jv827

Oh, I forgot to add - all the ones you listed are in Disneyland except Soarin' Over California, Grizzly River Run, Mickey's Fun Wheel (also called something else now, but I forget exactly what - Pixar-something, I believe), Incredicoaster, Guardians, Toy Story Mania, Goofy's Sky School, Luigi's, and Radiator Springs.

If you go to the Disney website, you can filter all attractions by different options too - type of ride, which park, etc.

mlgb

The Disneyland thrill rides are from Thunder through Space Mountain. Space Mountain is the only one that's even moderately fast in DL. Matterhorn is a little fast but jerky with a few drops. Splash has a long drop at the end. I find Splash a little too corny. Hate the music. Like Big Thunder.

CA Adventure begins with Soarin (Around the World now). All good. However the line for the Wheel is too long, so we normally skip it. Screamin has been rethemed to the IncrediCoaster. It has a rapid start, upside down loop and some good drops. I like it, it 's definitely a scream-inducer. I think one friend refused to do it again, and one who likes thrill rides could only do it once. Soarin and Radiator Springs Racers are the two best rides in both parks. Some people also get freaked out by the sliding cars in the Fun Wheel (now called Pixar Pal Around). Tower of Terror (Guardians of the Galaxy) has some long drops and I only had one friend that was afraid to do it (you can hear the screams). If you have motion sickness ask to sit away from corners on Soarin'. Some people also get a little dizzy on Grizzly, since the tubes rotate.

On the Avoiders list, I like both shooting rides (Buzz and Toy Story) but Toy Story lines are usually too long. Pirates, Haunted, Indy, Star Tours all yes. Goofy's Sky School I actually find the scariest ride in both parks and the only one where I scream! (it's one of those old school carnival type coasters where you slide to the end of the seat around curves).Have never been on Luigi which is closed anyways.

There are other rides that we like. In DL, Peter Pan is a slow moving ride but very well done. Some people like Small World (if you are into dolls) but the song drives me a little crazy. Mr Lincoln is good and a spot to cool off. Must do's are Jungle Cruise and Enchanted Tiki Room (old time favorites, corny but good). I also like Storybookland Canal Boats.

On the CA side we usually add Little Mermaid and Monsters Inc as well as the theatrical show (Frozen). Also go into the Sorcerer's Workshop etc.

volcanogirl

Thanks, sf, I will make sure we do Space Mountain.

volcanogirl

Thanks, jv, that's super helpful! Now I wish we had more time! I checked out some of them on YouTube - rides have come a loooong way since I was a kid. I'm debating about the park hopper pass.

volcanogirl

Perfect, m, thanks for all the great details. This will help us make the best use of our time.

mlgb

If you can decide which park , let us know and some of us can add more tips.

We used to park hop when I got free tickets but now I'm too old for that... (no, I never worked there, but I did work for a company that worked for them). Even got to go to Club33 a few times.

Now that I have to pay out of pocket I usually buy one of those two-park, two-day Southern California Passes. You can fill a whole day in either park. We go off season and prefer to go on weekends, too.

jv827

If you do decide to go with a park hopper, I would strongly recommend getting the Maxpass. I've used it the last two times I've been at Disney, the most recent being during a one day park hopper visit. The key is to prioritize which rides in each park are top of your wish list, use Maxpass, and then add from there as able. Our park hopper day was on a Saturday during Pixar Fest and we got on all our wish list rides (except Pirates, which was closed for refurbishment) - Indiana Jones, Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn, Radiator Springs, Guardians, Toy Story Mania, etc. plus many more. We also caught two parades and got our photos taken with Judy and Nick from Zootopia. We actually didn't even plan to watch the parades; we just stumbled onto them. For some reason, that was also a visit where we kept randomly running into characters more often than ever before!

I like Maxpass even if you only stay in one park. Oh, and having an external battery for your phone is extremely helpful if you'll be using Maxpass!

volcanogirl

I checked out Maxpass, yes, I would definitely get that. Totally seems worth it to me. That's amazing that you got to do so much in one day.

volcanogirl

I've read that the Anaheim Packing House is a fun spot to try with lots of different restaurants - has anyone been? Looks great.

mlgb

I haven't been, it's a "hipster food hall".

But have a look at the directory and see if there is anything interesting. If it was me, I'd probably go to Uva Bar (Downtown Disney although I don't know what it is looking like right now) or Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian.

https://www.anaheimpackingdistrict.com/merchants

volcanogirl

Thanks, m, I'll take a look at those. Is parking free at Downtown Disney? How far would that be from the Indigo?

volcanogirl

Now that I've been looking at things, I think two days in the parks makes more sense for us. There are so many things to do and see - will try to talk my husband into it.

mlgb

Sorry you asked about DTD (Downtown Disney), there is validation at Downtown Disney...

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/des...sney-district/

The last time I ate at Napa Rose in the Grand without going to the park, there was a separate lot with validation. Not sure about Hearthstone... You could do an online chat on the website if no one else here knows for sure.

rvvagbond

Bring money - buckets full of $20 bills

Vaga.

MichelleY

I am bookmarking this.

Space Mountain is my all time favorite. Love everything in Adventureland and NO Square. Love the bobsleds too. You need to do it ALL. We have not been to California Adventure as it was under construction last time we were in Disneyland. We may go this winter. Great advice on this thread.

volcanogirl

Michelle, I know, so much to do. After looking at the rides, I think these are the ones we would put priority on doing: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Grizzly River Run, Incredicoaster, maybe Guardians of the Galaxy - not sure on that one, Indiana Jones, Soarin Around the World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Radiator Springs Racers. If time, I think we'd try to do Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Toy Story Mania, Haunted Mansion, Goofy's Sky School, Peter Pan, and the Jungle Cruise.

MichelleY

Splash Mountain, idk. We did it in Disneyworld and I got soaked head to toe.

mlgb

If they have the Halloween overlay on Haunted, which starts Sept 7, definitely~

As far as Lands, I agree that I really like New Orleans Square and also like the landscaping near Big Thunder/Rancho del Zocalo.

On the Calif Adventure side, other than Paradise/Pixar Pier I like all the theming..in particular Cars Land after dark for the neon. In Hollywoodland check out the sunset on the wall near the theater at dusk. I'm sorry they changed the old Tower of Terror to that Guardians of the Galaxy thing..it used to be an amazing '30s Haunted Hotel. Bug'sLand is also good (and we admit to going on Heimlich's Chew Chew to smell the cookies). Did you know you can tell when you're in a new land because the paving changes?

Re soaked head to toe..that can also happen on Grizzly River Rapids. You may even want to bring extra socks! (as well as a plastic poncho).

volcanogirl

Looks like they are doing a Halloween overlay of The Nightmare Before Christmas on Haunted. Agree about the Guardians of the Galaxy thing, I would much rather have seen the classic Tower of Terror. Does Chew Chew emit smells? I've read about the Disney smellitizers!

No, I had no idea that you could tell land changes by the pavement - good tip.

So, I have a question about MaxPass - do both of us need to buy it for us to use it? If we're using our phones, do we both pull separate FastPasses for a ride, or could I pull for both of us for the same ride?

jv827

Yes, a MaxPass must be purchased for each individual. However, you can link multiple passes to one phone. So you can handle all MaxPass requests for you and your husband (or vice versa).

Haunted Mansion decorated for Halloween and Christmas are my absolute favorites.