WOW - Surprise visit in July - Help!

[prmatz]

Totally unexpectedly, I found out I have a work trip to Anaheim in July - WOW & horray! I will have 3 days about 5:00-close, 1 full day (Sunday), 1 day about 11:00-close. Suggestions on park days? First time visitor to DisneyCA (just beginning my research - this was totally out of the blue), been to WDW a couple of times in the last few years. I anticipate I won't be able to get FP for some of the rides I most want (RSR/Soarin), but perhaps I'll have some single rider luck. Would appreciate ANY and all thoughts on what parks to visit and which days. Off to buy a guidebook!

 

[figment_jii]

Are you getting a park hopper?

Off to buy a guidebook!

Rather than buy a guide book, I would go to your local library and borrow one. Guide books can be fun, but their information becomes out of date so quickly these days!

 

[goooof1]

Get a park hopper. Flexibility is worth it's weight in gold! Fast passes and single rider will be your friend.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Even if you're not exactly a WDW veteran, this thread can be really helpful: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[ADLFAN]

Yay! You're going to fall in love with Disneyland!

Definitely start browsing the guidebook, my favorite is the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. A new edition comes out every year, so look for the 2016 edition for the most up to date information.

I would also recommend downloading the official Disneyland app and start checking out the map and restaurant locations along with typical wait times and Fastpass return times for the rides you'll want to hit. That way you'll have an idea what you should shoot for as soon as you arrive in either park as far as Fastpasses. In California Adventure for example, California Screamin usually moves their standby line pretty quickly and Fastpasses last well into the afternoon. RSR and the new Soarin will run out within the first few hours. But you can snag those during your full day, both rides are super worth the effort! In Disneyland, FP'S usually run out first for Hyperspace Mountain, but they'll last a lot later for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

I would also recommend the park Hopper tickets because it is super easy to get back and forth and you can vary your nighttime entertainment and you don't have to be tied to one park all day.

Have fun planning!!

 

[prmatz]

Thanks I appreciate the thoughts! Super excited!