What to do at Disneyland?..

[plain_jane_246]

Silly question but what do we do when we get there? I know it sounds strange but can someone suggest a recommended itinerary for perhaps the first day in DL? The thought of knowing what to do and where to go when we get through those gates is a little intimidating. Do we just follow the crowds? I really don't know what to expect.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

The book "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" is a great place to start. Learn about the rides and attractions and figure out what you and your companion(s) want to do when you are there, and there are sample itineraries that tell you exactly where to go.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Read the FAQ Stickies above this forum. They are very helpful.

 

[avalon451]

Hi, Jane, read the sticky thread by Hydroguy at the top of the forum page, "Tips and Tricks"... you'll get lots of good ideas about how best to proceed with your day, so that you'll spend less time standing in lines and more time having fun on the rides!

It also depends on what time of day you'll get there. If you're starting out bright and early in the morning at opening, get there 30 minutes before opening, because you'll love how open it feels compared to a couple hours later... when peak crowds hit between 11-3 pm.

We flew in from Seattle, and got there at 6 p.m. the first night. We knew most of the rides would be busy with long lines... so we explored Main Street, went to watch the movie "Disneyland: the First 50 Years" which was a wonderful introduction (hosted by Steve Martin) to the parks... ate some dinner, did a little hat shopping and treat shopping... found spots for the fireworks. It was a nice intro for our first evening.

You'll have a great time!

 

[audrey2580]

I agree with Avalon - it really depends on what time you are arriving. And don't follow the crowds!! My plan is always: if you are arriving at opening you should head to Nemo (if there was no Early Entry) or head to Fantasyland.

 

[ironpig70]

grab a fast pass no matter where you are heading. if you are heading into tommorland for example might as well grab space mountain. if heading up to pirates grab indiana jones. will come in handy later. i try and avoid the mad rush for the big ticket rides and just fast pass them. i also have kids so we start in fantasty land or go all the way up towards splash(for pooh bear) and work our way down. nothing worse then being at the outskirts mid day and fighting the crowds to leave.

 

[Hound 109]

Hi, Jane, read the sticky thread by Hydroguy at the top of the forum page, "Tips and Tricks"... you'll get lots of good ideas about how best to proceed with your day, so that you'll spend less time standing in lines and more time having fun on the rides!

It also depends on what time of day you'll get there. If you're starting out bright and early in the morning at opening, get there 30 minutes before opening, because you'll love how open it feels compared to a couple hours later... when peak crowds hit between 11-3 pm.
......

I agree.

& regarding "following the crowds".



Let us know:

- the date your first day is,
- how many days you'll be there,
- if you're staying on site,
- & what time of day you'll walk to the gate.

You'll get alot of advice from this board.

 

[mom4princesses]

I used ridemax for the first time about 3 trips ago and will never go without it. It gives you a choice in what rides you would like to go on and maps it out with the least amout of wait time. I love it and have heard only good things about the program.

 

[Mike_M]

There really are a few frames of mind on this subject. There is the pre-plan method where you esitmate where the crowds will be the lightest and try and stay in that bubble. There is the freestyle method which is basically, go where it looks like the most fun at the moment. Or you can just walk the park in in a clockwise fashon like the way the old souvineer guides were laid out (They used to be booklets instead of just a fold out map).

Personally, I do a combination of the last two. Partially out of habbit I suppose since for all of my childhood, the guides had individual pages for each land and that's what we usually followed. I now still try and walk that path but I let my kids decide what to ride along the way and as they get older and learn the park better, I suppose they'll lead the way to what they want to ride and it will be complete freestyle then.

Really, it's completly up to you. I don't mind the lines (And actually enjoy long ones on certain rides where the queue is done up really well) but if you can't stand long lines, then the pre-plan method is good for easing that load some. If the thought of planning your vacation that much kills the mood for you, then go freestyle.

This is part of what makes DL great. It can be fun for any age, any style and anyone.