Which day where?

[DexLabDeeDee]

Hi! I have been to WDW many many times but I have never been to DLR. I am going to Anaheim on a business trip in April for some training and I am going to tack on a day before and a day after to my trip to go to DL and CA. At WDW which park which day can be very important. Will that be the case here?

This is the deal:

I will fly in April 4th (Easter evening). The next day, Monday, will be one of my free days. Then I have training Tues-Fri. Saturday is another free day and then I fly out Sunday. So which day should I go to DL and which day should I go to CA (Monday or Saturday)?

I know that the crowds will taper off after Easter but there will probably still be plenty of people there. I don't have a lot of time so I want to maximize what time I do have.

Suggestions, anyone?

I'm really excited for the opportunity to finally see DL and get a Disney mini-vacation!!

 

[Hound 109]

I'd park hop each day.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132



Since you're a WDW vet, you'll find this helpful.

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



& the rest of Hydroguy's tip threads are very informative:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[Disney Dreams]

As a DLR regular who took an amazing trip to WDW in 2008, I understand exactly why you are asking this question, but the good news is - you don't need to worry about it.

Yes, at WDW, the Parks are quite spread out and you have to shuttle (or boat) from one to the next.

At DLR, you have to walk about 2 minutes from the front gate of Disneyland to the front gate of DCA. While we personally do not enjoy going back and forth between the 2 throughout the day, it is very do-able, easy, convenient, and people do it all day long (as Hound stated above).

If you are getting Park Hoppers, don't worry about "which Park which day" as you would with WDW. It's not the same layout.

Enjoy,
Dreams

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Wow! Thanks. That really helps a lot. That way, we won't have to worry about missing something one day and not getting a chance to go back. I'm feeling loads better about fitting in everything that I want to do!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi! I have been to WDW many many times but I have never been to DLR. I am going to Anaheim on a business trip in April for some training and I am going to tack on a day before and a day after to my trip to go to DL and CA. At WDW which park which day can be very important. Will that be the case here?

This is the deal:

I will fly in April 4th (Easter evening). The next day, Monday, will be one of my free days. Then I have training Tues-Fri. Saturday is another free day and then I fly out Sunday. So which day should I go to DL and which day should I go to CA (Monday or Saturday)?

I know that the crowds will taper off after Easter but there will probably still be plenty of people there. I don't have a lot of time so I want to maximize what time I do have.

Suggestions, anyone?

I'm really excited for the opportunity to finally see DL and get a Disney mini-vacation!!

You are in for a treat. A few random thoughts:

o You will want to see the excellent Aladdin stage show at show at DCA. It only shows Thurs-Sun so catch that on Saturday. It lasts 40-45 minutes.

o The Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show is much more than that. It is a laser and special effects show too and better than anything you have seen at WDW to be frank. Looks like it will show both nights. Catch it Monday if possible ("HydroGuy's Fireworks Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199851)

o You will not be able to see Fantasmic as that is down until late May. However, it is fairly similar to the show in WDW so I would put that lower on your list anyways.

o Mondays are not Magic Mornings but Saturdays are. Your first day on Monday will be the best day to do Fantasyland with short lines because there is no MM - if you can get to the parks early.

Put all that in the mix and here is a rough agenda for you:

On Monday get to the gates 30 minutes early. If you are driving allow for extra time to park ("Hidden Time Losses When Using a Car At DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1381580)

Do Fantasyland first thing. It will take maybe an hour.

Focus on DL on Monday and see RDCT fireworks Monday night. Be prepared to shift RDCT to Saturday if it gets cancelled.

On Saturday start at DL again arriving 30 minutes early, but skip Fantasyland as it will be packed with MM attendees by the time you get there.

Hop to DCA early on (it opens 1 or 2 hours later than DL during busy times like Spring Break) and spend time at DCA including seeing Aladdin. Hop back to DL after you have finished DCA (it closes 2-3 hours earlier than DL).

Don't forget to bone up on the single rider lines at DLR. See FASTPASS and SINGLE RIDER Information

 

[HydroGuy]

I'd park hop each day.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132



Since you're a WDW vet, you'll find this helpful.

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



& the rest of Hydroguy's tip threads are very informative:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Have a great time at Walt's Park.

Hound, where you been? I thought you must have died and gone to Disney heaven!

 

[Hound 109]

Hound, where you been? I thought you must have died and gone to Disney heaven!

Hi HG....I know that this will be news to eveyone here.....but i had come to the conclusion that the DIS is a time eater.

Decided to take a couple of months off as i tended to biz/family etc. & made the decision to dedicate my "internets" time to grading 1/2 of my 1300 albums on a music website.

But like in Godfather III....."every time I try to get out, they......"



DexLab, now that you have HG giving you advice, you'll have more info on DLR than google could deliver.

DexLab, a couple of random thoughts/questions:

- Are you staying on site?
- Will you be getting out of training at 5pm ish (or earlier) any day?
- When do you get in the first day (on Sunday)?
- How much more for a 3 day (or 4 day) park hopper than for a 2 day?
- & to all......Are there any parkhopper "deals" going on in April?

 

[Montigar]

First of all what does Disneyland have that Disney World doesn't.
Indiana Jones and DL's It's a small world is quite a bit bigger, also DL's Pirates IMHO is better than WDW. DL's Toontown is different than WDW, and it has a Roger Rabbit ride that's fun. DL's tiki room is different than WDW. I actually like WDW's better.
If it were me, I would go to DL on Monday and go to California Adventure on Saturday. California Adventure closes before Disneyland and you can usually get back to Disneyland before the fireworks starts. Just my $0.02
I hope you have a great time.

 

[Disney Dreams]

First of all what does Disneyland have that Disney World doesn't.
Indiana Jones and DL's It's a small world is quite a bit bigger, also DL's Pirates IMHO is better than WDW. DL's Toontown is different than WDW, and it has a Roger Rabbit ride that's fun. DL's tiki room is different than WDW. I actually like WDW's better....

Disneyland has more than the above that won't be found at WDW.

- Storybook Land Canal Boats
- Alice in Wonderland
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
- Pinocchio
- Matterhorn
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Indiana Jones
- Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- Tarzan’s Treehouse
- Columbia
- Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Treehouse
- Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin

- Dreams

 

[Boo Bear]

It is absolutely true what everyone says about not having to worry like you do at WDW. I'm not sure about the exact measurements, but it seems like the two park entrances are about the length of a football field or less. I always park hop each and every day that I'm there. I love Disneyland park so much more than California Adventure, but both offer different sorts of things and both are magical. I usually start with Disneyland park and make rounds on my first favorites. This usually consists of getting a fastpass for Space Mountain first thing then I do Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, etc. If you're alone there are also single rider lines for Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain. You just go into the exit. For Indiana Jones, they usually prefer that you ask for a Single Rider pass, which is a piece of paper that just says Single Rider but for Splash Mountain you just stroll into the exit. I'm never worried about waiting long for those rides when I'm alone and never get fastpasses for either. It depends on how much you love parades, but I don't care much for them except for the Celebrate Street party because of the dancing. I grab lunch at Disneyland park, my favorite is the Carnation Cafe's chicken caesar salad. It's a table service meal but I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes without reservations (even on the 4th of July!)

Then I head to California Adventure and get a fastpass for Soarin. If you feel like getting wet, Grizzly River Rapids has a single rider line too. This ride is amazing but lets just say that 80% of the time I exit that ride, I wouldn't be any less soaking if I were to have jumped into a swimming pool in my clothes... hair and all. That's one that I usually do if I'm about to take an afternoon break. California Screamin has a single rider line too so I head to Tower of Terror. It's fantastic, but not even close to the degree of awesomeness as the one at WDW.

IMO, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion are way better at Disneyland than WDW.

Have a great time regardless of what you choose to do!

 

[HydroGuy]

Disneyland has more than the above that won't be found at WDW.

- Storybook Land Canal Boats
- Alice in Wonderland
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
- Pinocchio
- Matterhorn
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Indiana Jones
- Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- Tarzan’s Treehouse
- Columbia
- Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Treehouse
- Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin

- Dreams

It is hard to think of everything since DL is so awesome but I would add:

- Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Remember Dreams Come True fireworks. Best Disney show. Ever.

And then of course DCA's unique rides...

- California Screamin
- Monsters Inc
- GRR
- Animation Studios
- Most of the rides around Paradise Pier (4-6 of them)
- BugLand rides

 

[DLR29]

It is hard to think of everything since DL is so awesome but I would add:

- Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Remember Dreams Come True fireworks. Best Disney show. Ever.

And then of course DCA's unique rides...

- California Screamin
- Monsters Inc
- GRR
- Animation Studios
- Most of the rides around Paradise Pier (4-6 of them)
- BugLand rides

It is hard to think of everything since DL is so awesome but I would add:

-Sleeping Beauty's Castle Walkthrough
-Grand Canyon/Primeval World dioramas on the DLRR
-Monorail (as a ride, not so much transportation)
-Captain EO (right now at least)
Also Buzz, Space, Autopia, and PotC are significantly better than WDW.

And at DCA:
-Mission Tortilla Factory
-Boudin Bakery Tour
-Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
-Aladdin: the Musical
-Disney's Electrical Parade (until late April)

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Wow. Thanks for all the information everyone! My "must do" list is getting really long! I knew that there were a lot of differences between DLR and WDW but I had no idea there were so many! You guys are making me even more excited to go! I just hope I can fit it all in! I think I am up to the task. I am a commando traveler, usually. I will get up early to be at rope drop and stay to the very end.

My husband has just decided to join me on my trip so I'm getting even more excited. He'll be tooling around while I am in training. I said that he could do Disney while I'm busy but he said "No" rather emphatically. I've taken him to WDW but he just doesn't get it. He says that he'd rather be walking through the woods or camping. <sigh> I don't think he'll ever be a convert. I'm just glad he indulges my disney obsession. And he doesn't care if I go to WDW, as long as he doesn't have to go!

DexLab, now that you have HG giving you advice, you'll have more info on DLR than google could deliver.

DexLab, a couple of random thoughts/questions:

- Are you staying on site?
- Will you be getting out of training at 5pm ish (or earlier) any day?
- When do you get in the first day (on Sunday)?
- How much more for a 3 day (or 4 day) park hopper than for a 2 day?
- & to all......Are there any parkhopper "deals" going on in April?

Hound, I won't be staying on site. I have to go through a travel website at work to book everything for my stay and there are "preferred" places (usually a Marriot or Hilton family hotel). There are a few other things I have to consider when I am booking. My boss (and quite a few other people at the company) is going to be seeing my travel plans. He knows that I am going to be taking some extra days to see California but he doesn't know that I am going to be going to Disneyland. He would use it as a mark against me if he knew. He is basically a fun-sucker. Also, I have to pay for the two extra nights at a hotel and now that we have to pay for my husband's flight, we don't have a lot of extra money to spend for the hotel. We'll see. I would like to stay in the Disneyland area. I should do some more research. The training place is only a few miles east of Disney.

The training is scheduled from 9am to 530pm. I don't know if they would let us go any earlier if we went through the material fast enough but I have to assume that I won't be able to get out until 530pm.

Because it is Easter, we'll be flying out Sunday evening, getting to LAX around 7pm.

Right now, I don't think that 3 or 4 day hoppers is an option. My DH has been talking about doing things together when I get out of training and I know he won't want to do Disney more than those two days. I did tell him that we would be going to California again and that this is just a bonus trip and doesn't count. (He often says that he doesn't want to go to a place more than once, there are a lot of other things to see and do in the US.)

I can't wait to leave the cold of Minnesota for the warm California sun!