First time to Disneyland Planning Advice

[JCinWonderland]

I am in the process of planning a southern California trip and would like to incorporate a stay at the Grand Californian and visit to both Disneyland and California Adventure. I will not have a lot of time and am wondering if 2 days will be enough to be satisfied and to get a good taste of both parks.

We would be arriving late morning on the first day and I'm thinking that first day we would go to CA (not planning to park hop). Then the entire second day would be focused on Disneyland (as that park seems to have more rides and is bigger, am I right?). I'd love any recommendations for plan of attack to maximize our days. We like doing the rides, but we also like taking time to enjoy sit down meals. Restaurant suggestions greatly appreciated as well.

Has anyone had experience with G+ and ILL at the California parks? Thoughts and tips on how to best use those at those parks. We will definitely take advantage of both since we won't travel to the CA parks often.

Really any tips or advice welcome!

[Brian5581]

Some recent threads that should help...

http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/sh...ght=disneyland

http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/sh...ght=disneyland


As far as dining, definitely Napa Rose.

[JCinWonderland]

Originally Posted by Brian5581

Some recent threads that should help...

http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/sh...ght=disneyland

http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/sh...ght=disneyland


As far as dining, definitely Napa Rose.

Thank you, Brian! I did a search for "Disneyland" on MO before posting but didn't see either of these threads. I wonder if I typed something incorrectly. I will read over these. Thanks! I was starting to think no one cared for DL too much.

I have heard the name Napa Rose before but did not remember it was a DL or CA restaurant. I'm going to look at that menu as well. Looks like DL has the same 60 day ADR timing.

[Brian5581]

Originally Posted by JCinWonderland

Thank you, Bryan! I did a search for "Disneyland" on MO before posting but didn't see either of these threads. I wonder if I typed something incorrectly. I will read over these. Thanks! I was starting to think no one cared for DL too much.

I have heard the name Napa Rose before but did not remember it was a DL or CA restaurant. I'm going to look at that menu as well. Looks like DL has the same 60 day ADR timing.

No problem, just remembered reading them recently and managed to find the links.


Napa Rose is in the Grand Californian. Definitely a fancier meal but well worth a visit.

[JCinWonderland]

Originally Posted by Brian5581

No problem, just remembered reading them recently and managed to find the links.


Napa Rose is in the Grand Californian. Definitely a fancier meal but well worth a visit.

Well the first thread I am reading through has already answered a lot of my questions and makes me realize I need to try to find more time to spend in the parks and also probably get the park hoppers.

Flying out of SNA instead of LAX is a great suggestion in the other thread too! We'll be flying into SAN and then traveling up the coast, but were planning to fly out of LAX. Still might stay in Manhattan/Hermosa area after DL, but if not, SNA is the way to go!

[Brian5581]

Originally Posted by JCinWonderland

Well the first thread I am reading through has already answered a lot of my questions and makes me realize I need to try to find more time to spend in the parks and also probably get the park hoppers.

Flying out of SNA instead of LAX is a great suggestion in the other thread too! We'll be flying into SAN and then traveling up the coast, but were planning to fly out of LAX. Still might stay in Manhattan/Hermosa area after DL, but if not, SNA is the way to go!

Indeed! SNA is great if you can make it work with your schedule.

[Eeyorelover22]

We visited in July 2011 and stayed at the Grand Californian. We had an amazing trip. The park entrance is amazing.

Make sure there is no one in your group that can get you into Club 33. It’s painful to know that DH had access and we didn’t go. I shouldn’t forgive my friend who didn’t tell me either, but I don’t think she knew we were going.

I don’t have much to offer, but hope you have a great trip. Highlights for us were the resort, World of Color, DL fireworks and Fantasmic!

[Joel0917]

I just returned from two days. Two days was enough to do it all or lost all but it was ropedrop 715am to 9pm each day. Pretty exhausting actually.

I’d say buy genie plus and all the LL so plan that way.

Also be online to get your dining as soon as it opens and book a couple and cancel as you get close. Blue bayou at lunch is a must.

I was terribly disappointed in how lame trader Sam’s was compared to Polynesian. I was so disappointed we went and waisted our money to basically go to a tiki bar. So id say skip that.

VGC is the way to go if you can get it otherwise I’d still pay to stay there. Nothing like it.

[DVCQUEEN]

This may not be helpful for this trip, but DL related.
For those that cannot get VGC points reservations, Concierge collection at DL resorts waives the $95 exchange fee and Paradise Pier can be booked as low 40 reservation points per night depending on time of year.
WDW Concierge collection does not waive this fee so that is a significant difference in booking CL.
I did not know this and may utilize this option in the future to extend a VGC stay.

[JCinWonderland]

Originally Posted by Eeyorelover22

We visited in July 2011 and stayed at the Grand Californian. We had an amazing trip. The park entrance is amazing.

Make sure there is no one in your group that can get you into Club 33. It’s painful to know that DH had access and we didn’t go. I shouldn’t forgive my friend who didn’t tell me either, but I don’t think she knew we were going.

I don’t have much to offer, but hope you have a great trip. Highlights for us were the resort, World of Color, DL fireworks and Fantasmic!

Thank you! It's just me and my immediate family going and we will not have access to Club 33 unfortunately. I made sure to ask my husband if he has ever even heard of Club 33 just in case and no luck.