You will likely want more than two days to see every inch of
Disneyland, especially if you do not purchase LLMP. It depends on whether you are planning on long sit-down meals but, in general, two days should be enough to see every inch of DCA.
As
@mom2rtk mentioned, the majority of entertainment is in DL. In July, DL will have Paint the Night, Wondrous Journeys fireworks, Fantasmic, Fire of the Rising Moon, Shadows of Memory, Tapestry of Happiness and the 70th Cavalcade. DCA will have World of Color.
Sounds like a long day. Don't consider it a break.
Brian shared his amazing list. Note that Soarin' over America will start on July 2. Expect the lines for that attraction to be very, very long.
Popular restaurants requiring reservations include: Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, Lamplight Lounge, Carthay Circle, and character meals. Napa Rose might be open by the time you visit.
Here is a link to a list of events happening at DLR that month.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2...icial-unofficial-events.3976081/post-66459429
WOC dinner reservations include a ticket to a reserved area where guests can stand for the show. Dinner reservations can be made at either Wine Country Trattoria or Storytellers (GCH). There aren't specific WOC reservations. You just let the waiter know that you would like the WOC package.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/world-of-color-dining/
WOC dessert party allows guests to sit at tables to watch the show. Desserts and drinks are served just before the show begins.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disney-california-adventure/world-of-color-dessert-party/
Note: The WOC dinner reservations do not include tax and tip, while the dessert party does. I believe WOC Storytellers Dining is $79 before tax and tip. Disney includes an 18% tip on the dessert package. If one were to add 18% tip and tax to the $79 Storyteller dining, it comes out to $94 - the same price as the dessert party. Granted one is dinner and the other is dessert but one has seating for the show and one is standing.
20+ year WDW vet here who probably loves Disneyland more than Walt Disney World.
To piggy back on this, the dessert party for World of Color is NOTHING like Walt Disney World dessert parties. You get a box of food. You get one alcoholic drink. The reason to do the party is for the reserved seating and really only the reserved seating. If you search the boards, you can find pictures of what the food looks like. It’s nice, but it’s really kind of crummy if you’re used to what is offered at Walt Disney World dessert parties. All that said, with even a young 79 year old, the actual seats may be worth the money. All of the dedicated viewing areas (including with the non-dessert dining packages) require you to stand.
I will also recommend getting park hoppers. I also recommend
Lightning Lane Multi Pass. It’s a MUCH easier system at Disneyland. Essentially, it’s still
Genie+ but with the updated nomenclature. No advance booking - you can only book once your ticket has been used for entry. It frees up availability. It is also used at significantly fewer attractions. With the Hopper, when you buy it, it can be used at both parks. The only limitation is you can’t book for the other park until after 11am, since that’s when you can begin park hopping.
Don’t forget that Disneyland still requires park reservations. Because you’re onsite, you’ll have a wider availability, but you still need a reservation.
Resort package delivery is available at Disneyland.
Security is a serious drag. It’s still bag checks and metal detectors and it can take a while. If you’re a rope drop kind of family, get in line EARLY, or you will be at the tail end of a VERY long line. Use the Downtown Disney entrance to get to the California Adventure main gate when rope dropping California Adventure. It’s quicker and more efficient than using the park entrance from the hotel.
Walt Disney World Pirates and Disneyland Pirates share some of the same scenes, but I contend they are not the same. It’s the difference between reading the novel and reading the Spark notes. Or between seeing a made-for-TV movie and going to the movies for a big budget feature. You have to see the Disneyland version.
Quick service dining is so much better at Disneyland while sit down dining is kind of meh. Go to Blue Bayou for the atmosphere and experience. If you go for the food, you’ll be disappointed. It’s very expensive and the quality isn’t commensurate with the price.
Lamplight Lounge is fantastic. People rave about the lobster nachos. While they were good, we thought the highlight was the house made donuts. The menu switches - I think now the donuts are served at Lamplight Boardwalk. Check out the menus and see which one appeals to you more. Both Lamplight and Lamplight Boardwalk are in the same place, but you can’t order off the other one’s menu.
Mobile Order is MUCH more widespread than at Walt Disney World. It’s fantastic. Use it and save yourself time waiting in line.
Even in July, the weather will let you breathe. Sure, it’s hot. But not like Florida hot. There have been times I needed a sweatshirt once the sun has gone down. It’s so much easier to deal with the heat without the oppressive humidity. Have a sweatshirt for the evenings. Just in case. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
You will love Disneyland. Have a fantastic trip.
