Finally Today

What's the best way to plan a Disneyland Vacation?

I've already booked my hotels and tickets to Disneyland, but I don't know what's the best way to plan what to do in the park. I'm getting a park-hopper (Disney's California Adventures and Disneyland). What are someways? I've though of some like rides and souveniers...but what else?

Public Comments

1. I have never been to Callifornia Adventure Pakr so I cnat help you there BUT here a few tips for the Main Dsineyland park -Hit splash mountain first hting when the park opens ///the line stays ungodly all day -if you dont getto the haunted mansion and Pirates of the carribian early in the daywhen liens or short.......they are shor again towards the edn of the day Save Mr toad's wild ride pinnochio and its a small world for the middle of the day the yboard fast ( its a Samll world may be closed for repairs now i am not sure) do what yu are doing plan your stageday my experience is based on summer time
2. well, I would say it depends on the ages and number of persons going, and how long you are going to be there. But this is always my gameplan when I go with my hubby (and sometimes we take our god children): Go left. For somereason (maybe mostly cuz everyone's right handed) people tend to congregate first towards the right, but in the case of DL, they also go straight to Fantasyland. I always go left once I get past main street, and hit Jungle cruise and Indiana Jones. Then I go see if it is worth it to get the fast pass for the log ride, or get right on, and then hit the Haunted Mansion (ps:usually the line looks long, but is only about 15--20 min). Then I look at pirates to check the line (it is usually long) and I skip it if it is, it will lighten up later in the day. Then Big thunder mountian, then I cut through Fantasyland and go to Matterhorn and do the line from that side (its usually shorter) right by the Alice ride. Then work my way back to Small world then into Toon town. I sometimes need to use my fastpass, but thats right about lunchtime, so we eat while we wait. After that, I hop the train and get off at Tomorrowland. Autopia is almost always packed, so if thats when the fastpass comes in handy, but check the line for Space mountian first. If its long, get the pass for that before they run out! I do Star Tours, and maybe the rockets (but that line is S-L-O-W!) and if I have time to kill before the fast pass kicks in, I do the "honey I shrunk the audience" show. And then use the fastpass on Space mountian, and then (since I usually skipped it earlier) Autopia. Then cut accross the main fairway back to Pirates, and wait that out. By then its dark and Fantasyland is a little less hectic, so we do that, but there still is some lines, so that usually kills the rest of the time. If any time left over, I hit Indy again, or maybe space mountian. As for CA Adv., I head right (yep, opposite what I did at DL, but it works for me) and get a FP for Soarin', then head to the Grizzly Mountian water ride and get on. Then I head back towards the lake area and work my way around until I finish it all with the coaster. I ride soarin' when I get back towards the front (if you look at the map, you'll see that it is in a wierd layout, with no central area like DL), and depending on the time, maybe wait out for the parade. Then I do the Bug's life area (only if I have kids with me, but the show is good anyway) and then hit Tower of Terror. PS. The aladdin show is good, muppets so-so, and I haven't done the Monster's, inc ride yet (I skipped it to see the aladdin show last time there). And since this park is smaller, you might have time to go back and do the coaster again, or the Ferris wheel is nice at night (but cold). And don't forget to set aside some time to visit Downtown disney, actually, I always save the souveniers for the big Disney shop that's there (I don't have to carry anything around, and I usually spend less if the day's already over and my glee of being in DL is over). If you are taking more than 2 days (minimum reccomended for doing both parks), then you can spend your third seeing the smaller shows, riding on the Mark Twain river boat, and exploring the island along with revisiting any rides you liked. Have fun!
3. You're starting off on the right foot! A 3-day Park-Hopper allows you to see both Parks, with-out having to run around like a chicken with your head cut off! Of course check the hours, sometimes they close one Park before the other, so you can always hop across the Plaza to finish out your day at the other Park. Disneyland is best seen during the week, and DCA is best seen on the weekend - this has everything to do with crowds. If lines are long, use Fast Pass. Check the official Disney website's Calendar for rides/attractions that might be closed to avoid a certain amounts of disappointment. Shopping, everyone (and I do mean everyone!) does shopping at the end of the day. To avoid the crowded stores, do your shopping during the day. You don't need to carry your parcels with you all day, you can take them to the News Stand (a small store at the Entrance of Disneyland), and leave them there until you're ready to go back to your hotel/motel. Dining, you can make reservations at many of the Disneyland Resort restaurants by calling (714) 781-DINE (3463). They have several Shows and Parades, check the daily schedule to see when they are playing. Otherwise, relax and have fun!
4. check out disneyland's website. it will give you maps of the parks and all of the shops, rides, and places to eat are on there too. you can also get the park hours and ride closures for the days you will be there. when you are at the park, over by the castle, there is a board that will give you wait times and ride closures for the day also. it is updated frequently. i would suggest going straight to space mountain when you get to the park. it is very popular. you usually can ride it if you get there when they open, and i would say to get a fast pass also so you can ride it again later. just check out the park maps and see what you want to ride and take it from there. have fun!
5. I highly recommend taking a look at the Disney website, www.disney.go.com take a look at everything they have to offer. If this is your first trip take a look at the rides and shows and decide whats best for you and your family. Then make a list of things you must do, call it "must do" look at he maps and get familiar with the layout of the parks, see how many of your must do's are close together. Head for the first thing on your list and while your in the area hit some of the other things on your list, if line are long get a fastpass when you can and do standby on something else until you time comes up, and it doesn't have to be something on your must do list either. Everything at Disneyland is great so while you might be more into thrill rides, ride something not so thrilling while your waiting for fastpass time and you might just be pleasantly surprised. Also, depending on time of year, the Magic Kingdom often opens earlier than California adventure and closes later, weekends especially. Hit MK at opening and head for the most popular rides first thing. I recommend if your on a 3 day hopper, first day Magic Kingdom, second day magic kingdom at opening then hop to CA when it opens, then late back to MK. third day hit anything you missed first two days first thing in the morning then park hop and do your favorites again.
6. Check out http://www.easybreezyplanning.com You can sign up for a free Disney E-newsletter, read up on fun tips and advice, purchase discounted Disney park merchandise and receive assistance with planning your Disney vacation! Have a wonderful vacation and happy holidays!