One Day Trip to DL - First Time

[agnes01]

Hi Everyone! I posted this in the May Trip conversation but decided it might get more responses as a separate thread.

So my DH and I are huge Disney World Fans. We go every year and we are booked already for the Fall 2010. We love the Food and Wine Festival and the Halloween Party.
We will be in the LA area Memorial Day weekend and decided to go to DL on the Thursday before. Even though we know DW really well, neither of us have ever been to DL! I read there is a Food and Wine Festival going on while we are there. (I can't believe our good luck with the timing on that!).
We are going to drive to DL in the morning from LA, and drive back at night.
Can anyone tell me if we should make dining reservations (and if so any suggestions), or will the Food and Wine Festival (which we will take full advantage of) be so extensive that we will have no room left for lunch or dinner? Also, anything we should put at the top of our list? I know in FL you have to get to Epcot when the park opens if you want to ride Soarin' without waiting for hours. Which ride(s) should we go to first in DL?
Thanks for your help!
Agnes
__________________

 

[Raindown]

Probably the first thing you will want to decide is to park hop or not. Yes, it is really easy to do at DLR, but you will not be able to do both in one day.

Perhaps on your first visit you may just want to check DL out.

 

[agnes01]

Thanks - That is a great tip. We were planning to park hop because we thought we COULD do both in one day. What does DLR stand for? I wanted to try the F&W Festival but I don't know if it will be in both parks. But then since we have never been to DL, maybe we should start with the classic park. We are just two adults though - maybe California Adventure is more geared to adults? And I THINK (not sure though) that is where the F&W Festival is? I will do more research online to find all these things out.

 

[nana50]

Check out our pirates which is better and the Matterhorn.

 

[Mister Toad]

Thanks - That is a great tip. We were planning to park hop because we thought we COULD do both in one day. What does DLR stand for? I wanted to try the F&W Festival but I don't know if it will be in both parks. But then since we have never been to DL, maybe we should start with the classic park. We are just two adults though - maybe California Adventure is more geared to adults? And I THINK (not sure though) that is where the F&W Festival is? I will do more research online to find all these things out.

From reading what you guys have planned, I have been in the same boat. Last May (shortly after Memorial Day) my Fiancee and I went out to DL. I was in California on business and she flew out for the weekend. We only had the one day and we wanted to pack as much in as was humanly possible, and I feel that we managed really well.

She had never been to DL before but had been to WDW like you, many times. My best suggestion would be to get Ridemax. It is a software that you can plug in the day, rides you want, and all the info about the trip and it will give you the best itinerary to take in order to make everything and not wait in line.

We got there at park opening, 8am, and stayed til the park closed at 12am. We were exhausted by the end, but it was a lot of fun. We rode pretty much every ride in DL (Didn't make it to DCA that time), and some rides twice (Indiana Jones, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and POTC). This also included a sitdown dinner at Blue Bayou. Here are my recommendations:

1) Use ridemax, you CAN do the whole park in a very busy day if you move quick and use fastpass to your advantage
2) Blue Bayou is a really unique DL experience. Nothing like in at WDW and its a great opportunity to sit down and take an hour break.
3) Stay at the park as long as you can, we have made it a habit of staying til close and riding Haunted Mansion, Pirates and Indy all in the last 30 minutes the park is open.
4) If you want to shop, the stores (for sure on mainstreet) are open well past closing, so just get stuff on your way out so you don't have to carry it around

Good luck, let me know if you have any other questions, I have done the 1-Day Disney Trip 3 times now, so I have made a kind of science out of it.

 

[Raindown]

DLR = Disneyland Resort (basically both parks/the hotels)

I don't know where the F&W event is either but I think it is all in DCA. Take a look at when the last day Remember Dreams Come True (fireworks show). If it is playing while you are there, it is a must watch.

I'm not sure if I would consider DCA being more adult oriented. It has more thrill rides and alcohol (readily available). For a 1 day adventure, its to make a recommendation. There is a lot to do in DL

 

[rentayenta]

You could not see all of Disneyland and DCA in one day or ever two days imho. With one day, I would focus on Disneyland. It has Indy, a better IASW, cooler Fantasyland, better POTC, better Space, and the real Tiki Room.

 

[disneychrista]

Food & Wine will be a DCA, so if you are interested in seeing Disneyland park you will have to get park hoppers. If you can at all swing it I would get a hotel in Anaheim, Wednesday night so you can get an early start on Thursday. You will want to be there no less than 30 mins before Disneyland open (usually 1 -2 hours before DCA). Hit the rides you can in that time & get FP for the rides (Space, Splash, Indy) you can. Then when it is time hop on over to DCA (litterally 2 mins from gate to gate.) Do what you want at DCA and Food & Wine. Then in the evening you can hop back over to Disneyland, use your Fast Passes and enjoy any evening entertainment that might be happening.

 

[HydroGuy]

Here is some background info that may help -"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Dining reservations are not that big a deal at DLR but you may want to make some. Rides and shows are discussed in the link above.

 

[Huff]

While you can't do all of both parks in one day it most certainly is possible to go on all the major rides in both parks in one day. Also have time to see a few of the parades, shows and fireworks. This is if the parks open early and close late on the day of your visit.

The two parks are only a couple minute walk between. Soar'n is in California Adventure and can get a long line. Get a fast pass very early for a short return time.

Make sure to ride Space Mountain and Pirates at Disneyland as they are much better than the Magic Kingdoms versions. Space Mountain almost always has a long line on a moderate to busy day. Fast Passes are sometimes gone shortly after noon. Collect fast passes at Disneyland, then go to California Adventure for late morning and afternoon. You can have FP's for DL and DCA at the same time.

Disneyland has 30% more attractions and rides than Disneyworlds Magic Kingdom. Disney really packs a lot into only two parks. With a little planning it is possible to go on all major rides and see most shows and parades in only one day.

 

[chrissiecutie]

I would recommend starting in DL. There are some specific rides/attractions that you can ONLY see here! Plus, this is where the magic all began- you can't possible skip it!

Do the unique rides/biggest attractions or those you're interested in most and skip the ones you've been on at WDW. Then head over to DCA since that's where the F&W Festival is being held.

If you take advantage of fastpass, start early and stay late-you'll be fine and can see everything you want in 1 day. You won't see it all but you can hit on the major rides/attractions.

IMO, you don't need Ridemax. Just use common sense and the tips offered on these boards. DLR is so much smaller then WDW and much easier to navigate. I would suggest though that you book a hotel close to DLR, if you can. Not sure what the circumstances are surrounding your trip but it will be much easier on you if you stay within a 5-10 min radius. Traffic in LA is NUTS and you don't want to waste your time on one of the MANY freeways!

Have fun!

 

[skiingfast]

If decide to only do one park, surely DL.

Do the matterhorn, Finding Nemo's submarines and Indy because you don't have them in Florida.

Also POTC and Autopia are vastly better in DL.

Final ride is Mr Toad if you are missing it.

The fireworks in DL is much better than MK. Fantasmic way better. Parades are mostly the same.

Also the theaming in fantasyland is better in DL, I'm not sure why they didn't do it the same in Florida I'm guessing money at the time.


If you go to DCA you will find that most of the attractions like Soaring are in WDW too. The exceptions being the rollercoaster and two swing rides on Paradise pier. Also the kiddy rides in Flik's fun fair are unique but not even worth the time if you don't have small kids.

The thing that is the same but better in DCA is the raft ride, it's like Kali river rapids but only the mechanism. After my last time in AK I think they need their ride redone.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Food & Wine will be a DCA, so if you are interested in seeing Disneyland park you will have to get park hoppers. If you can at all swing it I would get a hotel in Anaheim, Wednesday night so you can get an early start on Thursday. You will want to be there no less than 30 mins before Disneyland open (usually 1 -2 hours before DCA). Hit the rides you can in that time & get FP for the rides (Space, Splash, Indy) you can. Then when it is time hop on over to DCA (litterally 2 mins from gate to gate.) Do what you want at DCA and Food & Wine. Then in the evening you can hop back over to Disneyland, use your Fast Passes and enjoy any evening entertainment that might be happening.

I agree very much with this, especially getting to the DLR area the evening before.

ETA ~ here's a link to our 1 day visit last mid July - we got a lot done.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32765258&postcount=1

 

[agnes01]

Thank you so much to everyone for these posts! I have learned so much by reading them and the links are incredible!! This thread will make our trip so much better than it would have been. I will have to be sure to post an update when we return. Now I think we'll get the one day park hopper and go to both so we can see DL and also experience F&W. And we'll focus on the rides that are not in WDW plus the rides that are better in DL like POTC. Plus I may make dinner reservations at Blue Bayou.

 

[Eeee-va]

Thank you so much to everyone for these posts! I have learned so much by reading them and the links are incredible!! This thread will make our trip so much better than it would have been. I will have to be sure to post an update when we return. Now I think we'll get the one day park hopper and go to both so we can see DL and also experience F&W. And we'll focus on the rides that are not in WDW plus the rides that are better in DL like POTC. Plus I may make dinner reservations at Blue Bayou.

That's exactly how I'd do it! I'm cheap, so normally I might not argue that you should do DCA...but between the Food and Wine Festival (I'd love to try that fancy Coke machine!) and especially Aladdin (which is a great show!) I think it's worth hopping for. Aladdin will be closing in August or so to make way for a Toy Story musical, so you likely won't get another chance to see that.

If you're going 5/27, it looks like Splash Mountain may be closed during your trip. That said, it's the last day of refurb so you might get lucky. Plus, most people prefer WDW's (though I do hear DL's is a tiny bit steeper). There are worse rides to miss.

Have a delightful time! Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

 

[agnes01]

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to post an update. We had such a great time in DL! We went to both parks and went on so many rides. We did not have to wait on long lines, which was fantastic. We LOVED California Screamin' and the Space Mountain in DL is fantastic. POTC was wonderful and it was great to finally ride the Matterhorn. We liked Maliboomer (sp?). We have not stopped telling the story of the Ferris Wheel though. I am not scared to go on any ride. I have tried zip lines and sky diving but that Ferris Wheel (with Mickey's happy face) was terrifying! I thought our little car was going to fly off. I'm still glad we did it though, and knowing us we will ride it again next time.

We could not get into Blue Bayou so we just ate fast food style around the parks. We had a blast, and now we are looking forward to our next DW trip Sept 29- Oct 4 - staying at the Swan for the first time.

Thanks again for all your tips! They were a big help.

 

[Judy from Boise]

So nice to hear back ! You will have to make a post 2012 visit to DLR and stay for 4-5 days.

Have fun at WDW the Swan is our "home" resort. We love it there.