Single day solo trip at Disneyland - where to go?

[okw2012]

Hi, I am a WDW fan but have never been to DL in CA. Now I will have a day off in LA either Dec 16 or 17 that I can spend at the parks all by myself. Want to see as much as possible, especially what is different from WDW. Ideas on how to plan my day? I don't know where to start, normally I plan 7-11 months out!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Parkhop and begin with Radiator Springs Racers. Line up at DCA well before park open. Hydroguy on the DL board has specific directions for heading to the ride - it entails being on the far right as the CMs lead the guests to the ride.

Also, moving you to the DL board.

 

[okw2012]

Parkhop and begin with Radiator Springs Racers. Line up at DCA well before park open. Hydroguy on the DL board has specific directions for heading to the ride - it entails being on the far right as the CMs lead the guests to the ride.

Also, moving you to the DL board.

Thanks for that and sorry for posting on the wrong board!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Thanks for that and sorry for posting on the wrong board!

No problem. You'll receive great replies here on the DL forum!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Start by reading this thread: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Lots of helpful info there to help you start planning. Then come on back here to ask any questions! DL doesn't (yet) have a Christmas party, so you'll be able to see all the holiday decorations included with the price of your entry ticket. There will be a Christmas parade (charming and quaint) and possibly a nighttime parade, Paint the Night (catch videos on YouTube), if this year is setting precedence. Think about making a reservation for at least one TS restaurant -- maybe Blue Bayou? That will give you a nice break from the holiday crowds and a fun experience, too. DL and DCA are very close together (about the length of a football field), so park hopping is a breeze. If you get a hopper, Cars Land is very worth seeing. Have a great time planning!

 

[cruisehopeful]

You can get a fastpass for a ride at each park. I just did a solo day and went to each park twice that day. It's very convenient to park hop and when you are alone, it's also very fast to get around. The holiday decorated rides get really long lines. You'll want a fast pass for Haunted Mansion holiday.

Some rides have single rider lines: Radiator springs, Goofy's Skyschool, Matterhorn, Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones are the ones that come to mind. Monster's Inc always give me a pass when I am in a group of 2 to enter through the exit, but the line there is never long anyway.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Going solo can be awesome, I just had half a day on Saturday. As said above, hop and get FP's for rides in both parks, a little more walking, but its not terrible. Much easier to move through crowds by yourself too.

Personally, since this is your first time at DL, I would start at DL. Fantasyland at DL is so different than MK, very compact, plus more rides. PP ride is not all that different, queue is way better at MK. Do Mr. Toad and Alice after and then skip over to It's a Small World. Way better queue at DL, ride is better as well. Then maybe hit Matterhorn, it can be a bit shaky for the back.

I would then grab a FP for Space and then maybe do standby for Star Tours. I would then go to CA and get a FP for Soarin, then do SRL for Radiator Springs Racers. Wait for Toy Story Mania will already be at 40 minutes, but I would do it, then maybe Screamin nearby. I would then check on FP time for Racers, doing the ride at night is so much better. But FP can go fast for this ride at times, so you may have to check on this sooner. Then back to DL for Pirates (way better at DL) and HM (I prefer MK version-love the stairs). Just my two cents.

Now if that half day off starts in the afternoon, you will have to tour a little differently. I would still check out Fantasyland first, but you may have a longer wait for all rides and some FP's may be gone for Racers and maybe even Space. 16th and 17th will both be very busy, but you can still have fun.

 

[Littlebitofsunshine]

The rides I would suggest not missing are (mostly because they're different or absent from wdw)
(At california adventure)
-radiator springs racers
-monsters Inc
-california screamin
-soarin
Disneyland:
-Walk through the castle
-pirates of Caribbean
-haunted mansion
-alice in wonderland
....

Now to figure out your touring plan!

I recommend using this website.

https://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/touring-plans


It helped me a lot my first trip. It costs about $10 to sign up but it's been worth it to me! You can customize what you want to see for that day and it'll give you a great plan to follow to maximize your time!

Good luck!!!

 

[Nevada Jen]

The main thing is that you are going to want a park hopper. If you are a WDW vet, I would actually start (and end) at DCA. DL will be underwhelming when you walk in compared to WDW. Don't miss Haunted Mansion holiday version or small world. Jungle Cruise has a holiday overlay but I was not super impressed with the ride. The trick to Disneyland is to get there early. The crowds are considerably lighter in the morning, I thought the Christmas parade was a bit lame in comparison to the amount of time invested. Personally, if I only had one day I would do the blue bayou paint the night package. That gets you a meal at the very cool Blue bayou resteraunt (it is inside the pirates ride) and a specific viewing area for the Paint the Night parade (which IS worth the time investment). THe Holiday food festival at DCA is quite good (but a bit over priced) and you really HAVE to ride RSR at night. So my ideal single day single person plan would be DCA at rope drop (assuming it opens as early as DL -- If not do DL at rope drop and get a fastpass for Space and then ride star tours and buzz and then space and then head over to DCA (you should be able to do this within an hour)). At DCA, Grab Soarin fastpass, ride Toy story and cali screamin. Check the time on RSR fast pass returns if your next fastpass window is open. You want to get an evening window that works with your dinner reservations and PTN. Ride RSR single rider or Hit Monsters Inc or use your Soarin fastpass while you wait for the RSR fastpasses to hit the evening hour you are looking for. I figure you are done in DCA by noon (probably way earlier). Head over to DL. Get a HM fastpass. Ride Pirates, when your window opens for HM fastpass go grab a BTMR fastpass. Single rider Indy (seriously, don't miss this ride). Ride HM, Ride BTMR. Fit in you Blue Bayou reservation wherever it goes. Hit fantasyland including small world and Matternhorn as you are waiting for the parade. Watch first PTN parade (or only one). Head back to DCA and do your RSR fastpass and grab some eats at the holiday festival. When DCA closes, head back over to DL for whatever you missed or want to repeat if you have any energy left. Can you tell I REALLY want a solo day at Christmas?

 

[okw2012]

Tanks everyone for the great suggestions! Turns out I will have Saturday PM + Sunday AM by myself at DL. I am a WDW vet and DVC member but have never been to the parks alone. I think it will be fun! Plus I registered for the 5k at DL in Aug-Sept, so I will be back soon, this time with my son. So I don't feel like I have to see everything. Will focus on rides decorated for the holidays, parades, show and shopping.

I won't have a phone & my tablet is too old for the DL app. I downloaded the TP app but it has no map. Any other app I should know about?