one day in DL

[luvmyfam444]

we have just one day we can do around Dec 29-31st what do we do ? I know literally NOTHING about DL. it's only adults.

 

[Travel60]

You can easily do DL in a day and probably Cal Adventure too. Not sure if you need reservations.

 

[luvmyfam444]

You can easily do DL in a day and probably Cal Adventure too. Not sure if you need reservations.

good to know.

 

[bbeagle]

You can easily do DL in a day and probably Cal Adventure too. Not sure if you need reservations.

You definitely can NOT do both in a day between Christmas and New Years. This is the busiest time of the year. You can do maybe 1/3rd of Disneyland.

Or you can walk around and see the sights of both, catch a parade and a fireworks show, and maybe ride 5 out of the 59 rides.

And yes, you need reservations.

 

[Kit Jackson]

You still need reservations to enter the park. It will be very busy. You will need to go in with clear priorities of what you want to do. Those priorities could be anything from 3 absolute must do rides, or just walking around and seeing decorations.

 

[luvmyfam444]

ok - tell me the must see rides...it may be the only time we get there so what should we try for?

 

[LKing]

You're a DIS Veteran. Do you normally go to WDW? If so, are you looking for things that are not available at WDW? Are you open to paying for Genie + and park hopper tickets?

 

[bbeagle]

It will cost $194 for one day at Disneyland on Dec 29, 30 or 31.

A park hopper ticket for that one day, so you can visit both parks, costs $65 more, for a total of $259.

Genie+ will be an additional $35, if you want a chance to ride a few more rides.

The total for 1 day at both parks is $294.

 

[Kit Jackson]

ok - tell me the must see rides...it may be the only time we get there so what should we try for?

To clarify, I meant this as your personal top must see 3 rides. People are going to have a different 3 based on likes, interests, and ride tolerance.

 

[LKing]

delete

 

[Chickinvic]

ok - tell me the must see rides...it may be the only time we get there so what should we try for?

Pirates is vastly superior at DL, Space Mountain also way better IMO, Indiana Jones, the railroad is better (has the Grand Canyon scenes). I just far prefer DL in general, but those off the top of my head. Fantasmic is also better out in the open on the river.

 

[redleader74]

Yes, you can do DL in one single day (especially if no small kids with you), but you had better start early, like right at opening. We just got back from our trip and entering the park on Friday between 8 and 8:30 AM, we got on a lot of rides without LL and without a wait (5 minutes at most and it wasn't even stop-n-go, it was jsut a slow walk from entering the line to boarding the ride). This included: HH, POC, Jungle Boat. Tiki Room, even Star Tours was only about 20 minutes (w/o LL)....all before noon. I would highly recommend watching some Youtube videos on how to use Genie+ (assuming you're purchasing this extra) and strategies around it.

 

[irlandaise]

Fantasmic is also better out in the open on the river.

Agreed, but it isn't starting up again until next spring.

 

[BrianL]

ok - tell me the must see rides...it may be the only time we get there so what should we try for?

Do you go to WDW often? If so, there are some definite things you could skip. If not, then it gets more difficult. I would definitely try to check out the following:

DL:
Haunted Mansion Holiday - It will still have the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay at that time.
Pirates of the Caribbean - It's longer with more scenes than WDW.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Space Mountain - It is different than WDW version
Disneyland Railroad between Fantasyland and Main Street to see some very cool scenes from the Worlds Fair.

I think I would concentrate on classic Disneyland and try to soak in a lot of that. If you are WDW vets and have seen the Star Wars stuff, you can skip that whole thing as it is all exactly the same. If you can get to CA, then Radiator Springs Racers is the true must-do (use single rider if you can). Also the Guardians of the Galaxy retheme of Tower of Terror is super fun. If you are hopping, I recommend World of Color as the nightime show.

It will be busy - very! Plus, the walkways etc. at DL are smaller and there are many crowded areas. It's manageable though. Good luck and have fun!

 

[luvmyfam444]

Do you go to WDW often? If so, there are some definite things you could skip. If not, then it gets more difficult. I would definitely try to check out the following:

DL:
Haunted Mansion Holiday - It will still have the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay at that time.
Pirates of the Caribbean - It's longer with more scenes than WDW.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Space Mountain - It isdifferent than WDW version
Disneyland Railroad between Fantasyland and Main Street to see some very cool scenes from the Worlds Fair.

I think I would concentrate on classic Disneyland and try to soak in a lot of that. If you are WDW vets and have seen the Star Wars stuff, you can skip that whole thing as it is all exactly the same. If you can get to CA, then Radiator Springs Racers is the true must-do (use single rider if you can). Also the Guardians of the Galaxy retheme of Tower of Terror is super fun. If you are hopping, I recommend World of Color as the nightime show.

It will be busy - very! Plus, the walkways etc. at DL are smaller and there are many crowded areas. It's manageable though. Good luck and have fun!

yes we've been many many times to WDW - though it has been a couple of years. Thanks for the tips!

 

[luvmyfam444]

You're a DIS Veteran. Do you normally go to WDW? If so, are you looking for things that are not available at WDW? Are you open to paying for Genie + and park hopper tickets?

yes

You're a DIS Veteran. Do you normally go to WDW? If so, are you looking for things that are not available at WDW? Are you open to paying for Genie + and park hopper tickets?

yes I only go to WDW - I would like to know what things aren't available at WDW

 

[LKing]

yes

yes I only go to WDW - I would like to know what things aren't available at WDW

Top three would be:
Carsland in DCA
Fantasyland old school rides in DL
Matterhorn in DL

 

[BrianL]

yes

yes I only go to WDW - I would like to know what things aren't available at WDW

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
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
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcn: 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 & Sulley 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! - smalelr 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' - though note sometimes they run it with the original Sorain' over California, in which case it is a must do!

Hope that's helpful! Sorry if I missed anything.

 

[luvmyfam444]

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
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcn: 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 & Sulley 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:
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin' - though note sometimes they run it with the original Sorain' over California, in which case it is a must do!

Hope that's helpful! Sorry if I missed anything.

WOW thank you!!! I'm printing this

 

[BrianL]

WOW thank you!!! I'm printing this

Happy to help. I've always been fascinated by how the rides compar to each other. Often, even when they seem theh same, they are not. It's just kind of fun.

Also, I added PHilharmagic to the list as CA has it now. They adapted it from the MuppetVision theater so it presents a little differently, but is probably an easy skip if you have seen it at WDW.