Disneyland help!

[scrappurple]

Ok, it has been 17 years since dh and I have been at Disnyland. The girls have never gone. We just surprised them that we are going today! That was fun! Soooooooo, what are your tips/tricks/etc. Let me know because I really have no idea what I am doing.

[Traci Reed]

when are you going? we're going over Halloween

[scrappurple]

23rd-25th of April.

[Traci Reed]

waaaaaaaaaaaaaah

[scrappurple]

I know right? But I think my kids would kill JIm and I if we waited that long!

[eranslow]

Get the park hopper. Ummm....check out dinner reservations. I've never made reservations down in DL - we always ate at the quick service restaurants.

I love Disneyland - that's where DH proposed

You guys are going to have a ball! Especially since your girls are older - no lugging around of strollers and diaper bags.

[Txcorey]

We are heading back there in october. We went three years ago. My biggest tip is to buy the unofficial guide to Disneyland and to get to the parks about 30 minutes before they open.

[scrappurple]

Originally Posted by eranslow

Get the park hopper. Ummm....check out dinner reservations. I've never made reservations down in DL - we always ate at the quick service restaurants.

I love Disneyland - that's where DH proposed

You guys are going to have a ball! Especially since your girls are older - no lugging around of strollers and diaper bags.

Ahhhh! ONe of the reasons we waited so long (besides not having the$) was because I did't want the stroller thing.

Originally Posted by Txcorey

We are heading back there in october. We went three years ago. My biggest tip is to buy the unofficial guide to Disneyland and to get to the parks about 30 minutes before they open.

Good idea ... TY!

[nesser1981]

go to the disboards.com and check out the Disneyland forum.

That'll give you some quick information. I've never been to Disneyland, but we did Disneyworld in March for Keira's Make a Wish Trip, I found lots of fantastic information on the DISboards.

[scrappurple]

Ooooooh! That is a good one ... thanks Vanessa!

[nesser1981]

Originally Posted by scrappurple

Ooooooh! That is a good one ... thanks Vanessa!

No problem, those boards get way addicting though. LOL!

[jaylensmom]

Definitely check out the disboards. It helped me on my trip to DL a few years ago. If you get the early entry definitely hit It's A Small World first (I think that's where Dumbo is). There are a few rides that have long lines even during early entry. The people on the disboards can tell you which rides you should hit first. Fast pass if the lines are too long. We went during a time when we didn't really need to fast pass.

[eranslow]

I know every time we went, we would go rIght when the park opened and rush over to the Indiana jones ride. Then hit up the rides over in frontier land. I could be wrong but I don't think the matterhorn has fast pass so that might be one to hit up right away. That line can get pretty crazy. That's all I can think of now - i'll let you know if I can think of anything else

Oh - and I am totally jealous! Disneyland is so fun!

[gracelikerain]

I'll be watching this thread because we're going to Disneyland for the first time next week, too! I've got to checkout those disboards. Thanks for the info

[k23m]

I've been to Disneyland 4 times (always with big groups of teenagers - ie. 3-4 busloads LOL and always over Easter break). I would definitely make a plan - what rides/attractions you want to hit, and do those first. And I would do Disneyland one day and then California Adventure (the park on the other side) on the 2nd day.
Plan to stay all day - or if you need a break and are staying close by, take a couple hours in the afternoon to go and rest), and plan to watch the parade and fireworks - and the Fantasmic Show (I can't remember if that is exactly what it is called, but it was my FAVORITE). Its on the little lake in the 'new orleans' area.
Sorry I cant remember the names of everything! Its been about 6 years since I've been. I miss it SO much!! We can't wait to take our kids...we are also waiting for the stroller season to be done...and the $$!
My favorite ride was Indiana Jones. Even standing in the lineup is cool! Everything is just awesome at DL, period!

[Nettio]

Eee, so excited for you! I love Disneyland, even more than Disneyworld.

Since you're going on weekdays during a non-holiday week, I don't think it'll be overly crowded so you may not need Fastpass other than for the really popular rides like Space Mountain, Star Tours (newly redesigned), Splash Mountain (if it's hot), Indiana Jones. If you have a smart phone, there are apps people update with wait times for all the rides which can be helpful to see how long the waits are without having to run all over the park. (I used Mousewait last time I went.) The Matterhorn doesn't have Fastpass but don't let the line wrapping around the back of the mountain scare you - it moves quickly especially if both sides are open (although the left side is the best ).

If you're going to California Adventure, they have a new show called World of Color which has a Showpass system for tickets to it. I haven't been since they installed it but you might want to look into it since it's supposed to be a neat show.

I'm sure there's more but if you go to disboards, they'll have more than enough info for you.

[scrappurple]

Loving the info!!! Keep it comin'!

[Leontine78]

What's the difference between Disneyworld and Disneyland? I would love to go someday in America. We only have Paris which is probably tiny Disneyland hahha.....and now I want to wait untill the baby is old enough to walk on his own.....like six or seven? Hahaha

[scrappurple]

Disneyworld in in Florida and Disneyland is in California. Other than that, not sure.

[Nettio]

Originally Posted by scrappurple

Disneyworld in in Florida and Disneyland is in California. Other than that, not sure.

Disneyland is the original and there are 2 parks there: Disneyland and California Adventure. Disneyworld is a giant resort and includes 4 parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom) plus tons of hotels, restaurants, etc.