seating.

2) Riverbelle Terrace breakfast. This is a counter service restaurant between Adventureland & New Orleans Square. The food is classic American breakfast food served in large portions. You can sit indoors or outdoors and look out at the Rivers of America as the park is "coming to life" for the day. It was said to have been one of Walt's favorite places. Ideal for a break on early entry mornings.

3) Carthay Circle Lounge. Located on the 1st floor the lounge offers a variety of cocktails including more classic ones & appetizers. Seating is relaxed all around the lounge. The bartenders are specially trained in making the drinks in the proper ways. And the background music is Disney music but "jazzed" to fit the era. It's very relaxed and impressive in how transported you feel.

Hope you have an amazing time!

 

[Little Doe]

My husband and I are going the last week of January.

 

[Little Doe]

thank you so much everyone!!! I am soaking this in … please keep them coming !!!

 

[Astylla]

My husband and I are going the last week of January.

My husband and I will be there at the same time. Speaking from experience on average crowds shouldn't be bad and allow you time to really soak many things in. Just be aware due to the anniversary the castle will be covered believe and refurbs will be high but there is much to enjoy.

Don't forget to take a stroll around the Disneyland Hotel and GCH as well for a wonderful break away from the hustle and bustle. Walking through downtown Disney and rivers of america at closing is my favorite as well.

 

[AngiTN]

You have us beat by a few years. We are planning a trip to DL for this summer, my first time back in 38 years and DH's first back in 45 years. DGD's first trip.

We're staying in Disneyland Resort

I'm trying to absorb all there is to learn myself.

 

[DLfan4]

some of my tips:

- Disneyland and Disney California adventure park are right across from each other, so I would suggest you get park-hoppers so you can "jump" between the two parks each day if you want.

- there are many great resturants in Disneyland (DL) and Disney California Adventure (DCA). But I would suggest Blue Bayou in DL, since its a restaurant in the Pirates of the Carribean ride. I always suggest people do this on their first trip.

- January is off season, so you should expect it to be less crowded.

- Some of the popular rides are best if you get a "fastpass". ( a pass so you don't have to wait in the standbyline) You can search this forum for info on fastpass.

- they have Disney photographers who take your pictures at certain locations. There is a card they give you and you continue to use it for all your pics. and then at the end of your trip you can purchase a CD with all your pics. Its best if you purchase this in advance. so search on "photopass" on this forumn.

-a must do treat are the Dole Whips from the tiki Juice bar.

have fun!!

 

[Geemo]

Here's a link to the PhotoPassPlus (PP+ is the abbreviation)
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/dlrppp.htm

If you're going at the end of the month, you'll need to order right away. Most people say it arrives in about a week or so. The website states 14days.

 

[chickapin parterre]

You were six and I was four, don't feel bad about not having any memories. We are in the black and white photos dressed properly but I have no recollection of the background and wasn't till the age of eight that I conquered the park with my alphabet book.

* you can still fly......Dumbo, Peter Pan and a stunning visual of California.

* you can still mine....... Snow White, Thunder Mountain and Grizzly Run

*you can still go to the moon.......though I don't think the moons orbit our earth.

*you can still see the Mickey Mouse club......but they are all framed and hanging on a wall depending on the correctness of our society.

* you can still have the same castle in the background of your photo......just bring the photo of the castle and adjust to the moment of being a six year old.

But you are 60 years old, waded thru decades of fads, presidents, hair styles and turmoils. The one thing that has not changed is patriotism. I suggest you look at the daily program and find your self on main street to witness the flag ceremony. Walt was a collector of flag poles. The one thing that has not changed is that Disneyland continues to recognizes the duty of our young women and men.

 

[Little Doe]

I agree about Patriotism and our flag. My husband was Marine Corp and two of our son's were in the Air Force. One is still in and is a C130 pilot. Thank you for your post.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I just wanted to say, I know you will have a fantastic time and think it is awesome you and your husband are taking the trip. I also look forward to reading about your trip. God Bless. Have fun!