Suggested itinerary

[shagster330]

We are visiting Disneyland in November for 3 days and I am looking for the best way to split our time between the parks.

My family includes my wife and two daughters (8 years and 9 months) and myself. We are travelling from the UK, so we probably won't make it back to Disneyland for a very long time. For that reason we are looking to pack as much into our 3 days at Disney as possible.

Any suggestions on the absolute essentials, as well as any tips will be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

 

[ilovemky]

hopefully you will be there when the holiday decorations go up, usually the week before thanksgiving. if so, you will be so glad you did--they are awesome. also, the haunted mansion is turned into the nightmare before christmas which is a must see and small world is transformed to holiday magic as well!

MUST DO RIDES

DL
Matterhorn
Indiana Jones
Pirates
Toontown--so much better than WDW

DCA
Soarin over California
California Screamin"
Alladin Stage Show

Basically, just enjoy everything--it is a truly magical place!

And remember, it all started here!

also note that the walk between the two parks is just a "hop skip and a jump" not like WDW where they are miles and miles apart so you can park hop easily and visit donwtown disney which is in between the parks. if you need more specific info, just pm me!

 

[JenniferW]

I would come the week AFTER Thanksgiving so you can see the decorations, but the crowds will be gone : )

I would get a 3 day pass and jumping between parks is very easy so I would wander between the 2. The park hours are often longer at DL and I like to go to DL for an hour or so and then hop over to DCA. You can go back to DL for the later evening hours. That way you can hit the parks when they first open and it is not too busy.

Also, use the fastpass system, maybe even get the ticket from AAA that sells the Unlimited fastpasses, but you might not need them if you go midweek. (read other posts about this)

With 3 days you should be able to hit all the rides if you minimize the shows or cover almost everything if you are commandos : )

Have fun!

Jenn

 

[LeftCoaster]

If history repeats itself, the Christmas decorations should be up and holiday fireworks started by November 7th. I'd try to stay on property or as close to the parks as possible. Then, I'd go early in the day, have a nice long afternoon break and then back to the parks in the evening.
If you want to see the Christmas parade, that usually starts up Thanksgiving week.

side note to Ilovemky: Pirates actually does not go underground. New Orleans Square is built on an incline so the two drops on Pirates actually just drops you to ground level.

 

[msr709]

You know there is a deal this year (good until Jan. 2004) where you pay for a 3-day pass and get 5 days, its called the Passport Plus which gives you the unlimited Fastpass feature which allows you to collect multiple fastpasses at one time. I got it by calling the Disney Club but I think if you call the regular Disney no. you can also get it. 5 days would give you much more time, and even if you can't go for the 5 days you would still be paying for only 3 days and you get the multiple fastpass feature which would be a big help in getting around. Hope this helps you!

 

[shagster330]

Thanks for all the replies so far

We already have our dates (Monday 17 - Friday 21st November)

We are getting a ticket called the Southern California Citypass which gives access to Seaworld, SD Zoo, Knotts Berry Farm and 3 days at Disney, so we won't qualify for the 5 days for the price of 3 ticket.

We are starting off in Vegas before going to SD (wedding) and finishing up in Anaheim.

Thanks again

 

[Llisa]

Go to http://www.themeparksource.com/themeparks/dca/maps/maps.shtml. This sets out an itinerary for "A Day in Disneyland Park" and if you click on "Planning Your Day" on the left-hand side under Disney's California Adventure, it will give you one for that Park too. You might note, however, that these itineraries appear to require a bit of to-ing-and-fro-ing around the park in order to try to get to the rides at the times where the wait is usually the shortest.

Another source is the "Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2003" - I can't recall the author but I know it's NOT the Birnbaum one. If you can, check this out at the library. I found it a useful reference but personally didn't think it was worth buying. It has various itineraries set out - which I'm sure you'll find useful.

Hope this helps and have a great trip!

 

[Goofydiane]

Depending on the dates of your November trip, ensure you plan at least 2 trips through the Haunted Mansion! Disneyland does a holiday themed mansion and it is absolutely fabulous. It takes 2x at least to take it all in.

This year, the holiday fireworks and XMas tree were ready by November 8th. Fireworks are different here than at WDW.

They do not do early entry, and there are many hotels to choose from. If you want to stay onsite, the Grand Californian is in the middle of Downtown Disney and you can get great views. Disneyland Hotel is the original, and then there is Paradise Pier.

As others have said - enjoy yourself! I also echo doing Soarin' Over California and the Aladdin stage show.

Have a great trip!
Diane