Need help planning first visit to DLR...

[HKDLFAN]

Hi! I am a premium annual pass holder for Hong Kong Disneyland, knowing how small it is, we decided to get away from HK and go somewhere different so we decided that in the christmas holidays, me, my parents and my little sister are going to be visiting DLR. we'll be spending 2 weeks at the Disneyland hotel and will be visiting the two theme parks continuously over the two weeks(thats why we're going to California for). Here is my schedule:
TWO WEEK PLAN:

DAY 1: Disneyland

Day 2: DCA

DAY 3: Disneyland

DAY 4: Disneyland

DAY 5: DCA

DAY 6: Disneyland

DAY 7: Disneyland

DAY 8: Disneyland

Day 9: DCA

DAY 10: DCA

DAY 11: Disneyland

DAY 12: DCA

DAY 13: Disneyland

Day 14: Disneyland

DAY 15: Back to HONG KONG(where the small one reigns...

Could you guys help me make a timetable for what to do on the 14 days...I have never been to DLR before and I really want to have a good time there by knowing what shows, attractions and other stuff to see. Thanks...

[Pressler69]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

You know, there's more to California, even Southern California, than just Disneyland.

I can't imagine going to Disney World for two weeks, much less Disneyland. I would probably spend four days in a row at the most.

A timetable won't really be necessary. You'll be able to do everything. You'll be able to everything 10 times over actually.

[aashee]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

14 days? You can do just about everything in 14 days. I'd go to city hall ask ask about ride closures/re-openings to make sure you don't miss anything.

Have a great time!

[mousechild]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

You can get to the park early before the crowds get there, leave see some other parts of SoCal, see the parks at night and still feel like you have seen everything at least a few times. I find that by day 4 of a trip I am ready to go home.

[duckiedianne]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

That's a long time to spend at Disneyland! There are other great places in Southern California to consider during your vacation! Here are some suggestions


Knott's Berry Farm
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Legoland
Universal Studios Hollywood
San Diego Zoo
The Getty Museum

[PragmaticIdealist]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

Do you have an interest in visiting other parts of southern California?

One of the most overlooked experiences at Disneyland is "The Art of the Craft" Tour at the Grand Californian. The one-hour daily walking tour is complimentary, and I recommend it. But, the hotel requests that you obtain same-day reservations in advance.

[Datameister]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

Yeah, I'm with the others...that's a pretty long time to spend at DL! Three or four days ought to be plenty, methinks.

[HKDLFAN]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

Aren't there really long lines in DL and DCA, my dad went there twenty years ago and complained of long lines...here at HKDL there are really low wait times, even on weekends, space mountain is empty and I'm usually the only one in the ride who's having fun...we picked two weeks because we go to HKDL every Saturday and we just want to go to a bigger place. We love Disney. We've been to every Disney theme park except for DLR in California.

[Pressler69]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

You can get to the park early before the crowds get there, leave see some other parts of SoCal, see the parks at night and still feel like you have seen everything at least a few times. I find that by day 4 of a trip I am ready to go home.

Now that I think about it, it would probably be easier to just stay at the resort for two weeks, enjoy yourself and the parks, rather than painfully attempt to get Southern California's public transportation network to work for you, especially if you are unwilling or unable to rent a car.

First, the buses are okay and fine for local travel but won't really work for longer trips, like to LA or San Diego. And second, the trains are few in number and don't go anywhere. Yeah, this guy has the right idea. California sucks. Just stay at Disney.

[MsKaren]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

I would take some of the tours. That will take up some time.

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

That's an awful lot of Disneyland for 2 weeks and this is from someone who goes at least once a week himself!

Let me suggest what you should do instead:

DAY 1: Disneyland

Day 2: DCA

DAY 3: Disneyland

DAY 4: Disneyland

DAY 5: Hollywood

DAY 6: Universal Studios

DAY 7: Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive. Maybe go to the Getty Center as well.

DAY 8: Knott's Berry Farm

Day 9: Relax -- go to Newport Beach or Huntington Beach

DAY 10: Go shopping at Fashion Island and/or South Coast Plaza

DAY 11: Catalina Island

DAY 12: Skiing at one of the mountain resorts (if you are here in the winter)

DAY 13: DCA

Day 14: Disneyland

DAY 15: Back to HONG KONG(where the small one reigns...

You can maybe also take substitute one or two of these days and go to San Diego and see either Sea World or the San Diego Zoo or both...

This is more than enough time to see DCA and Disneyland plus a lot of other area sites.

[Pressler69]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

Aren't there really long lines in DL and DCA, my dad went there twenty years ago and complained of long lines...here at HKDL there are really low wait times, even on weekends, space mountain is empty and I'm usually the only one in the ride who's having fun...we picked two weeks because we go to HKDL every Saturday and we just want to go to a bigger place.

Disneyland has way more attractions than Hong Kong Disneyland but it isn't that much bigger. This isn't Walt Disney World. Disneyland is a full day park, two if you really want to soak it in, and DCA is at best a half-day park.

You'll see huge crowds after the Christmas break starts. This is around the 20th, 21st, depending on who starts vacation when. The busiest days will be the 24th through New Year's Day, with New Year's Eve being the most insane.

Even with the crowds, you'll still be able to do everything you want to do within two to three days.

[HKDLFAN]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

That's such i good idea DisneyIpresume... i might go with this schedule...


DAY 1: Disneyland

Day 2: DCA

DAY 3: Disneyland

DAY 4: Universal Studios

DAY 5: DCA

DAY 6: Disneyland

DAY 7: Disneyland

DAY 8: Universal Studios

Day 9: Hollywood

DAY 10: DCA

DAY 11: Disneyland

DAY 12: DCA

DAY 13: Disneyland or maybe six flags or goo shopping

Day 14: Disneyland

DAY 15: Back to HONG KONG(where the small one reigns...)

I'll have to tell my parents at night to check if they allow it or not...Thanks...
PS:I HATE THE BEACH

[Pressler69]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

but the next time I go there i'll try six flags.

Woah woah woah... let's not get crazy here!

[HKDLFAN]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

My dad says we have to spend at least 11 days at DLR doing continuous visits to DL and DCA, so it's 4 days doing random stuff at California...

[PragmaticIdealist]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

Southern California is more than just amusement parks.

I, personally, can't imagine going to Knott's Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain on a vacation. They're relatively generic.

[mousechild]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

Aren't there really long lines in DL and DCA, my dad went there twenty years ago and complained of long lines...here at HKDL there are really low wait times, even on weekends, space mountain is empty and I'm usually the only one in the ride who's having fun...we picked two weeks because we go to HKDL every Saturday and we just want to go to a bigger place. We love Disney. We've been to every Disney theme park except for DLR in California.

If you want to get an idea of what you can do in a day you might look at purchasing RideMax software, it has taught me a lot about getting the most out of the park. And given the state of the US Dollar on the exchange market it probably so cheap that they have to give you money.

[Pressler69]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

I, personally, can't imagine going to Knott's Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain on a vacation. They're relatively generic.

Depends on where you are coming from.

Knott's still has some of that old Knott's charm. It's not completely overridden by roller coasters... yet. There is a lot of history there. The mine train ride and the log ride are both classic and well worth the short trip from Disneyland, especially if you are staying two weeks.

I would recommend going to Magic Mountain (or Cedar Point) if you love roller coasters as they are the two big roller coaster parks in the US. There are Internet clubs that do nothing but visit roller coaster parks like Theme Park Review. Obviously you wouldn't go to either of those parks if an unthemed (or sparsely themed at Magic Mountain) coaster environment isn't your thing.

There are a lot of places and things to see in Southern California and it all depends on what you are looking for.

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

That's such i good idea DisneyIpresume... i might go with this schedule...


DAY 1: Disneyland

Day 2: DCA

DAY 3: Disneyland

DAY 4: Universal Studios

DAY 5: DCA

DAY 6: Disneyland

DAY 7: Disneyland

DAY 8: Universal Studios

Day 9: Hollywood

DAY 10: DCA

DAY 11: Disneyland

DAY 12: DCA

DAY 13: Disneyland or maybe six flags or goo shopping

Day 14: Disneyland

DAY 15: Back to HONG KONG(where the small one reigns...)

I'll have to tell my parents at night to check if they allow it or not...Thanks...
PS:I HATE THE BEACH

That's a little better -- still way too much Disneyland but whatever floats your boat...

And the beach thing -- forgive me but whenever people ask about visiting the DLR I almost always insist they visit the beach. They might hate it but having lived here all my life, to me the beach is just as sacred as Disneyland is. The only difference is Disneyland is inland by about 10- 15 miles.

Southern California is more than just amusement parks.

I, personally, can't imagine going to Knott's Berry Farm or Six Flags Magic Mountain on a vacation. They're relatively generic.

Depends on where you are coming from.

Knott's still has some of that old Knott's charm. It's not completely overridden by roller coasters... yet. There is a lot of history there. The mine train ride and the log ride are both classic and well worth the short trip from Disneyland, especially if you are staying two weeks.

I would recommend going to Magic Mountain (or Cedar Point) if you love roller coasters as they are the two big roller coaster parks in the US. There are Internet clubs that do nothing but visit roller coaster parks like Theme Park Review. Obviously you wouldn't go to either of those parks if an unthemed (or sparsely themed at Magic Mountain) coaster environment isn't your thing.

There are a lot of places and things to see in Southern California and it all depends on what you are looking for.

Um...

Knott's has and always will have a soft spot in my heart. It is the place along with Disneyland that you take your aunt, uncle and cousins from Idaho to whenever they come for a visit.

[HKDLFAN]

Re: Need help planning first visit to DLR...

yep! it's confirmed! the latest timetable(which DisneyIPresume has kindly quoted) is confirmed! we booked the days in DL hotel and the two parks as well as USH.