Last Minute Advice for a First Timer...

[reasonenough]

Okay, so I'm leaving for Disney in 2 days and I've never been before. It's been more than 15 years since DBF has been so it's all going to be pretty new for him as well.

Do you have any tips or advice for me as a first timer, things to look out for, not to forget, anything you can think of?

You guys have already helped me out so much, and I appreciate everything!!

[Jazziered]

I would just make sure to bring in a snack, and a water bottle. I also take the flavor packets, because if I refill at a fountain, I find the water to be a little on the funky tasting side.

Wear your most comfy shoes, and I would absolutely make sure you get fast passes as soon as you can.

Make sure you ride Space Mountain. It is absolutely the best.

Make sure you talk to everyone when your in Q. It is so much fun!!

But most of all, enjoy it and have the time of your life!!

[Matterhorn Yodeler]

Given the condition of DCA, with all of the construction going on, I would devote my time to Disneyland. In two days, you could pretty much see the whole thing.

Have a plan...in other words, put a list of the "must see" things together. Use fast passes (see the great information here on them). But also be flexible. If something is too crowded, skip it for the time being and try something else. Also there are lots of "unexpected" things, such as bands playing, etc. which add to the fun of being there. Get there at opening and remember that the last ride occurs at closing, giving you some time to walk out of the park.

Eat at slightly off hours; it is less crowded then. Make a priority seating reservation before you go if you are dying to eat at someplace like the Blue Bayou. I would suggest at least one "sit down" meal (whether it's wait staff service or buffeteria) to relax and refresh while still being in the Disneyland atmosphere.

Do your shopping toward the end of the day so that you are not carrying extra stuff around with you throughout the day, while you are trying to get on rides or rushing from one place to the other.

Hope this helps.

[Bytebear]

I agree about skipping California Adventure. Devote your time to Disneyland. First thing when you enter the park is head to Adventureland and get your first Fast Pass tickets for Indiana Jones (alternatively Tomorrowland for Space Mountain). Do this before riding anything. It may save you hours later. Look for when you can get your next Fast Pass (in small print at the bottom of the ticket), and enjoy the park until you can get your next Fast Pass. Even if there is a short line, or no line at all, still get the Fast Pass and then ride it in the regular line and use the pass for later. Don't worry about the end time on the Fast Pass. Use them when convenient, even in the evening. Keep repeating this throughout the day on all the Fast Pass attractions, hitting the non-fast pass rides or short line rides in between.


Do your shopping toward the end of the day so that you are not carrying extra stuff around with you throughout the day, while you are trying to get on rides or rushing from one place to the other.

If you do purchase something, you can have them hold it for you and you can pick it up at the end of the day. This is a free service.

[reasonenough]

Thanks for the advice! We're spending four days in the park, so we will go to California Adventure, but if we were only spending one or two it might be a different story.

[nvmom]

Some of the best advice I got here for our first ever trip was:

*bring 2 pairs of comfy shoes so you can switch back and forth (good for the feet) And, if it rains you have a dry pair.

*Bring your own ponchos. Cheap and light weight to pack. We bring along quite a few from the Dollar Store and if you hit rain we pull them out to wear, cover the stroller with (back in our stroller days), one over our backpack, etc.

*Bring your own water bottles and a few easy snacks in your backpack. And a handful of bandaids.

*Take time to look at a map and the get the general lay out in your head. Make some kind of a plan...

*Take time and make an effort to enjoys parades, shows, music etc. These things set Disneyland apart from other parks.

*Cant' speak to the construction at Calif Adv. but generally speaking we enjoy this park a lot!

nvmom

[Bytebear]

I assume you have park hoppers, but if not, then do DCA on the busiest day (Saturday or Sunday). If you do have park hoppers, then do Disneyland in the morning, then cut to DCA in the afternoon and return to Disneyland in the evening. This way you skip Disneyland's busiest part of the day, and you can still collect your DL Fast Passes for later use that evening. For DCA, you want to get Fastpasses for Soarin' for sure.

[The old man]

I could go through a big list, but instead HIGHLY recommend getting The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. It has many detailed itineraries and you can tear out the ones you want (they're in the back in cheat sheet format) and carry it with you.

[reasonenough]

I could go through a big list, but instead HIGHLY recommend getting The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. It has many detailed itineraries and you can tear out the ones you want (they're in the back in cheat sheet format) and carry it with you.

I have the Unofficial Guide, it was a life saver. :)

[Rufus T Firefly]

Arrive early and use Fast Pass wisely.

[ryanvalle]

- Water and snacks. Food and drinks are expensive at the park, so this will be your best friend and best bet to save money during a trip. Often, I settle with just bringing water and having a big break fast, a few churros/popcorns, and then having an early or late dinner.

- Bring a jacket. Even if its nice and lovely outside, California nights can become very cold very fast, so having a jacket on hand can bring you lots of comfort.

- Footwear. Wear something comfortable. Keep in mind that there are water rides and shoes do get wet, so if you do ride them, try to keep your feet elevated or tucked inside where they wont get wet. A few notes on specific rides. Keep your feet elevated on Grizzly river run if you want to have dry feet. They have drains down under where water may randomly spout up and get your feet. I' would've had many dry runs on the ride if it werent for me forgetting about those drains. Always gets me.

- Backpack/purse. I recommend having one or someone having one in the group. Keeps your hands free and allows you to carry a lot around the park. Avoid bulky backpacks. Just something big enough to carry what you need, but stay as small as possible since Disneyland doesnt allow you to put your backpack to side during rides so a large backpack would be uncomfortable to have around on some rides. They offer lockers, but personally, they don't do a backpack any good since my purpose of having a bag is so i can carry it around and have my goodies available at all times.

- Ziplock bags. I like to take atleast 2 or 3 with me. When riding water rides, I stick my phone and camera in them and then put those inside my backpack. I've been complemented many times by park guests about these and by bringing extras, I've made a few friends while in queue for splash mountain.

I hope I made this post in time for your trip, but if not, I hope it serves some good for others :).