One day in Disneyland - What’s your plan?

[Abbie485]

Going to be in the LA area at the end of February and planning to take one day to go to Disneyland. Haven’t been before and not sure if we’ll be planning a “full” Disneyland trip anytime in the near future. Currently trying to come up with a realistic plan on what we can get done in the time we have, along with our priorities. As of now, leaning towards park hopper to try to get the full experience, getting Multi Pass/Lightning Lanes to help with wait times, and planning to be there rope drop to close. Looks like DL is showing 8am-11pm and DCA 8am-9pm, so if we hop we’ll start at DL, hop to DCA in the afternoon, and back to DL in the evening until park close. (Unless park hopping isn’t worth it based on having limited time)

For context, I’ve visited Disney World a ton and have been averaging around one trip a year for a while now. So I consider myself to relatively be a WDW expert (or close to it), but I’m a complete novice when it comes to DL and DCA. Would like to for sure see the DL classics, and some of things that are exclusively on the west coast. Also know there are attractions that are on both coasts, so not opposed to doing a good ol’ compare and contrast on which is the “better” park . One unfortunate thing is that it looks like Jungle Cruise, Small World, and Rise of the Resistance will be closed while we’re there.

I’ll take any and all recommendations! Any must do things, anything to skip, food recs (probably no dining reservations to save time), tips for Multi Pass, park hopping, parades, fireworks, shows, or anything else!

TL;DR - If you only have one day in Disneyland, what’s your plan?

 

[LKing]

You're visiting the END of February? If so, I believe Small World should be open. You might keep your eye on this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/f...eopens-2-6-jungle-cruise-closes-2-17.3976852/

The most important thing is to learn the difference in how Disneyland's LLMP works compared to WDW's. Disneyland's is more similar to the old Genie + program at WDW. Rise of the Resistance (essentially the same as at WDW) is a LLSP attraction. Radiator Springs Racers is also LLSP. RSR has a very efficient single rider line so, if you aren't opposed to splitting up your party, I would consider that instead of paying. Neither LLSP attraction sells out in advance.

Here is Brian L's list comparing attractions at DLR and WDW.

Note that we still have Tom Sawyer's Island, the Mark Twain river boat, the Columbia, and canoes. Also note the dates of Soarin' over California. February 8 is DCA's 25th, so they are bringing back Soarin over CA from Feb 6 - July 1. Expect lines to be long.

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Jungle Cruise - No temple/tunnel, a bit shorter
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - quite simalar, though vehicles are different cosmetically - look for a CBJ easter egg!
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
it's a small world - very similar though with Disney cahracter peppered in - it does have a much nicer exterior.
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better (Note that this is soon coming to the WDW version)

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin' (Soarin over California Feb 6-July 1, Soarin over America starting July 2)




Entertainment will probably depend on what day of the week you will be visiting. Plug your date into the five day event schedule and you will see what will be offered when you are there. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/five-day/#/disneyland/

Potentially, you will have:

Disneyland

• 70th Cavalcade
• Paint the Night
• Fantasmic
• Wondrous Journeys
• Tapestry of Happiness
• Shadows of Memory
• Fire of the Rising Moon

DCA

• Lunar New Year Processional (ends Feb 22)
• World of Color

Here is a list of events happening at the Disneyland Resort in February. https://www.disboards.com/threads/2...icial-unofficial-events.3976081/post-66459424

 

[irlandaise]

@Abbie485 I like California Adventure a lot, but since you only have one day, I'm inclined to suggest that you just do Disneyland Park. Although it does have considerable overlap with what you've done at WDW, it also has plenty you haven't. And nothing beats the feeling of being in Walt Disney's original park. How about just soaking up the atmosphere there for the day?

Having said that, it is, of course, incredibly easy to hop parks at the Disneyland Resort, so if you do want to experience, say, the wonderful Cars Land area, then do buy a hopper and determine where your priority rides/experiences are in each park. You'll have to make some hard decisions in that short of a time.

 

[Abbie485]

You're visiting the END of February? If so, I believe Small World should be open. You might keep your eye on this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/f...eopens-2-6-jungle-cruise-closes-2-17.3976852/

Oh good to know! When I checked the DL refurbishments it was showed a TBD end date for Small World, so that’s good news.

Here is Brian L's list comparing attractions at DLR and WDW.

And thank you for this summary, this is exactly what I was looking for!!

 

[Abbie485]

@Abbie485 I like California Adventure a lot, but since you only have one day, I'm inclined to suggest that you just do Disneyland Park. Although it does have considerable overlap with what you've done at WDW, it also has plenty you haven't. And nothing beats the feeling of being in Walt Disney's original park. How about just soaking up the atmosphere there for the day?

This is exactly what I’m going back and forth on. If we were to only do one, DL is the easy choice since it’s the original. Definitely want to see classics and experience the original park. On the other hand, DCA has more of the actual “rides” and is overall different from what’s in FL. (Although, could be off on this assessment.) I’m used to park hopping since that’s how I always spend my time in WDW, but it’s a little different when you’ve been numerous times so you kind of pick and choose your priorities based on the trip since I’ve done it all before.

If we decide to park hop, do you think the time is better spent rope dropping DL or DCA?

 

[Pluto468]

If I only had one day I would only do Disneyland. I feel like the day goes by so fast and even though DL has similar attractions to World, it's a whole other experience that's worth taking the time to soak in.

But if you do want to hop, I'd definitely start at Disneyland. It's right across the esplanade so it's easy to do. If you do end up at DCA I'd make time for Word Of Color since I don't think you have that at World.

I'd get LL since that will cut down on your wait times.

There are alot of great counter service restaurants to choose from. Some favorites:

Plaza Inn
Jolly Holiday
Red Rose Tavern
Rancho Del Zocalo
Tiana's
Hungry Bear
Cafe Daisy

DCA;
Pym's
Lucky Fortune Cookery


Have fun!

 

[Piglet99645]

Outstanding thread. WE are actually going for 1 day plus an after hours party in a couple of weeks. Space Mountain and ROTR are both supposed to be down, as well as Grizzly River Run (too cold anyway). My abbreviated Disney trip priorities are as follows:

California Adventure essentials:
Guardians
Incredicoaster
Soarin
Monsters Inc. gets an honorable mention
(Grizzly River Run when it's open)

Disneyland favorites:

Breakfast at Plaza Inn

Must Ride:
Indiana Jones
The Matterhorn
Big Thunder Mountain -
Space Mountain
Rise of the Resistance
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway -


My Nostalgia List:
Peter Pan's Flight
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Enchanted Tiki Room -
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh -
Pirates of the Caribbean -
Jungle Cruise -
Haunted Mansion -
Mad Tea Party
Star Tours

If I have time:

Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

And sometimes we will hate-ride it's a small world -
I am no longer allowed on Autopia by my family. LOL

 

[irlandaise]

If we decide to park hop, do you think the time is better spent rope dropping DL or DCA?

I think that depends on which rides are your highest priority.

 

[Jawwdoc]

This is exactly what I’m going back and forth on. If we were to only do one, DL is the easy choice since it’s the original. Definitely want to see classics and experience the original park. On the other hand, DCA has more of the actual “rides” and is overall different from what’s in FL. (Although, could be off on this assessment.) I’m used to park hopping since that’s how I always spend my time in WDW, but it’s a little different when you’ve been numerous times so you kind of pick and choose your priorities based on the trip since I’ve done it all before.

If we decide to park hop, do you think the time is better spent rope dropping DL or DCA?

If I was a WDW vet and planning one day @ DLR, I would rope drop DCA, RSR is a gamble and if single rider works for you I would rope drop GotG and then work my way through Avengers Campus, Cars land, Pixar Pier, Soarin. Start stacking DL MPLL mid morning and hop to DL around lunchtime. DL rides not to miss for a WDW pro: Space Mtn, Matterhorn, Roger Rabbit, most of Fantasyland (minus PP/Dumbo), Indiana Jones, Disneyland Railroad?

Have a great trip!