[Cosmicwaves]

I didn't think I'd be saying that any time soon!
I've got a tradeshow in San Diego in August, and when my friend (who works for wdw) found out, she asked how far that was from DL. To make a long story short...me, my friend, and my dh are flying into San Diego for my tradeshow, and then after that are renting a car and driving to DL for 2 nights! We'll only have a day and a half in the park, so tell me...what do I do, what can't I miss??
I haven't been since I was 6...over 20 years ago, and dh and my friend have never been.
Help!

[Daisee]

That is awesome, especially since it has been so long.. Congrats!

[MickeyMcFizzle]

Awesome!!!!! You must be so excited!

[WishUponAStar]

YAY! That's so exciting! Just be prepared for the crowds, do everything that WDW doesn't have, and take advantage of those early mornings. One thing we've noticed about being summer Disneyland visitors is that the crowds swell from about 10am-10pm. REALLY take advantage of that early morning opening and the late nights after the 2nd Fantasmic show. You'll LOVE it, have a BLAST!

[Voldemort]

Yay, Cozzie! You're going to have a ball!

With two days available, there are two ways to go: hit your faves and then work in what you care to of the rest; or concentrate on some of the things that WDW doesn't have and then work out from those. Also, while I know there are folks here who don't care for California Adventure, I love the place. If you're a fan of Soarin' and ToT, you'll need to go over there anyway, so while you're there check out California Screamin' (my preciousssss ), both types of gondola on the Sun Wheel, Grizzly River Rapids (good for cooling off in August) and the Aladdin stage show. Turtle Talk is also over in DCA . The nice thing about the Anaheim parks is that they're small enough to let you see and do practically everything in a short period of time.

Storyteller's Cafe and Napa Rose offer wonderful higher-end dining options (SC also offering reasonably-priced breakfast and lunch); Jazz Kitchen in DTD is a favorite in our house; Golden Vine Winery in DCA has some very nice wine tastings available as well as dining; Pacific Wharf Cafe in DCA has yummy soups and salads in fresh-baked sourdough boules; Carnation Cafe on Main St. is a very good choice for breakfast and lunch. Be sure to stop at Bengal BBQ in Adventureland for tasty skewers ( the bacon-wrapped asparagus ), then wander over for Dole whips.

Now I'm all psyched for October again!

[smee57]

Yea! That's awesome! Happy planning!!!

[Andrea]

I've found this to be the best DL touring plan:

Get there well before opening; they'll let you on to Main Street and hold you at the edge of the hub until the official opening.

1. Ride Buzz Lightyear.
2. Grab a Space Mountain FP.
3. Cross the park to Splash Mountain, and work your way back-
Splash Mountain
Haunted Mansion
(check at this point to see if you can get an Indy FP- ride it before your FP, and use your FP later. This is definitely one to do more than once. Indy rocks. )
Pirates
Indy
Jungle Cruise
3. Head to Thunder Mountain. If the line is too long, GO BACK IN THE EVENING OR AFTER DARK. The Thunder Mountain cue is miserably hot.

By this time the park will have gotten crowded and it'll be time to wing it. The only other can't-miss lines you'll have left will be Finding Nemo subs (another line that isn't as shaded as it could be- get in line after sundown) and Peter Pan.

I have yet to come up with a good plan for negotiating Fantasyland.

[dznygrl]

OMG Cozzy, you are going to have so much fun! I am so excited for you!

Andrea gave you a GREAT touring plan...I can't improve on what she wrote, it's seriously awesome!

But I do have to say, make sure you don't miss the Matterhorn, Nemo Subs, Indiana Jones, or Pirates....the first 3 you obviously don't get to experience in WDW, and the last one is FAR SUPERIOR at Disneyland. (Seriously. It is SO much better than the one at WDW, I can barely stand to ride the WDW version anymore! )

I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!! Have a blast!

Edit: Oh, and the Tiki Room too!! I know many people think the WDW version is better, but I LOVE the "original" version. I mean, to think that Walt was there creating it himself...it's just unreal.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by dznygrl

But I do have to say, make sure you don't miss the Matterhorn, Nemo Subs, Indiana Jones, or Pirates....the first 3 you obviously don't get to experience in WDW, and the last one is FAR SUPERIOR at Disneyland. (Seriously. It is SO much better than the one at WDW, I can barely stand to ride the WDW version anymore! )

I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!! Have a blast!

Edit: Oh, and the Tiki Room too!! I know many people think the WDW version is better, but I LOVE the "original" version. I mean, to think that Walt was there creating it himself...it's just unreal.

Dizzy is SO VERY right about PotC and the Tiki Room, they are beyond comparison to WDW. Also, Space Mountain is different, don't forget that one too!

Ack, just go on everything!

[Andrea]

Ooh- Tiki Room! Although I usually just use it as a quiet, cook, dark place to take a nap , I like the Tiki Room. (WDW's Tiki Room Blows. The end. )

Hint: Head for the very back rows of seats in the Tiki Room. The view is only SLIGHTLY less good than the rows closer to the front... and the backs of the seats are padded.

[Cosmicwaves]

you guys are too funny!! I'll just go commando and do everything!

[floridaorange19]

sounds super groovy to me cosmic, have a blast!!!!

[Peppertink]

Originally Posted by Andrea

(WDW's Tiki Room Blows. The end. )

I couldn't agree with you more!!!!

Cozy...so very cool that you'll be visiting DLR!!! Like Dizzy said...hit the things that are exclusive to DLR and then hit the attractions like POC that are a bit better at DLR

[Cosmicwaves]

and I left out the best part...since our friend is a WDW CM, she gets us in to DL for FREE!!

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by Cosmicwaves

and I left out the best part...since our friend is a WDW CM, she gets us in to DL for FREE!!

Heyyyyyyyyyy, even better! FREE Disneyland!