Hi, all - Can someone give me a quick rundown on Disneyland? We're going to Catalina and thinking of adding a few days to our trip. I haven't been since I was a kid. I read that there's another park next door now. Is that worth seeing? If you could only choose one, would it be Disneyland? Any tips? What are the best rides to do or must see activities? Not interested in kiddie rides, but if there are some classics we should do, we'd probably enjoy that too, mostly love anything high and fast. Also read that there's some sort of fast pass - is that worth getting? We're looking at going in late September. Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

California Adventure is definitely worth seeing. On whether or not you should pick Disneyland over it—I don’t know. Depends on your mood. I usually buy a park hopper and do about half of each park. My favorite rides are in both parks, I enjoy the food more in CA, and I like having the option to finish the night in DL.

there are fast passes for free, but what you probably mean is max pass, which are fast passes on your mobile. The fastpass system is still paper otherwise. I LOVED Maxpass, and it was totally worth the 10 a day. You can be standing in line for splash mountain and pull a fast pass for space. Or you can even pull a fast pass for something in CA while you’re in DL.

late September might be Halloween season, so you you should check into seasonal stuff. Also, if fireworks are important to you—due to city regulations, I think they’re only on the weekends in the school year.

My must do rides are Indiana Jones, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain and in CA, the roller coast and carsland. The only things I usually avoid are the submarines (total waste) and Matterhorn which is uncomfortable.

Two full days - one for each park - is best. DL is the Grand daddy and IF you can only visit one, that would be it. But CA is wonderful and I'd really really really try to visit both.

Be aware of days with Mickey's Halloween Party which is a separate ticket and will draw lots of people in those days. Unless you want to just do that, which give you a taste of both parks (and likely not too many rides)

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/eve...lloween-party/

Be sure to check the Monthly Events Calendar for September (not posted yet)

Personally I prefer California Adventure, better food and booze is served, there are two Great Rides (Soarin' and Radiator Springs Racers.) I haven't been since Incredicoaster reopened which might be a 3rd one. . Plus the Grizzly Rapids and I like the Rte 66 Carsland theming very much. I also like the live theater show at the Hyperion as a midday break from the heat (check the calendars) Preferred it as Aladdin, Frozen is okay too.
The other side is more about the Disney characters and they do a better job at Halloween theming, which should be ready in September.

If I could only visit one, it would be Disneyland, with all the classic characters.
My favorite rides are Jungle Cruise, Pirates and Haunted House, Disneyland Railroad and Big Thunder Mountain. Only rode Indiana Jones once and didn't like it much (it tends to break down a lot). DCA is more about Pixar. Oh and the teacups and Dumbo and Peter Pan.

Food is overall better in California Adventure, except I do like the chowder bowls in New Orleans Square .

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. This is really helpful. I'm going to have to explore Fastpass, Maxpass, and park hopper a little more to see what we'd like to do. I think we would most likely be going on a Sunday based on when we're in Catalina.

>>I think we would most likely be going on a Sunday

We're thinking of staying at the Indigo since we can stay there on points. Does that seem like a good location? It says you can walk to the park from there.

It is about half a mile from the plaza between the two parks.

Thanks, that sounds like a good spot then. Is parking hard to get at Disneyland? I read that it's twenty dollars, but wondering if it fills up.

I'm looking forward to trying a Dole Whip - it's funny how often those get mentioned!

It's about a 15 minute walk (actually more than half a mile because Google Maps doesn't calculate it to the ticket booths. Sunday in September (assuming it isn't the Labor Day weekend) will NOT be slammed. You will find average crowd levels. Partly because the cheapest SoCal resident pass is blocked out on weekends and also because school is back in session.

I like the Dole Whip float (Dole Whip in pineapple juice)!

I don't think it would be worth it to pay Disney for parking because that also isn't that close (Mickey and Friends has a shuttle but it's actually farther to walk). But yes, there is almost always parking available, if you decide not to stay within walking or ART shuttle distance.

If you don't know about the ART shuttle, check rideart.org

I read that mid September to mid November is the best time to go, so I'm hoping it won't be too crowded for us. Also thinking school being back in session will help. We're going to Catalina for my birthday and have tickets for a Dodgers game another night, so I think Sunday is the best we can do.

m, I would love that. Pineapple juice is one of my faves.

Sunday has been crazy anytime I’ve gone then—I tend to avoid the parks on weekends now. I don’t enjoy them packed. But hopefully late September is a bit of slack time—I’m assuming the Halloween crowds haven’t begun in earnest.


if you don’t have “must dos”, I would get a park hopper—I like to escape DL crowds and the bottlenecking. CA gets crowded but doesn’t get the same claustrophobic feeling.

if you have emotional attachments to various rides, really want to see parades/shows, I’d just buy for DL, and make the best of fast pass. Better thrill rides in CA, but you can spend a very good day just enjoying DL’s atmosphere. You need 2-3 days to really do both parks justice, even during low crowd times.

My tip is to arrive at least 30 minutes before it opens. (I know this sounds crazy, but hear me out). You will need to go through security lines still, but they open the gates to the parks 30 min early. They will let you onto the Main Street. When it opens (“rope drop”) you have about 3 magical hours to go on whatever you want before the park fills up. DL in CA is full of annual pass holders who come after work, so it gets busier as the day goes on and into the evening.
Another tip: make a dinner reservation now. And get the app! It shows you wait times for rides.

Thanks for the information on park hopper - how long does it take to walk between the two parks? Are they right next to each other?

Thanks, flor - that's a good suggestion. Would definitely like to go before it gets crowded. I downloaded the app! That's pretty amazing that it shows wait time for rides. I'm confused about the recommendation for making a dinner reservation now. I wasn't envisioning having a sit down meal that I needed a reservation for. Is that what people do?

>>I wasn't envisioning having a sit down meal that I needed a reservation for. Is that what people do?

NO, NO NO, you do not need to make a reservation to have something beside a hot dog. Hopefully the mobile app will also help with wait times at the casual places. Apparently you can also order ahead with a pickup window with the app.. We try to eat a little early (or should that be continuously) to avoid some of the rush.

There is seating at Plaza Inn, French Market, Rancho del Zocalo and limited seating at Harbour Galley.
You can check the app or website for current menus, but we often go to Plaza Inn (broasted chicken is quite good if it's freshly made); French Market (I like the pulled pork sandwich), Rancho del Zocalo (usually for the Caesar Salad and a tres leches cake, the Mexican combos aren't that good), Harbour Galley (the Nicoise-style or shrimp salad if you want heathy or the lobster roll with chips if you don't). I know you'll be getting a Dole Whip Float, if you want to add a little protein to that, I recommend my favorite snack place, the Bengal Barbeque nearby (Banyan Beef Skewer) but they've also added a Kahlua Pork Sandwich that sounds pretty good.

On the Cal Adventure side, Flo's V*8 (comfort food such as pot pie and especially good for breakfast..I get the kid's waffles), Paradise Garden Grill (changes, check the menu), and Paradise Pier for Lucky Fortune (tofu over rice with Korean BBQ sauce and edamame). If you like bread, lots of it, Pacific Wharf Cafe also has the breadbowls and sells items from the adjacent sourdough bakery. Cal Adventure also has options for beer and wine and cocktails. My favorite snack on that side is the Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel (near the beer cart). And the free chocolate square from the Ghiradelli shop (althou we miss the Tortilla Factory that it replaced).

If you want a table service meal, I'd do it on the CalAdv side which has better options. We also like Whitewater Snacks inside the Grand Californian, or the Hearthstone Lounge there. I think it's worth walking over to the Grand for a quick spin around the public rooms.