Returning to DLR for the first time since 2009

[ShoalFox]

As part of a larger trip to California, in August I'll be making my third trip to Disneyland! Having not gone in 7 years, I know a lot has changed, so I'll be looking forward to everything. The first time I was at DLR was 2007, so it was before the DCA renovation, and the last time in 2009 was mid-renovation. I will fly in with my family at the beginning of August, and spend that night at DCA before checking into the Disneyland Hotel. Then I plan on spending the next day at Disneyland before spending another night in the hotel and moving on to Los Angeles the next day. I have one question about Disneyland itself: is Hyperspace Mountain permanent? I really like the on-board audio you have at regular Space Mountain and I'd really like to hear it once more. My questions for DCA are really just looking for suggestions. What are the best changes at the park in the 7 years I've missed?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Curious Constance]

I don't know if Hyperspace Mountain is permanent, but I highly suspect it'll still be around when you visit in August. As others much more knowledgable than myself ( @GiveMeTheMusic ) have stated, it's very popular and likely to be around until Star Wars Land itself is opened.

 

[TP2000]

Assuming you will only have two hours in DCA on your first evening... Walk into DCA via the front gate and spend 15 minutes looking at Buena Vista Street. Then jump on Radiator Springs Racers via Single Rider and explore Cars Land a bit. You won't have gotten there in time to get a Fastpass for World of Color, but you could watch it from the sidelines at the end of the night. Walk around Paradise Pier and out through Grizzly Peak Airfield to take in the changes there.

You will be missing out on 20+ other operating rides in DCA if you only do Racers and maybe Luigi's or Mater's rides in Cars Land. But unlike the secondary parks in WDW that only have five to eight actual rides, DCA is packed full of dozens of rides and shows and attractions that you will have to miss out on.

Books and wdwmagic.com forum threads and entire websites have been devoted to tackling Disneyland in only one day. Good luck to you on that! But focus on the non-WDW rides and you should at least get in a dozen or so rides out of Disneyland's 40+ operating rides this August. Also pick a few rides that are dramatically different and upgraded from their WDW clones, like Space Mountain, Peter Pan's Flight (redone and upgraded in 2015), Jungle Cruise (just reopened after five months of rehab with all new audio and effects and animatronics), Pirates, etc.

The Railroad and Rivers of America are closed this year for Star Wars construction, so you don't have to worry about those. And Fantasmic! is closed for 18 months for Star Wars, returning in an upgraded format for the summer of 2017.

 

[Figments Friend]

I concur with TPs suggestion -

Focus on the elements that are unique to Disneyland itself, and the many Attractions that far exceed WDWs versions.



My personal recommendations for absolute ' must experiences' -

Disneyland Park :

Indiana Jones Adventure ( absolute awesomeness. Walk the entire queue!)

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ( better out West...Yee haw! )

Matterhorn Bobsleds ( right track more intense, left track more smooth and scenic)

The original, and iconic, Enchanted Tiki Room.
Pineapple product in hand a must while watching the Show.

Splash Mountain ( very different from WDW, and faster perceived final plunge )

Pirates of the Caribbean ( far superior at DL )

Space / 'Hyperspace' Mountain. ( unique )

Fantasyland in general, but exspecially Toad and Alice in Wonderland.

Submarine Voyage ( nighttime sees much shorter lines )

The Haunted Mansion ( different then WDWs version )

Roger Rabbits Cartoon Spin ( wacky fun )

World famous original 'Jungle Cruise' ...just because it's a DL classic.

Live / staged entertainment. ( all live performance offerings are worth watching )

Both parades ( Soundsational and Paint the Night )

Fireworks presentation ( Disneyland Forever )




DCA :

Radiator Springs Racers, and Cars Land in general.

Soarin' ( new film in place by the time you visit )

Grizzly River Rapids ( fun and scenic ...way better then WDWs Kali River )

Live / staged entertainment ( well worth investing time in enjoying )

Day Parade and nightly 'World of Color'.






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