Tips on Disneyland

[ZoeBell]

I'll be heading to Disney in CA in August with 2 teenager(15). I've only been there once a few years ago and to be honest I don't remember a thing.

Any advice? Any tips I should know about?

Do Disney GCs work to buy tickets and food inside?

Is there a Fast Pass available?

Thank you in advance

 

[kP72]

Yay!

I'll be there in less than a month with two 15 yr olds too!

As for tips, all I know at this time is that Radiator Springs is a popular ride so be sure to get to the park (Cali Adventure) early, or get FP's.

WOC show is popular and FP's are a good idea, if you plan on attending.

Are you staying on property? If so, partake in the EMH hours... schedules are on most Disney sites.

I'm not much help right now, but I will be posting updates of everything once I get back (mid March).

 

[Girimama33]

I'll be heading to Disney in CA in August with 2 teenager(15). I've only been there once a few years ago and to be honest I don't remember a thing.

Any advice? Any tips I should know about?

Do Disney GCs work to buy tickets and food inside?

Is there a Fast Pass available?

Thank you in advance

Get to the park at opening in order to enjoy crowd free touring. Take a break and enjoy the evening hours...which can be less crowded as well.
Use the Single Rider line for Radiator Springs Racers, Matterhorn and Indiana Jones.
You can use the Disney gift cards for tickets and food in the parks.
Fast Pass is available on: Star Tours, Space Mountain, Autopia, Indy and Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin in DL - Soarin', CA Screamin', ToT, GSS, RSR and GRR have FP in DCA.
Check the stickies in the first few threads for more info on FP, etc. A lot of great information there.

 

[smiles33]

I only have little ones, so my touring strategy is very different. Yet I can definitely answer the FP question. They aren't available on every ride (sadly) but they generally cover most of the popular rides (but not Matterhorn or Toy Story) and some less popular rides (Roger Rabbit anyone?). You also MUST return within the printed time window on the FP. DLR used to not enforce return times but they are strict now. You also can't pick up an infinite number of FPs, as the FP ticket itself will tell you when you can pick up a new one for a different ride (unless the ride is disconnected from the FP system, like RSR and Roger Rabbit).

This is just off the top of my head:

In DL: Space Mountain, Splash, Big Thunder, Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Autopia (not worth wasting a FP on this, IMHO), Roger Rabbit (disconnected)

In DCA: Radiator Springs (disconnected), Soarin', Tower of Terror, Screamin', Goofy's Sky School, and Grizzly

HTH!

 

[MrsMears]

One of my best tips is to make sure you take off the pricing stickers or have the CM's cut off the fabric tags from ears. They really stand out in pictures.

 

[sherilaine]

How many days are you visiting for? I ask because if you are going to be going on the following rides over several days then you might want to purchase in advance the Photopass plus:

California Screamin
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Radiator Springs Racers
Tower of Terror

It must be purchased at least 2 weeks prior to your travel dates to get it at a discount. It also includes any character meal photo packages (except for Storytellers) if you are thinking of booking those.

Details included in the following link:

http://www.disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/dlrppp.htm

 

[ZoeBell]

Sadly I think we are only spending one day at Disney. I'm guessing we are only going to do one park. Of the 2 parks which would you recommend doing? I love all things Disney, but I'm wondering which is more age appropriate for the 15year olds? Or does it not matter?

Thanks for all the tips so far.

We aren't staying on property. We are renting a house about 30 minutes or so from the park.

 

[momjeeps]

If you can budget it I'd get park hoppers and concentrate of the rides the 15 year olds want in both parks. If you can only swing one park I'd take a look at the rides with the kids and make a decision from there. Some of our favorite thrill rides are in DCA. But I'd have a hard time not hitting the original Disney park on any visit.

 

[southlakejr]

If you are only spending one day in the parks- do Disneyland.

Assuming your teens like the more roller coaster style rides, I would:

RD and head for Space Mountain, then Star Tours, then ride Matterhorn, and make your way over to ride BTMRR.

Keep going around that side of the park, and grab a fast pass for Indy or Splash, depending on the return or wait time for each.

Then hit the classics- POTC, Haunted Mansion, and Jungle Cruise.

Save Fantasy Land for later at night- if you go after fireworks, it should be pretty close to empty.

August will be pretty hot- especially afternoon. That's a good time to check out the Tiki Room, or relax in Moments with Mr. Lincoln if you just want to sit down.

Hungry Bear is one of the best summer lunch spots, IMHO. It has a lot of shade, and the most seating. Food is pretty good, and it is in a good spot to just relax.

Most of all- get there early early. You can get way more done in that first hour and a half than you will accomplish in the whole rest of the day.

I'm sure others have suggestions, but that's how we do our days. Just DH and I , so it's two "adults".

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

The only place you can't use Disney GC's to buy food at DCA is the Ghirardelli's ice cream shop. Everywhere else (even starbucks) takes them. Have fun!!!

 

[Skippydoo]

Tickets: If buying tickets online or by phone their system can't use more than 2 giftcards. At the actual booths at the park it's no problem to use however many you want though.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

check getaway today and get two day park hopper or one park per day if i were you id try to make two days even if only one night at hotel?

 

[Barry Browning]

You really cannot just do one park you will be mad at yourself.I would buy the two day even if you go the other day the day you get there or morning you leave.

Your kids will love both places.You have to ride the racers in CA and World of Color.California Screamin is another one I wouldn't skip if I were 15.

DL if you will do single rider lines along with fastpass you can cover some ground.Really you want a parkhopper or a two day pass.