Disneyland First Timer for a WDW Veteran

[dailydisneyblogpodcast]

I could walk anyone thru a trip to WDW where to eat, stay, and what you cant miss etc. But I have NO CLUE about Disneyland, what should I do? My biggest question is should I skip things that we have at WDW, or should I do them to compare, or skip them to ride things that can only be done at Walt's park? Help please.

 

[DreamTogether]

Do all you can! None of the rides are exactly the same in each place and because you're in Disneyland instead of WDW, you're going to get a completely new experience with each and every attraction you go on.

And I wouldn't try to compare the two parks. Just take each one as they are and enjoy the fact that you can visit both!

 

[JeffBostock]

Do all you can! None of the rides are exactly the same in each place and because you're in Disneyland instead of WDW, you're going to get a completely new experience with each and every attraction you go on.

And I wouldn't try to compare the two parks. Just take each one as they are and enjoy the fact that you can visit both!

Definitely visit the same attractions that WDW has because many of them are different. TSMM and Soarin are pretty much the same but with under a 25 minute wait usually. You could skip Bugs Life. Really depends on how many days you plan to spend there. You could do nearly everything in 3 days. Just don't miss RSR. If you have time visit the Disneyland Hotel and go to Trader Sam's. But as far as a park strategy is concerned, I would pay for a subscription to Touring Plans so you can use the DL version of Lines. Since they use the old fastpass system I think the wait times predicted at DL are highly accurate and I was able to do almost all attractions at both parks in 2 days. Of course that is without taking many breaks though.

I'd recommend Carthay Circle at DCA. I did the World of Color dining package. It worked out well but try to get to the viewing area at the start of the designated arrival time. I made the mistake of trying to squeeze in one more attraction before it started and when we got there the crowd was huge and we ended up being in the back part the viewing area.

The new Paint the Night parade is amazing. Also be aware the fireworks there get cancelled sometimes due to high winds at higher elevations. It's because they don't want hot shells blowing on rooftops of homes nearby. The Anaheim Fire Dept is who regulates this I believe. So check the weather forecast and look at predicted winds. Go to DL on a day where the wind speed is lower if you want to see the fireworks. On my most recent trip to So Cal, we only planned on spending 2 days in the parks and unfortunately on the day we visited DL, they cancelled the fireworks and the reported winds were only 8 mph according to WeatherBug.

Hope you have a great trip. You'll love it!

 

[TP2000]

I could walk anyone thru a trip to WDW where to eat, stay, and what you cant miss etc. But I have NO CLUE about Disneyland, what should I do? My biggest question is should I skip things that we have at WDW, or should I do them to compare, or skip them to ride things that can only be done at Walt's park? Help please.

There's an entire thread dedicated to that topic, in addition to all the other threads started here in summer by folks like you.

You really should start here, and then stay there for specific questions related to your own personal plans/desires/needs. It will be very helpful to you: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/guide-to-dlr-for-wdw-veterans.875596/

 

[dailydisneyblogpodcast]

Definitely visit the same attractions that WDW has because many of them are different. TSMM and Soarin are pretty much the same but with under a 25 minute wait usually. You could skip Bugs Life. Really depends on how many days you plan to spend there. You could do nearly everything in 3 days. Just don't miss RSR. If you have time visit the Disneyland Hotel and go to Trader Sam's. But as far as a park strategy is concerned, I would pay for a subscription to Touring Plans so you can use the DL version of Lines. Since they use the old fastpass system I think the wait times predicted at DL are highly accurate and I was able to do almost all attractions at both parks in 2 days. Of course that is without taking many breaks though.

I'd recommend Carthay Circle at DCA. I did the World of Color dining package. It worked out well but try to get to the viewing area at the start of the designated arrival time. I made the mistake of trying to squeeze in one more attraction before it started and when we got there the crowd was huge and we ended up being in the back part the viewing area.

The new Paint the Night parade is amazing. Also be aware the fireworks there get cancelled sometimes due to high winds at higher elevations. It's because they don't want hot shells blowing on rooftops of homes nearby. The Anaheim Fire Dept is who regulates this I believe. So check the weather forecast and look at predicted winds. Go to DL on a day where the wind speed is lower if you want to see the fireworks. On my most recent trip to So Cal, we only planned on spending 2 days in the parks and unfortunately on the day we visited DL, they cancelled the fireworks and the reported winds were only 8 mph according to WeatherBug.

Hope you have a great trip. You'll love it!

Thank you so much for the advice, I am spending at least 5 maybe six days, I know its a lot but I have no idea when the next time I will be there will be, so I am going all in!

 

[Californian Elitist]

If you're planning to spend multiple days at the parks, it would make more sense to just do everything instead of skipping attractions.

 

[croboy82]

If you are going to spend at least 5 days you'll have enough time to see everything so just do that

And most important: You barely have to plan anything, jump in and enjoy!

 

[JillC LI]

5 days or more at DLR is a a LOT. You can do so much there in 3-4 days, and then use those extra days to tour the LA area.
We went to DLR for the first time in 2014, and we spent one full day in each park. I can't say we did everything, but we did everything that we wanted to do, and that was a lot. Don't misses in my mind include POC, BTMRR, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Matterhorn at DL; and RSR and WOC at DCA, but there are so many others. Counter-service food at DLR is MUCH better and more varied than at WDW.

 

[UofMGuy423]

The one thing that blew me away is DLR's size compared to WDW's. It's considerably easier to walk between attractions and cover the entire resort without having to coordinate travel to other parks, etc. You can do so much at DLR in a short amount of time simply by being able to cut out all the travel when compared to WDW. DLR does a great job by condensing and layering everything, while WDW takes advantage of its space and spreads everything out.