12 Replies to “Recommendations for a First Time Disneyland Visitor”

1. I was also a fist timer in May of 2009 the 2 things on my To Do List were:

   The original Tikki Room and the new and improved it’s a small world.

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2. I am in the same boat as Nancy – as former Florida residents and long-time WDW fans, my husband and I have traveled to WDW more times than I can count. We know each park backwards and forwards, the best restaurants and when to go to them, the best paths around the parks, which rides we HAVE to ride, etc. We now have 2 young sons and live in Arizona. We will be taking our first trip to Disneyland in November and I am stressed about all the unknowns! We are staying at the Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian but I am desperately searching for ideas of the best places to eat (we will be celebrating our oldest son’s 4th birthday there), the best rides for kiddos, the best ways to enjoy the parks…
   Help!

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3. You absolutely, positively, must experience the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. I still do not understand why they don’t have this fantastic ride at WDW. The waiting area is not to be missed as well.

   The New Orleans square is beautiful as well (another “why don’t they have this at WDW”). Be sure to stroll through it and grab lunch there as well.

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4. Hey Laura and Nancy,
   Couple of things they really gotta go for in Disneyland. Our Pirate’s of the Carribean, just a much better start and finish then WDW, our Peter Pan, for the amazing fiber optic stars 🙂 and they gotta head to DCA for a swirl ice cream at Catch A Wave- absolutely the best ice cream in the park. We actually will make the drive up from San Diego just to get a taste of it 😉 and Nancy hope you have an awesome time!!! Barb

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5. If you enjoy character dining, do go to Disneyland Hotel’s Goofy’s Kitchen. It is 1 of the best character dining experiences-I have been to many. So many unique characters that you do not usually see or meet. They characters intermingle with the children so well. One time, it seemed like they were babysitters. Another very nice dining experience is at Paradise Pier in California Adventure. It is Ariel’s Grotto. Here it is a restaurant, in Disney World it is a meeting area. I would strongly suggest arranging a FAntasmic package with dessert so you can really enjoy the show. In Disneyland it is like trying to watch the parade in a very dark area. The only unfortunate part of going in September is that Haunted Mansion Holiday is not open. This is the BEST Haunted Mansion I ever experienced. Haunted Mansion in WDW does not appeal to me at all this did. I would also try to dine at Blue Bayou. It is connected to Pirates of the Caribbean. Ask for a seat close to the attraction. You are actually inside near where the boats are. Make sure to ride Matterhorn Bobsleds-this is the only park that has it. I would get a Fast Pass immediately when entering Disneyland Park. Their Toontown is better than Florida too. If you have a chance, visit the Grand Californian resort. They have an indoor & outdoor fireplace. Very nice.

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6. Regarding tips for a first-time visit to Disneyland…

   1. For the convenience factor, many of the “Good Neighbor” hotels located near Disneyland are just as close as the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier. (The monorail will save you some walking *if* it’s open, but it won’t save you much time, especially if you have to wait.) Disney’s Grand Californian Resort is the only place that really will save you walking time over the other hotels in the area.

   2. Dining: Carnation Cafe is a charming place to dine – though it can be hot, depending on weather. Pacific Wharf cafe – I nearly ate my weight in sourdough bread and vegetarian chili! Wine Country Trattoria patio has a beautiful view of the Electrical Parade. The Blue Ribbon Bakery has a full-service coffee bar and offers soy milk for their beverages. When it’s crowded, don’t hesitate to share a table with someone!

   3. Fantasyland tends to become very congested. The thoroughfares at DL Fantasyland are smaller and narrower than at WDW. Visit early in the day, if at all.

   4. Others will have plenty to say about attractions – the only one I want to highlight is the Sailing Ship Columbia, a very under-appreciated attraction; don’t miss the museum!

   5. Finally, don’t underestimate how hot it can get in LA. We are so used to Disney World, the milder temps at Disneyland lulled us into a false sense of security. In the space of less than an hour, on a sunny but mild (we thought) day, my mother went from being perfectly fine to having heatstroke. We were both shocked by how quickly it happened.

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7. Just returned from DL for the first time with my son. I would recommend going on the welcome to Disneyland Tour if for any other reason than the piroity seating to Aladdin and the fastpasses which can be used for any ride, even those that don’t normally take fastpasses, like the Materhorn. It is realitively cheap by Disney standards and you can save money with your Disney Visa Card or AAA.

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8. Shoot! We were first time visitors last year and I was hoping to see everyone else’s suggestions. But I’m the first to post! (or one of the first).

   I would suggest taking two full days (at least) to see the Magic Kingdom. Theres just so much packed into the space (yet it doesn’t seem cramped).

   I’d say make sure to take the Disneyland Railroad for a compleete circuit of the park, as my suggestion to first timers.

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9. There are so many great things about Disneyland. I am so jealous of anyone
   who is a first-timer, they get to experience everything as new which is so exciting! As a frequent visitor myself, I do have a few
   recommendations:
   As with Disneyworld, always arrive to the parks at open as this is the time
   you will get on the most rides in the least amount of time. Also, I’d
   recommend heading straight to Matterhorn in Disneyland. It is fantastic
   (though a little rough) and does not have fastpasses. The line can be
   unmanageable if you wait to ride it later in the day. Also, you absolutely
   must hit Indiana Jones. It is a great ride (think of the ride vehicle for
   Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom) and you should hit it or Space Mountain
   immediately after Matterhorn. Be sure to stop by for Pirates of the
   Carribean too because it has some nice drops not featured in the
   Disney World version of the ride.
   For food, be sure to try the corn dogs! They are in the little red cart
   just to the right of main street when walking toward the castle. They are
   the best value in food at Disneyland.
   At DCA, be sure to ride California Screamin’, it is a blast! Also, Grizzly
   River Rapids is hands down the best ride of its kind. Be sure to try the
   fresh caramel corn. It is amazing!
   Be sure to have fun and wear sunblock!

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10. I think that the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Blue Bayou restaurant are must do’s. The ride is awesome, of course but the eatery is wonderful and themed so well!

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11. The first thing I would suggest is to go into the trip realizing that DL is a lot different than WDW. Some WDW vets express disappointment when they see DL for the first time, because they expect it to be the same. It isn’t, but it’s wonderful and so much fun in it’s own right! 🙂

    Definitely visit the attractions in DL that are different than the ones in WDW (or ones that WDW doesn’t have at all). Pirates, Space Mountain, many Fantasyland rides, etc.

    Blue Bayou was also a lot of fun to eat at (it’s inside Pirates), though it is a bit more expensive. For another amazing (but also more expensive) meal, check out Napa Rose at the Grand Californian.

    At California Adventure, definitely make time to see the Aladdin musical! There is one character especially who makes the experience very entertaining! This is something I would go see multiple times on a vacation because it’s that good!

    I hope that helps–have a wonderful first trip!!

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12. In truth, there is no real way to compare between WDW and DLR. Millions flock to both, thousands think one is ‘better’ than the other (bigger yes, but not necessarily better), however there are just too many distinctions to make a decision about which park is best.

    I grew up in the Los Angeles area, and regrettably moved away in my early twenties. So visiting Disneyland was always – and still is – a special occasion.

    If I were a first time visitor to DLR or traveling with one, I would take two different approaches to my touring plan — the ‘1955 Original Experience’ and stick to DLR-exclusive attractions.

    As Disneyland suggests, the 1955 Experience would be concise and would only cover a small portion of the park. King Arthur Carrousel is both beautiful and nostalgic. Dumbo’s Flight (there’s just something about flying over those fountains), the Mad Tea Party (great memories spinning during the fireworks), Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Autopia, The Jungle Cruise, taking a leisurely ride on the Mark Twain, etc. also make for an enjoyable trip down memory lane.

    For exclusive attractions I would recommend starting with the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (yes, it is worth the ride even with the wait time). Matterhorn Bobsleds (it wouldn’t be DL without the Matterhorn), Indiana Jones Adventure, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (both open seasonally). Watching Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe and Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular (over at the Hyperion Theater at California Adventure) are also high on the list. Speaking of C.A., California Screamin’ and the boardwalk games and rides on Paradise Pier are also one of a kind. Grizzly River Run bears (pardon the pun) a close resemblance to a certain Animal Kingdom river ride, but GRR is also always on the must-do list. And if there’s time, Mike & Sulley to the Rescue and A Bug’s Land (not just their life, but an entire land!) are also great to check out.

    And now for the absolutely-can’t-miss attractions: the Main Street shops and Cinema. The DL RR is a must, at the very least to understand Walt’s love of trains. With its recent makeover, it’s a small world is definitely worth at least one boat ride. Over at C.A., Soarin’ may seem smaller sized, but the pre-show flight history and artifacts also make this a must-do… plus, you’re flying over CA while actually in CA. Gotta love that! And of course there’s Toy Story Mania… combined with the Paradise Pier midway setting, and once all the nearby construction is complete, TSM is going to be even better than ever! It may not have a Fastpass line, or have an air conditioned queue indoors, and at peak times the overflow queue actually goes all the way ACROSS the walkway from the ride… but, TSM at C.A. is definitely an experience.

    While dining at DLR isn’t as big of a deal as WDW, I would suggest at least one meal at the Blue Bayou. The best food may not always be guaranteed, but there’s just something about eating right next to PotC. And if you know someone who can get you into Club 33, then go for it!!! Other table service restaurants worth a stop include the Carnation Café on Main Street, and Wine Country Trattoria over at C.A. Great counter service places for me include the French Market at DL (good t.s. food at c.s. prices, mint juleps and live music… what’s not to love?), and the choices over at Pacific Wharf at C.A. You’ll find that tortillas, sourdough bread, and See’s Candy are very important to Californians. (So the factory tours actually make sense… but wouldn’t a chocolate tour be FABULOUS???) And at the resorts some highend choices include: Napa Rose, Hook’s Point, Steakhouse 55, etc.

    No matter what you decide, the main thing to remember is to have fun and enjoy your visit to the Happiest Place on Earth!

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