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DH and I are planning our very first trip to DL this summer! I've been to WDW a dozen times, but never to DL. DH visited DL once when he was about 5. So yeah, we'll definitely be newbies to the original park. What would be your best tips for a first-timer? It's just DH and myself going, and we are in our early 30's. We'll be there in late June and are staying for a week. We've already made ressies through DVC to stay at Pardise Pier. TIA for any and all advice!
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"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life....love gives us a fairy tale."
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I know there is a thread around here that lists all the attractions that are different between WDW/DL or that are specific to DL. Here are some of my must-do's Indiana Jones, Pirates is WAY better, Small World, Space Mountain, Big Thunder (I think its wilder our west, lol!), ride the Explorer Canoes if they're open (its just fun), explore Tom Sawyer Island, ride the train all the way around, and make sure you catch Fantasmic (its so much more exciting at DL, well, as long as Murphy the dragon doesn't fail) Also, if you get the chance, I would highly recommend the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, I think it was worth the money. We did the tour last summer and had a blast even though not much of the info was new to me, it was so fun to walk through the park and here Walt's words and see things how he saw them (and if you have a Disney Visa you get a 20% discount).
And of course do underestimate DCA. Despite the construction there is still so much to do and see. Don't miss World of Color, but I would suggest a dinner package. We were sorely disappointed with the standard fasspass area in Jan, I won't pass up the dinner package again, the viewing area alone, I feel, is worth it and the food's all right too. DCA is a park I just like to miander through, stop, grab a beverage and people watch.
As for more food, I wouldn't miss the Blue Bayou, you can't beat the atmosphere! We also like Cafe Orleans and their beignets Primarily we do a lot of counter service the rest of the time, I like Bengal BBQ and you can't miss the corndogs! IN DCA we really like the Lucky Fortune Cookery. And don't miss the free tortillas at the Mission Tortilla Factory
I know there's so much more, and so many smart people will fill in everything I missed!
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Special ops issued us flip-flops, a guitar and a week or two! -Roger Clyne
Also, if you get the chance, I would highly recommend the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, I think it was worth the money. We did the tour last summer and had a blast even though not much of the info was new to me, it was so fun to walk through the park and here Walt's words and see things how he saw them (and if you have a Disney Visa you get a 20% discount).
And of course do underestimate DCA. Despite the construction there is still so much to do and see. Don't miss World of Color, but I would suggest a dinner package. We were sorely disappointed with the standard fasspass area in Jan, I won't pass up the dinner package again, the viewing area alone, I feel, is worth it and the food's all right too.
Thanks so much for the reply. I had been thinking about doing the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour. I do have a Disney Visa, so knowing there's a discount available is nice. About how long is the tour? Does it include lunch like some of the ones in WDW do? I'd also been considering a dinner package with the World of Color, too. I will put that in the "definites" thanks to your advice!
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"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life....love gives us a fairy tale."
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I would definitely make a beeline for those attractions that are unique to Disneyland, as that's what sets it apart from WDW. Allow time to enjoy the California Adventure, as there isn't another Disney park like it in the world.
We went on our first DL trip last summer (link to TR in my signature). We loved California Adventure! I agree that make sure you get the DL specific rides done, as well as those that are at WDW but are better at DL (Pirates, IaSW, Space Mountain, Autopia, etc.)! Happy Planning!
We were newbies when we moved to San Diego last summer. We go to DL approx once a month....here is our not to miss list if you have never been to DL: DL: Pirates-better than WDW The Matterhorn Indiana Jones (FP ASAP) Space Mountain(FP ASAP) Pooh-better than WDW BTMRR Its a Small World-WOW Mr Toads Wild Ride Walk through the castle and check out the castle garden and tinks garden very cute Dumbo ( I wanted to ride it because it is the original ) Just walking around the park and taking in Walts original park, the intimacy and charm of it were moving our first visit.
DCA ALADDIN- FABULOUS show!!! California Screamin Silly Symphony Swings Grizzly River Rapids Monsters inc Soarin Toy Story mid way mania
We found that even though some of the attractions are the same the design elements and waiting areas are different. HAPPY PLANNING!!!
here is our not to miss list if you have never been to DL: DL: Mr Toads Wild Ride
They still have Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at DL? My brother and I loved that ride when we were kids and it was still at WDW! Can't wait to go on it again and enjoy the nostalgia!
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"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life....love gives us a fairy tale."
One note on TSMM in DCA. There is no FP as there is in WDW so the best bet is to get in line right as the park opens if you want to avoid longer lines. You can enter the front gates a half hour before the actual park opens and you can walk around the front shops and get a little head start to the far back of the park where TSMM is.
For meal ADRs you have to call, no online options, and you can only make them 60 days before hand. For Blue Bayou (so fun) and Napa Rose (we are going for the first time in May) and Ariel's Grotto you want to call as soon as you can they fill up quickly in the busier seasons. We love the Storyteller's Cafe, for dinner especially, the buffet is very good.
Thanks so much for the reply. I had been thinking about doing the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour. I do have a Disney Visa, so knowing there's a discount available is nice. About how long is the tour? Does it include lunch like some of the ones in WDW do? I'd also been considering a dinner package with the World of Color, too. I will put that in the "definites" thanks to your advice!
The Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour was 3 hours I think, it went so quickly and we had so much fun, and the more you interact with the Tour Guide, the more fun the tour is or at least that was our observation (we had more fun than some of the other folks in our tour group). It does include lunch, there are several sandwich choices, chips or fruit and a soda. I had the vegetarian sandwich and it was delicious! And you get a special pin too I have mine on my purse, it makes me feel special, lol! You're gonna have a blast!
And as far as the WoC dinner package, we've done the Wine Country Trattoria, it was decent, it has a nice "grown-up" atmosphere to it (and we got an added bonus Park President George Kalogrides was dining a few tables away from us ) We will be trying Ariel's Grotto this trip (OMG one week from tonight!) so I will try to report back on which I liked better! I am in fact a little more excited about the menu @Ariel's though.
Happy planning! -Niki <3
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Special ops issued us flip-flops, a guitar and a week or two! -Roger Clyne
Hi! great tips so far.. just wanted to share: I'm a WDW fan and went to DL for the first time last year. DH dismissed DLR as the most bland part of the trip in the plan staged. We were happily surprised to find DLR as awesome as WDW!! Disneyland just became my first favorite park (EPCOT comes 2nd), it's just so beautiful!!
Repeting some post, these are the attractions that we love in WDW and we found better in DL:
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain
Haunted Mansion (we visited in Halloween and we loved the Jack theme!)
Indiana Jones is a must, it became quickly my favorite attraction along with California Screaming from DCA.
What we didn't enjoy as much as in WDW:
Downtown. Definitely not the same.
Tomorrowland. No TTA!!! No Stitch! (yes, we love Stitch, I confess).
That's it!
I admit...it's been 9 years since I went to Disneyland...but having been to Disney World a few times in the past few years - there are still some things that make Disneyland my favorite! Indiana Jones is awesome - I love all the things to see and do in line. I'm sad they never put that one at Disney World (the car moves like the one in Dinosaur at AK but it's not nearly as dark or loud and it's much more entertaining...and never the same ride as I recall!) Pirates is also amazing! And if you eat at Blue Bayou you can sit and watch all the boats go by through the lagoon that reminds me of where the witch lady lives in the PoTC movie. I also prefer the Splash Mountain at Disneyland. It may be that I grew up with Disneyland, but there's something about the Matterhorn that makes it a must do every trip!
We love DCA, and normally spend lots more time in this park. Take time to do the Sourdough bread tour and the Tortilla factory tour. We love the free nibbles! I love the whole ambience of this park. World of Color is AMAZING. No matter how long you have to wait.... see it.
POTC at DLP is so fun, and different from WDW. And we LOVE the restaurant that is part of the attraction there - the Blue Bayou - is a must do for us.
Have a magical time!
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Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
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Tips for Newbies [Disneyland]
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Primarily we do a lot of counter service the rest of the time, I like Bengal BBQ and you can't miss the corndogs! IN DCA we really like the Lucky Fortune Cookery. And don't miss the free tortillas at the Mission Tortilla Factory 
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I agree that make sure you get the DL specific rides done, as well as those that are at WDW but are better at DL (Pirates, IaSW, Space Mountain, Autopia, etc.)! Happy Planning! 
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Waiting to eat with Goofy - DLR May 2010
) We will be trying Ariel's Grotto this trip (OMG one week from tonight!) so I will try to report back on which I liked better! I am in fact a little more excited about the menu @Ariel's though. 
I love the whole ambience of this park. World of Color is AMAZING. No matter how long you have to wait.... see it.
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