Surprise 1st trip in 19 days!!!

[PrincessTanyuhKaypoo]

Hi Disneyland Diser's, I'm a lifetime WDW freak and my sister just surprised me with a quick trip to DL for my birthday!!!! It's our first trip to Disneyland and California in general so I would love any info you all can give me. I want to make the most of our time in Disneyland and soak up as much of the magic as I can!!

We fly in one 9/30, have Halloween party tickets that night, one day one park tickets for 10/01, and we fly back home on 10/02 (my birthday). I already had a birthday trip to WDW planned so I'll be checking into WDW on 10/02 too! I made a reservation for lunch at Blue Bayou on the 1st so I don't think we'll be seeing any of DCA this trip. Any tips, suggestions or words of wisdom are welcomed!!

 

[pepe3penelope]

Where are you staying?

I would take advantage of rope drop since you only have the one full day. What kind of rides do you want to ride?

Are you staying until park closing?

I'll post more tomorrow!

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

Fun! It'll be fast but I like that adventurous spirit!

This might be a little overwhelming for such a quick trip, but you might look through Hydroguy's excellent thread about DLR for WDW vets. You can find it here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[PrincessTanyuhKaypoo]

pepe3penelope We're staying at Paradise Pier and we're going to the Halloween Party the night we arrive. Then we'll have the next full day too and we'll be staying till closing, which is at 6 I believe. I want to ride it all! Haunted Mansion, do the mountain range, and everything else!!! I know we can't see it all, but hope we can make the most of our time. I'm just beyond thrilled to be making the trip! Thanks for taking the time to help!

ClosetDisneyJunkie thank you so much! I'm off to check it out now! I'm trying to soak up as much as I can. I have a basic knowledge of DL but since this is a surprise I'm still spinning from the news! To get to see where it all began finally... WOW!

Thanks guys! Keep it coming, I appreciate it all!

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

To get to see where it all began finally... WOW!

Thanks guys! Keep it coming, I appreciate it all!

That's so great, I hope you have a great time. The history of the park and the fact that it all began there is one of my favorite things about it too. You'll have a great time, soak it all in.

 

[Filipina]

You know... our two parks are super close to each other... I mean, just a few feet away. Hopping is so easy and since Disneyland closes at 6, you can head back to DCA... Maybe a hopper won't be that bad and you can do both parks...just a thought. It might be a good opportunity for you to check out Carsland and I don't think the parks will be that crowded in the day time because school is back in session. Hopping is so so so easy compared to WDW. Us locals, we flock to the park after work so the daytime should be good.

As far as what to check out, definitely do Haunted Mansion with the Overlay. Our Pirates is a little bit longer, Indiana Jones is the same track as Dinosaur but the Indy theme is cool. Ride Small World because we have Disney characters in it. Our Castle is small and I hear that all the time from WDW veterans, but go inside and do the Sleeping Beauty Walk through. It's actually really nice. Ride Matterhorn and Space Mountain (our Space Mountain is synced to music which is pretty cool ). And if you want to see Marvel Characters, go to Innoventions. Ride Monorail in the front cuz it's an attraction here and the front is always fun. And if you want to feel nostalgic, look at the lamp in Walts Apartment above the Fire Place. I know I've said a lot but I'm trying to think of different things compared to WDW. But I really think you try for the hopper and check out Carsland.

HAVE FUN!!!!!!

 

[igomezhnl]

Congrats! Glad you were able to make the trek to DL and CA.

Must Do at DL and CA:
1. WOC (epic)
2. California Screamin (Front Row during Sunset, epic)
3. Big Thunder (Refurbished)
4. Aladdin Show (Funny)
5. Indiana Jones (Adventure)

Must Do in Anaheim:
1. Angels Game (Baseball)
2. Stacked (Restaurant)

 

[mousecrazy]

I second the suggestion to get a hopper. Cars Land is just so worth it. My family and I just returned from WDW and while there we were asked many times about Disneyland. My answer always started out with Cars Land...it's just so dang amazing...among many other great reasons, of course. I can't imagine a trip to DLR without RSR, CS and TSM.

You'll have the party in DL, as well as the next morning (early entry, right?). You'll have time to see and experience all of DL! I hope you'll consider taking the afternoon/evening to spend at DCA...I think you will be wow'd!

Happy Birthday!

 

[pepe3penelope]

Great suggestions from everyone! I agree that you should definitely do DCA just for Carsland alone! We are locals with annual passes. Every time we go to Carsland, I am still amazed at its beauty & the fabulous job they did bringing it to life.

If you are Star Wars fans, I suggest Star Tours in Tomorrowland. I agree that must sees in DLP are Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, POTC, BTMRR, & Haunted Mansion &, if you have time, Splash Mountain (expect to get wet).

Then go to DCA & go get Fast passes for RSR then RIDE RSR. I would do Tower of Terror, California Soarin', California Screamin'. Since it's just the 2 of you, to save time in rides & if u don't mind splitting up on the ride itself, you can do single riders on RSR, Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Soarin over California.

Happy planning!