WDWer's First Time to DisneyLand

[floridaalways]

I have been a WDW Annual Passholder for years and go about 6 times a year. Well, I finally get a chance to check out DL and CA, but I may only have a day
Should I buy 2 tickets and spend half the day at CA and the other half at DL?
About a month ago I saw a 1 day park hopper, but it appears to have disappeared.
Any assistance on things not to miss and any other tips would really be appreciated.

 

[el_tigre]

If you only have one day, I strongly suggest you spend it at Disneyland and forget about DCA. Given the fact there are more attractions at DL than the other Magic Kingdoms around the world, you will probably have your hands full trying to see everything in one day, much less trying to add another park to the mix.

Assuming you are a first timer, the best advise I can give is to be sure to hit any of the attractions you don't have in WDW. Indiana Jones is probably the best themed attraction in the Dinsey stable and the Matterhorn is credited with being the first-ever steel coaster (although it will be in rehab for the next couple of months). You'll also notice quite a difference in POC versus its Florida counterpart. Other than that, the best advise I can give is not to try to do too much and just go with the flow. You'll find there's a lot more detail packed into a much smaller area; you can miss a lot of what gives DL its charm if you don't take the time to take it all in.

 

[TheLionKing]

For a first time visit, I would also "bag" DCA, even though it hurts a little to say that.

Lunch at the Blue Bayou is a "must" in my book.

Also, Fantasmic, if they are doing it, is worth seeing for its differences between DLR and WDW.

Fantasyland is much nicer and worthy of some time as compared to WDW.

Space Mountain, if they have the music playing, would also be different.

If you like character meals, I think Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel is the best of all the WDW and DLR character meals I have been too.

The Disney Gallery above Pirates usually has some event that you would not find at WDW.

When are you planning your one day trip?

 

[daannzzz]

I also would forgo DCA and concentrate on Disneyland. One of the most fun things on my first trip to WDW in 1996 was comparing the attractions between the two parks. Check out Peter Pan and Pirates and even Haunted Mansion. It is amazing how some parts of the rides were altered and you wonder why. Also check out the stuff noy at WDW including Pinnochio and Alice in Wonderland and Roger Rabbit.
DCA is a fun park and has some really neat spots but also some just soso spots and while it is possible to spend a whole day there alot of the attractions are not as compelling as usual.

 

[floridaalways]

I've got a new wrinkle!!! I will be going on Thursday, September 19th with my friend who lives about 15 minutes from DL and DCA. She said she has gone to DL bunches of time, but not to DCA. So she wants to do DCA in the am and then she has to head to a work event in the pm. So I thought I could hit DL for the rest of the time. But I just checked the DL hours, and they are only open until 8 pm.
I may ask my friend can I head to DL without her around 1 pm, so maybe I can get in a good 7 hours at DL after around 3 hours at DCA.
What do you think?

 

[daannzzz]

If you hurry ( probably not needed) you can get alot done at DCA in the AM. Make sure to see Soarin and the Animation exhibit and then anything not at WDW. When you head over to Disneyland get a fastpass for Indy and hit the Matterhorn and the other things that are new to you. It should be okay though not ideal and you might be able to get in most of the stuff you want.

 

[Planogirl]

Be sure to see the Haunted Mansion if you're a fan like I am. The queue is fascinating! And don't miss Pirates. It is definitely nicer than the one in WDW IMO. Try to walk through Toontown. The difference between it and the one in WDW is amazing! Check the schedule because when we went, Toontown closed earlier than the rest of the park. In Fantasyland, I would check out Alice if the line is short and ride either Casey Jr or the Storyland boats but not both since they cover the same territory. You may want to go with the one with the shorter line but to me Casey Jr was cuter.

I would skip any sit-down meals since your time will be short. I would just grab food here and there or just Mickey bars if you're like me.

 

[daannzzz]

You also want to check the opening times of the park. Usually you can get into Disneyland an hour before DCA opens. You could get two or three of the big attractions done in Disneyland first and then return later in the day for the rest.