First Trip TO Disneyland and CA in July...

[kendog]

So, when we started planning our honeymoon for July my fiance and I both said we would do things we both wanted to do and see and share them with eachother. Knowing we were driving down the coast from Washington to California (Oregon and Arizona included) my thoughts turned to the baseball parks I haven't been to yet and we bought tickets to 5 games at 5 parks (SBC, Dodger Stadium, BOB, Petco Park and Angel Stadium). Part of my fiances suggestions includes Disneyland and California Adventure cause she hasn't been in years and can't believe that I, at 31, have never been to Disneyland (Let's pause while the shock and disbelief passes all those reading..... ok, lets continue...). I must admit that while I have been researching both parks I have got a bit excited about seeing them. Each seem to hold different things that will make them both alot of fun. My main reseervations are that we are both big people and probably wont be able to ride most rides cause of this (due to being locked in by some restraint device that we wont fit into). I am not much of a rides person anyway, so this dont bug me a whole lot, except when I am reading about the fun others have had, naturally and that Tower of Terror sounds quite wicked! So I am hoping that I have turned to the right place, and by reading several of the posts in this forum it appears I have, when I ask... what do you suggested? We will have 2 days, 1 for each park (open to close) to do what we can. What do you suggest we do? Are there any rides that we should be able to do that you suggest being worth the time? Are there any attractions that we just simply should not miss? Any that we shouldn't waste our time with? From what I have read I am guessing I should, to be safe, get the 2-day "Hopper" passes, is this correct? Any great advice would be very helpful for this Disneyland Newbie. I am sure I will again later, but let me thank you now for any suggestions/thoughts/helpful comments you can toss our way as we are planning our trip. :D

[tajainaz]

Welcome to our magical place in cyberspace, Ken!

I did a quick search looking for a site for Disneyland similar to All Ears Net by Deb Wills for WDW, but I couldn't find anything quickly. She has a section called WDW at Large, with tips for people who are taller or larger. Unfortunately, although many of the attractions at WDW and Disneyland/CA are similar, the vehicles and seating frequently are not!

There is bound to be something out there, so do some web searches and poke around a bit.

Although I haven't been to Disneyland for many years (and not to CA at all yet), my personal opinion is to start at Disneyland. There is a special magic walking up Main Street. Take the train around the park (it was our traditional last ride), ride one of the Main Street vehicles and just enjoy the atmosphere for a bit. Then strike out for the big stuff!

Whether you go on all of the rides, some of the rides or none of the rides, you'll enjoy yourself. Before the era of passports, we used to buy general admission tickets ($2) and use our old A, B and C tickets (obviously, not the most popular attractions). We could enjoy ourselves for an entire afternoon and evening (Disneyland closed at 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights during the summer at that time).

Wish I could be of more help, but hopefully PA (Psycho Alice) or someone who visits Disneyland more frequently will be along with more information.


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[dcfromva]

kendog,
Welcome to our boards! It sounds like you have a great plan going.
If you wanted to do something extra special for your bride, Here is some information on the Fantasmic Balcony Seating tickets... (http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25911)

In regards to the size question, most of the Disney rides are pretty spacious. I know someone who used to be a larger size--he is 6foot 2 and he used to weigh 330. He could go on all the rides, though he found the Matterhorn was a bit cramped to get on.

Must see shows--I loved the Aladdin Show at the California Adventure. There is a new Snow White show at Disneyland (it is supposed to be great, but I haven't seen it yet--)

Rides to go on---if you've never been, try to go on all of them! You might not be able to get to everything, but then you could come back for an anniversary trip! :)

Here is a link to a previous discussion on park recomendations (http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23684)

-DC :ears:

[TeknoNurd]

Until recently, I was extremely overweight (6'4", 500 pounds, I now weigh 250). I have not been to Disneyland in about 8 years (when we moved out of state), but before that I (and my family) went pretty often. For a while I worked for Disney Studios, so we came to know just about every brick at Disneyland.

I chose to not even try to get on many of the rides. "Log Ride" and "Big Boat" rides (like Pirates, Small World, Jungle Cruise) I would ride because I knew they had plenty of room. Coaster / Thrill type rides I did not even try, the embarassment of not fitting was just too great a risk.

Having said the above, I still loved Disneyland. Just walking around, holding my wifes hand, taking in shows, shopping, eating (this was a big one then), all made for a great time. I particularly like walking around after dark, it is always magical. There is PLENTY to do at Disney that does not involve a seat restraint.

We are planning our triumphant return to DisneyLand in December, where I will ride the rides, as I did in Disneyworld last December.

Have Fun!

[tajainaz]

Congratulations on your weight loss, TechnoNurd!

Isn't it great that there is so much to see and do at Disneyland and WDW, that people of all sizes, abilities and interests can enjoy their visit?


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[PsychoAlice]

PA to the recue! Also a VERY frequent Disneylander (like once every 2 weeks...Annual Passes rock!) as I am only 109.8 miles away! I really cant say too much more than what has already been said. Both parks have their own charm and just hanging out and looking at stuff is awesome (like the upside down masks as you enter adventureland via the hub) but I will let you know you are going at the peak of its busiest season! Expect alot of people and long wait lines!

[Lanmon]

Greetings,

We have been annual pass members to Disneyland for over 15 years. Every time we visit people are amazed with "our plan of the day".

Here are my TOP TEN SUGGESTIONS FOR BOTH PARKS.
1. GET TO DISNEYLAND EARLY!! The parks are usually open about 30 minutes prior to the actual time. We enjoy checking out the shops and plan to return at the end of the day. There will be a security check point. So, if the park states it is open at 10:00, it actually opens at 9:30.
2. Use the FAST PASS Program, and read the small print that tells you the next time you are allowed to get another pass. Have one person get the FAST PASSES while the other gets in line for another ride.
3. The parades are great...and can be seen better towards the end of the parade...end of Main Street in Disneyland and Maliboomer in CA Adventure. Fantasmic's first show is very crowded so see the second show.
3. Use the Lockers to store your evening jackets. Lockers are located inside and outside the parks, near the enterances.
4. Disney characters are everywhere in the early morning to the late afternoon. So, if there are lines to see your favorite, come back later. Toontown has Mickey and the pictures are great!
5. Disneyland: Ride Indiana Jones in the early morning, then get a FAST PASS for this ride later in the day. Then go to Pirates, Haunted Mansion and Splash. We can usally do these rides within 90 minutes of the park opening.
6. Lines go fast...look ahead to see if there are two lines and go the shorter line. It is usually the line to the LEFT.
7. CA Adventure: Go see Soarin' over California, Roaring Rapids, then Screamin'. Get a FAST PASS for Tower of Terror.
8. There are water areas for the kids so bring a towel and change of clothes.
9. Both parks have great evening entertainment...check out locations and rest. We enjoy the big band music and watching the dancing.
10. Enjoy Downtown Disney...lots of unique shops, different restaurants and outside entertainment.

Have a great time and enjoy Mickey and the gang!

[kendog]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I just bought us 2 day park hopper passes today, so that is completed. I think we are going to take y'alls suggestions, and just go and have fun. Ride what we can and do what we can reguardless of our size and just enjoy the parks as much as we can. I know there is so much to see and do and since its my first time, and I am not much of a rides person, I just wanna see as much as I can in the limited amount of time (1 day per park) that we can :)

Thanks again for your suggestions/comments, I appreciate it!

KEN-DOG!

[Lanmon]

Hey Kendog,

You are welcome! I know you will enjoy both parks. One place that I forgot to mention that people just don't really know about is the Disney Gallery which is located above Pirates of the Carribean in Disneyland. People also view the Fantasmic show from the balcony here. It was Disney's apartment that was built for his family and is now is a little museum of the history of Disneyland. Cast members will be able to answer any questions yu may have. If you visit the gallery note how low the door knobs are...those were specially made for Disney's grandchildren. Also, on the balcony there is iron decor that has Walt's initials. See if you can find it!

Enjoy!

[PsychoAlice]

and Roy's Initials too!

[dcfromva]

...Disney Gallery which is located above Pirates of the Carribean in Disneyland. People also view the Fantasmic show from the balcony here...

(I see another fan of the Fantasmic Balcony seating. :) )
Here is a link for detailed instructions on advanced bookings for these seats. (http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25911)

-DC :ears:

[tajainaz]

Kendog, I wasn't thinking before.

Another possibility would be to check at guest relations when you enter each park to see if they have information regarding access to the rides. Disneyland, being a much older park, has many of the small turnstyles that are difficult for average size people these days (I think we're larger than in the fifties!). You might be able to obtain a guest assistance pass or card that would allow you to enter some of the rides from the wheel chair or exit gates.

This wouldn't allow you to jump to the front of the line or anything, just better access to the attraction.

Just a thought! :)


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[shazc]

Can any one tell me the times of all the various parades and firework displays during August? Im trying to do our plan of action but am unsure of what times these are???????Please help
Shaz c

[Lanmon]

Both Disneyland and CA Adventure have parades...but the fireworks are only at Disneyland. Your best bet to find the schedules is going to the website...Disneyland.com. Put in the dates you will be going to Disney for the schedules. Beware that the website can be down so re-visit the website. We like to view the parades at the beginning of Main Street near the Railroad Station. The worst viewing is from Small World through Fantasyland...lots of crowds. There is one parade during the day around 3:00.

Disneyland has 2 fireworks displays...Fantasmic and a huge fireworks over the castle. fantasmic has two showing...best to go see the second one. The best place to see the "castle" fireworks is Main Street.

CA Adventure has one parade...Electrical Parade and the best viewing is by Paradise Pier and it is usually around 8:30 at night.

You did not ask but several suggestions about the parks...1. GET THERE EARLY!!! Both parks open several sections prior to the actual opening time. 2. Use the FAST PASS PROGRAM...free! Have one person get the passes while another waits in line. Check the FAST PASS for the next time you can get more FAST PASSES. 3. Go on the rides that will be very busy my late morning. 3. Lines do move so relax and enjoy the people around you. 4. Mickey can be seen in TOONTOWN, instead of waiting in long lines at the beginning of Main Street...it is aircondiitoned inside.

Have fun at the Happiest Place on Earth.

[PsychoAlice]

Actually fantasmic doesnt always do 2 showings a night and fireworks only happen on Saturday nights as far as I have seen in the last month...the people of Anaheim are complaining about the sulfur in the air...wah wah wah Disneyland was there before all those houses were..you knew what you were moving next to..if ya dont like it you shoudlnt have moved there (sorry a little rant to the people of Anaheim who complain!!)

[dcfromva]

Here is a link to the Disneyland website (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlr/landing/parkDLP)

Here is a link to the calendar (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlr/calendar/index)

(I guess I should be looking at the calendar, too! :lol: :lol: )

Oh, it looks like the calendar was down for me--I have to check back..


-DC :ears:

[tajainaz]

Love the Main Street Electrical Parade, which is what is at California Adventure at night. It's the originator of all of the lighted night-time parades. I don't remember if it originated in the late sixties or very early seventies at Disneyland (I remember seeing it in 1971, but also could have been earlier). I'm sure it's been updated, as I saw it last in 1981 when it was at MK in WDW. It you think the music from some of the rides sticks in your brain, wait until you hear this! I haven't heard it for 23 years and I still know it!


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[Lanmon]

Our family has been premier annual pass holders for over 15 years and tend to go to both parks 8-10 times a month. During the summer months Fantasmic always has two shows to accommodate the large crowds--that being 9:00 PM and 10:30 PM. People begin to bring in large blankets and stake out their seating areas beginning around 5:30 - 6:00 ( I think they are actually tired and need to rest their feet and have their kids take a nap!) The show is worth seeing show if you have never seen it. (However, DisneyWorld has Fantasmic at MGM which is phenomenal and I enjoy more.)

In the fall Disney changes the schedule of parades, fireworks, shows etc....which is why I recommended checking out the website (Disneyland.com)for actual times. True, sometimes there are no fireworks and no Fantasmic during the winter and spring months (weekdays as well as weekends). In the summertime Disney does have Fantasmic. :wink:

I also heard about the complaints about the sulphur in the air and it is sad for the city of Anaheim to complain. They just don't realize the contribution (ie millions of dollars!) that Disney provides each year.