ques bout disneyland

[ksparrow]

hey
im from florida, been to disney world so many times i cant even count but never been to disneyland. im going out to california in august to visit a friend and one of the days ill be making a trip over there. and of course i have a few questions.
first, can i do both parks in one day?
is it still going to be busy and crowded or will kids be in school by then?
in case it happens, is it safe traveling alone from santa monica to anaheim area?(im a 19 y.o girl)
anything you all think i HAVE to see or do?

i cant think of anything else but any tips or what not will be greatly appreciated! thanks.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Can't answer the question about kids being in school. I've only been to Disneyland once, but I don't think you could do both parks in one day. Unless you skip all the rides they have in WDW, but even then I think you'd need more than a day.

 

[Uuaww]

disneyland area is safe, you shouldn't have any problems. The parks are busy in the summer and lighter other times (except xmas and holidays) DL lightens up a lot on weekdays so go on a weekday if possible. It possible to do the 2 parks in 2 day, just plan it right. The parks are literally right across from each other so that shouldn't be a problem. When you go to DL just make sure you see all the DL only rides or ones that are varied: Mr Toad, Matterhorn, PotC, Indiana Jones etc. Then spend a bit more time at CA. If you have any other questions feel free to ask, I think I am the college boards only so-cal rep.

 

[OCSurfCity]

California Adventure is a pretty small area. You can probably get away within 4-6 hours at this park. Here's what I would do. Go to Disneyland first and after you are done, head to California Adventure.

Typically, during the summers a lot of teenagers hang out at the park during the day. A lot of parents buys the annual passports and let their kids loose at the park (free baby sitting). Once Disney find out about this, they will put a stop to this.

Friday and the weekends are typically the busiest at Disneyland.

 

[barkley]

in my experience, from memorial day to labor day is probably the buisiest time at disneyland (with the exception of the peak holidays during the rest of the year). the bulk of schools in california don't go back until the last week of august or the first week of september, so for in-state travelers august is the last push of summer vacation with the kids.

with the kind of lines for rides in august i think you'de be hard pressed to do both parks in one day-and personaly i would'nt want to miss being at disneyland proper at night (i may be biased-but i think it's so much more attractive than mk at wdw-plus you can sit outside and see fantasmic on the lagoon vs the stadium type presentation at wdw).

when you go make sure to go on pirates of the caribean-the ride is longer at dl than it is at wdw, haunted mansion also has a different set up (more ride less walking).

one tip that has always served us well-instead of parking in the dl parking lot, pay more and park at the dl hotel. their version of downtown disney is right next to the hotel (and i think set up nicer and more relaxing than at wdw), california adventure is right next to it, and the monorail picks up right next the hotel and drops you off in the center of disneyland (you get off in tomorrowland).

 

[DisneyL8T]

For me, it's the other way around. I live fairly close to Disneyland and I have been there so many times, but I have only been to WDW once a long time ago. I would suggest doing all the things at Disneyland that you cannot get at Walt Disney world. Indiana Jones is awsome (my favorite). I would also suggest dining at the Blue Bayou. It's a bit expensive, but it has great atmosphere (inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride) and you get free refills on sodas. It's a tradition for my mom and me to dine there for lunch whenever we go. Try the monte cristo sandwich. I would also suggest Fantasmic and the Fireworks at Disneyland. California Adventure is not as exciting as Disneyland. There is not that much to do. When I go there, I end up going back and forth between two rides. It will probably be different for someone who is going there for the first time. I also do not think it is a good idea to do the two parks in one day, especially for someone who will be seeing them for the first time. There is just too much to see and do. I hope you have a lot of fun on your trip and I hope I was helpful.

 

[ksparrow]

thank you guys so much!!
since i'll be in california for 10 days, and quite a few on my own, ill do the parks in 2 days. i WILL be going alone, but i dont think thats a big deal with dining and what not, ive never had an issue with it before. any other suggestions about the parks? im so excited!!!
anything else i should do out there non disney related?

thanks for your advice!!

 

[IrishGoofy1986]

your 19 and going alone?! You need to have some one go with you. Have a good friend or someone like that go. ok

 

[Uuaww]

wait your spending 10 days in southern california by yourself? you really should be able to do everything.

 

[Daisylovesteacups]

Hi, If you are going by yourself, you might want to look into what rides have single rider lines. I'm pretty sure that there are Single Rider passes for a lot of the E ticket rides like Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain. At California Adventures I think California Screaming, Soarin' Over California, Mulholland Madness, Grizzly River Run and the Maliboomer (Unsure) all have single rider passes that will save you a lot of time that you would spend waiting in line. On Soaring, the fast pass is usually faster than the single rider.

 

[ksparrow]

im not going to socal alone!! just disneyland!! my friend im visiting has to work some of the time im there and i dont want to waste my trip and figured why not go? i dont have an issue going alone, plus i like single rider lines, theyre short! but i was reading the boards last night and found an idea id give a shot, anybody with an annual pass feel like meeting up on one of the days and showing me around the park and keeping me company for the day? i figure ure all decent people. lol anyways.

IM JUST DOING DISNEY ALONE!!!!

 

[DA1212YL]

sounds great that you're coming to california!

somethings that we would recommend are a must include:

DLR:
matterhorn (ride it once during the day and once at night too!)
Indiana Jones
Pirates of the Caribbean
space mountain
star wars
splash mountain
peter pan's ride
thunder mountain railroad
buzzlight years blasters ride/game
autopia (it's okay)

DCA:
soaring over california
the big water ride (we forget the name at the moment)

when are you planning on going? we are going around August 10th while visiting friends and helen has orientation at UCLA.

if you are going after us, let me know and i'll be sure to take lots of pictures of stuff you should do. If you are going around the same time as us and like to pintrade, you can hang out with us as well.

let us know. shoot us an email or send a PM.

-darryl & helen

 

[ksparrow]

im going to be there either the 9th and 10th or someday around that!

im reallllllly excited!!

would i need reservations for the place that serves the monte cristo sandwhich?

 

[Uuaww]

if in doubt the answer is yes, oh and while in southern california you NEED to go to In and Out Burger. California burger joint that has awesome burgers (we let Las Vegas and Phoenix enjoy them too). They are a classic burger joint with only burgers and fries on there menu. You really REALLY need to go there.

 

[ksparrow]

haha ill be sure to try and find one! is there one in LA? thats where my friend lives.

 

[Uuaww]

http://www.in-n-out.com/

if she lives in LA, she'll know wher to find one.