send this newbie your top 3 DLR tips

[igomezkailua]

^^
Yeah thats true, DSLR is very important to bring..My suggestions is more on the term of.....Do not rely on your DSLR, I say spend one day taking pictures using it...Another day without. You all must agree, that it can be a hastle to put on and take off especially if you are going to enjoy the rides and stuff. If you are their to enjoy scenery, I say bring DSLR...

 

[igomezkailua]

Ummm.....they are DVC owners likely staying on points.

I'm aware of that since I am one myself, home base being Aulani....What difference does it make?

 

[MichelleVW]

^^
Yeah thats true, DSLR is very important to bring..My suggestions is more on the term of.....Do not rely on your DSLR, I say spend one day taking pictures using it...Another day without. You all must agree, that it can be a hastle to put on and take off especially if you are going to enjoy the rides and stuff. If you are their to enjoy scenery, I say bring DSLR...

Nope...I use my DSLR ON the rides, IN the lines and everything else in between, I doubt I go 15 minutes without taking a picture of something. I don't think it's a hassle at all...I have it thrown over my shoulder the whole trip and it doesn't inconvenience me a bit.

 

[hockey101]

Sorry to hijack, two quick questions from another newbie!

What's the best way to get to and from Universal Studios from the Disneyland area?

Is there free wifi in the parks? I'm from Canada and would like to use mousewait but not get dinged for roaming fees.

Thanks

 

[Disney Dreams]

1. Take time to notice the little details all around you.
- I think people are so busy checking rides off of a little they don't leave time to just take in all the small details everywhere throughout the Park.)

2. Try to do things opposite everyone else.
- Eat before or after the "usual" meal times, for example.

3. If you want to see fireworks, plan on them for your first night.
- They can be cancelled due to wind and if you leave them until the last night, you could be out of luck.

- Dreams

 

[Pinocchio #1 Fan]

No free wifi in the parks.

My biggest hint for WDW vets, and I have posted this many times, is to see Billy Hill and the Hillbillies! I grew up going to DL, and to me this show, more than anything else at DL, is the kind of classic Disneyland entertainment that I remember from my childhood. Also, take the time to watch the History of Disneyland movie hosted by Steve Martin in the lobby of the Main Street Opera House, where they have "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." For that matter, see the Lincoln show. Take the time to see the Dapper Dans, and find out when the Bootstrap Band will be strolling and performing in New Orleans Square. These are all the kinds of things people walk right by in a rush to get to the headline attractions, yet these are the acts that Walt himself envisioned when he designed the parks. They are the family entertainment experiences that really separate the Disney experience from a visit to a Six Flags or Cedar Fair park, where the emphasis is on thrills for tennyboppers.

Take your time, and don't try to see everything, and you will end up seeing more things, and having fantastic memories.

 

[skiingfast]

Sorry to hijack, two quick questions from another newbie!

What's the best way to get to and from Universal Studios from the Disneyland area?

Is there free wifi in the parks? I'm from Canada and would like to use mousewait but not get dinged for roaming fees.

Thanks

I'll send you a private message to answer your question and keep the thread on topic by sharing another tip.


It's probably mentioned already but look for hidden mickeys, it a little fun thing to do while visiting and keeps your eyes busy.

 

[june@imsarc.com]

Wow! thanks for these tips! Now I need to figure out how to print them!

 

[wbl2745]

Wow, lots of good tips!

Remember that this is the park that Walt built. Obviously there are many changes since he died in the 60s, but the layout and the feel of the park is consistent with what he originally intended. You'll find rides at DL that you won't find elsewhere and some rides, which in my opinion, are better than those at WDW.

Let me get a little off the beaten track...

1) Take the Arts Tour at the Grand Californian. We're assuming that you're using DVC points to stay at the VGC. If you are, you'll find the lobby of the GCH to be really impressive. The tour, which is free, shows you a lot of hidden architectural and decorative features of the hotel, which interested me. I've taken the tour twice. It was a little different each time.

2) Going with the assumption that you're staying at the VGC, make use of the back entrance from the GCH to DCA. Only guests of the Disney hotels can use this entrance into DCA. It also opens before the main gate opens, which is an advantage to get Fast Passes for the World of Color. You can also get on some of the rides before the masses arrive.

3) A PP mentioned to notice the small things. This in my opinion is what differentiates a Disney park from a generic amusement park. For instance:

a) Notice the candle in the window above the fire station. That was Walt's private apartment and the candle is there to remember him.

b) Notice the sounds coming from the windows above Main Street. Like WDW the windows are also dedications to people who have contributed to the park and the company.

c) See if you can find duckzilla in the Storybook Land. Ducks like to waddle around among the miniatures so they are by comparison huge. Storybook Land at night is a completely different experience than in the day.

d) Look up. Virtually everywhere there are interesting things to see if you look up.

You also mentioned that you might try to see other things in the area. Having grown up in California, I suspect that the redwoods are too far for a day trip. But you could consider driving up to Solvang, north of LA. This is a Danish community with Danish restaurants and shops. You'd have to look at Google Maps, but Hearst Castle might be a day trip. Going south you could go to Legoland which is fun. San Diego is about two hours south of the DLR. They have an aircraft carrier that is a museum, which is very interesting. There's always the beach too.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[blamar]

1. Look up - there are a lot of really cool things to see above the regular site lines.
2. Look behind - Sometimes we get so wrapped up in looking at what is coming next it is great to observe the design and elements behind you.
3. Ride the slow rides - You are going to have lots of time so make sure you slow down, rest, do family stuff and be together. Enjoy the slow silly rides as well as the exciting ones.

Bonus - Take pictures, lots of pictures, each will be a great memory for later.

 

[june@imsarc.com]

Wow, thanks! We do plan to do see the sequoias, Joshua Tree State Park, San Diego Zoo and also a studio tour. I don't think we will be doing Universal or any other park (nothing compares to Disney). We were thinking that we would have to do an overnight somewhere when we see the sequoias. Any other tips you may have regarding little local outings would be appreciated! Sounds as if you really know the area!

 

[cinder-ellah]

I was told that being a resort guest, that you can enter the Monorail "exit" in Tomorrowland and show your "Room Key/Card" and that you don't have to wait in the regular line. You can not do that at the Monorail Station in Down Town Disney.

Also, do PhotoPass and ask if they can do a "Magic Shot". Lots of Fun !

 

[june@imsarc.com]

Will do, thanks!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

If you like sourdough bread, stop at the Boudin restaurant and you can buy loaves of their sourdough to take back to your villa. They will also give you lots of butter to have with that sourdough, sooo good.