Overwhelmed and anxious--help me, Disneyland vets!

[Ursula J]

I'm a WDW person coming to DL for the first time next week (3/20-3/23). Staying at DLH. We have park hopper. I'm reading through dozens of pages of advice on Genie+, rope drop strategies, and crowds...and I am at the mental overload stage. If you had one or two tips for a newbie, what would they be? What's the best advice you have? Thanks

 

[BadPinkTink]

I'm a WDW person coming to DL for the first time next week (3/20-3/23). Staying at DLH. We have park hopper. I'm reading through dozens of pages of advice on Genie+, rope drop strategies, and crowds...and I am at the mental overload stage. If you had one or two tips for a newbie, what would they be? What's the best advice you have? Thanks

Take some time before your trip to get to know the App and find which way works best for you. For example I prefer checking the map, then clicking into a ride to book the Lightning Lane, instead of using the Tip Board.

Find the list of Lightning Lane rides and plan out your priority list for them.

 

[calitook]

DL does not need nearly the amount of advance planning that WDW does. Honestly my #1 tip would just be to try to relax and don't micromanage every minute. You'll have a better time!

 

[DLgal]

Try and chill a bit. Disneyland is easy. Just go with the flow. It's what everyone else will be doing.

My advice is to be well rested. Take time to take in everything instead of just running from ride to ride. The magic of Disneyland is in the little details.

 

[Brandonius]

Disneyland is chill compared to WDW. Have genie on your phone, fiddle with the app the day before you get to the parks, and know the 2 or 3 MUST DO rides and restaurants. Other than that, just enjoy the flow of things. Disneyland is much, MUCH more spontaneous than WDW - Genie is available for most rides for much to all of the day. Everything is right next to each other so you can easily just wander from thing to thing. Don't stress too much about it at this point - just go and enjoy the magic!

 

[fly girl]

Get a churro. Make sure they’re fresh off the line.

Slow down. Sit on Main Street at the tables and really soak it in. It’s special!

 

[PHXscuba]

Get there early.

Hit the headliners and the unique-to-Disneyland stuff.

Enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[By-Tor and Snow Pup]

Another "go with the flow" answer. I have learned to play things by ear because things change. If you come across an attraction that is super busy.... then just check by later. Be open to what I call "Disney Miracles", that is things that just open up or you luck into; for instance, if you are passing an attraction that has been down and they just open up again... and your right there!!! Use Genie+ and take time to see the details and smell the churros.

 

[Malcon10t]

This is Disneyland. Take a deep breath, and relax. Disneyland is a much more relaxed place. Genie+ isn't difficult. Don't stress.

I was so stress when we visited WDW cause I am so used to the relaxed pace at DL. "The team" that we went with threatened to give me a Xanax to make it thru the meal planning and FP+ planning.

 

[Ladyslug]

Just get there at rope drop, bask in the Main Street USA atmosphere, and then head for your favorites. The crowds should be on the low side for the first 1-2 hours after opening, and that should help minimize the need to stress over Genie+ return times. Also, if you get a hankering for a snack, mobile order on your way over -- one of my favorite memories of my last trip was mobile ordering a Dole Whip at the Tiki Room and getting there just in time to pick it up and eat it while riding the Jungle Cruise. We also spent a big chunk of one morning just exploring Galaxy's Edge for the first time. I agree with everyone else who says a go-with-the-flow attitude is the best plan.