Disneyland one afternoon

[just]

Posting here for a quickish answers.

At a conference in Anaheim. I’m free from 1pm tomorrow and fly Friday morning. I don’t want to hire a car. I’ve been considering going to Disneyland for the evening.

- I’ve been to Epcot multiple times alone as part of other conferences. And always enjoyed it. Been to Magic Kingdom (WDW) 20 years ago.
- I’ve never been to Disneyland
- I’m not a huge Disney fan but don’t hate it
- It’s February holiday so crowd calendars are predicting high crowds but I’ve been watching wait times and they haven’t gone above an hour
- it’s very cool and cloudy but no rain forecast
- I loved tower of terror (in Japan Disney) it was the main reason I was thinking of going, but it seems GotG is pretty similar.
- I found a drinking guide to California Adventure that looks fun.
- 1 park is 129 (I’d do California Adventure), park hopper is 179

Questions
- should I go?
- is just California Adventure ok. or should I consider the hopper?
- if not what else should I do?

[jenny1223]

I'd totally do it if you have nothing else to do!

I would not pay for the park hopper for one afternoon. Definitely do California adventure over Disneyland.

[So_Fetch]

What jenny1223, said. California Adventure is perfect for a half day. Make sure you take advantage of single rider on any rides you can (like the cars roller coaster and the water ride). CA has the best food too. Have fun!

[livinitup]

California Disney for sure ! It’s a nice, easy park for a day or less. It’s NOT as crazy as WDW and in many ways, more fun.

[Koala]

I would actually love to spend an afternoon at California Adventure by myself! No need for the parkhopper for that amount of time. Get the $10 Max pass app to get fast passes and use the single rider line when you can. Eat good food, drink, and enjoy the atmosphere!

[Deleted]

I agree with the PP - do CA and have a great time!

[Deleted]

Feb 20, 2019 15:46:19 GMT -5 just said:

Posting here for a quickish answers.

At a conference in Anaheim. I’m free from 1pm tomorrow and fly Friday morning. I don’t want to hire a car. I’ve been considering going to Disneyland for the evening.

- I’ve been to Epcot multiple times alone as part of other conferences. And always enjoyed it. Been to Magic Kingdom (WDW) 20 years ago.
- I’ve never been to Disneyland
- I’m not a huge Disney fan but don’t hate it
- It’s February holiday so crowd calendars are predicting high crowds but I’ve been watching wait times and they haven’t gone above an hour
- it’s very cool and cloudy but no rain forecast
- I loved tower of terror (in Japan Disney) it was the main reason I was thinking of going, but it seems GotG is pretty similar.
- I found a drinking guide to California Adventure that looks fun.
- 1 park is 129 (I’d do California Adventure), park hopper is 179

Questions
- should I go?
- is just California Adventure ok. or should I consider the hopper?
- if not what else should I do?

The mechanics of the ride haven't changed, as far as I know. It's just the theme that changed, and if you have any interest in Guardians, it's fun to ride and walk through. They did a great job with it. 

[alleinesein]

DCA is totally doable in an afternoon. If it rains, just poncho up and walk onto everything.

Going alone has some advantages. You can hop in the single rider line for Incredicoaster and Radiator Springs Racers. You can also ask the CM at the entrance to Toy Story Midway Mania if they have any "buddy passes" (that is their version of single rider).

While GoTG is technically the same ride as ToT, it is still different. In the MCU timeline, it happens after GoTG2. There are 6 ride sequences and some are better than others. Some are really bouncy (your butt will never touch the seat), some are slower and some are faster. It is totally random as to which song you will get; I tend to get the same songs and it took me years to get all 6. 

DCA closes at 9 pm tomorrow so you need to be smart about your plan of attack.  I'd suggest not getting MaxPass if most of the FPs for the good rides are gone by the time you get into the park.  You are better off just grabbing what is available when you get in the park and using those in combination with the single rider line.  You can check the wait times and FP availability if you have the Disneyland app; if you find that there is still a decent amount of FPs left for all rides when you get into the park; then go ahead and spend the $15 to get MaxPass.  Once FPs are out for the day, they are out for everyone including people who have MaxPass.

Try to be in Carsland at sundown because that is when they turn on all the lights.  All that neon looks awesome at night.

Food options are meh at DCA.  There are some good things but you will be visiting in between festivals (Lunar new year just ended and F&W start next week).  If you like lemon, get the lemon dole with at Adorable Snowman Treats.  Studio Catering Company (the food truck next to the Captain America meet & greet) has some messy and yummy nachos,  There is also a beer stand across from the food truck that tends to have seasonal drinks (mostly vodka based; they have done marvel themed, Halloween themed, holiday/Christmas, etc).  I like the lounge at Carthay Circle if you need to get away from the crowds; they have a small, but decent, lounge menu; if they still have the duck empanadas and Vietnamese beef tacos, get them.

I'd start by tackling the back of the park and working your way forward.  See what FPs you can grab when you get in the park (Soarin, GoTG, RSR) and grab one.  Head to TSMM and Incredicoaster.  Grab a snack.  Hit up whatever ride you have a FP for and then grab another (if available).  Hit up Carsland and single rider RSR, then hop on Tow Mater.  Hit up Soarin.  Grab dinner.  Head to GoTG.  If you need something with less excitement, you can pop into the Animation building and check it out.  Animation Academy does different characters throughout the day and you can usually get into one of the sessions.  They should be showing a sneak peek of Dumbo in the Muppets theater.  During the last hour that the park is open, they will start padding the wait times.  As long as you are in line when the park closes, you will be able to ride it.

Since the park closes early, I'd head over to the Disneyland hotel when you leave.  They just opened up a new bar next to Trader Sams and you can get a Dole whip with rum.  If beer is more your style, Ballast Point opened up in Downtown Disney.

[alleinesein]

Feb 20, 2019 17:27:17 GMT -5 Koala said:

I would actually love to spend an afternoon at California Adventure by myself! No need for the parkhopper for that amount of time. Get the $10 Max pass app to get fast passes and use the single rider line when you can. Eat good food, drink, and enjoy the atmosphere!

MaxPass is now $15. They upped the price when they raised AP prices last month