short trip planned and need some help!!!

[accord99cutie]

My DH has been in San Diego for work since the beginning of August, and I am going to fly out there the 2nd of Oct to visit for the weekend! I am sooo happy to see him after such a long time, but what makes me EVEN happier is that we are gonna make a trip to Disneyland!!! I went right after I graduated HS with my HS band and we were in a parade for Magic Music Days, but i realyl have no memory of the trip, even though it was only 6 yrs ago! So, basically, I am CLUELESS when it comes to Disneyland! I am such a planner, and I know most of WDW inside and out and can utilize fast pass and tour the parks extremely well, so going to DL is gonna be quite a change for me! We are not sure yet if we will be doing 1 or 2 days in the parks, so figuring only one day, but with the hopper, I need ideas on things we absolutely have to do, things we should try to if we have time, and then things that arent worth our time. Ive been loking at the maps, and checking hours, but I really dont have any idea where to start with touring! So if anyone has any must dos polease let me know! also any tips on how to get more done etc would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks everyone!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Well, you definately have to do the Matterhorn, & Indiana Jones and Pirates and Space Mt (as they are quiet different than WDW). Oh and ride one of the ride vehicles down Main Street. I can't really say that the Nemo subs were that great (long line and cramped), but if the line was short enough you may want to do it.

For food I would recomend a snack at the Bengal BBQ place (share a skewer), lunch or dinner at Blue Bayou (monte cristos are good and it is fun to eat "inside" Pirates), and the Mexican restaurant was good too.

A lot of DCA is under construction so that might be a little disappointing. I would plan on a full day at Disneyland and maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of a day at DCA. Go early! Sometimes Disneyland opens earlier than DCA so you could go in there for a bit then hop across the esplande to DCA.

Also I don't think fireworks always are shot off on weekdays, but those might be less crowded especially now with school in session.

 

[accord99cutie]

I hadn't even started to think about where to eat!! haha! We did decide that friday we will go to the halloween party so we have "4" hours at DCA for that, and we will stay in a nearby hotel and then get a 1 day park hopper for sat. it was cheaper to do the party and then a 1 day hopper than it was to get a 2 day hopper so I think we should be able to cover alot!!! has anyone done the party? during those 4 hours any things we shoudl definitely do so that Saturday we can really enjoy Disneyland and just hop over to do whatever we want to do again or things we missed at DCA?

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

Oh and ride one of the ride vehicles down Main Street.

Try and ride the fire engine. The CM that drove us in it down Main St., said that Walt Disney himself used to drive the very same vehicle around DL, when the park was under construction.

 

[swimmom]

Ditto on ajrwdwgirl's recommendations.

I also agree about Nemo, but we went so my DD could experience the submarines that were before our trips to WDW with her. We waited until the very end of the day and got in line for Nemo about 10 minutes before closing. The wait was about 45 minutes, and then we were leaving the park about an hour past closing, which was kind of cool. We took lots of photos on our way out.

I would also have to add Mr. Toad's Wild Ride & the Tiki Birds for nostalgic reasons. And if you can catch Aladdin Hyperion Theater, it's a great stage show.

 

[nemofinder22]

For places to eat I recommend Plaza Inn, its not fast food and its not a sit down, but rather both, its not badly priced for as much food as you get either.

http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_plz.htm

Also during your visit both Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain will be under there Holiday/Halloween overlays, with Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.

Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies, is said to be playing on all days of Halloween Time.

refurbishments-
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=484956
Pirates of the Caribbean-------09|28|09---10|02|09
Blue Bayou--------------------09|28|09---10|02|09
Sailing Ship Columbia----------10|05|09---10|07|09
Indiana Jones Adventure-------10|05|09---10|08|09

Looks like you'll just there just in time for both Pirates and Indy!

And all things Halloween Time are listed here
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=3720982&postcount=18