Only visiting Disney Park..is it worth it for only a day?

dcm712

Earning My Ears
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
14
I only have a day to spend. Is it even worth it to go to the park for one day? I see the tickets are mostly 2 day and more. We only plan on going to the park and that's it (not CA Adventures). Can you really do it and see everything in just a day?
 
I would say no, you cannot do the park in one day, BUT do not let that stop you from going and enjoying what you CAN do! Don't make it a race to get to everything just to say you've been there, done that, enjoy! How about making a list of things you have heard about you would really want to ride, see, eat at, etc and then plan accordingly. One day at Disneyland is better than a day anywhere IMHO.
:yay:
 
I would say no, you cannot do the park in one day, BUT do not let that stop you from going and enjoying what you CAN do! Don't make it a race to get to everything just to say you've been there, done that, enjoy! How about making a list of things you have heard about you would really want to ride, see, eat at, etc and then plan accordingly. One day at Disneyland is better than a day anywhere IMHO.
:yay:

Agreed....&:

- get to the DL line 30 - 40 min. before opening (which means parking 50 - 70 min. before opening).
- Learn how FPs work (check out HydroGuy's tip thread sticky). http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483
- Hopefully it's not a Sat. (best if it's a Wed.)

Good luck & post again after you've done some research.
 
ITA with PP, one day is better than no days! You won't be able to see and do everything but you will still be able to do and see a lot. Go and enjoy it even if it is crowded.:thumbsup2
 

I have been to DL more than 20 times in my life and have never spent more than one day there. That's not bragging, just the harsh reality of finance, distance, children, etc.
If you go for one day, your per-day cost will be a little higher than when you prorate it out over multiple days. But is still worth it, money-wise.
And yes, you will have to skip some things (just more to come back and see later:) ).
My personal suggestions (beyond the great tips already offered) for maximizing your single day:
1. Bring snacks in and eat a single large meal in the afternoon to avoid lunch and dinner lines
2. Don't bother with lines for character meets, shows, exhibits, etc. if you have just one day.
3. Avoid Fantasyland and Toontown until after dark, when they thin out a bit, and decided if there is anything there you must ride or just walk through and look around.
4. Decide what side of the parade route you want to be on before it begins or you will be stuck. If you are waiting for the parade (on the east side), send one person at a time through the Matterhorn line (DH rode it 3 times one night that way)
5. If you have only two people, be alert when you get near a ride's loading zone. Sometimes they will call for two people to fill up a car or boat because big groups want to stay together.

All of these tips are dependent on your party being adults, not children. And if it's a big group, you'll always have disagreements as to how to spend your time. I'd either split up right away or put one person in charge so you don't waste time after every ride deciding what to do next.

You can have a great time in just one day; you just have to plan to go full-out the whole day. We have done a single day (with kids) in the off-season and hit all the biggies -- Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, POTC, Haunted Mansion, Autopia, basically everything we wanted (some twice) -- as well as many rides in Toontown and Fantasyland.

PHXscuba
"You can't have everything -- besides, where would you put it all?"
 
I have been to DL more than 20 times in my life .

is that all???? ban this person from the boards...they cannot give advise to people only going 20 times...sheesh get with the program...you have to have a minimum of 50 trips under your belt to be a DL guru...:lmao: :rotfl2: just teasin...but really..i think it all depends....if they come down well lets use next week for example...after labor day everyone will be back in school, at work, etc...so towards the middle of the week it might be dead till the weekend...so if they visit DL on a slower day, they may be able to do everything they want and see it in just one day...OP said they werent doing DCA so if they preplan and know exactly what rides they really want to do then I can see it happening...just my .02
 
My first trip report includes two one-day trips we took. In off season, during the week, which means short hours. We got there at least an hour AFTER opening each time, and we had a kid (1 y.o on one trip, 2 y.o. on the next trip), me, hubby, and my brother and his wife. Brother and SIL knew nothing about FPs, made fun of me for a plan (leading me to adopt the "Oh yes let's look at the map to see what we want to ride next...oh I have an idea, why don't I run over to get FPs for Indy while we ride Jungle Cruise!" method of covertly leading a group who doesn't want to be led), and wanted to stroll while I power-walked.

And yet...those trips were *totally* worth it!!!

I do regret ignoring DCA though. We truly wouldn't have had the time on those trips, but it turns out DCA is very beloved by my family and we can't even believe we skipped it for 2 years' worth of visits! :)
 
I recommend that you do go and visit Dl. for one day, I had done that several years ago, and although of course I would have loved to have visited for at least two days, I was very happy with the one day all the same, for it is far better from no days, that is how I see it.
For me, although I always have in mind to visit DCA, or to visit that park more often from what I have so far, some one on this site, may be able to assist you with a two park one day itinerary. I personally am not sure how that can best be done, hence, I spend again, but a small amount of time, or none at DCA. I believe that if one has one day to visit Dl. then don't worry about DCA, visit that park another time, or perhaps instead of Dl. frankly, I love Dl. far more, from DCA. so I know that it is easy for me to say that.
I spend most of my time, between NOS and Adventure land. I love POTC and the HM, and the Indy ride, and the Tiki room, I would love to have my own Tiki room, complete with Jose and Collette et al. I so totally love those birds.
I also especially like in addition, The Matterhorn ride, and Thunder Mountain, and I particularly enjoy the petting zoo, (Frontier Land) Wendy, is an especially nice goat to visit for she is a real ham! I was told that her mama was like that too. :) Jane, another goat, was attempting to commander the barrel that she was standing upon, it was just so funny and cute too! :) Jane, is also friendly, they all are, otherwise they would not be out in the pen of course, it is just that Wendy, is a real character, :) there were quite a few goats, different breeds, that one could visit, and there was a big male sheep, George, he was laid back, and casual, :) I believe his breed is Suffolk, if I am remembering my breeds correctly, I know far more about horses, in comparison to sheep, but I am quite sure that was his breed. Sometimes there will be a draft horse to visit, when I had gone this past Wed. that was not the case, however, I was fortunate enough to ride the draft horse pulled wagon that you wait for in front of Main Street, a big beautiful Percheron, seven year old Holly,was doing the work. I cannot remember the name of the driver right off! I am sorry for that, for she was nice, friendly, and also has a good working knowledge of horses.
One is allowed to pet Holly on the side of her big tummy (the barrel) that was the beginning of a perfect day, as any day is for me, when it starts with horses, or at least, some part of the day, including them. :)
Do not miss out, on what can be visited in one day, because you feel that it may not be long enough. Matter of fact, like I sometimes say to people, it does not matter how many days I might be fortunate enough to visit Dl, for, lets face it! I never want to leave, or leave for very long! :)
So therefore, my vote goes for you to visit Dl, :) do not wait until you can visit for a longer time frame, for one never really can be too sure of what may lie around the corner, be it good, or not so much.
 
Any time spent at Disneyland is well worth it. Let s put it this way. Last week I was in town for business and when that was over I spent 4 hours at DL then 8 hours the next day. My daughter flew down to spend that last day with me. It was one of the best days ever!!! I did 7 rides in just over 1/2 hour. We did all the big rides to & went on some several times. So is it worth it, :banana: Hells yes!!!
I'm actually thinkin bgof doing it again & Christmas shopping to as the park has items you cant purchase onlne. What a fun time!!:rotfl:
 
growing up we not only went once a year.....we had to use the ticket books to ride things ! Then when i was a teen we went once a year from 7 pm - 12am when PG&E rented out the park for employees. Of course also as a teen we did grad night from 7 pm - 1 am, and also the night of joy at around the same times. So.....multi day trips has only been a phenomenon as an adult. Trust me you can pack a heck of a lot of good times in 5 hours at DL!
 












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