Disneyland Trip Questions!

[MayBWeRMnt2B]

So I'm leaving for Disneyland in a little over 2 weeks and since I've never been I'm planning some things, and i'd like some advice about my plan as I get ready to go.

Here are some questions...

- Has anyone ever stayed at the Disneyland Hotel? Is it nice? What's it like? What time did they let you check in? We get in at around 1pm, but check-in isn't normally until 4, so should we go to Downtown Disney or to the park for the afternoon?

- What rides do you suggest I do not miss?

- What rides can I miss, since I am a WDW addict and have been on everything there hundreds of times?

- Any secrets or tips anyone can share?

- How does the monorail work there? Are all the hotels connected or just some of them?

- What does the Disney Gallery have all in it? (can you buy stuff, or can you just look? We're looking for some certain artwork!)

And I think that's it! Once I make a list of rides that I definitely want to go on I'll post so people can give me opinions and whatnot. Thanks! :-)

[Conceited Ape]

I'm afraid that you may be a bit disappointed with the Monorail system here on the west coast--it really doesn't hold a candle to the Mk-VIs we know and love back at WDW. The main station into the park is in the Downtown Disney area, and it services Tomorrowland inside the park. I'm pretty sure they go as far as the resort hotels, but I've never ridden them in that direction (never had any business that way).

Never stayed in the hotel before (bein' more or less a "local," never had the need), although the folks I've spoken to who have really enjoyed themselves.

Attractions not to be missed? Well, all personal bias aside, Indiana Jones and The Temple of the Forbidden Eye (or Temple of the Four-Hour Line on some days of the week) is one heck of a ride, and worth getting back in line for over and over again. There are three different ways that the vehicles can go, and I don't think I've ever heard the same exact dialouge twice.

Last I heard, Pirates of the Carribean was out of commission. A major bummer, so plan accordingly. For the record, in defiance of what the guidebooks may tell you, I personally believe WDW has the better version, anyway (ditto for the Haunted Mansion).

Not sure if Florida has stepped it up as well, but Disneyland recently gave Space Mountain a serious make-over, and it is awesome. They cleaned up real good.

I expounded a bit on the "California Adventure" side of the park on here a little while back, so at the risk of sounding lazy in my old age, I figure I'll just let you read up on those on your own. The park is worth checking out if you get the chance.

If the "Disney Gallery" you mean is the same place I'm thinkin' it is, there is plenty of stuff for sale as well as for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

(Incidentally, if you just so happen to cross paths with a guy in black wearing a dusty fedora, don't be shy.)

[skiyalater]

The castle is a dwarf, you will be amazed at how small it is.

[skiyalater]

I think the monorail is only to the DL hotel? I don't think it goes to the two newer hotels.

[skiyalater]

Downtown there is a bit smaller if i remember correctly. You really should go on the original soarin, matterhorn, gtg on Space Mountain becuase it's brand new.

[skiyalater]

as he said before, you do have to go on Indy.

[Soccergirl426]

Originally Posted by MayBWeRMnt2B

So I'm leaving for Disneyland in a little over 2 weeks and since I've never been I'm planning some things, and i'd like some advice about my plan as I get ready to go.

Here are some questions...

- Has anyone ever stayed at the Disneyland Hotel? Is it nice? What's it like? What time did they let you check in? We get in at around 1pm, but check-in isn't normally until 4, so should we go to Downtown Disney or to the park for the afternoon?

- What rides do you suggest I do not miss?

- What rides can I miss, since I am a WDW addict and have been on everything there hundreds of times?

- Any secrets or tips anyone can share?

- How does the monorail work there? Are all the hotels connected or just some of them?

- What does the Disney Gallery have all in it? (can you buy stuff, or can you just look? We're looking for some certain artwork!)

And I think that's it! Once I make a list of rides that I definitely want to go on I'll post so people can give me opinions and whatnot. Thanks! :-)

heres what i know MayBWeRMnt2B-
I have never stayed at a Disney resort, when we went to DL, the day we got in it was about dinner time, so we went to Downtown Disney for dinner, and DD is just shops and places to eat (except ESPN Zone, if I remember, has games)If you want to go to the park, remember to get a parkhopper ticket just in case you want to go to DL and DCA.

In DL, my favorites are-
Big Thunder Railroad, Splash Mountain, Indiania Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Pirates of the Carribbean, Space Mountain (and DL refreshed SM, so it is smoother than the SM at WDW.
In DCA, my favorites are-
Calfornia Screamin'
Soarin'
Tower of Terror
and the list goes on and on

Also, Pirates of the Carribbean may be closed, or they might of opened it, i dont really know

[skiyalater]

oh yeah i forgot about california screamin', it's a good ride but make sure you do it in the morning because when i was there (it was summer though) it kept shutting down, becuase the electro magnets would get too hot.

[MayBWeRMnt2B]

I know Pirates is closed along with Mulhound Madness or whatever that other one is called...

(Incidentally, if you just so happen to cross paths with a guy in black wearing a dusty fedora, don't be shy.)

Lol. Uhm, sure, will you be the only one?

Actually my dad and I are going. I'm 21 my dad is 55, and we have a princess lunch!!! lol. We're uhm, looking forward to it? lol. This trip is partially 'let me check out disneyland' and other part 'business.' I may apply for a disneyland internship come next year, so I wanted to see it and let that help me see if I like it there or not. Anyway, I'm a huge fan and I know WDW like I live there, so I have a feeling i'll feel slightly out of my element, but I'm REALLY looking forward to it!

Anyway, thanks for everyones comments so far.

Let's see what else... I won't ride Soarin'. I'm only there for 3 full days, and I'm afraid of crowds, and I've been on it in Walt Disney World about 100 times, so I'm good. I don't care if the inside is better. lol.

Anyway, does anyone have any clue on how crowds are gonna be? (Maybe you Conceited Ape?)

And I definitely plan on going on Indiana Jones and taking tons and tons of pictures.

[tiggerguy]

the monorail only has two stops usually, Tomorrowland and Downtown Disney. Where the Downtown Disney stop is now, there used to be a wing of the Disneyland Hotel. It is now quite a hike to the hotels from the monorails.

If it isn't raining you have to try the Alice in Wonderland and the Storybook C**** rides in DL.

As you already said you will be "out of your element" so all I can say is go with an open mind and try not to compare it too closely with Florida's MK.

As for food places. the last time I was there most places used REAL dishes and silverware, none of the plastic junk you find at WDW

[skiyalater]

Originally Posted by tiggerguy

the monorail only has two stops usually, Tomorrowland and Downtown Disney. Where the Downtown Disney stop is now, there used to be a wing of the Disneyland Hotel. It is now quite a hike to the hotels from the monorails.

If it isn't raining you have to try the Alice in Wonderland and the Storybook C**** rides in DL.

As you already said you will be "out of your element" so all I can say is go with an open mind and try not to compare it too closely with Florida's MK.

As for food places. the last time I was there most places used REAL dishes and silverware, none of the plastic junk you find at WDW

Yeah the monorails are much, much different than WDW's.

[Soccergirl426]

I would also reccommend going on the rides that are only at DL and DCA if you have gone to WDW many times. Also, I've gone on Soarin' twice-both in DCA when it first opened and WDW in March-I would totally reccommend it, and I don't know if there is FPs for it, but if you have never gone on it, its the "original".
As I think I said before, go on Space Mountain because it is WAY smoother and faster than the other one, and honestly I just like it better.

[MayBWeRMnt2B]

Yeah. I made lists of everything I wanna get on, so I know.

And I won't compare too much. :-) I know I won't. It's my first vacation in about six years and its not even an entire vacation, but still it will be happy.

[skiyalater]

well, have a good time!

[Conceited Ape]

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