Overwhlemed!

[merfsko]

We recently just begun planning our Disneyland trip, and I must say I'm not even quite sure where to start!

I read through an Unoffical guide, so I am know familair with the rides and restauraunts, at the very least. And I keep browsing through these boards, but I'm not sure what to be looking for!

Here's my story:
We will be going for three days (possibly three and a half), after my sister's Las Vegas wedding. We will be staying at a Good Neighbour Hotel (haven't booked anything yet), and there's four of us (the youngest is 16, but sometimes we ALL act like toddlers, so don't assume anything just from age)

Like many people who have no clue where to start, we've been to WDW many times, but never to DL.

One member of our party wants to spend the first day simply walking around and oreinting ourselves- then spend the other two days riding. I personally feel like we won't be able to fit everything in if we do this.

Any helpful suggestions or tips? Things we should skip, things we should do? Touring hints? Restaraunts that we may want to make a PS for? Rides that have ridiculously long lines? Little magical secrets and facts that will make our trip amazing? Or, even just where to start our planning?

Sorry, that's a lot of questions, isn't it? How about just your most-used tips and hints?

Thanks! I know I can count on my fellow DISers to help me out here!

 

[Stacerita]

Hello! First, don't be overwhelmed. Second, its gonna be a very different trip than WDW. The size alone makes a huge difference. 3 1/2 days I think would be enough to do everything, if not almost everything.

A good neighbor hotel I would suggest is the Hojo. Many on the board have stayed there and enjoy it. I have stayed there a few times and have always had a good time. Its close enough to walk to the parks.

The park entrances are right across from each other. Unlike WDW, you do not need to take transportation to get from park to park. That should make it much easier for you guys. I would suggest park hoppers.

I would not spend one day just walking around getting oriented. That would be a waste IMO. You said you have read the book and are aware of whats there. Decide what your must do's are first and go from there. Make sure your must do's are the things you do right when you get into the parks or at least grab a fast pass for them. Then work everything else in.

Best advice, get there at rope drop. The park will be yours for a while.

I would make at least a PS or two. Its always nice to sit down and have a nice meal or two.

For extreme long lines.......hit Peter Pan right after rope drop and not on a MM day. That line gets huge, and never goes down. If you want to do Dumbo, go there next. Nemo and Alice also have long lines that never go down much. If those are on your list to do, grab a fast pass for something else, and get in one of those lines.

At DCA, Toy Story always has a huge line. Go there at opening, and unless you are all dying to ride together, I would suggest hoping into the single rider line. Cuts wait time down a ton.

Remember, dont let this overwhelm you, its supposed to be a fun vacation. Plus, you have plenty of time to plan.

 

[avalon451]

Hi, welcome! One of the best places to look for tips is Hydroguy's Tips compilation, a sticky thread at the top of this forum. He has a couple of threads in there that are just for WDW vets visiting DL for the first time. If you follow his tips and get accustomed to the layout of DL and CA, you'll be able to see lots in 3 days! Here's the thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

When are you going?

 

[Misskitty3]

How about giving us an idea of what rides & restaurants you think you might want to do.

For a start, can you give us 4 rides and 2 restaurants that you know for sure, you want to try?

Also, what days of the week will you be at the park?

Lastly, the one thing I think is a "must not miss" is the Aladdin show at DCA. I would recomend building that into your plan too.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Three days is the minimum I would spend at DLR. If you spend one day walking around not doing anything, you won't get to see everything you want. You can get oriented with the park on your way to the rides.

Also, don't forget, part of it is DTD. So that takes up time. Go there for afternoon or evening. Did you say what time of year you are going? That makes a difference too.

During summer, this is what we do. Get to DL before opening. Mornings at DL is prime time and is your chance to ride things with a shorter line. We stay there until around lunch time when it gets more crowded. We then get one more FP for DL before heading over to DCA. At DCA we get a FP for something like Soarin, and then maybe go eat over there. DCA isn't as crowded as DL so we like it for the afternoon. After being there for while we may hop back and forth between the parks a few more times and pick up FPs or just stay there for a while. DCA closes before DL so eventually we have to leave anyway and go back to DL.

Personally, if I go at the time of year that DL opens at 8am, I'd go there first everyday, never to DCA first because I don't want to waste the precious early morning ride time at DL. If you have 3 day park hoppers be sure to go to your early morning entry at DL.

Oh, you mentioned maybe 3 and half days. If you got 3 day park hoppers you could save DTD for the half day and not go into the park at all that day.

 

[merfsko]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

We will be going August 11-13 (Tuesday-Thursday).

Although I know I have four months, it feels like a lot less as we are also planning for a wedding (August 9) So much excitement at once!

As for attractions we know we want to do... that depends on who you ask.

I usually end up doing a lot of waiting, as the rest of the family does the thrill rides

But we all somehow agreed on wanting to do ones like Pirates, Matterhorn (I hope I don't regret this one!), Indiana Jones, Haunted Mansion.

As for restataunts, I haven't quite gotten that far in narrowing decisions down!

 

[Misskitty3]

Oh, you mentioned maybe 3 and half days. If you got 3 day park hoppers you could save DTD for the half day and not go into the park at all that day.

I think the time of year depends on the best time to visit DTD. If she visits when DL closes at 8pm, then going after the park closes would be an option. I like DTD but only spend time there if the parks are closed. I especially like DTD at night with all the twinkling lights.

 

[splash5]

I agree with some other posters. DL is not that big, it wouldn't take you a full day to walk around and orient yourselves. You can get a park guide when you enter and use it to orient yourself. If someone is really good with directions/map reading, they can be the one to navigate your path. DL is all designed on a hub - If you are coming down Main Street, off to the right is Tomorrowland, straight ahead is Fantasy Land (Toon Town branches off from here) and on the left is Adventureland and Frontierland (Critter Country branches off from there). The navigation is simple. Worse comes to worse you walk around and ride rides as you see them. An example, the first time we took my DS to DL he wanted to ride Pirates first thing - on the way to Pirates, we passed Jungle Cruise and decided to do it first. Be flexible and just have fun. There is no perfect way to plan, it is better to see how your family feels.

That being said, certain rides are better to ride first thing....Peter Pan, Nemo, (the following 2 are FP rides) Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, etc.

You can actually call the day that you want reservations and usually get them. Check out the menus on allears.net to see which restaurants to eat at. We can all give you info on whether there is indoor or outdoor seating and any other particulars you need. I love the ambience of the Blue Bayou (inside Pirates of the Caribbean), but I am less than thrilled with their menu- so be sure to check out the food choices available.

Just let go with your instincts and you will be fine!!

 

[Misskitty3]

Another good way to get the "lay of the land" is to hop on the train and ride it full circle.

For Indiana Jones get a fast pass. Because they are so close, I would also plan to do the Jungle Cruise before or after Indy.

Haunted Mansion is fun and maybe before or after, your group might decide to head over to Pirate Island. The rafts that take you over to the island are located in front of the Mansion.

Are you interested in seeing the new Celebrate Parade, Fantasmic or the fireworks?

 

[PinkBudgie]

It is never too early to start planning!

August will be summer hours so the DL will open until midnight. DCA closes sooner, I forget time, 9pm? Whatever it was, it seemed to soon for me.

If Indiana Jones is on your to do list (and it should be ), don't wait until the thrid day to try to ride it. That ride is notorious for breaking down. If you get on it right away, you don't have to worry if breaks down later because you've already tried it. Pick up FPs for that one in the morning.

 

[Stacerita]

Agree with the previous poster.....dont' wait till the third day to do Indy. As a matter of fact, don't wait till the third day to do any "must dos". Things happen and it would stink to wait till the last day to find something broken down. DO your must do's on the first day. And if you have time, do them again later in the trip.