whats unmissable if you only have a day?

[ylatan]

i don't know. i am a newb, really. i've only been once, for 2 days. but when i was there, i did not get to go on the teacups, which in my mind is like, the disneyland rite of passage. so when we go back, the teacups will be on the top of my list!

 

[Sherry E]

i don't know. i am a newb, really. i've only been once, for 2 days. but when i was there, i did not get to go on the teacups, which in my mind is like, the disneyland rite of passage. so when we go back, the teacups will be on the top of my list!

The Teacups are one of those rides that I went on all the time as a kid and teenager, then had one bad experience on them and stopped for several years. Then, my group of friends and I started riding them again and loved them, and eventually they just got pushed out of the rotation (along with Autopia) as newer things were being added to DLR that took priority. It is a ride we really enjoy, but, sadly, take for granted or skip because there is not enough time. And then when we see pictures of the Teacups later, we always wonder, "Why don't we ever go on those anymore?"

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Is Princess Fantasy Faire worth it for adults? I thought it was like princess school for kids.

Naw, it's not worth it. You're right about it being a princess school for kids, I never thought of it that way.

 

[mmmears]

If I were taking you on a one-day tour, this is what I would pick:

DL:
Tiki Room (old version)
Pirates of the Caribbean (really much better, worth it)
Splash Mtn (only if time, diff, but not better)
Alice in Wonderland (great fun)
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Pinocchio's Daring Journey (pretty cute, not at WDW)
Storybook Land Canal Boats (not super exciting, but historic and original ride)
Nemo Subs (great redo of the old ride)
Roger Rabbit (only in DL)
Fantasmic (diff from DHS, and better)
Space Mountain (new version)

CL:
Monsters Inc
Toy Story Midway Mania
Grizzly River Rapids
Aladdin Show
Soarin

Hope you two have a great time!

 

[mystic_path]

Indy, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Splash, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Parades, Fireworks or Fantasmic if a weekend, Soarin, California Screamin, TOT, Its tough to be a bug 3D show

 

[Disney Dreams]

If I were taking you on a one-day tour, this is what I would pick:

DL:
...Fantasmic (diff from DHS, and better)...

Now see... here is a PERFECT example (and I know I can make it with mmmears knowing I mean absolutely nothing negative personally, just an observation)! I tell everyone and anyone that goes to Disneyland, "Do not miss Fantasmic!" However, I did not suggest it to OP as a "have to" because DH and I feel without question that WDW's version is better. It all so very much comes down to personal preference, huh? THAT'S what I love about Disney!

- Dreams

 

[PinkBudgie]

The Teacups are one of those rides that I went on all the time as a kid and teenager, then had one bad experience on them and stopped for several years. Then, my group of friends and I started riding them again and loved them, and eventually they just got pushed out of the rotation (along with Autopia) as newer things were being added to DLR that took priority. It is a ride we really enjoy, but, sadly, take for granted or skip because there is not enough time. And then when we see pictures of the Teacups later, we always wonder, "Why don't we ever go on those anymore?"

That's funny. Teacups was one of those rides I always went on growing up. However, I haven't been on it in years! It is one of those that ends up getting skipped.

 

[Sherry E]

That's funny. Teacups was one of those rides I always went on growing up. However, I haven't been on it in years! It is one of those that ends up getting skipped.

Yeah, for some reason it is just one of those rides that is very enjoyable but gets pushed to the back burner in favor of more recently added rides or just newer stuff in general. There never seems to be enough time for it in a trip! I wonder if that is where a MM would come in handy for me - maybe I could finally get over to the Teacups without too much of a wait!

 

[scanmom]

just wanted to chime in that I am one of the people that think DL's version of Fantasmic! is far superior to the WDW version! But if you want to see it, it is harder to get a good view, since there is not a theater like at WDW. So if you are finding that you are pressed for time, it may not be worth it to you to save a spot for an hour or more to see it. We alway try to go to the 2nd show, and usually get a seat at RBT right at the end of the 1st show. We relax and have a snack while we wait, usually about an hour and a half.
We love Alice... well worth it. You can usually keep an eye on the line as you are walking back and forth, and catch it with a 20 minute or less wait time. Or, of course if you do Fantasyland 1st thing at rope drop, the line will be short. We are with the minority that are not all that impressed with Nemo. It is a cute ride, but not worth more that a 20 minute wait.(IMHO) and usually the wait times are an hour+!!!! If you have done the Nemo ride at Epcot, it is basically the same, only you ride in a submarine instead of a clam.I have noticed that no one has mentioned California Screaming. We love that one, and if you like coasters, it is well worth riding. As far as eating, I would probably eat CS or just snack in the parks. Then at closing go to DTD and eat a nice meal. That is assuming that the parks close early enough. I hope you have a fun trip. You will have to post on a TR about which things you finally decided/were able to see.

 

[kc10family]

We can't miss POTC or HM
They are the first thing we do every time we go.

 

[Hobbes]

Thanks for all the tips people-sorry I wasn't more specific in my original post-we only have 1 day there, so I'm insisting on DL rather than DCA (for some reason DBf wants to go to the dark side on our other free day in LA You know the place I mean-rhymes with Smooniversal!) We'll be there around mid-may so I'm not even sure whether fireworks and Fantasmic will be happening every night then, I think its classed as low season?
I know about the differences with some of the stuff-SM, Splash and POTC, and I know DBf loved all of those so much he'll still want to do those too, but its what else we should see-When I went on my own, I queued for ages for Gadgets Go-Coaster....Ok I knew no better!
After two weeks whizzing round califonia and Las Vegas we'll be broke so a sitdown meal won't be an issueand we can both demolish dinner in about 30 seconds so we won't be wasting time with niceties like chewing! I;m just desperate to get as much bang for our buck as possible as it may be a long while before we pass this way again.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I vote that you hop to both parks. ESPECIALLY if you won't be back for a long time. The Monsters, Inc. ride is so cute, and it's unique to DCA. California Screamin' is really fun if you're a coaster fan. And there's something to be said just for checking out a Disney park you've never been to!

 

[Sherry E]

I vote that you hop to both parks. ESPECIALLY if you won't be back for a long time. The Monsters, Inc. ride is so cute, and it's unique to DCA. California Screamin' is really fun if you're a coaster fan. And there's something to be said just for checking out a Disney park you've never been to!

I kind of tend to agree with Pouncingpluto in that you should see DCA, because, let's face it, that whole park IS what's exclusive to DLR! There are several rides in DCA that you won't find anywhere else, and you and your boyfriend can see DCA together for the first time. Plus, DCA is smaller and less crowded and you could easily do that in the amount of time you have to spend. (You said you are arriving mid-day, right?) It is not nearly as big or as jam packed with things as DL is. Hopping to both parks would be tough if you are not showing up until after noon or so. But I really think you should visit DCA because that is new to both of you, especially if you aren't going to be back to DLR for a long time, if ever. It is much more special than Universal!

However, since I have a feeling you have your heart on DL and are not even considering DCA, and you are not going during the holiday season (you said "low season, so that certainly wouldn't be holiday-time!), you can cross the Haunted Mansion Holiday and It's a Small World Holiday off the list as being exclusive because they will be back to their usual versions. You don't have to worry too much about meals, as you said. It doesn't sound like you care too much about shopping or seeing shows. And you already know the rides in DL that are better than the ones in WDW or exclusive to DL. So it then just comes down to arriving at DL, getting Fast Passes for the things that require them (some rides have long lines but the lines move fast and the FP's are not necessary), and hopping from ride to ride. It doesn't sound like there will be much time for anything else but that, so you just kind of have to maybe use Ride Max or something that will help you get the most rides into the limited period of time you have!! Have fun!