Solo first timer to DL. Please give me some tips.

[darnheather]

Just a few things first.

1. I have no intention to purchase lightening lane or whatever it is called now. If the line is too long then I'll skip it and come back later.
2. The primary rides that I'm interested in are those that differ greatly from DW as I grew up going to that park.

Please give me tips on how many days, park hopper or not, where to stay, and anything else you can think of. Flying in from the East Coast and don't eat breakfast but NEED coffee. Would like to just take my time and be leisurely - maybe resting in the middle of the day. My budget will be about $500 a day including tickets, food, and stay. Flights budgeted separately.

 

[LKing]

Do you have dates in mind?

 

[irlandaise]

1. It's called Lightning Lane.

2. Here is an excellent DL vs. WDW rides comparison list from board contributor BrianL:

Post in thread 'First Timers to DLR advise please?'

Jul 7, 2025

People often tell me that this list I post regarding WDW vs. DLR ride differences is helpful. It may help you prioritize or skip some of the things that are also at WDW:

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this...

• BrianL

• 
• 

As LKing says, your options will be affected by what time of the year you want to go. For example, hotels will be more expensive at some times than others. But at current prices, if you get a 3-4 day pass without Lightning Lane, that will cost you about $120-$140/day without a park hopper, or $150-$170/day with. People on this board really suggest getting a hopper ticket. It's hard for WDW veterans coming to Disneyland for the first time to comprehend just how easy it is to change parks (about a 90-second walk).

Check out the quick-service and other restaurant menus on the Disneyland website to get an idea of your food costs for a day, then whatever is left of your $500 can go towards lodging.

Have a wonderful visit!

 

[LAS2AMS]

Do you have dates in mind?

I nominate you to create a sticky for this topic .

 

[Dug720]

Radiator Springs Racers has vehicles like Test Track, so definitely take advantage of the single rider line there.

 

[Jawwdoc]

I’ve done a few solo trips to DL and 1 to WDW. 3 days with park hoppers and no LLMP should be plenty of time to ride most everything at the DL resort. I’d recommend rope dropping as it is more beneficial at DL than WDW. Single rider lines are helpful, I find RSR, SM and MFSR to be the most beneficial for SR. There are plenty of affordable hotels on Harbor Blvd that are an easy walk to the resort. If you are staying offsite, I would reserve 2 days to start at DL and 1 at DCA (with park hoppers), start at DL on M, W, F, Sun and DCA on T, Th, Sat if staying offsite and planning to rope drop.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I have been visiting Disneyland solo for over 10 yeas and Im just back from my my most recent trip.

1. I have no intention to purchase lightening lane or whatever it is called now. If the line is too long then I'll skip it and come back later.

This to me is a big mistake. Disneyland California is a locals park and the crowd patterns are very different to Florida. There is a lower % of people who use the Lightning Lanes. As a result, anyone who does use them can really maximize the park time. Local people will wait in the standby but to me its a false economy for a solo first timer to not buy them.

1. The primary rides that I'm interested in are those that differ greatly from DW as I grew up going to that park.

Again another classic first timer mistake. There is so much more to Disneyland and it is very different to Florida.

Please give me tips on how many days, park hopper or not, where to stay, and anything else you can think of. Flying in from the East Coast and don't eat breakfast but NEED coffee. Would like to just take my time and be leisurely - maybe resting in the middle of the day. My budget will be about $500 a day including tickets, food, and stay. Flights budgeted separately.

My main tips for you are

• Days - 2 days minimum, 4 days maximum
• Park Hoppers - I prefer to do one park per day.
• Where to stay - offsite on Harbour Boulevard, on the stretch of road from Ball to Katella. Goo to Google maps and zoom in and there are a huge amount of hotels and motels
• Breakfast - some hotels have breakfast included, some are just basic grab and go. I stay at Desert Inn and Suites and get grab and go pastries from there and coffee from Tropicana Hotel at 7am to be in the parks for rope drop. I eat later in the parks around 10am, either a breakfast burrito from Galactic Grill or at Red Rose Tavern.

Other tips for you

• Rope drop - they start scanning people in at 7.15am and hold people on Main Street at The Hub and at Carthy Circle until 8am. The golden time at Disneyland is from park opening until about 11.30am. Thats when the crowds are lowest and wait times are under 10 minutes.
• Rope drop Fantasyland as none of the rides have Lightening Lanes and it gets very crowded after 11am. Size wise its very compact with narrow walkways and little shade, so by 1pm its people soup with stroller parking and screaming kids.
• Use Single rider lanes. I use these and lightening lanes on the same ride to re ride. As in I will book a lightening lane, and then either before or after do single rider.
• Pay for a dining package at Fantasmic
• Pay for dessert party for World of Color
• Dont pay for a dining package for Paint The Night

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

There is a Starbucks in DL (Main Street), DCA (Buena Vista Avenue) and DTD (near GCH entrance/exit). Otherwise, there are carts throughout the parks offering coffee (hot or iced). I enjoy the coffee stand near Pixar Pier entrance in DCA for a coffee drink but it does get busy.

As for attractions, enjoy Davey Crocket Canoes. It is fun, charming, a whole new perspective of the river, and a good workout.