Some newbie questions

[gjdjud]

Busy planning our first trip to Disneyland next year and have some questions. I'm fairly early on park planning so not to worried yet about planning once inside the parks yet(these questions will come later) so just a few questions to start off! These have probably been asked a million times before so apologies in advance. We are coming from the UK so this pretty certain to be a one off Disneyland trip so want to make sure I'm all sorted.

We have 6 nights booked at the HOJO will be buying 5 day park hoppers. First park day will be a Monday.

(1) Say the parks open at 8am then what time would be advised to get to the turnstiles?
(2) Is ID needed when activating park tickets for the first time?
(3) Using the app and genie+ can I do it all for my family just on my phone?
(4)Is there any word on when shows like Fantasmic will be returning? Are they on nightly or only certain nights?
(5) breakfast recommendations outside the parks that are available before park opening? Is anywhere in Downtown Disney open before park opening allowing time to get in to the parks at opening?
(6) I don't think we will do any table service meals so just quick service, I see Mobile Ordering is important. Is that a must? Can you pre order well in advance?
(7)Is it possible/safe to walk from HOJO to somewhere like The Cheesecake Factory or HOB in the evening?
(8) Last one and most important according to my daughter! She always hears about In-N-Out Burger and wants to go to one. Any near by? Its baffling that 14 year British girl is most excited about!

Thanks and sorry for all the questions!

 

[GBRforWDW]

Hello, we just completed our first Disneyland trip last month and we had a ton of fun. It's really nice being able to stay in a hotel along Harbor Blvd and walk to the main entrance.


(1) Say the parks open at 8am then what time would be advised to get to the turnstiles?
People start arriving at around 6:30-6:45. We usually arrived around 6:45 and weren't too far back. At that point, you grab your boarding group In the app at 7 for Rise or Wen Slingers. They open security at 7:15, then tapstiles at 7:30. You hang out at the rope drop for your land until 8.

(2) Is ID needed when activating park tickets for the first time?
Iirc,no ID, they scan the ticket, then take your picture. Then each time you scan after, they verify the picture to the person using the ticket. They also give you a paper ticket if it's more convenient, but I always prefer my phone.

(3) Using the app and genie+ can I do it all for my family just on my phone?
Yes, you should only need 1 account on 1 phone to do everything you need to do.

(4)Is there any word on when shows like Fantasmic will be returning? Are they on nightly or only certain nights?
Nothing yet. Regular fireworks show is back, but check app closely as some weeknights do not have fireworks.

(5) breakfast recommendations outside the parks that are available before park opening? Is anywhere in Downtown Disney open before park opening allowing time to get in to the parks at opening?
IMHO, You may be better off grabbing something at your hotel or McDonald's on the way over, or Starbucks on main street. We stayed at the best western across the street and their breakfast was prepackaged food with paper sacks to fill, so was kind of convenient while waiting for security to open.

(6) I don't think we will do any table service meals so just quick service, I see Mobile Ordering is important. Is that a must? Can you pre order well in advance?
You can order day of, but i believe it have to wait for park opening. At that point, you can choose your pickup window time, which are available for the entire day.

(7)Is it possible/safe to walk from HOJO to somewhere like The Cheesecake Factory or HOB in the evening?
That's kind of a long walk to cheesecake factory, especially after a park day. It is safe. You may see homeless hanging out at the bus stops, but no one hassles you.

(8) Last one and most important according to my daughter! She always hears about In-N-Out Burger and wants to go to one. Any near by? Its baffling that 14 year British girl is most excited about!
Here's the closest one. We didn't go, so not sure if it'd be a good spot or not


Enjoy your first DL trip! Sounds like you'll be busy with 5 park days!

 

[gjdjud]

Thank you so much for answering all my questions. Very helpful

 

[Wesley815]

(8) Last one and most important according to my daughter! She always hears about In-N-Out Burger and wants to go to one. Any near by? Its baffling that 14 year British girl is most excited about!
Here's the closest one. We didn't go, so not sure if it'd be a good spot or not

Yep! That's a good one (Ball & St. College), it is about 2 miles away but is a newer location and more seating compared others which are small/mostly designed for drive thru.

 

[gjdjud]

Thanks. That’s looks ideal!

 

[waltmick]

Thanks. That’s looks ideal!

Yep! That's a good one (Ball & St. College), it is about 2 miles away but is a newer location and more seating compared others which are small/mostly designed for drive thru.

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If you're walking, how do you get past I-5?

 

[GBRforWDW]

If you're walking, how do you get past I-5?

There's a sidewalk along the hotels side of Harbor that goes all the way up to Ball Rd. However, using satellite and street view, it does look like several spots along Ball do not have sidewalks. Most of the way does, just a few spots. You'll want to review if it's possible for you.

 

[Wesley815]

If you're walking, how do you get past I-5?

Ball and all major streets around Disney have regular sidewalks, Ball goes up and over 5 freeway along with sidewalk in each direction.

It’s pretty far to walk though, over 2 miles.

 

[twincruisers]

I agree with the previous posters so I'll just add a little color where I can

(1) Say the parks open at 8am then what time would be advised to get to the turnstiles?

This is very dependent on how you plan your day. 5 days means you don't need to be up early every morning, but if you want to be the first one on the rides, 6:30 would be my target. Earlier if you really want to be the first one through. Personally I like 6:45am just so you're in-line and ready for joining the Virtual Queue.

(6) I don't think we will do any table service meals so just quick service, I see Mobile Ordering is important. Is that a must? Can you pre order well in advance?

As others mentioned, pre-ordering before the day of is not possible. I would mention that for something popular like Pym's Test Kitchen in DCA, you should put your mobile order in 2-3 hours in advance so you get your ideal time slot. Not all timeslots are available at the start of the day, (e.g. dinner slots won't be available at 8am) so you have to time it based on when you want to eat, and count backwards from there.

(7)Is it possible/safe to walk from HOJO to somewhere like The Cheesecake Factory or HOB in the evening?

I'd recommend you take an Uber/Lyft from your hotel. It's a long walk after a day of walking, but it's doable and not overly dangerous as mentioned by others, so it'll depend on your family's energy level at that time.

(8) Last one and most important according to my daughter! She always hears about In-N-Out Burger and wants to go to one. Any near by? Its baffling that 14 year British girl is most excited about!

Somehow this question made me very happy. I love In-and-Out and I would recommend that you guys grab a few things that are off-menu like Animal style double-double or Animal Style fries. The "Flying Dutchman" for the Keto dieters ( "Protein-style" for something more manageable than the FD). Toasty Buns and Neo Shake (Neapolitan Shake) also are great variations to try.

My go-to is Animal-style, Protein-style double double with a Neo Shake. If I need to change it up, I'll add the Toasty Buns.

Have a great time!

 

[gjdjud]

I agree with the previous posters so I'll just add a little color where I can


This is very dependent on how you plan your day. 5 days means you don't need to be up early every morning, but if you want to be the first one on the rides, 6:30 would be my target. Earlier if you really want to be the first one through. Personally I like 6:45am just so you're in-line and ready for joining the Virtual Queue.


As others mentioned, pre-ordering before the day of is not possible. I would mention that for something popular like Pym's Test Kitchen in DCA, you should put your mobile order in 2-3 hours in advance so you get your ideal time slot. Not all timeslots are available at the start of the day, (e.g. dinner slots won't be available at 8am) so you have to time it based on when you want to eat, and count backwards from there.


I'd recommend you take an Uber/Lyft from your hotel. It's a long walk after a day of walking, but it's doable and not overly dangerous as mentioned by others, so it'll depend on your family's energy level at that time.


Somehow this question made me very happy. I love In-and-Out and I would recommend that you guys grab a few things that are off-menu like Animal style double-double or Animal Style fries. The "Flying Dutchman" for the Keto dieters ( "Protein-style" for something more manageable than the FD). Toasty Buns and Neo Shake (Neapolitan Shake) also are great variations to try.

My go-to is Animal-style, Protein-style double double with a Neo Shake. If I need to change it up, I'll add the Toasty Buns.

Have a great time!

Thats great. Thanks