1st Disneyland trip :April 29-May 5

[StarWarsGirl]

Have booked our families' first trip to Disneyland....will arrive the evening of April 29th and depart the morning of May 5th. Living in the southeast and usually going to WDW...there always seems to be ample info for trip planning but I am finding it difficult to find the same amount of info on planning for DL. Can anyone offer info on where I may look?
Are 4 days enough for the 2 parks?
Is it possible to work in a Hollywood tour and not cheat ourselves of time needed for the parks?
When are May park hours and events announced?
When can dining reservations be booked?
What are some of the true Disneyland /DCA experiences that must be experienced that may not be well known?

We are 2 adults and a 5yr old boy....
Any thoughts will be appreciated !

Hey, you're leaving on my birthday!

Anyway...
There is an Adventures by Disney Tour that goes to Hollywood plus the Disney studios. I forget how much it is, but it includes lunch, so it's a bargain. And it's Disney, so it should be pretty good. I believe it includes transportation as well.
4 days should be enough. We're going in June and are planning 5 days in the park. It just depends. I recommend a hopper. It's very easy to park hop when they're only 100 yards apart.

As far as planning, I recommend a guidebook. You can either check them out of the library or buy them. This one has coupons inside if you buy it and mainly provides maps and a general outline. This one is unofficial, but it provides fair opinions based on guest experiences. We have both and both are worth a read. The maps are especially helpful since they layouts are different. Even though MK is based off of DLP, the two have somewhat different layouts. Pirates is next to Haunted Mansion is next to Splash Mountain. The guidebooks may also help you decide if you want to go for 4 days or 5.

I believe we already have our June dining reservations, so you should be able to make them now.

 

[Figments Friend]

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Some great suggestions here...exspecially the dining options with photos. Nice !
I know where i will be going this next visit...



Another long time WDW vet....EPCOT fan here.
My first visit to DL was in May of 2007, and i loved it. The *size issue* that i had so many people tell me in the years leading up to my first visit disapeared almost immediately once i saw how uber-detailed the Park was. It blew me away how awesome the outer building facades were in the DL FantasyLand. The theming of Snow White*s Scary Adventures and Mr. Toad*s Wild Ride were nothing short of fantastic.
DL as a whole Park was like a super concentrated version of WDW, with a dash of nostalgia tossed in for good measure. Many attractions are unique to DL only, and the vibe at the Park is different. Less hurried..more relaxing.
At that time i was not overly thrilled with DCA ( 1.0 version at that time ). I found that Park to be dissapointing as many did at that time, but it has had a complete turnaround now and is definately now a step up.

Both properties, West and East Coast, are stunning and wonderful in their own respects...but DisneyLand is indeed something special that every red-blooded fan of Walt and Theme Parks in general should visit at least once in their lifetime. It is well worth it..!

 

[Reade's Dad]

Does anyone have the crowd predictions for April 29-May 4? Thanks!

 

[shipley731]

Does anyone have the crowd predictions for April 29-May 4? Thanks!

From Touring Plans:

Mon, April 29, 2013 3 out of 10 4.4 2.7
Tue, April 30, 2013 4 out of 10 5.3 2.6
Date Resort Disneyland DCA AP Blockouts Notes
Wed, May 1, 2013 2 out of 10 2.7 2.1
Thu, May 2, 2013 4 out of 10 4.4 3.1
Fri, May 3, 2013 5 out of 10 4.9 4.6
Sat, May 4, 2013 7 out of 10 7.9 4.1 SL SC DX
Sun, May 5, 2013 8 out of 10 7.9 8.0 SL Cinco De Mayo

 

[Reade's Dad]

Thank you shipley731! What does the AP blackout notes mean? Also what is the 4.4 & 2.7 figures mean?

 

[pmaljr]

I've been on over 26 trips from SC to WDW since I was a kid and the one trip we were lucky to make to DLR in 5/2010 still has me wishing we would have stayed longer. We were only there 5 days and stayed at an off-site hotel on S. Harbour Blvd, across the street from the bus entrance. It was only a 5 minute walk to the parks. Fantasyland at DLR is almost worth the entire trip alone. It's so much better to me and you won't believe how much they can cram in that little space. You also won't believe how much better the quality of the attractions are. Pirates, the Indy ride, World of Color, Soarin', Disneyland Railroad, the Tiki Room, Space Mountain, I could go on and on but they are must do experiences. Monsters Inc and Roger Rabbit are cool attractions as well. Mickey's Toontown in DLR is how the WDW version should have been. There's just so many wonderful experiences to be had. You'll have a blast. I missed some of the stuff at Epcot a little too but you will love it at DLR. As far as restaurants, it's not near the same experience as at WDW with the number of places to choose from, but we loved the Blue Bayou and the Monte Cristo (prices are expensive), the Rancho Mexican place in Frontierland, and some of the others that @raven24 mentioned. I agree with him that those are the best places to eat. Don't miss Fantasmic and if you want to splurge, get the dessert package as you actually get a seat to watch the show that you wouldn't get normally. At DLR, Fantasmic is better but it is located in the Rivers of America and is mostly a find a spot and sit on the ground/stand up experience. So, to us, it was worth the money for the dessert package. We didn't like one place in particular, Ariel's Grotto character dining in DCA, as it seemed too loud and the food wasn't that great. Carsland was not open yet when we visited so that is a great reason for us to go back, other than the reasons I mentioned above. It's just an expensive flight across country for us ...

 

[shipley731]

Thank you shipley731! What does the AP blackout notes mean? Also what is the 4.4 & 2.7 figures mean?

Disneyland has several different types of Annual Passes that are blacked out on certain days. On May 4, all AP's are blacked out except the Premium Annual Passport. On May 5th the Southern California Select AP's are blacked out. As for the numbers - 3 out of 10 is for the resort overall on 4/29; 4.4 is the crowd level for DL on 4/29; 2.7 is the crowd level for DCA on 4/29. same format follows for the rest of the days. (Format didn't copy over well.)

 

[lego606]

Hey, you're leaving on my birthday!

Anyway...
There is an Adventures by Disney Tour that goes to Hollywood plus the Disney studios. I forget how much it is, but it includes lunch, so it's a bargain. And it's Disney, so it should be pretty good. I believe it includes transportation as well.
4 days should be enough. We're going in June and are planning 5 days in the park. It just depends. I recommend a hopper. It's very easy to park hop when they're only 100 yards apart.

Ah, Backstage Magic. I liked that one. That'll run ya about 2-3 grand per person, unless you're in D23, then it's $300 less.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Ah, Backstage Magic. I liked that one. That'll run ya about 2-3 grand per person, unless you're in D23, then it's $300 less.

No, not that one. They actually got rid of the one I was talking about. They cancelled on my dad a few weeks ago. That one was only about $300 per person and DVC/passholders got a discount. It's unfortunate...

 

[lego606]

No, not that one. They actually got rid of the one I was talking about. They cancelled on my dad a few weeks ago. That one was only about $300 per person and DVC/passholders got a discount. It's unfortunate...

Oh that one-day one in the Hollywood area? Lights Camera Magic... I think? Wow, that tour lasted all of 6 months.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Oh that one-day one in the Hollywood area? Lights Camera Magic... I think? Wow, that tour lasted all of 6 months.

Yup, that one. Wonder why they got rid of it...

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yup, that one. Wonder why they got rid of it...

It wasn't getting much business.

 

[Magenta Panther]

I don't see how any Disney fan could be disappointed in the only park Walt Disney built, seriously. Disneyland is very classy and its guests appreciate the park very much and hold it up to a standard. I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. Your kids are the perfect age for the Disneyland Resort. You don't have to worry about park hopping, since the two parks are very close to each other (from one gate, it takes about 30 seconds to 60 seconds to walk to the other gate). I've heard people say the Disneyland Resort is much easier for little kids. They will absolutely love Cars Land, Fantasyland, Toontown and the other parts of the two parks, but especially those parts.

And, may I add, that Disneyland has an intimacy and sparkle that WDW currently lacks. You'll feel like Walt still runs the place. That's the best thing about it IMO. Have fun!

 

[thomas998]

An early welcome to the Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland Resort is not like WDW, in that it's not that total vacation experience you'd receive from WDW. Many tourists visit WDW, while Disneyland's main guests are Californians/Westerners/locals. There's no need to post park hours and schedules months in advance and things like that. Many of the guests you'll see during your trip will probably have just gotten off from work and will hit up the park for a few hours. Not like WDW at all. This is the reason you're finding planning a little hard... There's almost no need to plan at all. It's your WDW training that's sort of getting in the way, but you'll be fine. In case you still want to seriously plan, I recommend this link for WDW vets visiting DL for the first time: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I, along as a few other people here, are Disneyland vets so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

I recommend five days for the parks, but four is good, too. If you're planning on seeing Hollywood, I'd leave a whole day for that. Since this is your first time to DLR, you're going to need all four days.

The May park hours will most likely be posted either next month or March.

Dining reservations can be booked starting 60 days before you arrive. 99% of the time, you don't need reservations at all, especially during non-peak seasons, which is when you're going. Walk-ups are more common and more of the norm at Disneyland. Since you've never been, I suggest you make a reservations, just so you'll feel more comfortable.

Experiences:

Main Street vehicles
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Boat Canals
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through
Eat a Dole Whip during a showing of The Tiki Room (it's allowed, no worries)
Disneyland Railroad
Toontown
New Orleans Square
Main Street Cinema (showcases six classic Mickey Mouse cartoons)
Main Street Musical Chairs with Alice and Hatter (Sometimes with another character, too. Your five-year old would have fun)



Silly Symphony Swings (lots of fun)
Blue Sky Cellar (maybe)
Monster's Inc
A Bug's Land (for your five-year old)
Buena Vista Street
Red Car Trolley

Let us know if you have more questions!

Hey you left off a couple of things they shouldn't miss... Indy's Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, Mr Toads Wild Ride, Finding Nemo Submarines and if you want to ride in the front of the Monorail Disneyland still allows it unlike WDW. Not sure if I'd bother with Sleeping Beauty Castle.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Hey you left off a couple of things they shouldn't miss... Indy's Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, Mr Toads Wild Ride, Finding Nemo Submarines and if you want to ride in the front of the Monorail Disneyland still allows it unlike WDW. Not sure if I'd bother with Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Well I didn't include most of the ones you mentioned because they're givens. Except maybe the Subs but I've never really bothered with that ride, as the underwater part kind of scares me. The walk-through is something you won't find in Florida. I think it's worth checking out.

 

[Reade's Dad]

Need a little more advice.....our trip will put us at the parks on Tuesday -Friday....looks like from Tourning website they are rank 2 out of 10 Tuesday - Thursday and Friday is a 7 out of 10..... At Disney world we plan which parks on which day according to crowd predications. Any suggestions on which Disneyland parks on which days?
My main concern is from reading posts is that Carsland is always packed.....and my son is Cars lover...and we want to be able to enjoy all the parts of it and not wait in lines for hours....thanks for any suggestions in planning this.
Our family is so excited about our first trip to Disneyland...we just want to get all confused and tied up trying to figure everything out when we arrive.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

Need a little more advice.....our trip will put us at the parks on Tuesday -Friday....looks like from Tourning website they are rank 2 out of 10 Tuesday - Thursday and Friday is a 7 out of 10..... At Disney world we plan which parks on which day according to crowd predications. Any suggestions on which Disneyland parks on which days?
My main concern is from reading posts is that Carsland is always packed.....and my son is Cars lover...and we want to be able to enjoy all the parts of it and not wait in lines for hours....thanks for any suggestions in planning this.
Our family is so excited about our first trip to Disneyland...we just want to get all confused and tied up trying to figure everything out when we arrive.

Haven't actually visited yet, but what I did was plan our days around the Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour schedule. We're staying at Disney hotels, so we're planning to start our days in the parks that have them. Magic Mornings are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday in Disneyland. Extra Magic Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday at DCA. But if you're not staying in a Disney hotel, maybe plan to start your day in the park without an early entry.

Then just plan at least one night for World of Color, and do fireworks and/or Fantasmic on Friday.

 

[englanddg]

Hey you left off a couple of things they shouldn't miss... Indy's Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, Mr Toads Wild Ride, Finding Nemo Submarines and if you want to ride in the front of the Monorail Disneyland still allows it unlike WDW. Not sure if I'd bother with Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Sleeping Beauty Castle is worth a walkthrough, and it doesn't take very long. I wouldn't wait in a line for it, but if you see that there is no wait (which, there shouldn't be), it's worth checking out.

 

[croboy82]

Any suggestions on which Disneyland parks on which days?
My main concern is from reading posts is that Carsland is always packed.....and my son is Cars lover...and we want to be able to enjoy all the parts of it and not wait in lines for hours....thanks for any suggestions in planning this.

Most of all you need to know that both parks are just a few minutes away from each other. So get park hopper tickets so you can hopp between both all the time.

Carsland is always very packed so go there on Thursday 30 minutes before the park opens and get fastpasses. That's the most important part. Then you can walk to Carsland and try to get on the ride or wait for your fastpass.

Oh and the fast passes are not IN Carsland, they are in buggsland at the begininig, you will see it though (just look where lots of people are waiting haha)

 

[Reade's Dad]

In planning activities around fireworks and Fantasmic....I am not finding times list for those on the calendar april30-may 3... Can anyone provide this info? Thanks