Please help me plan......

[DizzyFORDisney]

Okay folks, I am super new here on the Disneyland boards!! I have only ever been to DL for one day way back in 1994! We (hubby and 4 boys) have been to WDW and know it like the back of our hand....but we are at a loss when it comes to DL!

Anyway, here's the deal. We are going on this big 'Western' trip (you know, Tetons, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, etc) and we'll be ending our trip with a couple (2) days in Disneyland. So, we'll have 2 full park days - I figure one in each.

My question is, what are the 'must sees' when comparing with WDW? And what kind of 'plan/schedule' should I follow to maximize our time? Should we make any dining ressies or just wing it? What do you all think about the WoC picnic?

We will be there 7/1 and 7/2. Staying 'across the street' (sooooo different than WDW!!). We have four boys (13,12,10,4). Don't really care about meeting the characters....

Thank you so very much for your input!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Here goes,

Dining-so different here vs. WDW. You really don't need to plan out your meals as far in advance at DLR as you do at WDW. There aren't very many options at DLR. I would say to go ahead and make PS if you wanted to do character meals or eat at Blue Bayou, but otherwise, I would wing it.

I would plan on mostly counter service. DTD being so close makes it very easy to leave DL or DCA and eat there. We really like Jazz Kitchen Express in DTD.

Also you can purchase a $25 certificate for House of Blues (right now they are $2) for their DTD location. We used one there just last week.

Our favorite CS are:

DLR
Pizza Port (chicken fusilli and/or Asian chicken salad)
Plaza Inn (fried chicken-a whole half a chicken, really good and totally shareable.) Substitute and extra serving of mashed potatoes for the green beans. The beans are always just plain awful.

DCA
That one's harder. We actually will go into the GF and eat at Whitewater Snacks. Really short walk and better than average food. Can be a lot less crowded than the ones in the park.

DTD
Jazz Kitchen Express-Gumbo YaYa, kid's meals, beignets!

Outside the parks
Mimi's Cafe on Harbor
McD's on Harbor
Check out Anaheim Garden Walk-they have a lot of choices there.


As far the rides and other things, there is a thread here that addresses that but here are my thoughts...

You are going during 4th of July weekend-plan on getting there before the parks open. Grab all the FP you can and save for later in the day/evening. Get a new FP as soon as your current on expires. With the 4 year old you might want to utitlize the Child Swap for rides he can't go on-it will give a few members of your group an extra ride.

Must do rides
DLR
Pirates (so much better than WDW)
Matterhorn (an original)
Indy (one of my favs.)
Space (different)
Haunted Mansion-better
Small World (not sure if you'll get the boys on it though)
Star Tours-reopening new June 3
Jedi Training Show-easier to get into than at WDW. If the boys are into SW.
The train-see the Grand Canyon and Dinosaurs between TL and Main St.
Fantasmic!-Way better than at DHS. See the 2nd show. Get there just as the first one is ending and grab a spot as crowds exit.


DCA
Screamin'
Soaring (get in the park 1/2 before official opening-it's already open)
Tower of Terror (different, and I think better)
Ariel-opening June 3rd.
Toy Story-if you've done this one a lot at WDW you could skip it-no FP and long lines.

WoC picnics-if you want to see WoC, that's the way I would go. Buy them online as soon as you can.

You might want to consider getting PH. It literally only takes 1-2 min. to walk from DL to DCA. We cross over to DCA when DL gets crowded.

any more questions, just ask (except for where to stay, etc.) We have AP so just go for the day

 

[HydroGuy]

Okay folks, I am super new here on the Disneyland boards!! I have only ever been to DL for one day way back in 1994! We (hubby and 4 boys) have been to WDW and know it like the back of our hand....but we are at a loss when it comes to DL!

Anyway, here's the deal. We are going on this big 'Western' trip (you know, Tetons, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, etc) and we'll be ending our trip with a couple (2) days in Disneyland. So, we'll have 2 full park days - I figure one in each.

My question is, what are the 'must sees' when comparing with WDW? And what kind of 'plan/schedule' should I follow to maximize our time? Should we make any dining ressies or just wing it? What do you all think about the WoC picnic?

We will be there 7/1 and 7/2. Staying 'across the street' (sooooo different than WDW!!). We have four boys (13,12,10,4). Don't really care about meeting the characters....

Thank you so very much for your input!!

Wow, you guys are going to have an awesome summer! We went the other way in 2008 with our four boys with 30 days to DC, Philly, NYC, Boston, Niagara, etc. Our four were 16, 15, 13 and 12.

In any case, I would say one thing - WORLD OF COLOR. It is unlike anything at WDW. It is very popular at DLR but you have to understand us Disneyland folk are spoiled. Spoiled with incredible shows that are frankly better than the ones at WDW. So spoiled in fact that we can get a new ground breaking show like WOC and it merely falls into third place in popularity at DLR behind Fantasmic and Remember Dreams Come True fireworks. To me WOC is #1 but I am in the minority according to polling on this forum.

To WOC I would add one more: Aladdin. DO NOT MISS IT.

Then I would get to the other things...

Indiana Jones - totally rocks
Space Mtn (light years better than MK's version and the best Space mtn at any Disney park)
POTC -Arggh, the DL version is the best in the world
Matterhorn - the first Disney mountain
Fantasyland - better at DL even when MK is not torn apart
Soarin - ride is the same, experience is better
California Screamin - awesome coaster but I like RnR better
Little Mermaid - opening at DCA in June and at MK in 2012 sometime?
Buzz Lightyear - better at DL
Finding Nemo Sub Voyage - cool ride, unique Disney experience

 

[DahliaRW]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599 is a thread you'll want to read.

Personally, I think the WOC picnics are a ripoff (and personally, that the show is not as good as it's hyped). You can go and get a FP for free morning of and get the same standing section you would with the picnics.

I also would suggests doing at least 3 days in the parks if you can swing it. 2 just isn't enough.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Oh yeah, totally forgot about Aladdin. A must see!

And yes you can get FP for WoC. I was thinking more for us-we don't get there in the a.m. and stay late into the night. You will be.

 

[Hound 109]

Okay folks, I am super new here on the Disneyland boards!! I have only ever been to DL for one day way back in 1994! We (hubby and 4 boys) have been to WDW and know it like the back of our hand....but we are at a loss when it comes to DL!

First read Hydroguy's "DLR for WDW veterans thread". Essential reading.

Next - Scroll thru the rest of his tip threads. Try to understand ALL of his FP threads. (note - all of his threads can be found in his signature)

Then look at Mary Jo's sticky at the top of the DL page.

Lots & Lots & Lots of info.

Anyway, here's the deal. We are going on this big 'Western' trip (you know, Tetons, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, etc) and we'll be ending our trip with a couple (2) days in Disneyland.

Change it.....now. Dump a day elsewhere....but....

....2 nights, 3 days minimum. (4 days would be better.....but 3 days minimum)....& a 3 day park hopper ticket gets you ONE MM (which you'll need).

So, we'll have 2 full park days - I figure one in each.

Weather you choose 2 or 3 days.....Park Hop EACH DAY for maximum DLR coverage. (see HG's tip threads). Park Hopping is a pain at WDW....at DLR it's easy & all cool Dis'ers Park Hop each day.

My question is, what are the 'must sees' when comparing with WDW? And what kind of 'plan/schedule' should I follow to maximize our time? Should we make any dining ressies or just wing it? What do you all think about the WoC picnic?

We will be there 7/1 and 7/2. Staying 'across the street' (sooooo different than WDW!!). We have four boys (13,12,10,4). Don't really care about meeting the characters....

Thank you so very much for your input!!

Here's your staring point....essential reading:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


& the rest of Hydroguy's tip threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


& Mary Jo's sticky:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276



Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[DizzyFORDisney]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Sadly aI cannot add a Disney day or dump a day elsewhere!! The western trip is Dh's dream and the DisneyLand part got added onto the end to satisfy me!!

Anyway, I just looked at my 'good neighbor' package. We have 2 day hopper ticket and it also says we have the Toontown Mornning Madness - is that what the MM is?

Oh well, I'd better get startyed on my required reading!!

Thanks again guys!!

K

 

[DisMike]

One thing that tends to overwhelm WDW vets is the close proximity of everything at DL. PH tickets are an option at WDW. They are a must at DL. You can literally walk from the far end of DCA to the far end of DL (barring fighting crowds) in 15 minutes. Actually if you walk fast (or run slow) you can make it between 5 - 10 minutes.

Don't stay just in one park, move back and forth. There are strategies to use but basically, be flexible.

Have fun and enjoy.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Sadly aI cannot add a Disney day or dump a day elsewhere!! The western trip is Dh's dream and the DisneyLand part got added onto the end to satisfy me!!

Anyway, I just looked at my 'good neighbor' package. We have 2 day hopper ticket and it also says we have the Toontown Mornning Madness - is that what the MM is?

Oh well, I'd better get startyed on my required reading!!

Thanks again guys!!

K

MM & MTTMM are not the same

MM is magic morning which lets you into the park an hour before the park opens and tomorrowland & fantasyland are open for just those with MM. The main reason this is a wonderful perk is that you can do Fantasyland without the huge lines that happen later in the day. Since you aren't getting this perk a tip from me... if you are open to close type people save Fantasyland for later in the day most of the people with little ones are gon by then and it is much quieter. If your trip includes a late closing after the fireworks is the best time for FL.

MTTMM is that you get into Toontown (which usually opens 1 hour after the rest of the park) at park opening for a less crowded exerience in Toontown with shorter lines, an exclusive show and an honarary citizen of toontown souvineer button. We had fun doing this too and were able to walk onto Roger Rabbit.