Disneyland: Urgent, Advice Needed Quickly

It looks like my family will be in LA soon. We're WDW regulars but never been to Disneyland. I think we might have one night and one day (or slightly less) to spend in the parks. Right now I am leaning to spending park time in Disneyland vs California Adventure, simply to see the traditional rides/attractions.

We don't know layout, locations, hotels, etc. I've heard great things about the Grand Californian but don't know how close to DLR this is.

I'd like any and all suggestions about where to stay for nice experience and also what to do in DLR to get the most out of a few hours.

I'd also like info about the Soda Fountain. Is it easy to get to? Worth going? I am not even sure what pins would be in but we'd like to actually buy one in person for a change.

Thanks in advance for what I hope will be an outpouring of good info!!!

The Grand Californian is walking distance from DLR, super close and on park.

Disney Soda Fountain is about an hour drive North depending on traffic.

In terms of what rides to get on is entirely up to you. I am sure other DPF members can chime in on this one. If you want to trade go to Little Green Men store. That is where you will see lots of trading action.

The grand Californian is a beautiful hotel in the heart of DTD... It is much different than WDW as the hotel is nestled between the two parks here and not way on the outskirts... So that is the top choice of locations to stay... Also the priciest, but the only place we would stay at as it is just gorgeous inside...

Do the original Disneyland for sure... Do not waste your time with DCA... Just my opinion... World of color is cool, but the original park is far better...

The soda fountain is about an hour drive from DL and is always worth a visit... If you are here during a pin release, be sure to verify the current distribution guidelines on their Facebook site to see if wristbands are needed...

For meals... Eat outside the Disney property or the cost is crazy... If cost is not an issue... Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel cannot be matched on the property as far as a great meal...

Also I would visit My D Pins... It is a local pin shop near DL that always has amazing deals and great things to buy...

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your visit out this way...

How soon is soon?

I suggest going to http://www.mouseplanet.com/ and reading their DLR updates (weekly). You can then determine which rides will be down for refurbishment during the time you come (as of 1/7, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be out until October!) and decide which park to go to.

As far as hotels go, do you want to stay on property or off? In Anaheim, there are over a dozen hotels within walking distance of the park.

On property: the least expensive is Paradise Pier Hotel. Walk across the street into the Grand Californian and cut through the lobby to get to Downtown Disney (shorter walk then going down towards Disneyland Hotel). I have stayed at PPH and VGC (the villas portion of the GCH). Also, depending on when you go, there may be special deals that may make GCH really affordable.

Going to the DISBoards and going to Disneyland (California) portion of the board is also very helpful when choosing an off-property hotel/motel.

Probably within a couple of days.

Grand Californian is in DTD and you can enter California Adventure directly from the hotel. Paradise Pier is at the end of DTD and a bit south, still walking distance for the parks. And of course Disney hotel is at the end of DTD, again walking distance.

other hotels, less expensive would be on Harbor. Gateway hotel comes to mind.....

as to parks, you have Magic Kingdom at WDW, much of disneyland is just like magic kingdom. So perhaps if you want to experience something different you should head for DCA instead? There are many very fun attractions there. Some folks here seem to think DCA is not the greatest, but if you want something different from WDW, go for DCA.

California Screamin'
goofys sky school
Tower of terror
Carsland (3 rides, with height requirements)
World of color show
the rapids
soarin'
mad tea party

also: Ghiradelli chocolate! YUM!!!! and it is a "wet" park, so they serve alcohol.

Disclosure: It has been a long and unfortunate 6.5 years since I've been to CA, so some advice may be out of date.

From a planning perspective, the biggest difference is that you don't need to stay on-site. We usually stay at the Best Western Park Place Inn and if that's not available the Howard Johnson Anaheim. Both of these are on Harbor Blvd, which is the road that runs on the Tomorrowland side of the park. It is located right next to the crosswalk that you need to take to get to the park, so it's a straight shot. It's the closest of the off-site options, and is closer to the park turnstyles than Disney's Paradise Pier hotel.

The Paradise Pier hotel started out as a non-Disney branded Pan Pacific hotel. Disney has done their best to "Disney-fy" it, but there is still a sense that it's not quite Disney, and since its farther away and the cost is so much more, it's never been on my list to stay. The Disneyland Hotel just went through the biggest renovation of its history, and now has brand new towers. You can either walk to the park or take the monorail to Tomorrowland. And of course, there is the Grand Californian. That hotel will feel the most like what you are used to at WDW. It was designed by the same person who did the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Things to do that are most different than WDW: Indiana Jones, Pirates (much longer), most of Fantasyland, Roger Rabbit, Space Mountain (doesn't kill your back) and Buzz Lightyear (you hold the gun, giving more freedom to shoot and the targets are different). Fantasyland is where the biggest difference with Florida is. DL has an Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio ride, Mr Toad is still there. Storybookland/Casey Jr are something entirely new, and the area around IASW is totally different. And if you can, see Fantasmic! It is a completely different experience than at WDW. Especially, if you have visited Tom Sawyer Island, and rode the Columbia and know that, earlier in the day, you were walking in the same spots that the performers are now performing.

Visiting DSF. It's not as hard as you would think. Traffic can be bad, but parking is actually easy. There is a shopping center at Hollywood & Highland that has a parking garage. DSF validates, but I'm not sure what the current rate is.

If you have the time do DSF. If you don't, don't waste your time going. If you don't want to stay on Disney property the Sheraton is not that far (over the bridge over the freeway) and they have a shuttle that runs every 15 minutes.

Don't go to DCA. What ever you do don't. Not worth the time and effort.

As for rides in Disneyland the most popular ones are: Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Big Thunder Railroad, Indy, and Buzz. So I would suggest getting there early and riding those big rides before the rest of the crowds get there. Not sure if we can talk about Apps on the board but pm me about a super awesome app that you can get on the iPhone if you or someone in your group has one.

uptownbabe said:

Don't go to DCA. What ever you do don't. Not worth the time and effort.

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Aw... I like DCA. But I also have 2 little kids. Flicks fun faire, Airles undersea adventure, king tritons carousel and the big wheel are my 4 yr olds favorites.

More details:

We know WDW as experts. It seems like with limited time we'd rather focus on Disneyland vs DCA. We want to see similarities and differences. Esp. Pirates, Haunted Mansion, And Mr. Toad (since I haven't ridden that since I was a kid). We will probably bring a couple of books to trade. Mostly WDW LEs. We'll probably be there around the 4th/5th but are still making our plans. My 14 year old son MIGHT be with us but it will more likely be the wife and me.

What is "Little Green Men"? I have heard references to it here in regard to trading but don't know what/where it is.

Thanks all!!

Is there a good airport shuttle to GC? Or should we rent a car?

At WDW, when we fly, we usually get a towncar. Disney Magical Express is free but can take a couple of hours (or more) from when you land to get to your hotel. I've done it but if there are several of us, it's often worth the $20 each to get a towncar and get there in 40 minutes.

little green men is a larger store in tomorrowland. Buzz Astro blasters ride lets out into it. And outside the main entrance there are pin trading tables.

As to airport shuttles... I actually have NO clue. But it is safe to assume that disney does have shuttles from the airports to the park hotels. Perhaps contact guest services about it? or ask the hotel when you book your room? unless your going to go to DSF Hollywood, there is no need for a rental car while staying at the hotel and hitting the park.

I love DCA. Animation academy, Soarin, Midway mania, the UP adventure course, the swinging ferris wheel, and of course Cars Land (though RS racers might take up a large part of your day ). I'd say it be worth it to still visit.

If you end up going to DLR for the whole day, I like to start off in either Adventureland or Tomorrowland by grabbing a fast pass to indiana jones or spacemountain. Then I go on some shorter-lined rides like Jungle Cruise/Big Thunder or Astro Blasters/matterhorn (depending on the wait time). Then after I finish both those, I either grab a fast pass for something else (maybe Haunted Mansion or Splash Mountain or Star Tours) and I ride Pirates or the Pooh ride. By now it should be around afternoon-ish after all the food breaks and what not, so I just spend the rest of my time doing Fantasyland rides until the parade, then I grab a spot for fantasmic then mozy over for fireworks doing smaller things in between (taking pictures, watching captain EO, going through innoventions, riding the train to rest your feet, taking a nap on It's a Small World, walking through Big Thunder Jamboree to play some games, watching all the B&W shorts in the theater on main street). That's usually how I spend the day when I'm taking out relatives or friends that don't have AP.
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For food, taking the monorail to DTD is never a bad idea now that Earls is right across the monorail stop. If you want to eat in the park, I find that sharing the Fried Chicken meal between two people at the Plaza Inn next to Star Tours comes out to maybe $6-8 per person for a decent amount of food. Or you can go to the Pizza Port for some $10 pasta or even share some pomme frites and a monte cristo sandwich (which is really 4 halves=2sandwiches) at Cafe Orleans.

DSF does validate for the parking in the mall but you still have to pay $2 (i think).

"Little Green Men" is one of the main stores in Tomorrow Land where pins and other merchandise are sold. There are tables outside the store where pin traders set up to trade. In my opinion, it most likely would be best to rent a vehicle. Which airport will you be arriving in? To my knowledge, the closest of the main airports is about 35-40 miles away which is LAX, the next airport is Ontario Airport. Having your own vehicle will give you a chance to explore if you wish. I am not certain if there are shuttles from either of these airports to Disneyland.

Actually alot depends on where your flying from and into. John Wayne (SNA) is in Orange County and about 20 minutes from the park. Long Beach (LGB) is also closer than both LAX or Ontario. Depending on which airport you're arriving at depends on what the transportation options are. It does not appear that there are any free shuttles, but there are Disneyland Resort express shuttles that will get you there directly. Check out Disney's Transportation link HERE. Just scroll down a bit to the Public transportation section there is a drop down where you can select the airport you will be arriving at and it will show you the options and where at the airport you can catch shuttles. LAX and SNA both say there is a fee, but not how much.

I will go with others and say unless you are going to DSF don't bother with a rental. For a short stay everything you need is withing walking distance of the park. Go to DCA for the following reasons if they interest you. 1. Cars Land - If your a Cars fan it is pretty cool. 2. If you like roller coasters, I believe that California Screaming is the second longest in the US and longest West of the Mississippi. Other than that spend all your time at the main park.

It's too bad that you're going for so brief a period of time. I can easily spend a week at Disneyland!

The brevity of your time pretty much dictates what you can and cannot do. I agree with skipping DCA. The park has gotten better, but it still has the insurmountable problem of being right beside Disneyland. It's difficult as a tourist to spend too much time there when Disneyland is right next door, and I find that I have to deliberately dedicate a day to just it and DTD. With less than 24 hours, I wouldn't even bother.

The hotel you stay in is up to you and it sounds like you're devoted to the Grand Californian. It is the closest of the hotels, being basically across the Esplanade from the entrance to Disneyland. Personally I would love to stay in the Disneyland Hotel, just for the historical cachet of it being THE Disneyland Hotel. However, because money is usually an issue I end up staying at the super-cheap motels just off Katella Ave. Everything in the Disneyland Resort area is very close together, and if I cut through the Grand Californian lobby then I can walk from Katella and Disneyland Dr. to the entrance of Disneyland in under 10 minutes (15 if I don't cut through).

My strategy for going to any Disney park is to figure out what is different from what I've seen in other parks. For example, when I had 2 hours in Disneyland Paris, I made a bee-line for the castle, Nautilus, Space Mountain: Mission 2, and Phantom Manor, because those were the most different from what I had seen in my trips to DLR. In Tokyo I spent most of my time in the Disneysea park, and in two evenings in Disneyland I only really hit up the Winnie the Pooh ride, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Swiss Family Treehouse, Enchanted Tiki Room with Stitch, and Country Bear Jamboree, because I had never seen those. So I recommend looking it up and finding what varies most from WDW. I'm guessing you'll want to mainly check out New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough, Matterhorn and Submarine Voyage. It's kinda' fun, for the historical cachet, to do the whole classes of '55 and '59, because those are the oldest remaining attractions. If you have money to burn you might look into taking the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, because ultimately what makes DLR different from WDW is the fact that this is the original park that Walt built.

With your limited amount of time, I wouldn't bother with the DSF. Howver, if you're planning on going down to Hollywood anyways, then it's right there. Adventures by Disney offers a 1-day tour of Hollywood that includes a brief stop at DSF and a visit to the Walt Disney Studios. If you have the time you might want to consider it. I did it and quite enjoyed it.

LAX and John Wayne both have Disneyland Express shuttle service which contracts with Disney (they are not owned by Disney like the Magical Express thing in Orlando). They will take you to any if the area hotels. I think they charge a little under $20 a person. A cheaper option, if coming from LAX, would be to take the Union Station shuttle and transfer to a train at Union, but this would only be a good idea if you arrive early in the morning or late afternoon when Metrolink is running. Amtrak would cost you close to the same price as taking the shuttle.

Hi All,
Many thanks for great feedback. It looks like we will arrive Thursday around dinner time and have that evening and all day Friday. Right now I am leaning to the GC just for convenience.

Now, two more things.

Where would you eat if you had a day in the park?

Is there anyone around interested in meeting up to trade? I can bring several bags/books or just keep things simple and bring a couple of lanyards. Drop me a note if you want to make a point of connecting.

Thanks again!!!

It may have been mentioned, and you probably know this because of WDW, but if you stay on property there is Magical Mornings. Take advantage! We have been able to do all of Fantasyland (Peter Pan, Toad, Nemo, Alice, Matterhorn) and Space Mountain before other guests arrive. More than once we got to ride Matterhorn twice, it happens if you ask nicely. If you like a fast, cheap for Disney breakfast - we really love River Belle Terrace (Frontierland) or White Water Rapids (Grand Californian Quick Service). It has a beautiful view over the Rivers of America. For a really nice expensive lunch, Blue Bayou (classic - make reservations!) or Carthay Circle (DCA) are yummy. My favorite restaurant by far, and the most expensive, is Napa Rose. If you can, make a dinner reservation at the Chef's Counter - you get to watch all the kitchen work and the chef will make you a menu based on your likes.

My favorite hotel is the Grand Californian - it's beautiful, it has great atmosphere, spa, beautiful pool, good food, closest to the Parks and a private entrance into DCA. But, I really like the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier too. Like someone said, Paradise Pier is the least expensive and least Disney of the hotels but it's a fairly quick walk to the parks.

If I had to choose, I think I would choose Disneyland over DCA. After all, it's Walt's Park. Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain.

DSF is a bit of drive - especially if the 5 is jammed. I think it's a neat place but if you're a Disney person, I would stay in the Park.

OOOhhhh!! Where to eat at the park. There are so many choices it would be hard to pick just one. In the actual park for a one day visit I would probably lean to Bengal BBQ in Adventureland for lunch. Meat on a stick, quick easy protein and you can keep moving or sit and relax for a few. They also have a veggie thing on a stick if your a vegetarian.

Dinner I would opt for either Plaza Inn on Main street(real good fried chicken and a lot of it), Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square (good food in inside the beginning of Pirates so great ambiance), or if your real hungry the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ (all you can eat chicken, ribs, sausage and sides. They also have vegetarian options).

There are also a slew of good restaurants in DTD. Naples (Italian), House of Blues (American), Tortilla Joe's (Mexican), Ralhp Brenans Jazz Kitchen (I think is the name. American South I think), Rain Forest Cafe, and ESPN Zone. A lot depends on what you like.

I can't even mention all the places inside the Hotels. I almost never eat at any of them. I am sure others can bring up ideas.

I'll PM you about trading.

charlesu said:

Hi All,
Many thanks for great feedback. It looks like we will arrive Thursday around dinner time and have that evening and all day Friday. Right now I am leaning to the GC just for convenience.

Now, two more things.

Where would you eat if you had a day in the park?

Is there anyone around interested in meeting up to trade? I can bring several bags/books or just keep things simple and bring a couple of lanyards. Drop me a note if you want to make a point of connecting.

Thanks again!!!

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We like DCA too! Mostly because you are able to drink (double-fisting it anyone?). If you have money to spend you should head over to DCA even if its just for a drink and Cars Land racers (We have not ridden Tow Mater's Cow things, so others can comment). Luigi's Flying Tires are absolutely the worst now (since guests complained about the balls) so now all you do is float around and do nothing. Soarin' over California, Rapids, World of Color, Ghiraddelli, Tower of Terror and the new look for the entrance is amazing. (Though if you are only coming to trade, do NOT come here. You'll only be able to trade with cast members, as there is no section where guests can trade like at DLR).

Disneyland is the park to be though if you're going to trade and see the differences with WDW.

EATING
We find that eating at the park is costly and rather bland/disgusting. It is kind of sad that Disneyland does not make food a priority. At DLR you should eat a Turkey Leg (even if its a snack). You should head over to Fantasy Land for Frozen Apple Juice, Mint Julep at the Mint Julep Bar or Dole Whip in frontier land. Like, we said, we don't really like any of the food at the Disneyland resort, but those drinks are worth it.

If you eat at DCA there is MUCH more options. For an inexpensive but good lunch, you should head over to Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta (get the pasta) or the restaurant next to that one (blanking out on the name), they serve skewers. We love that place. If you have money to spend or don't mind something expensive we have heard that Carthay Circle is amazing. Flo's V8 is alright, though diner food in LA is much better. Wine Country Trattoria is good if you want to drink wine with your food.

The best place to eat though is outside of both parks, inside the Grand Californian (which I believe you're staying there). It is expensive, but it is oh so worth it. We don't know if you drink, but the drinks there are amazing, tasteful and strong enough to be considered drinks. The food there is also amazing -we wish both parks had the same kind of commitment to food as they do there but we know that will never happen.

For trading, DLR has the most cast members with pins while DCA MOSTLY has them down the stores of Buena Vista Street. If you want to trade with other guests (as it seems) your best bet, as everyone is saying is at The Little Green Men store in Tomorrowland. On Thursday there should be a good number of traders (as it is usually a release day), though Sunday is the day that most people are at the tables. You should always find AT LEAST one person there. We've only gone ONCE and didn't see anyone (and after returning, we found a few people). So just keep checking! Hope you have fun though!

i will tell you what i tell all new ppl that ask. thers is so many things you can and will do. I couldnt even read all the stuff everyone is telling u to do. They look good and you should do as much of that as you can.

But if you want to make sure u do sumthing that you will remember for life. I always tell ppl to try and get to ride in Lilly Belle. If you do not know this is the vip train car that is used for club 33 members to get to dinner from the front gate. If you go and ask the train station first thing in the morn. they may set a time up for you to get a ride with your fam. its very cool and u will never forget it.

I went to Disney for 1 day a few weeks ago. We really jammed in as much as we could. We started at dca and headed to the back for screamin', midway mania, goofy's sky school, and little mermaid. We picked up a fast pass for soarin and shopped at fly n buy (pluto's Christmas podms!) and walked around buena vista street. After that we had lunch in dca at place that has soup bread bowls. From where we sat, we could see and hear some of the phineas and ferb parade. We went on its a bugs life, walked through cars land, and headed to disneyland.
there we did space mountain, buzz light year, walked through the castle, went on pirates of the Caribbean, did the haunted mansion, shopped, went to downtown Disney to the jazz kitchen for dinner. We zipped back to dca before it closed and rode radiator springs racers. Then we walked over to disneyland again and rode its a small world, watched the fireworks, picked up treats for the car ride home from the jolly holiday and headed out of the park.
that was only my second time in disneyland, as I am a wdw girl. I really liked dca.
we also did the dsf the day before. It was okay, but not worth the drive unless there are pins you really want. I did get the pin sundae with chip as my pin. But otherwise, the traffic can be yucky.
have fun!

Good stuff folks, thanks so much!! Our plans are coming together. I am going thru some pinbooks today to determine what to bring. I usually take about 6-8 with me to WDW but prob won't bring that many to DLR, esp since we only have a day.

If you're interested in meeting up either Thursday evening or Friday, please drop me a note. I'm not sure we will make it into the park Thursday night as we might get in a bit late to do much. But, we can always meet in the Grand Californian lobby that evening.

Thanks!!!

charlesu said:

Where would you eat if you had a day in the park?

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Unlike most people, I would say to skip the Blue Bayou. I mean, if you REALLY want to go there and have never been before, you might as well, but I am severely underwhelmed by their food. For the prices they charge, there is no excuse to get a lukewarm steak that was obviously precooked.

My favourite upper-end restaurant in Disneyland is the Big Thunder BBQ. The food is good "country-style" and all-you-can-eat, but portioned out very nicely. On the faster-food end, my girlfriend and I both enjoyed the Plaza Inn. She liked that she could get pasta and I liked the fried chicken. For breakfast I like the River Belle... The food is on the mediocre side, but they have the Mickey pancakes ^_^ However, my favourite restaurant on the whole property is Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel. Great food, great drinks, and great atmosphere. Make sure to get a Dole Whip when you attend the Enchanted Tiki Room and stop by the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square at some point (I usually get one and head over to the Mark Twain Riverboat).

I would also suggest, since you've just got the one day, getting reserved seats for Fantasmic if it's playing. It comes to mind now because you get a sampler of cheeses and desserts along with the performance. I will also echo the idea to stop by the Main St. Station first thing in the morning and ask if the Lilly Belle is rolling that day. If you get a Magic Morning Hour, use that as well. We found that it didn't kill the line for Peter Pan any (everybody still goes there first), but we had Small World all to ourselves and very short lines for everything else in Fantasyland.

All the information you need is at Disney's official site: www.disneyland.com
Click on the Parks tab to see park hours, entertainment schedules and park maps. There are also maps for hotels including "good neighbor" hotels nearby.
The Places to Stay tab also has the hotel information and maps.
There are Things to Do and Place to Eat tabs, too.
Tickets & Packages - you can buy your tickets and print out so you don't have to stand in the tickets lines. Or buy them at a local Disney Store ahead of time.
You might also want to call the Disney Travel Agent to see what kind of ticket/hotel package they can give you. I think AAA can book those types of packages as well. Even Costco has hotel/ticket packages.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/

As for the parks, I love the new Cars Land. If you go to DCA, go back to Cars Land and get a Fast Pass for Radiator Springs Racers before you do anything else. Then go over by Grizzly Rapids to get Fast Passes for World of Color. Or you can buy the dinner/fast pass pkg for World of Color.
There are picnic dinners:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/world-of-color-picnics/
I thought there were other dinner pkg options but I can't find them.
You can call (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 to make reservations for restaurants.

Rides that are different from WDW:
DCA: Tower of Terror
DL: Small World, Pirate of the Caribbean, and Haunt Mansion.

Have fun.