First Timer (and possibly only timer)

[Dinardo]

Back Story:

My family goes to WDW every year for the past 7 years. Since my new job calls for constant travel, I find myself with enough SkyMiles for 4 guests (the size of my family, what a coincidence) as well as enough Marriott points for a week's stay at a the Residence Inn down the street from DLR.

We booked our room, about to book our flights and will eventually purchase tickets to the parks.

My question is: What are the "don't miss" attractions/restaurants?

My personal "don't miss" are, of course, the things you don't see at WDW - Pinocchio, Toad, Longer POTC, Matterhorn (should have mentioned this first). What else should we not miss (aside from CarsLand)?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

World of Color, New Orleans Square

 

[Hakunamatata]

World of Color

This!

 

[Californian Elitist]

INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE: TEMPLE OF THE FORBIDDEN EYE

I put it in caps to be very clear. The most impressive attraction in Disneyland. You can't miss it.

Toontown, specifically Roger Rabbit
Space Mountain
Alice in Wonderland (Disneyland is the only Disney park with an Alice in Wonderland ride)
Storybook Land Boat Canals
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through
Snow White, since it's gone from MK now
Main Street Vehicles
Make sure to take a look at the light in Walt's apartment window on Main Street. A very special feeling.
Eat a Dole Whip while watching the Tiki Room (it's allowed and encouraged at Disneyland)
New Orleans Square
Fantasmic!
Soundsational Parade
Depending on what time you go, Mickey and the Magical Map (new show opening this summer)
California Screamin'
Silly Symphony Swings (personal favorite of mine)
Mickey's Fun Wheel (Disneyland fans have nicknamed this ride "Mickey's Death Wheel". Without a doubt, the swinging gondolas on this Ferris wheel make it the most terrifying ride in the entire resort. Everyone should try it at least once.).
Buena Vista Street
Red Car Trolley
Monster's Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue

Do anything else you'd like to do! You'll be there for a week, that's plenty of time to do everything.

Eateries:

Plaza Inn
Carnation Cafe
Red Wagon for corn dogs
French Market
Cafe Orleans
Hungry Bear (not for the food (though the food is good), but for the ambiance)
Rancho Del Zocalo
Blue Bayou
Flo's in Cars Land

 

[wild01ride]

World of Color

This!

x2...without a doubt!

 

[wild01ride]

INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE: TEMPLE OF THE FORBIDDEN EYE

While I don't necessarily vote this as my top DLR attraction, I must agree that it is an amazing one.
Furthermore, although the layout is the same as DINOSAUR!, it is far better executed with a far better story/theme in my opinion.
Definitely don't miss it!

 

[croboy82]

Indiana Jones is a really good ride yes!

If you like roller coasters check out californias screaming too. It's fun but very fast!

Also the sleeping beauty walkthrough. its short but quite interesting and def. something for your kids too!

 

[TP2000]

Hopefully you can also get a rental car and explore Southern California for a day or two inbetween Disneyland visits. Anaheim is perfectly situated as a base camp, and many amazing and unique things are all within a 30 to 90 minute drive of Anaheim.

Laguna Beach, for the perfect SoCal swanky beach town
Huntington Beach, for the perfect SoCal surfer scene
San Diego, for the original Sea World and their world famous zoo and fabulous beaches and dining and shopping
Palm Springs, for stylish dessert digs and the fantastic revolving Aerial Tramway ride up the mountain from town
Los Angeles, for some of the countries best and most lavish museums and cultural offerings; The Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, La Brea Tarpits, LACMA, Petersen Automotive Museum, etc.
Hollywood, for just being Hollywood
Plus the usual theme parks; Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm, etc.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I can't beleive I didn't put Indiana Jones in my post! I know it has the same layout as Dinosaur in AK but I am much more interested in Indiana Jones so it is must do in my book.

 

[AswaySuller]

Personally.... I think world of colour is over rated....

For me do not miss:

Space mountain and POTC drastically different and better than the Florida counter parts
Indianna jones and the temple of the forbidden eye
Radiator springs racers for sure... The best disney attraction built since.... TOT
Matterhorn....

I would say the Disneyland railroad too... That's quite different and really cute.

 

[AswaySuller]

Oh and make sure you see the fireworks and fantasmic too fantasmic on the rivers of America with Murphy the dragon is great.

 

[ImagineerDude]

World of Color! Fantasmic! And Soundsational Parade! DL has much better live entertainment than WDW

 

[croboy82]

When are you going? If its open and warm enough also enjoy grizzly river it's fun and you can get really wet (also something for the whole family)

 

[taz0162]

Back Story:

My family goes to WDW every year for the past 7 years. Since my new job calls for constant travel, I find myself with enough SkyMiles for 4 guests (the size of my family, what a coincidence) as well as enough Marriott points for a week's stay at a the Residence Inn down the street from DLR.

We booked our room, about to book our flights and will eventually purchase tickets to the parks.

My question is: What are the "don't miss" attractions/restaurants?

My personal "don't miss" are, of course, the things you don't see at WDW - Pinocchio, Toad, Longer POTC, Matterhorn (should have mentioned this first). What else should we not miss (aside from CarsLand)?

We're in a similar situation with my Wife's Cousin getting married in California we will also be hitting DL & DCA for 2-3 days. Nothing booked yet but starting hitting the research heavy now. WDW was easier to plan with having several previous trips. DL & DCA I'm finding to be alot different. smaller park = longer lines. 3 Disney Resorts to choose from but...local area hotels and resorts that can be booked through Disney's website.

 

[croboy82]

If you don't really need to stay in a disney hotel I really reccomend you to chose an area hotel. MUCH cheaper and not far away.

We stayed at the Howard Johnson which is one of the farest and it took us about 10 minutes

 

[Californian Elitist]

Smaller park = longer lines.

This isn't true, especially during non-peak season. The only ride I can think of that usually pulls in longer wait times is Star Tours, and that's due to the park it's in and its capacity.