A DW girl heading to DL for the first time!!!! About This Page:

[Too hot in Texas!]

Well it has finally come together! All of us, me, husband, and 4 kiddos are going to DW in May, but.......my son is playing in a tournament in San Diego December 2-3. So.....I talked my husband into letting me take him and he will stay with the other kiddos. Then I dropped the bomb on why I wanted to take him , I want to drive to DL and surprise him on Sunday and come home Tuesday evening. He said "honey, you are a crazy woman when it comes to Disney"...YEP!!!!
So, while I always stay on property at DW, I think we are going to stay at the Fairfield Inn right across the street and go Sunday evening, all day Monday and Tuesday morning until noon before catching a 4PM flight back to Big D. We are flying out of John Wayne so we don't have to mess with LAX.
Since I have never been to DL and pretty much know DW like the back of my hand, I need advice on restaurants and how the heck to go about fast passes. I am going to get Max pass and need to read more on the benefits.
We will need a dinner place on Sunday evening, lunch and dinner on Monday and Lunch on Tuesday. My 10 yr old son that is going with me luckily is my most adventuresome eater which will make restaurants easier than if I was going with my 2nd son who only eats PB&honey sandwiches :0.
Any advice on what fast passes to get first on Sunday evening and is there an app that accurately lets us know what wait times are when we get there?
Oh....I think we are doing DL Sunday evening, California Adventure Monday, and DL Tuesday morning.
Thanks for any advice!

[revral]

Do NOT expect DW but smaller.
I sort of expected DL but larger when I went to DW the first time in 2007 after I have no idea of how many trips to DL and that was definitely a mistake. The two are extremely different from each other both are Disney and magical but they are more like cousins than siblings or parent/child.

[chezp]

I agree about not expecting Disney World - it's way smaller, including the castle. That's a shock to a lot of first timers. To give you an idea of how small it is, you can literally cross a plaza and walk from one park to the next.

Make sure you plan on doing the attractions that are unique to Disneyland and also read up on which ones are different from Disney World (the Disneyland PassPorter will be invaluable for that).

I'm glad you're going on a Monday and Tuesday, as weekends are really busy with locals. Definitely the right decision to do John Wayne. We hate flying in or out of LAX and avoid it whenever we can.

[GingerJ]

This will sound self-serving (since I'm a co-author), but I recommend you buy a pass for PassPorter's LIVE! Guide for Disneyland. DLR is so very different, and the LIVE! Guide has all the info you'll need. Honestly, I'd recommend it even if I had no connection to it.

Have a great time! I went during the first week of December two years ago, researching the guide, and there's so much going on for Christmas! Just beware of going to Disneyland Park on the Sunday of the Candlelight Processional--it's standing-room only! It's probly NOT the day you're going, but I'm too lazy to check right now.

[Too hot in Texas!]

I just paid for my Passporter Live! subscription! Thanks for the recommendation. I have used the book in the past for our first few trips to DW and loved it. Getting so excited! Not looking forward to when my younger 3 find out after the fact, I'm keeping it a secret from my 10 yr old until the tournament is over and we actually start driving from San Diego to Anaheim :0!!!! But, the thought of enjoying DL with just 1 kiddo vs. 4 sounds absolutely amazing.
Is there any restaurants anyone would definitely recommend.? I think I'm overwhelmed because the choices at DW are endless, and DL does not have near the choices. My DS loves steak and potatoes, so if there's a good steak restaurant I would love that info.
I'm also going back and forth on if we should get tickets for Sunday evening Dec 3rd. I did check and I believe the candlelight processional is going on so it will be a zoo. But, maybe we could just go have dinner and walk around and ride a few rides before we hit it hard on Monday morning. Any advice again would be much appreciated
Thx!

[GingerJ]

Originally Posted by Too hot in Texas!

I just paid for my Passporter Live! subscription! Thanks for the recommendation. I have used the book in the past for our first few trips to DW and loved it. Getting so excited! Not looking forward to when my younger 3 find out after the fact, I'm keeping it a secret from my 10 yr old until the tournament is over and we actually start driving from San Diego to Anaheim :0!!!! But, the thought of enjoying DL with just 1 kiddo vs. 4 sounds absolutely amazing.
Is there any restaurants anyone would definitely recommend.? I think I'm overwhelmed because the choices at DW are endless, and DL does not have near the choices. My DS loves steak and potatoes, so if there's a good steak restaurant I would love that info.
I'm also going back and forth on if we should get tickets for Sunday evening Dec 3rd. I did check and I believe the candlelight processional is going on so it will be a zoo. But, maybe we could just go have dinner and walk around and ride a few rides before we hit it hard on Monday morning. Any advice again would be much appreciated
Thx!

That Sunday night would be a good time to do California Adventure instead of DL park. You could even see World of Color, though you'd be too late to get a FastPass....OR you can do a WoC dining package and get a better viewing spot.

I don't do table service meals much, but we did the Carthay Circle DP for WoC, and the food was awesome! Maybe that would suit your DS...it's a bit pricey for sure. I didn't think much of the veggies on the menu for the package, so asked for mashed potatoes instead--they were amazing!

My favorite place to eat there is Flo's V8 Cafe at DCA in Carsland. It has hand-carved roast beef and turkey; I generally get the kid's meal carved roast beef sandwich unless I'm really hungry. Then I get the roast chicken, which is also yummy.

Big hint here: if your son is big enough, get in the single rider line for Radiator Springs Racers--15 minute wait instead of 120 minutes, often. Also California Screamin' has a single rider line that's worthwhile.

Have fun!

[Too hot in Texas!]

California Adventure on Sunday is a GREAT idea!!!! I have thought about the WOC dinner package, but leaning against it since my DS will probably want to ride rides during that time.
I was thinking about single rider for the first time. DS is definitely mature enough now, and I would probably go first so I could get out and be able to wait on him.
Thanks for the restaurant info!
2 months from today!!!!! I've never scheduled such a quick trip to Disney before....usually its 9-12 months out at DW so we can get the resort and room we want. I'm loving this!

[GingerJ]

I just saw in your first post that you asked whether there's an app--yep! There's an official Disneyland app that does pretty much the same things as the WDW app.

As for your son riding the rides during World of Color--they close all the rides on Paradise Pier during that show. Guardians of the Galaxy (former ToT) and Soarin' and some others will probly still be open then, though. Carsland is likely to be open, too--not sure, as I always watch WoC when it's going.

Oooh, also: Gaston's Tavern in Fantasyland has huge, hot cinnamon buns to die for! Get one to share, as they're really big.

And Toon Town is lots of fun! Not much there as far as rides, but cool visuals and several CS places--hot dogs, pizza, that kind of thing.

[KimmyAnn1147]

Yay!!! Our trips overlap, My park days are Dec 1,2,3 (Fri, Sa, Su).

That Sunday likely WILL be the candlelight processional at DL. Just know that and you'll be ok. You've got experience with crowds, that's just how it is. I've had a wonderful night on those nights, this is the 3rd year I'm going that weekend and I always survive! I think the bigger question is going to be traffic and how late you would get to Anaheim.

Questions:
1. Food-for steak, the only place I know about is at the DL hotel-Steakhouse 55. It gets great reviews, but is probably pricey. Might be worth it though. Carnation Cafe has good meatloaf and burgers, would that work?

2. Single rider options. YES, this is a great idea if your son can handle it. And I think DL will be do-able, even on Sunday night, once you get through the front of main street and the hub (which is always a huge pain in the evening, with shoulder to shoulder foot traffic that is the worst part of DL at night). I find that even on the CP nights, other attractions have only average waits in DL.

3. PP meets are fun! If you and your son want to hook up Sunday evening for an attraction, it might work out. I'll be with my 9 yo and possibly a few other adults. We haven't decided whether we are going to buy a 4th day for Monday morning, that's an option too.

I'm really familiar with DL this time of year, and have my personal favorites and tips. Keep the questions coming.

[Too hot in Texas!]

KimmyAnn that is great info! Thank you! I am leaning towards California Adventure on Sunday evening, DL and CA on Monday and who knows on Tuesday from rope drop until around 1 when we need to start heading to the airport.

I am trying to figure out the FP/Maxpass system. We will definitely do Maxpass mainly because of the ease of using my phone. I know some rides have to still go through original FP system. It does peeve me a little that you have to pay for it when at DW there are so many perks that come with your admission ticket. but....we will survive .
Can we enter DL on rope drop Monday morning, book through Maxpass a ride there and also maybe Radiator Springs at CA without entering CA at the same time? This is where I get confused....or do I have to have our park hopper ticket scanned at CA first?

We will probably skip the steak restaurant....he can handle a burger! We might go to a steak restaurant while we are in San Diego.

Also, will get a FP for WOC on Monday night and will probably ride rides during the Sunday night WOC since we will have just arrived that evening. I know he will be so excited and getting a 10 year old boy to stand and wait a few hours after we get there will be pure torture!
Thanks for all the advice!

And.....we just booked at DL Resort. I always stay on property at DW, and since it's just the 2 of us, I only have to get 1 room instead of our normal 2 bedroom villa we get at DW! My husband will "think" I am saving a fortune

[KimmyAnn1147]

Originally Posted by Too hot in Texas!

I am trying to figure out the FP/Maxpass system. We will definitely do Maxpass mainly because of the ease of using my phone. I know some rides have to still go through original FP system. It does peeve me a little that you have to pay for it when at DW there are so many perks that come with your admission ticket. but....we will survive .
Can we enter DL on rope drop Monday morning, book through Maxpass a ride there and also maybe Radiator Springs at CA without entering CA at the same time? This is where I get confused....or do I have to have our park hopper ticket scanned at CA first?

Don't get me started on Max...never used it, never will, and will stop going to DL when FP is a paid perk. They are already on the line with Max....

OK, stepping off soap box. The FP system is the same as the old paper sx at WDW. Kiosks are near the attractions for the most part. Big exception is Radiator Springs, which is in a weird place near It's A Bug's Life.

Your FP priorities are Radiator Springs, Space Mountain, and the new incarnation of Tower of Terror. 2nd priorities are Soarin', BTMR, and Star Tours. Lower FP priorities are Buzz and Indiana Jones (but has Single Rider, so that might be just as good). FP is available but not really needed for Goofy's Flying School, Roger Rabbit, and California Screamin'

We will probably skip the steak restaurant....he can handle a burger! We might go to a steak restaurant while we are in San Diego.

Also, will get a FP for WOC on Monday night and will probably ride rides during the Sunday night WOC since we will have just arrived that evening. I know he will be so excited and getting a 10 year old boy to stand and wait a few hours after we get there will be pure torture!
Thanks for all the advice!

And.....we just booked at DL Resort. I always stay on property at DW, and since it's just the 2 of us, I only have to get 1 room instead of our normal 2 bedroom villa we get at DW! My husband will "think" I am saving a fortune

Congrats on staying at the DLH. That is an experience I've never had, being a super-budget traveler who aims for quantity over quality. But I love the hotel, and I know you will have a wonderful time. They have some really lovely displays for the holidays.

Check out the DL feasting and snacking threads for more tips on meals.

Also, the candy canes from DL are stupid and expensive, but make a great gift to take home to the jealous little ones. Do a google search. I actually enjoyed waiting in line for my Dsis to buy one, but of course, I'm an old lady, not a 10 yo boy.

[KimmyAnn1147]

Oh yeah...Rope drop priorities are Peter Pan (no FP, lines at 40 min+ all day long), Toy Story Midway Mania (pretty much the same as PP), and to a slightly lesser degree, its a small world holiday.

[Too hot in Texas!]

Awesome info!!!!! Thanks so much....and yes the Max pass feature has almost crossed a magical line......if all 6 of us go, $60 more a day plus if we chose to do park hopper......ridiculous. If al 6 of us go, I found an amazing VRBO rental within walking distance we would stay. That's why I'm splurging a few $100 for DL with DS

Candy cane idea is perfect!!!!!

[KimmyAnn1147]

I've stayed at 2 VRBOs, one was a condo off Walnut, the other was an AMAZING 3 BR just south of DCA. I would stay at either one if I were going for a longer trip with a larger group.