What are your "Must Do's" for DIsneyland?

[amylia403]

Hi Disers!

We are planning a trip to Disneyland early next year. This will probably be the one and only time we ever get to go so we were wondering what some of the absolute must do things for both Disneyland and California Adventure are. (Attractions, Shows and Dining...) We've been able to find some info on the rides, but not too much on the dining options.

Thank you!!!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

As I assume you have the big rides already in your sights?...here is a must do...Ride the Jungle Cruise both during the day and after dark! A completely different experience!

Our favorite eats are the Nachos at Whitewater Snacks in the GCH for a lunch, Blue Bayou with all it's wonderful ambiance at dinnertime...If it is too pricey for your taste just get a dessert instead of dinner this restaurant is amazing and must be experienced. What could be better than dining while inside The pirates ride?

Fantasmic is a must see as is the RDCT fireworks show...there are whole threads devoted to these shows as well as WOC which I have not seen yet.

Also if you have kids or are a big kid yourself hit a character breakfast...Our family favorite is Mickey's Surf's Up at the PPH with Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn inside DL coming a close 2nd.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[skiingfast]

Have you read this guide for WDW vets?

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

For dining, I would eat at Blue Bayou, it's missing in WDW and for me that is one of the biggest design flaws that disney commited when making the MK.

You will want to try snacking on a DLR only treat, the Tigger Tails.

Napa Rose is the super nice dining experience for DLR. Kind of like V&A for WDW.

All of the night shows are better than the WDW counterparts.

Of course for next year can you wait until Carsland is open???

 

[davidc1]

Top 7 MUST DOs:

Space Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
Matterhorn
Indiana Jones
Pirates of the Carribean
Haunted Mansion

Fun Stuff:

Disneyland RR around the park once
Small World
Roger Rabbit's
Jungle Cruise
Peter Pan

 

[Raindown]

Fantasmic is a must see as is the RDCT fireworks show...there are whole threads devoted to these shows

^I agree. World of Color is also great and unique.

For a thrill ride that makes great use of FP, Sreamin' is a fav of mine. The soft serve over at DCA, near Ariel's is great for a snack.

Mermaid and Star Tours 2 (I'll let you know).

 

[Briarrose1306]

You will want to try snacking on a DLR only treat, the Tigger Tails.

What are in these? I've seen them and heard them mentioned, but never tried them. TIA

 

[skiingfast]

What are in these? I've seen them and heard them mentioned, but never tried them. TIA

In Critter Country, where Winnie the Pooh and friends are found. Also at Marceline's in DTD.

 

[Crashdown]

You will want to try snacking on a DLR only treat, the Tigger Tails.

At what candy counter do you get these, Tigger Tails, you speak of?

Last December I asked a cast member and they had never heard of them.

 

[hpfan100]

Hi fellow Amy

Only time to got to DL..oh how sad. But I guess it's a long flight from FL.

Must do's for me:
DCA-
toy story ride
Screamin
Soarin
Grizzly River
Tower
Aladdin show---AWESOME!!!
Bug show

DLR-
there are tons of rides here, If you have little ones be prepared to camp out in FL-there is plenty there to keep you busy
Pirates-way better than at WDW
HM
BTMRR- at night time is great!
disneyland railroad
Indy
Tiki Room- to see the original version
tea cups
small world- better than WDW version
Matterhorn from both sides
Buzz
Space
new Star Tours if open

sorry no food suggestions not a big fan of theme park food

 

[bnbheartdisney]

As my for myself, Cafe Orleans is a must! The Pommes Frites are the best, the gumbo is really good and their Monte Cristo sandwiches are less expensive than Blue Bayou (plus, they have the vegetarian Monte Cristo). However, if this is the only Disneyland trip you'll make, then I encourage you to try the Blue Bayou. It's a great experience, just pricey.

 

[goldies 5]

These are the only picuture of tigger tails I have. Bought them in Critter Country. My boys like them. They have marshmellow in them.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Don't forget to see Aladdin the musical! Absolutely a must see!

Toontown is 100 times better than the old WDW version, may it rest in peace.

Every ride, with the exception of Splash Mountain is better at DL, imho. Pirates, HM, SM, Peter Pan, etc...all better.

Ride the rides that are not available at WDW...Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad, Pincinochio, Nemo sub, and Roger Rabbit all come to mind.

 

[DahliaRW]

Carnation Cafe for breakfast is one of our all time favorites. Get to sit there, eat delicious food, and people watch. We always do the latest reservation for breakfast we can, so we can ride rides in the morning and then stop to eat "brunch".

 

[Dobie]

Ok, one must do for the Dobies is to pick one "first thing in the morning" where we will ride either Indy or Splash 3 times in a row without waiting. We usually do this the last day, when we have seen everything.

Another "must do" is for Dobie Dad and Dobie Mom to purchase many beers and drink them on Paradise Pier while Dobie Daughter rides Screamin' 3 times in a row (using all the Dobie fastpasses.)

Having a meal at Taste Pilots, dinner at Storytellers, and champagne brunch at La Brea are must dos.

Fantasmic Dessert package has become a must do.

Oh yeah, and we ride all the rides at least once, except ToT and Mulholland Madness.

Our final must do is to leave the parks by 1:30 at the latest one afternoon and have a long afternoon by the pool, drinking our beverage of choice and enjoying each other's company in the happiest place on earth.

It is rather startling to see how much alcohol plays into our must dos! Maybe we should change our name from the Dobies to the Drunkies!

 

[hpfan100]

Don't forget to see Aladdin the musical! Absolutely a must see!

Toontown is 100 times better than the old WDW version, may it rest in peace.

Every ride, with the exception of Splash Mountain is better at DL, imho. Pirates, HM, SM, Peter Pan, etc...all better.

Ride the rides that are not available at WDW...Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad, Pincinochio, Nemo sub, and Roger Rabbit all come to mind.

good point about the DL only rides...fantasyland is awesome there!!!

 

[wvnative]

Breakfast at Carnation is a must for us. As is a corn dog from the Red Wagon but we haven't done that the past two times. We always do one character meal. We've not done them all yet so I can't really pick a favorite. Of Goofy's and Surf's up, we liked Surf's up better. We liked Ariel's better before they changed the menu. Now there's nothing that my kid will eat. She's really picky.

I'll second the Alladin show and Fantasmic.

My kid says the Toy Story ride and Matterhorn on the left side.

 

[pooh98378]

Definitely Indiana Jones!!!! It's an AMAZING ride!

 

[Crashdown]

These are the only picture of tigger tails I have. Bought them in Critter Country. My boys like them. They have marshmallow in them.

Great Pic!
Thanks for the info... Tigger tails here I come.

 

[snikelfrizt]

Dobie's I like your version!
We always grab a loaf of sourdough bread from the peir and a couple margarita's and sit and relax.
Walk through The Grand lobby and dream of what it would be like to stay there...lol
Get pics taken at Mickey's house
Grab some fresh pineapple or dole whips while waiting for or on the way by the Tiki Room
Atleast walk through Snow White Grotto by the castle stop and watch the waterfall if we have time and of course make a wish....
Wave at Walt's window on our way in and on the way out
Alladin Amazing!!!!! and a nice break