As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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i've been absent from these boards for a while, and never on the DL forum. but here i am...
and of course i have a question...
i'll be in the LA area in two weeks for work. i was there three weeks ago, and was so sad i did not make time for a visit to disneyland. it was my first time to southern california, and i've wanted to go to DL ever since i fell in love with WDW. this time, i'm making time for disney.
my current plan is this:
fly into LAX on wednesday. drive to work (about an hour east), work thursday. sleep thursday night near work (i have a financial reason for this; work will pay for one extra night). get up very early friday and head to DL. spend friday in DL. sleep somewhere near DL friday night. then...? leave saturday? or stay an extra day/night and fly home sunday?
i realize i can't 'see it all' in one day, but 1. i'll be solo and 2. i really just want to see how DL is different from WDW. do i need more than a day to do that?
i will have a car; that is non-negotiable in socal in my book.
I'd honestly give it a second day. I hear you about just wanting to see how different it is, but to do that you need to see some of the biggest attractions, like Radiator Springs Racers and World of Color, which will take a chunk out of your day. I think if you do one day, you'll leave wanting more, whereas with a second day, you'll get to experience more of the resort.
I'm not sure if you plan to park hop or not in one day. Do you plan to see both the park's highlights in one day or limit yourself to just one? Before Disney California Adventure was refurbed, I'd say skip it, but now that it is a headliner, there is a lot to do just there.
If you do plan to park hop, you are just going to have to limit yourself to each park's highlights. In Disneyland, I would concentrate on the differences between it and Magic Kingdom.
I would definitely give yourself the second day. If you plan to see just the things that are different at DL from WDW you can do DL in one day--that includes the Fireworks show and the parades. California Adventure requires a second day and I wouldn't go all the way out there without seeing World of Color--it's amazing!
If this trip is before Christmas make time to see the holiday overlay at Haunted Mansion and it's a small world. They are both very well done--Haunted Holiday might be my favorite Disney ride of all time.
Don't forget that Pirates at DL is different from WDW--it's much longer and has additional scenes that are not to be missed!
And you'll get to ride Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! Which I still miss at WDW--gosh darn Pooh has killed two different Disney experiences!
I would also recommend adding a second day. You can do Disneyland one day and hit the attractions that are unique there (Indiana Jones, The Matterhorn, etc.) and the second day to see Disney's California Adventure (Carsland is a must!).
Definitely 2 days! I just did 2 days over Labor Day weekend for the half marathon and we didn't see nearly enough. Granted, we didn't get any early arrivals due to the races. So each day (Sat and Sun) we didn't get into the parks until at least 11am.
Utilize FP as much as you can and do the single rider lines - especially for RSR! Over Labor Day weekend, prime afternoon time, our longest single ride time for RSR was 25 mins. Not bad at all. Prioritize rides unique to DL and then the other "must compare" rides such as Pirates and Haunted Mansion. Personally I like BTMRR better in DL too! Some are absolutely identical like Star Tours and Soarin. Don't bother with those if you don't have time.
Park hopping is totally worth it. It's literally a 1:30 minute walk between the two parks and FP is not connected between the two parks. WoC is very cool to see, try to view it if you can. FP for that can be pulled first thing in the AM (over by Grizzly river run) and those aren't connected either, obviously!
Yeah, you'll need a car to get there, but once in the vicinity, it's not necessary. Alamo has a rental place on site, perhaps you can drop off your car upon arrival and arrange a shuttle back to the airport a few days later? I've used SuperShuttle twice (to LAX) and they're efficient and cheap. Just thinking out loud to save you cash on parking and car rental days. Lots of hotels on Harbor Blvd are super easy to walk to/from. And some hotels offer a private shuttle as well (Candy Cane Inn and Sheraton Anaheim I've used myself). There's also that other ART hotel shuttle option, but there's a fee and it makes multiple stops.
Hope that helps!
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Last edited by disney_duke; 11-07-2013 at 02:19 PM..
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And absolutely do not miss Toon Town at DLR! I went twice without seeing it, not realizing how different it was from Mickey's Toon Town Fair, which of course is now gone. Even Mickey's and Minnie's houses are totally different from what used to be at Magic Kingdom, and the town is full of sight gags.
I did Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in September, just because I hadn't since I was a teen at WDW....and I have to say it was as boring and pointless (to me) as it was way back then. Possibly it's more fun if you're familiar with whatever movie it's from, but why not, if you have the time.
DCA has an area that looks like the front of Monsters University (see my photo below), and Sully makes frequent appearances. I missed every single one! That's near the Monsters Inc. ride (I think it's called Mike and Sully to the Rescue, but don't want to take the time to look it up), which is a really fun dark ride.
Tower of Terror is somewhat different from the WDW version, too. California Screamin' is a fun roller coaster that actually loops, in case you like the thrill rides...I do!
Also, Animator's Studio nearby has fun art lessons if you have the time. That area's a real hot spot for seeing the characters. Princess Sophia showed up a lot, but I got pictures with Frozone, Mrs. Incredible, and some others there.
Have fun! I also agree with 2 days--you won't regret it!
ok--seems like two days is the way to go. now i just need to decide if i want to shell out the money for a second night at hotel or take the red eye home. hmmm...?
to answer some questions above, no, i was not planning on park hopping if i stayed only one day. i figured i'd skip california adventure. but that seems ill advised? and yes, i will be keeping my car the entire time. i have all kinds of free rental days anyway. it's just easier on such a short trip--and for a work trip, too.
I would say you really don't want to miss Carsland in DCA. And World of Color is another "must do" in my book. So two days would allow you to plan for seeing the highlights of both parks.
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ok--new plan. i just found out that i have another day of work in orange county in january. AND the flights home on saturday (for this trip) are WAY better than the flights home on sunday (basically i'd have to do a dawn flight or a red eye, both of which i dislike. i fly multiple times a week; i've become picky) SO...new plan is: two days but over the course of both visits. so i'll do one day this time and one day next time. and will add park hopper for the first trip because i checked the hours, and DL is open 9am-midnight and CA is open 9am-10pm. that's a LOT of time in my book (when you are alone, 15 hours in a park is an eternity. a good eternity, but still.) and then, having checked it out, i'll know how long i want to stay in january. maybe then i can take my husband with me. :-)
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Blue Bayou is a classic, coveted place. Great scenery, but overpriced, in my opinion. Worth it to try it once though!
The Plaza Inn is another classic, one that Walt enjoyed himself, I think. The fried chicken is the meal to get there.
French Market (counter) or Cafe Orleans (table) have similar food and often gets decently good reviews. Beignets!
At DCA, Carthy Circle is the new signature restaurant. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch there! And the ambiance is wonderful. Classic hollywood.
But I really enjoyed lunch at Flo's V8 in Carsland! It was delicious and the view of watching RSR cars right next door was just simple fun!
I also like the menu at Pacific Wharf Cafe. Good choices and good food too!
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