strange issue

[momjkm]

This is going to be a strange post but here goes: I am going to DL in 18 days. First time. I have created self imposed image boycott. No pictures,planning videos, or park maps- want to be completely in awe, make that 1st time magical. But am I going to waste time not knowing where I am going, what direction I want to walk, ect by this???? I also must confess I know just about every inch, off the beaten path area of WDW parks. The map is in my head. DL park is the wheel spoke set up, like mk??

Any advice or am I just plain nuts???

Jill

 

[DisSarahK]

You're a little bit nuts, but it also sounds kind of fun. With the construction craziness in California Adventure, I'd suggest using a map there--or at least be willing to read the signs.

Yes, DL is set up like a wheel with the Partner statue as the hub of the wheel. Toon Town is the outlier though and is outside the wheel--other than that the lands lead off the wheel.

 

[SpaceMania]

How many days are you going for?

 

[skiingfast]

I think it's a great idea. But I would not limit looking at maps, that could waste a lot of time. Knowing where some attractions and shows are will help a lot.

The Parade route is not the same. Some rides are positioned differently too.

But avoiding actual pictures and movies will add some excitement.

But before you leave I would at least ask on here how to walk through DCA since the construction is slightly dynamic.

 

[raftislander]

Several areas do not reach the Hub. In addition to ToonTown, New Orleans Square and Critter Country are not off the Hub. I appreciate what you are trying to do. I think that if you got a park map and familiarized yourself with that, you would still be suprised, but wouldn't waste as much time finding your way around the park.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I would change your policy about maps as well. No pictures and videos is fine but maps could cause you some unneeded delays and confusion. I have been more than once (both WDW and DLR) and I still make sure to get my hands on a current map before my trips in order to refresh myself.

 

[jenpace]

I agree with the others on at least getting familiar with the maps. Unless of course spending extra time being totally lost and confused is part of the magical awe you are seeking

I totally get what you are saying but the maps are illustrated (not photographic) so IMO it won't take away from the experience you will have the 1st time you feast your eyes on Disneyland or DCA.

Having a decent idea of where you are and how to get where you want to be is important. Wasting time getting turned around and not knowing where you are....not super magical.

 

[HydroGuy]

Another vote for using maps beforehand. Learn where the shows are, the parade route, etc.

 

[ConnieB]

Disneyland doesn't require anything near the level of planning that many people (myself included) do before a trip WDW. So not using a lot of preplanning resources is a good way to preserve some of the awe that comes from discovering a new place. Some of it will feel familiar the first time you walk into Disneyland....but there will also be a lot that is new and wonderful to experience through "new eyes" if you will.

But I agree with the others, once you are IN the park, do consider using a park map. I don't think it will detract from the newness of the parks for your first visit, but it will make moving around easier and more efficient. Over planning can take away some of the spontaneity of a trip, certainly, but once you arrive you don't want to waste a lot of precious time wandering back and forth or worse, missing some little tucked in the corner gem.

How ever you decide, enjoy!

 

[Mickeyflower]

This is going to be a strange post but here goes: I am going to DL in 18 days. First time. I have created self imposed image boycott. No pictures,planning videos, or park maps- want to be completely in awe, make that 1st time magical. But am I going to waste time not knowing where I am going, what direction I want to walk, ect by this???? I also must confess I know just about every inch, off the beaten path area of WDW parks. The map is in my head. DL park is the wheel spoke set up, like mk??

Any advice or am I just plain nuts???

Jill

I don't think you're nuts at all. Yes, Disneyland is the spoke/wheel set up. It is much smaller than WDW, I don't think you will waste as much time as people think by wandering around and doing what pops in front of you. By not having an agenda, you won't be "disappointed" because you "missed" something. If you're looking for a certain attraction, there goo gobs of cast members around to ask directions from. I guess you can get lost or turned around, but that could be part of the fun. I say stick with your plan and totally wing it!

 

[momjkm]

Thanks all... I am a planner, have done WDW commando style, ect. Priority Seating for all meals. So I want to experience some of the magic my kids have gotten to experience at WDW. I do know Thunder Mt and Splash aren't next to each other, Star Tours is not at DHS (in Tomorrow Land).... I have made some dining reservations (but not crazy about not haviing confirmation numbers). I am going to DL for 5 days- the last 5 days of our 10 day So Cal adventure.... Just me and my 17 yr old daughter. I am beyond excited.... Jill

 

[pixiewings71]

Jill you won't need confirmation numbers for dining at all. It's very easy, just walk up and give your name, even if you're early they will try to accommodate you as soon as they can. DLR is a lot different from WDW so you will probably enjoy yourself quite a bit. I would suggest grabbing a map, just to familiarize yourself with the parks, but otherwise you will be fine.

 

[jacs1234]

I don't think you're strange, I'm avoiding all pictures, threads and videos of Star tours and little mermaid. I don't want to see the rides before I actually go on them. I don't think a map would hurt though as it doesn't really ruin the surprise, just shows you where they are.

 

[jacs1234]

I also think if you have quite a few days under your belt then it wouldn't hurt to just go with the flow and explore it all there, but if you only have a couple of days just a little bit of knowledge wouldn't hurt.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I would not approach Disneyland as the OP would like, but to each there own. Going in blind is like sky diving the first time, you are standing at the door and the ground looks great and then you realize the shear terror as you may have made a bad judgement. My .02.

Jack

 

[bumbershoot]

But am I going to waste time not knowing where I am going, what direction I want to walk, ect by this?

Well, I kinda think you'll waste time by doing this.

Would you have wanted me to do this for our first WDW trip last December? When we were in MK we kept getting turned around because it was similar to Disneyland, but different. And that's despite having looked at maps!

So I'd get to the gates early and snag a map, at the very least, to give yourself the lay of the land.

 

[BC Disney Lover]

I think I'm in the minority here in suggesting you do DL without a map, at least for the first day or 2. DCA may be a different story with all the construction. I love just walking in and taking in everything rather than rushing to the rides. After a day or 2 you may need the map to plan shows and rides you may have missed the first time around.

 

[kailuagirl]

I wouldn't look at pictures or video's, etc., but I don't think looking at a map is going to blow it for you. Maybe when you look at it, just look at where the "towns" are and the main pathways, so at least you have some direction. I honestly don't think it will blow away any of the magic. The first time I went, I didn't know anything, and I was more confused and wasted so much time not knowing where to go or where the basics were. But you'll be there 5 days so it might work. Have fun, whatever you decide!!

 

[DisMike]

I would not approach Disneyland as the OP would like, but to each there own. Going in blind is like sky diving the first time, you are standing at the door and the ground looks great and then you realize the shear terror as you may have made a bad judgement. My .02.

Jack

Hehe. Priceless!

I would do a map also if you're going in the summer. It will help you spend less time in lines as you're going to need to get some FPs. If this were off-season I'd say go for it.

However, if you insist on no map remember...

Adventureland - first left off the hub.
Major attractions in this order:

- Jungle Cruise
- Tarzan's Treehouse
- Indiana Jones

Right after Adventureland - New Orleans Square

- Pirates
- Haunted Mansion

After NOS - not sure the name Country something or other

- Splash Mtn.
- Pooh

Frontierland - 2nd left off the hub with access to NOS

- BTMRR

Fantasyland - go through the castle

- Carousel
- Dumbo to the left
- Teacups to the right
- Matterhorn more to the right

Tomorrowland - to the right of the hub

- Star Tours
- Buzz Lightyear
- Space Mountain
- Jedi Academy
- Nemo - go around Jedi Academy to the left
- Autotopia

Enjoy!

 

[ktlm]

Fellow WDW vet here. You will be absolutely fine!!! No need to look at any maps before you get there, although I would recommend going by the map once you arrive. My 1st DL trip (as an adult- I had been once as a child years ago) was a last minute decision as I had a business meeting in the area on a Monday, and decided to take DH with me and spend the weekend out there. I just couldn't pass up Disney. We had one day- went in with no clue at opening- grabbed a map and took off touring both parks at breakneak speed. DL will feel strangely familiar. You will have no issues getting around it at all. It is just like when you are dreaming and you are in a place you know, but it all is just a little different in your dream. In one day, we did just about all the rides and even fit in the Aladdin show. CA is small. After navigating around WDW, it is a piece of cake even with the construction (In fact, probably easier for you to deal with the construction never having been there before, because you won't be trying to take your usual paths only to find them blocked). When you are used to WDW, DL/CA is easy! It is so nice to have everything in such a compact area. We have been back for 2 longer trips since that first trip, with our last trip just a few weeks ago. Your biggest problem will probably be thinking you need to leave where you are way too early to get to your priority seating dining reservation DH is always trying to rush us- yelling things like "It's at the opposite end of the park". I just laugh and say "Yes- but here it only takes us 5 minutes to get to the opposite end of the park!!". Even with me slowing him down, we are always early!

You have 5 days and no little kids to corral. I bet after your first day, you will know where everything is and can practically find your way around the parks in your sleep! Plus, with 5 days you have plenty of time to see everything you want to without rushing. Now, that said, you will need some kind of plan to catch WOC and Fantasmic. They are absolute must sees! Fantasmic is much better at DL, and WOC is amazing. If you want to splurge, you might want to think about a dining package for WOC and the dessert package for Fantasmic. We really enjoyed both of those!