One Day at Disneyland....help!

[Dopey Rocks!]

Hi Everyone!!

I may have the opportunity to go to DL for one day in a couple of weeks while I am with family visiting other family in Bakersfield. I would appreciate any suggestions you all have as to what to do while there.

One park---both?

Where to eat?

What is not to miss?

I have been to WDW 3 times and to DL once when I was 3. It will all be new to me!!! I am excited and hope I get to go! I have a 4 year old who will not be on this trip but I can also use this trip for research purposes for taking him in the future.

Thank you in advance!

 

[DLR29]

The must sees for WDW peeps on a one day trip to DLR would be:
-Indiana Jones (much better than Dinosaur at AK)
-Matterhorn
-Pirates and Space (a gazillion times better than their WDW counterparts)
-Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, Roger Rabbit if you are interested in dark rides that aren't at WDW

If you have time:
-Storybookland Canal Boats/Casey Jr. Circus Train
-Enchanted Tiki Room (original version)
-Finding Nemo Subs (VERY VERY long line though)
-Buzz Lightyear (better than MK's)

If you do choose to go to DCA, you should also check out Monster's Inc. and California Screamin. DCA has a lot of repeat attractions from WDW (Muppets, Soarin, Bug, Turtle Talk, and a fun but not as good Tower of Terror, although DCA's rapids ride is better than Kali), so it's up to you if the limited number of unique must sees are worth it. One plus of DCA is that it is NEVER as crowded as DL, so many people "escape" to DCA when DL gets crowded during the middle of the day.

I wouldn't eat at any sit down (Table service) places since you will only have one day. There are a lot of decent counter service places.

Arrive early, use FP, all that good stuff and you can get a lot done in a day.

 

[MommyLove]

Since you'll just be there for one day in the summer, I recommend you get there EARLY. Find out how early you are allowed to park there (when we go, we stay at a walking-distance hotels so I don't know about parking) and plan to give yourself enough time to be in line 30 minutes before the park opens. That means you'll be leaving Bakersfield really really early, but that's what I'd do if I were you because it's just so much less crowded first thing in the morning and you can get so much more done in a shorter period of time.

If you can make it from 8am-midnight (that's a LONG day, lol) then I think you'll have time to check out DCA too.

I think it's a REALLY good idea that you'll be using this as a scouting mission for a future trip that includesyour son.

If you go, be sure to come back here and let us know how it went!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

First off understand that only one day at the DLR means that you are not going to come close to doing everything in the 2 parks. I think you need 2 days alone for Disneyland itself, which has more rides and attractions than the MK at WDW. In most cases, even among the rides that Disneyland shares with WDW, the Disneyland version is better with more details and better show scenes, sometimes dramatically so, such as POTC.

It really is best to spend the entire day (8:00am to midnight) to make the most out of the cost of that one day ticket. A lot of people here will disagree with me, but I think with only one day, a regular WDW visitor should skip DCA. While it has great attractions, almost all of the very best DCA attractions have almost identical versions found at WDW.

 

[Hound 109]

Hi Everyone!!

One park---both?

Where to eat?

What is not to miss?

I have been to WDW 3 times and to DL once when I was 3. It will all be new to me!!! I am excited and hope I get to go! I have a 4 year old who will not be on this trip but I can also use this trip for research purposes for taking him in the future.

Thank you in advance!

There've been a couple of similar threads recently with alot of great information that was offered. Check out the threads & also many of the links inside the threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2238269

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2240749


Also all of Hydroguy's tip threads are worth a read (especially his "DLR for WDW vets" thread"):

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


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

 

[Dopey Rocks!]

The must sees for WDW peeps on a one day trip to DLR would be:
-Indiana Jones (much better than Dinosaur at AK)
-Matterhorn
-Pirates and Space (a gazillion times better than their WDW counterparts)
-Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, Roger Rabbit if you are interested in dark rides that aren't at WDW

If you have time:
-Storybookland Canal Boats/Casey Jr. Circus Train
-Enchanted Tiki Room (original version)
-Finding Nemo Subs (VERY VERY long line though)
-Buzz Lightyear (better than MK's)

If you do choose to go to DCA, you should also check out Monster's Inc. and California Screamin. DCA has a lot of repeat attractions from WDW (Muppets, Soarin, Bug, Turtle Talk, and a fun but not as good Tower of Terror, although DCA's rapids ride is better than Kali), so it's up to you if the limited number of unique must sees are worth it. One plus of DCA is that it is NEVER as crowded as DL, so many people "escape" to DCA when DL gets crowded during the middle of the day.

I wouldn't eat at any sit down (Table service) places since you will only have one day. There are a lot of decent counter service places.

Arrive early, use FP, all that good stuff and you can get a lot done in a day.

WOW! Thank you so much for the list! I have just begun thinking about it and will try to be prepared no matter what happens (even if I do not get to go ) I can still use my research for a future trip!

 

[Dopey Rocks!]

Since you'll just be there for one day in the summer, I recommend you get there EARLY. Find out how early you are allowed to park there (when we go, we stay at a walking-distance hotels so I don't know about parking) and plan to give yourself enough time to be in line 30 minutes before the park opens. That means you'll be leaving Bakersfield really really early, but that's what I'd do if I were you because it's just so much less crowded first thing in the morning and you can get so much more done in a shorter period of time.

If you can make it from 8am-midnight (that's a LONG day, lol) then I think you'll have time to check out DCA too.

I think it's a REALLY good idea that you'll be using this as a scouting mission for a future trip that includesyour son.

If you go, be sure to come back here and let us know how it went!

Thank you for the advice!! And, yes, I can make it all day at "Mickey's House" as my son calls it. I will let you know if I actually get to go....here's hoping

 

[Dopey Rocks!]

First off understand that only one day at the DLR means that you are not going to come close to doing everything in the 2 parks. I think you need 2 days alone for Disneyland itself, which has more rides and attractions than the MK at WDW. In most cases, even among the rides that Disneyland shares with WDW, the Disneyland version is better with more details and better show scenes, sometimes dramatically so, such as POTC.

It really is best to spend the entire day (8:00am to midnight) to make the most out of the cost of that one day ticket. A lot of people here will disagree with me, but I think with only one day, a regular WDW visitor should skip DCA. While it has great attractions, almost all of the very best DCA attractions have almost identical versions found at WDW.

Good to know! I am thinking only DL right now if given the choice. I will look up the attractions etc and then will know for sure. I had friends go last September and I will be picking their brains ASAP as well.

Thanks!!!

 

[Dopey Rocks!]

There've been a couple of similar threads recently with alot of great information that was offered. Check out the threads & also many of the links inside the threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2238269

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2240749


Also all of Hydroguy's tip threads are worth a read (especially his "DLR for WDW vets" thread"):

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


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

Awesome!! Thank you for the links-I will look at those over the next few days (or hours if I know myself....)

Everyone on these boards are GREAT. Thank you tons!!