We are heading to Disneyland in 2 weeks and...

[Earthami]

So I decided this week that my son & I would take a trip to Disneyland in 2 weeks. We have been to the World but never the land.

It is going to be 3 of us DS(7.5) Grandpa(65) and myself(42). We are going to be spending 2 days at the parks.

Is there anything I should know or just go and have fun is enough?

Just excited and looking forward to getting there.

Ami

 

[tholczer]

Tool around on the boards and you'll find some great information about touring. You don't have to be as crazy about scheduling as at WDW, but it doesn't hurt to plan. It also depends on whether you are going during the week or on the weekend. We're AP holders and try to go on teacher in service days and other times during the week when it isn't as crowded. On these days, we never make a plan - just let the wind drift us - which is relaxing and fun. But we also go at least once in the summer and at Thanksgiving and plan those days more carefully.

Whatever kind of day it is - crowded or not so much - it's always a good idea to get there before the gates open and ride the most popular attractions first, collecting fast passes along the way (if the fast pass machines are open, of course). So, not so different from WDW there. But dining isn't quite as cutthroat as at WDW. It's a good idea to make reservations if you want table service meals, but I've called from inside the parks and gotten what I needed.

Have a great time!

Tracy

 

[blackjackdelta]

Along with the advice by Tracy, I would read this link if you have not. Some wisdom by Hydroguy.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Jack

 

[pdxJolene]

I'll be there in 2 weeks too! Take advantage of park hopping, DCA and DL are so close together you can go back and forth in 5 minutes.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

Yay, me too! For the most part, I'd say, just have fun and make the most out of your trip - don't restrict yourself to a schedule, it's Disneyland, not WDW.
Some suggestions that may make your trip more enjoyable (speaking from experience only)...
If you plan on going to the park(s) in the morning, you may want to go on the rides (e.g. Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage) that have a longer wait time later on in the day. But of course, you can always take advantage of the Fast Passes, like tholczer mentioned. I would suggest getting a Hopper pass, so you can experience both parks! And give yourself a break. If you go to the parks in the morning, take an afternoon break and head back to the hotel to take a nap or a dip in the pool, then head back to the parks in the late afternoon/evening!
Hope, this is of help to you!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

First and foremost, just go and live in the moment, which is easier than doing so at WDW because everything's much more compact (I still can't get over how spread out everything is at MK vs. DL, and it's been 5 years since I went to MK on a day trip).