Tips and advices for an ucommping MAY 2018 DL vist (1st in 11 years)

[Darkhaund]

Hello guys.

First of all I hope you all had happy holidays and may this 2018 bring you all good fortune.
I dont post often, but I decided to do so this time since I am planning to spend my 41st bday on Disney LAND at California with my family. This I would like to read your suggestions and tips so that i can make the most out of my trip.

Now.. I am a DISNEY huge aficionado and "veteran" (i guess) or however you want to call it. I have been to DisneyWorld resort in ORLANDO 9 times in my life. The last one being on December 2016. Four out of those 9 times have been since 2012 - Present So you can SAY I HAVE everthing from DW fresh and up-to-date.

My Wife has NEVER EVER been to Disneland, she has been 4 times to DW with me, and the last time I was on Disneyland was in 2007. So you can say that i practially do not know anything about DL or California adventure.

I would greatly appreciate all the help i can get so that i can plan accordingly.

Here are some questions

1. How much crowded will it be on May?
2. How much different is the logistics of the park compared to DW?
3. I know there is not FP+.... so what can we do? We will have at the time of travel a 2.7 year hold and a 9 month old. Any suggestions?
4. What is the MAXPASS thing I heard about?
5. Does DL have a similar "swap child system"?
6. How many days do you guys recommend optima for the both disney parks? Considering is my wife´s 1st time and my second and we are those type of ppl that like to walk, take it slow.. admire the view.. and takes TONS OF PICS tons tons and tons and repeat rides.
7. Most important... are there any PARADES? We missed the MSEP in MK in orlando.. and we want to see some parades
8. Fireworks are still happening in dl_?

The main reason for us to go to DL this time around, instead of DW is to have my wife get t know the park. and have our 2 year old enjoy Toontown. Pluse my wife and I get to see the dark rides that are no longer in orlando.

Thanks for now... and let me see if anything else comes to my mind.
I appreciate any comments

 

[smartlabelprint]

1.tues-thurs are least crowded
2. It’s much smaller. The 2 parks are a very short walk between so parkhoppers are useful.
3. Fp+is worse than the new maxpass system
4. It’s regular fastpasses. But you can book on your phone as you go throughout the day.
5. Yes. So, you’d really only need to buy 1 mp.the adult could ride alone. Then the other adult could ride alone.
But there are some rides with fp everyone could go on. Like toy story. Maybe go on those rides all on one day and buy mp for everyone that day.
6. 5 days.
7. Not sure with the work in DCA.
8. Yes

 

[BrerMama]

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't need to buy MaxPass for the children since they are both under 3. So if there are family MP rides you want to do, buy MP for 2 that day, and the other days you could buy one and use the Rider Switch. MaxPass is currently $10 per day per ticket. Price may change before your trip, but there's been no announcement about it.

I think the new parades -- daytime Pixar Play and evening Paint the Night -- debut on April 13, so they should be running during your trip in May.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread should give you lots of helpful information: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[tzeitel]

First off - yay Disneyland!
Second (and all the others after) -

• We usually go in May and have found the crowds to be manageable - we try to avoid Grad Nights (mostly Fri/Sat) and Sundays are iffy.
• Hopping is nothing like WDW, the parks are super close! Takes you like 5 minutes (walking at a snail pace) to get from one gate to the other. DL is smaller and there is not as much room to walk in certain lands. DCA is gorgeous (although there will be some construction on Paradise Pier) and has plenty of room. Lots of places for photos!
• On-site hotels are not what you see at WDW, they are more like hotels than resorts. GCH is very nice, DLH and PP are not very impressive. We stay across the street on Harbor and it is so nice to be able to walk to the park - a lot of places with less than a 10 minute walk.
• MaxPass is DL's answer to FP+ - you basically book your FPs on your phone but you do them same day (no pre-booking). $10 per day and you get free Photopass.
• We go for 5 days and get hoppers. For WDW we do not get hoppers as the transportation makes it a bit of a pain, but at DL it is so easy to go from park to park that it is worth it.
• You are in for such a treat! I looove MSEP, it was the parade I grew up with. Paint The Night blows it away It is coming to DCA in April and will be there in May.
• Fireworks in May are usually on the weekends, and they get cancelled due to winds a lot, like A LOT.
• ADR do not need to be made months in advance - just a couple of things like the WoC dessert party need to be booked early. Totally recommend the WoC dessert party btw

We love WDW but DLR has become my favorite. To me it has a more relaxed atmosphere - or at least i feel more relaxed since I do not have to plan every minute of the day (but I do like booking FP+ in advance).

Join us on the May thread, in the next few months there will be more info coming out, and ppl sharing plans and recommendations - https://disboards.com/threads/may-2018-check-in-thread-too-early-never.3648248/

 

[Darkhaund]

Thanks to those of you who have responded so far. Very useful information.
I am a bit anxious as I know we will most likely be going to ORLANDO more often, so I want to make this trip to DL an absolutely amazing one.
I am a bit scared of those GRAD NIGHTS.... lol My exact dates are MAY 16 yo 26

We were initially considering 2 days CA and 3 days DL.... given that my oldest kid will be 2.11 (and 99 days lol) years at the time pf the trip. In fact this bday will be that week. Will he be charged once he truns 3? lol? My wife has never EVER been there so there are several rides she has never seen and I have not seen since 2007. We take tons of pics.

The amazing MAY thread posted here has some super duper valuable info.. but im very scared of the crowds now... what to do

 

[chickapin parterre]

entering the gates have changed, you know how Costco/sams look over your receipts when you leave the building to make sure that they didn't over charge you, Disneyland takes a photograph of you to make sure that you didn't buy your ticket from some criminal. That photography takes some time, so what they have done is created a rope drop system within the park. If the gates are to open at 8:00, chances are good that they open at 7:30 onto a open Main Street where you can find coffee and snacks waiting. BUT most of the folks don't buy the morning treats but instead rush to the rope for the appropriate opening to the land. Then a gate opening hour, the CMs give a signal to cross over the imagery line. Then it becomes an Oklahoma land rush stampede!!!! So gone are the benefits of arriving early for the trickle of gate entry. Now there have been occasions of the gate trickle, but few and far between.

Photography. Well you are in for tons when you enter Main Street, you wife will love all the history elements of Walt Disney and the Development of Disneyland from Main street. The 2.7 can take in Characters and may find great joy riding the Main Street attractions. Characters are going to be away from the attractions and along Disneyland boundaries while on Main Street, the flag pole is great place for character photo op. Also a good time to locate the baby section on Main Street.

Bathrooms are going to be small, crowded and hard to find, so study the map for the locations. The easy location bathroom to find is the Alice In Wonderland theme bathroom, between the castle and Matterhorn, the worst is NOS. Disneyland was built for the 1950s, and the bathrooms were built during a plumber strike, so a very antiquated system for a modern day Disneyland. I share this because visiting as a bachelor in 2007 is different when visiting with a family 2018

And if you are one to stop every 10 feet in Indy and take in the details, then take some time to photograph the newest edition to Disneyland, many fun details and if you see another photographer at the newest edition, ask them to share the history with you, or maybe a CM in the area, though chances are a fast moving CM on the new path is probably going to shift change or even if another tourist is in the area is in awe ask them what the new path is all about.

toontown, may best to visit it at night when you return from lodging after your afternoon nap and enter Disneyland for the evening. . There is no shade, not much to do for a 2.7, but at night it is pretty, the 2.7 can have more space to explore, one spouse can sit and relax, because toontown is in the far corner of Disneyland and not something that is accidentally stumbled upon, night or dusk at Toontown is relaxing.

And you are 5 months out, so by reading here and guides, make a list of the top 10 tiny details at Disneyland so you will not miss them, because there are some details that 90% of the visitors never see.

 

[azdisneylover]

I suggest you get 5 day park hoppers. Make sure you take your breaks for your children at the same time they regularly do so everyone is in a good mood. Plenty of water, juice, etc is a must, especially for your babies. CA is not as humid as FL and you can dehydrate quickly. I suggest staying onsite so you can use Magic Morning/Early Entry every day to one of the parks. It does make a difference. Create a list of all the things you want to see, eat, watch, etc, and spread them out during your trip. Know you can always come back to Disneyland....

 

[chickapin parterre]

grad night would be a good night to visit Toontown!!!!! And that would be your night to go to bed early instead of burning the candle at both ends.

 

[Darkhaund]

Well... according to the MAY thread.. there are several nights from the week I will be htere that will feature GRAD NIGHTS.... so i am affraid I will be hable to face one of them. Since we are planning 2 days California Adventure and 3 Days disneyland.. does that amount of days sound right?

Forgot to mention
We are booked at the paradise pier hotel.
Our son.. my wife almost killed me LOL.. tuns 3 one day BEFORE we get there. Will they charge us for him or can we get him pass by?

I am still nervous about the Crowds.. in orlando you have well 3 more parks (plus 2 in universal)to scatter around and plan... not here... so im suck in between CA AND DL

 

[chickapin parterre]

that works out great.....the vision that most folks have is morning at Disneyland, leave around 11 to DCA to take in GRR or playground areas for children, then off to lodging, return to DCA to catch lights then back to Disneyland for night magic. with your family dynamics, that will be plenty of time.....and it just occurred to me, that maybe you and your wife could plan to be in the park as an individual at night while the other spouse stays with children at lodging. This would give the individual spouse more time to take in the scary dark, fast bumpy rides in Single rider fashion. Around 8 you could escort wife and family back to lodging and then return or wife could stay as you return with kids to lodging. This way the kids are rested, at least one adult is rested while the other adult takes in the "adult magic" of being in disneyland.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

My main recommendation for flexibility would be to get 5-day hopper passes with maxpass. It gives you options when plans change suddenly due to crowds being higher than expected or a ride breaks down or someone just wishes they could eat someplace in the park they're not currently in. The maxpass add-on is great because you will save the time and effort of physically retrieving fastpasses plus you will have photopass included. Make sure to take advantage of all the photopass photographers you find so that you can get lots of family pictures that you are actually in. Have them take the pictures with both their cameras and yours. Child swap is available at Disneyland, but I have no experience with it. If you do a search, you will find at least one recent thread on that topic. Also, there are several rides that offer single rider options, so you may find that useful as well. The new Pixar parade and I think Pixar fireworks show are set to debut in April, so those should be running during your visit. Someone has already warned you about the frequency with which fireworks are cancelled due to wind, so if they show for more than one night during your visit plan at least for the first night so that you have another chance later. The Paint the Night Parade is supposed to return by then as well; don't miss it. I would also recommend including a full Saturday in your visit. Due to AP blockouts, Saturdays are sometimes not as busy as people think they will be and also offer the advantage of longer park hours and more entertainment options than weekdays during some times of the year.

 

[smartlabelprint]

You have to pay for your son.

Stay at an off site motel. Much shorter walk! And cheaper! Fairfield Inn, Camelot Inn, best western park place inn (5 min walk).

If you prefer hotel look here: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...ce/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2
Hyatt house
Spring Hill Suites
HomeWood suites convention.

 

[Darkhaund]

We already booked paradise pier with DVC... so it is to late to change that. But thanks for the tip

 

[tzeitel]

Don't be scared about grad nights. I try to avoid them but it is not that bad, especially during the day. Staying on-site you can take advantage of early mornings. At WDW we rarely make it to rope drop - I blame transportation but really we are just slow in the morning But at DLR we always go for it! You can get so much done in the morning, it starts getting busy around 11. DD and I did all of Fantasyland in one EMH with time to spare. New Orleans Sq. gets busy, but it is just the way it was built. Same with Adventureland - small walkways.

To me it is easier than walking around MK, and I know MK like the back of my hand.

I know it feels overwhelming ( I remember planning our first DLR trip), but it is so much easier and more relaxed than WDW.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you can move your trip dates up by a few days, then your son will not have to have a ticket. Disney usually does not charge for children who are 2 at the start of a trip, then turn 3 during the visit. (But official policy says that they have the right to charge when the child turns 3, so always be prepared to buy a ticket, just in case. I have not heard of a guest being charged in the middle of a trip, though.) If you cannot move your trip dates and your son will be 3, even by one day, when you enter the parks, then, yes, you will need to buy him a ticket.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Well... according to the MAY thread.. there are several nights from the week I will be htere that will feature GRAD NIGHTS.... so i am affraid I will be hable to face one of them. Since we are planning 2 days California Adventure and 3 Days disneyland.. does that amount of days sound right?

Forgot to mention
We are booked at the paradise pier hotel.
Our son.. my wife almost killed me LOL.. tuns 3 one day BEFORE we get there. Will they charge us for him or can we get him pass by?

I am still nervous about the Crowds.. in orlando you have well 3 more parks (plus 2 in universal)to scatter around and plan... not here... so im suck in between CA AND DL

5 day parkhoppers. Period. You NEED those if you want to maximize your time in the parks in May and have the lowest crowds possible. (It takes 90 seconds to move between parks out here, very different from WDW.) The least crowded time in the parks is EMH- use it! It's amazing! Yep, it's early but that's why it isn't crowded- it's too early for most people. Parkhoppers are KEY for Grad Nite crowd avoidance and in general are really handy once you've been in the parks more than 2 days.

Afternoon breaks are essential, Disneyland is small but intense. And always (well, outside of the first few hours) feels more crowded than WDW because the parks don't have the same space. Kids need a break from the insanity.

You are going pre-Summer kick off so entertainment won't be going full and neither will park hours. Fireworks and Fantasmic tend to just run Fri-Sun during off-season so plan accordingly if interested.

Grad Nites. Breathe! I've done Grad Nites on a few trips and you can still have a great trip. But only if you follow this basic Grad Nite plan IMHO. Disneyland until mid-afternoon, DCA anytime after. That's all there to it! Easy! So... Do not enter DL after 6pm. Do not see fireworks those nights. Do not see Fantasmic on those nights. Do not pass the DL entry gate. Do not collect $200

Grad Nites range from kind of noticeable to the Disneyland night from hell. I've been through both. The Disneyland night from hell changed my mind about risking the park those nights. Our family was pushed and shoved so much we hunkered down at Plaza Inn an hour before fireworks and literally didn't leave our table until the 2nd paint the night parade. Even the kids running into our chairs were rude, the language everywhere would have easily earned every hour of the night an R had it been a movie. (Previously the worst had just been a noticeable increase in crowds and lots of ridiculous screaming on rides like Haunted Mansion.) Basically with regards to DL after 6pm: Don't do it to yourself or your family. Just hop over to DCA after your afternoon break on Grad Nites!

MaxPass should be nice for you. Idk how rider swap works with it. You may find you only need MP for a couple days since it's really for rides little kids can't do.

ETA: 5 days at DL is my fav! Enough time to repeat favorite rides & wander the shops leisurely. There's so much detail around Disneyland that's easy to miss, your 5 days sound great!

 

[mousecrazy]

There are some significant changes to Grad Night this year. The main Grad Night party is in California Adventure starting at 9pm. The big change is that the ticket to hop to Disneyland during the day is significantly more expensive than the Grad Night ticket that allows entrance to only DCA. So, I'm thinking the impact to Disneyland during the day will be minimal, but DCA might be more of a nightmare. This change means it's even more important to use early entry and stay flexible with hoppers. With five days, you'll be able to enjoy the parks as well as the hotel with lots of breaks! Hope you have a wonderful adventure!

P.S. No-one is going to ask for id to verify the age of your child.

 

[Darkhaund]

Once again. thank you all for your input.
I hope you dont mind me keep asking questions. I wlll probably keep this thread active untill I leave in May HEHE.. HERE ARE some more ideas and I would appreciate our feedback.

Here are the MAIN think we are most looking forward to

1. Parade. Thankfully I WAS TOLD that PAINT THE NIGHT will be back starting April. So that is AMAZING great news. Mu Wife had the priviledge to see MSEP at WDW back in 2012 on her 1st trip ever and then again in 2013. We are glad to see we wil be able to see a parade again. I will NEVER EVER forget the first time I saw the MSEP when I was a kid... and i want to give that magical moment to my son.

2. All the rides that are NOT at WDW such as
+ Snow White
+ Roger Rabbit
+ Mr. Toad
+ Pinoccio
+ Alice
+ Matternhorn (excuse spelling)
+ Nemo
+ Indiana Jones
+ Tarzan Treehouse


3. Toontown---Back in 2012, when I first took my wife. it was just demolished and the 7 Dwarves mines was way under construction, so she never got to see WDW toontown. So it is great that she and my son will be able to see that.

4. Fireworks

5. Character fotos.

Now... I SEE THAT EVERYONE has suggested that I get a parkhopper. I guess I am still stuck in the WDW mindset, where park hopping, due to distances is not as optimal... but we all know that the parks have a different feel at day and at night. Making Kingdom get a different CHARM IMO. at night... and I hope I do not have to avoid DL all nights due to grads nights etc. I would like to enjoy the park at nights for both my wife and kids. I guess I will try to park hop between CA AND DL.... since we are also intereswted in fantasmic.

Now... PAINT THE NIGHT will be at DCA right? If ture... will there be another parade in DL or not?

So I AM sensing that I sortta need to think that DCA AND DL park hopping is like EPCOT... future world and world showcase? Given the proximity... I know one park is literally infront of the other, so I guess the hassle of bag checking upon re entry will take place right?

We are used to spending entire days at the parks in Orlando, and we usually go 2 days per park as we like to take pics, and repeat rides, dine etc. Mk we usually do 3 days for shopping, character pics etc just walking around MK at WDW is our favorite park hands down.

Also... my bday is may 20th. so i forgot to mention that i will be spending my day as well and my kids turns 3 as well so we will be both celebrating.

Grad nights sounds like one of those hell nights we once experienced at EPCOT's food and wine festival... it was full of drunk crazy people late at night.. we ended up leaving the park.

I guess my main issue is the park hopping thing.. that it might limit my immersion.. but if you all says it is the way to go.. then it is the way go to.
I have no recollection of DCA. the lat time I was there I was single it was 2007 and I really didnt care for the park. I see that it has changed alot and I guess it is worth visiting more than once right. especially if i will be park hopping.

This will be my second time ever in DL so excuse all my silly questions and hassle. But I do want to make the most out of it.

sorry for my horrible grammar and typing I have my 3 month old in my arms as I type.

Thanks and awaiting more feedback

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

When you exit DL, walk across the esplanade and enter DCA, it takes probably 3 minutes if there are no lines to enter at the gate when you reach DCA. There is no bag check between the two parks. It's easy as can be and I sometimes hop over just for a special snack that you can only get at one park, or for one ride (I have an AP). The two parks are so close, it's practically one big park.

I did not even entertain the thought of park hopping when we went to WDW, especially not with a 2 year old. But at DLR, hopping is a no brainer and the cost for a 5-day park hopper is not much more than 5-day, one park per day. It is especially valuable when one park is getting really crowded... if the other park is less crowded (based on looking at wait times on the app), we will just hop to the other and breathe a sigh of relief to get out of the crowds.

Edited to add: DCA is absolutely worth more than one day! It is a fantastic park. I like it almost equally as much as DL and that is saying something. I'm guessing your older child will absolutely love Carsland.