I'm going to Disneyland!

[Sam I Am]

I have to go to Las Vegas for work in late April. Is it sad that the first thing that popped into my head was "wow, that's pretty close to Disneyland" (well, at least compared to being here in Connecticut)?

I've never been to Disneyland! I'm arriving late Thursday 4/27, and leaving early Wednesday 5/3. I've got great airfare from Vegas to Orange County (and back) on Southwest, and a good rate at the Fairfield Inn Anaheim Disneyland Resort. Work won't pay for return airfare from Orange County, so I have my r/t itinerary from Vegas to Orange County, as well as a separate r/t itinerary from Vegas to NY. I've got 3.5 hours between flights on the way back. I hope that's enough.

Anyways - the only real things I'm planning are Fantasmic! Balcony Seating and the Walk in Walt's footsteps tour. I'll be sure to post a trip report afterwards.

I'm totally not planning other than that. I only have a few Disney parks left I haven't been to, and I really want to savor that first-time feeling.

Anyone have any particular little don't-miss things at the Disneyland Resort?

[mrp4352]

Hopefully the little Mint Julep stand in Orleans Square will be open and you can have one of the most refreshing non-alcoholic drinks made!

Oh, and if the Light Parade is running at California Adventure, try to get a spot looking straight where it comes out of the gate (by the Sun fountain in the main plaza). You can see all the floats lined up and ready to go!

BTW - it's not sad when the first thing you think about is Vegas isn't far from Anaheim! I've managed to turn my Mom's planned 2-day jaunt to Vegas in June to a 2-day jaunt to Vegas with a 2-day detour to DL! We're staying at the Jolly Roger Inn, though...

[disneydreamer98]

That's great news Sam!!!!! Have a wonderful time! Will be looking forward to hearing all about your trip!!!

[4Mickey]

I'm really excited for you! No, it's not sad you thought of that first! Last summer when I went to Vegas with my DH for a business trip, we drove over to Anaheim for the day so I could hit DL. As for what to be sure not to miss: I'm sure you may have already seen RU42's guide. If not, Disneyland for the WDW VeteranThis was very helpful to me since I'm used to WDW. It helped me plan a little bit ahead of time what I wanted to see, what I could miss & what to just walk right past! We only had 1 day there so I wanted to make the most of it & this guide was definaltey helpful! I can't wait to hear about your trip! Have a great time!

[GaRain]

Yeah, when I planned a trip to LA with some friends, the first thing I thought about was how I could get to Disneyland and would any of them come with me?

First and foremost, you must ride Space Mountain - I did not get to ride it when I was there....it was not opened from refurb yet.
If you go to California Adventures, please ride the new Monsters Ride and let us know how it is.
Most of all - have fun and report back!!

[tiggerguy]

Hopefully the little Mint Julep stand in Orleans Square will be open and you can have one of the most refreshing non-alcoholic drinks made!

This is located in the back of the French Market Restaurant , real close to the railroad station

[MayBWeRMnt2B]

I'm going May 4-8th, so you get to go before me, have a great time!!

[SamIAm717]

Well I'm a whole different SamIAm and I am going to Disneyland on 6/7/06 to 6/10/06. I can't wait to see the park that Walt built!

[Pirate_Queen]

It's a...well, magical place! I'm going back there again in 22 days! I'm so excited! (Hence the counter in my sig)

[mickey2005]

I hope you have a great trip at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.

Make sure you go on all the classic attractions such as Pirates, Mansion, the Fantasyland rides and so forth...
And for an extra treat, ride Splash Mountain during the fireworks. Seeing the nighttime sky full of fireworks when you're about the plundge down those few stories is magical. Somethig that you will enerv forget.
Also.. get a churro (My favorite)

*First post ever on this site*

-mickey2005

[SamIAm717]

Thanks for the well wishes, but unfortunately, I won't be able to ride Pirates this time around. It's closed for refurbishment and well, unless there's some type of miracle or a "soft opening" (which they usually don't do with refurbs), I'll have to miss it. I can't wait to see the Attic Bride though in the Haunted Mansion!

[mickey n minnie]

I went to DL awhile ago, and if you like Splash Mountain, you can go on the singles line through the exit and constantly go on, instead of waiting on a 3 hour line (I think that line is longer there than in WDW because theres fewer seats per log). I only went for 2 days, and I went on sm more times in DL than Ive gone on in WDW.

Oh, and have fun =]

[Dragonrider1227]

Sin city to the happiest place on earth. XD There's a jump!!

[rosworms]

I just went to Disneyland in May and it was great fun. Make sure you don't miss the Matterhorn, the Indiana Jones Ride, and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Those were my three musts when we went because I knew I wouldn't get to go on those in WDW.

You'll be so surprised at how small the castle is! I knew it was smaller, but I was still surprised and my family had no idea what to expect (not so much Disney fanatics) so they all turned to me and were like, "But it's so small... why?"


Now... I don't know if this was just me (and my family) but we didn't really think much of California Adventure. It didn't seem to have the Disney... FEEL to it. For us, it just felt like being in any other amusement park like our local Valley Fair. So I don't consider California Adventure a MUST at all... not unless you are really jonesing for a ride on TOT.

[wdwnut4life]

I'm going for 1 day @ the end of July w/my friends!!!