Worth Going to DL First Night for a Couple of Hours?

[Alt5706]

My husband and I are taking our first DL trip in the first week of December.
We don't arrive at the airport in LA until around 7:30pm on our first night (Saturday) and then there's the drive to the hotel, check-in, etc.
Is it worth going to Disneyland the first night for just a couple of hours or should we start our 5 day passes the next morning and maybe just go to Downtown Disney on the first night?
I'm assuming by going to Disneyland the first night, this would use up one of our 5 days?
Thanks for the info!

 

[elaw]

My husband and I are taking our first DL trip in the first week of December.
We don't arrive at the airport in LA until around 7:30pm on our first night (Saturday) and then there's the drive to the hotel, check-in, etc.
Is it worth going to Disneyland the first night for just a couple of hours or should we start our 5 day passes the next morning and maybe just go to Downtown Disney on the first night?
I'm assuming by going to Disneyland the first night, this would use up one of our 5 days?
Thanks for the info!

I would suggest waiting til the next day, get some sleep and take advantage of the Early Entry in DCA that morning.

 

[ParkHopper1]

If it gonna eat up one of your full days on your passes...don't blow it for a few hours. Go do a nice dinner or character dinner at one of the resort hotels and shop around DTD.

 

[Disney Dreams]

If you have an extra day on your trip compared to the number of days your pass is good for, sure go in on your arrival evening. If not, save the day. Go hang out in Downtown Disney or check out the hotels, as suggested above.

- Dreams

 

[figment_jii]

Yes, any entry into Disneyland on the first night would count as one of your 5 days - no matter how many hours it is used for. Personally, I go in as soon as I arrive whenever possible. So if you have an "extra" day, then I would go in. However if you have 5 full days already planned, I'd not go in the first night. There is a lot to do at DTD.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I am weird in that I prefer my first glimpse of the park to be in the morning...with mainstreet all sprayed down and shiny clean, the cast members waving "Good morning" down main street, the cool crisp air and the energy and excitement of everyone waiting for the gates to open...a warm cinnamon roll from the bakery after hitting a few rides- pure magic . I hate entering for the first time midday. Enjoy DTD, go to Ralph Brennans and sit up on the balcony for dinner and people watch.

 

[Alt5706]

Thank you so much for the replies.
I think we'll just wait and do DTD and rest up for the next morning!!
So excited!!