We will be at the park 5 days DD are 6 and 10 IS this enogh time at the park not to be rushed and just be able to enjoy the magic. Should we try to do all the rides everyday or just focus on a few areas everyday? Are there two parks right together?( can you tell I've not been in 20 years) Is there any water parks or water things, that need swimsuits? I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited but very nervous because I am a planner but this is so way out of my leauge. THanks.

Welcome to MousePad. I would suggest checking out our main site, in particular the Park Guide Pages (http://www.mouseplanet.com/guide.php?pg=A00000), to help you reacquaint yourself with the Disneyland Resort.

Disney's California Adventure is right across from Disneyland, but they require separate entry. If you have a park hopper ticket you can enter both parks on the same day.

There are no water parks within walking distance of DL. However, most hotels have a pool so you might want to pack them depending on where you stay. Also, there are some attractions in DL where you can get wet. Here's an idea of some of the spots (http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=pp040623lp), although there have been some changes since the article was written in 2004.

I would suggest not trying to do every ride each day. Since you will have 5 days, you should pick things to focus on, then if you have favorites you can try to hit those multiple times. Save at least one early morning to get to Fantasyland right at opening so you can ride Peter Pan and/or Dumbo without waiting in a really long line.

We really feel like doing a combination of rides and shows in a day provides the right balance of "magic." I can't believe how many times we looked at the schedule and said we didn't need to see a show about Billy Hill and the Hillbillies--saw it once for kicks and now it is not only a must but not unusual to see a couple of times when we're there. The kids LOVE it. My point is--the shows are worth the time it takes to see them!

We also like to go to Disneyland the first day (sometimes second too) and then California Adventure after...it's a nice breather form crowds to be in California Adventure.

I think the maps make everything look further apart than they are. Although we plan to not walk from one end of the park to the other, it's not too far to go from one area to another or to park hop.

There are no actual "water parks" nearby that I know of but California Adventure does have the water play area in Bugs Land(I think it is Bugs Land) and my son loves it there(he is 9). No actual pool or slide but the kids that are playing there always seem to enjoy it.

Stan, that is a great link that you have there! I didn't even know that some of the 1 towel places were there!

Stan, that is a great link that you have there! I didn't even know that some of the 1 towel places were there!

(Psst, her name is Steph --- say her screen name out loud and then guess where she went to college!)

5 years ago I took my 2 kids (7 and 10 at the time) for 3 days (shorter days because of the season), and we managed to ride everything at DL and DCA in that time, with plenty of "re-dos", so I don't think you'll have a problem seeing and doing everything in 5 days. Take your time, enjoy, relax, breathe in the Disney magic!

I can't wait either; now only 34 days until our 4 day trip!

What time of year are you going?

5 days in off season is my favorite.
You spend a lot of your first visit just wandering and ohhing & ahhing a lot, which is a beautiful thing, especially if you are not in a hurry. I love it when you can sit back and enjoy the shows, shopping, food etc instead of rushing to check off every headliner attraction!

Have a wonderful time!!!

(Psst, her name is Steph --- say her screen name out loud and then guess where she went to college!)


LMAO! Thank you! What a dork I am. :fez:

Since you are a big planner, I would suggest asking your kids what their favorites are and do those first. You could try and play it loose, go with the flow and take it in slowly. However, I have read that some families can be too indecisive and waste time figuring out what to do next. There are plenty
of resources here to use. Good luck.

Five days should be a good amount of time to see and do DLR. And, welcome to MP! May I suggest that you read and familiarize yourself with the FastPass system. There are good articles here at Mouse Planet. Also the FP "trick" is that they don't "expire" at the end of your window, but are good for the remainder of the day. You can collect FP's during the day and have easy entry to a whole bunch of "e-ticket" rides in the evening.

I usually combine my days with rides, shows and attractions. Our rest time is usually at meals. I always leave the day "flexible" to catch something I didn't expect. This has included a Disneyland Band concert on Main Street, with guest conductor Eeyore, the firehouse band, Mary Poppins and Bert with the Button Band, the show outside of the Golden Horseshoe, a lariat twirlling cowboy in Frontierland, a jazz combo in New Orleans Square, PUSH, the talking trash can and the trash can band in Tomorrowland.

Make some Priority Seating reservations for restaurants such as the Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, and many in DTD. We've had a late lunch at the Carnation Cafe, for instance, and stayed there to watch the parade.

There is so much to see and do, you need to have a plan, but also be FLEXIBLE. Lastly, I would pre-plan the first four days, then let Day #5 be a day to re-experience your "favorites". It will be sad to leave, but you'll go out with a bang!

Hope this helps!

Mkae sure you do Fantasmic, We didnt do it in October and did it twice this last rip. It was amazing.

Our First trip in October was 5 days, this last one in April/May was 8 days, we still found new stuff on day 8 of our last trip. Saw the Snow white fountain, with all the statues last day, etc.

It really is a magical place. We spent alot of time wandering, it was sooo not wasted time, there is so much to see, even wandering aimlessly is great. Our Kids are 8 and 12, they found alot more than we did.

Disneyland and California Adventure are seperated by a space about as wide as half of your normal Target parking lot, it is a very easy walk. Both parks are amazing.

Make sure you see the shows, Bugs life and the muppet 3d are awesome, everyone from my son up to Grandma wanted to see it twice.

Good luck with the trip, you have just started a new addiction, lol.

OOOH and we are big planners as well, as a matter of fact we are actively planning our trip in December now. But when we get there all the planning in the world goes out the window. It is another world once your inside, and the Spirit of Walt will guide you around his magical world if you let him.

That sounds so cheesy, but its true.

OOOH ride the train around the park, all the way, it will help you to see stuff you want to do, like the COOOLEST part of splash mountain.

thanks everyone I am really getting excited!!

It should be noted that you have to remain fully clothed while playing in any of the water areas. Last year, our (then 18 month-old) son got so soaked, we removed his shirt and were promptly told by a cast member that he had to be fully dressed.

An easy way around this is to bring a change of cloths, and store them in a rental locker.