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[Bee]

HI! Does anyone have any tips or must see rides for a 1st timer to DL.. or must do things?
has anyone done the walk in walts footsteps? is it worth it?

thanks ANY tips or advice are appreciated.

[GingerJ]

I've never done that tour, but each year (while my husband's at a convention there), I've done the Cruzin' California Segway tour. It's $99, with a $20 discount for AAA, Disney Visa, annual pass, etc., and only for those 16 and up I believe, but SO much fun!

I'd suggest getting the Disneyland Passporter, of course...they're just now working on the second edition, so you'll no doubt have to get the first one.
Tip #1: If you're a frequent WDW visitor, be prepared for the shock of how tiny it'll seem. Even the castle is much shorter!
Tip #2: To start with, concentrate on the DL & Disney's California Adventure (DCA) rides that are unique to those parks: Indiana Jones, California Screamin' (if you like fast roller coasters), Monsters Inc., Maliboomer, etc., to name my personal favorites. But don't forget to get Fast Passes to the favorites you can't miss, like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Tip #3: If your fellow travelers are old enough, can afford it, and fit the other requirements, try the Segway tour.
Tip #4: Don't listen to those folks who don't like DCA, just don't expect it to be like DL or the Magic Kingdom. It has its own unique character and it's reminiscent of the old piers with amusement parks (or so I'm told...before my time!). AND it's the only Disney park I've ever seen where you get something free, gratis, for nothing: the Mission Tortilla Factory gives you a yummy, warm, free tortilla at the end of the short tour! This is especially wonderful when you start to get the munchies but mealtime is far away, and that seems to happen a lot to us East Coasters adapting to West Coast time. No one seems to notice or care if you go through the line twice in one day (although I wouldn't advise trying to go through the line often enough to make a meal out of it ).
Also: Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly, and make sure all your Philly friends know you're visiting the Sunshine State while they're stuck in the Northeast! (Okay, so maybe it's not really the Northeast, but I'm originally from Virginia, so even Ohio & Pennsylvania still seem like "yankee territory" to me )
Have fun!
Ginger

[MelissaL]

I did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour in June with my 10-year-old son. We really enjoyed it -- our guide pointed out a lot of details that we would otherwise have missed, and we learned a lot about the history of the park. That said, because the tour takes several hours, I'd do it only if you had at least 2 1/2 days at Disneyland Resort. On a first visit, you want to allow enough time to do attractions.

Happy planning,
Melissa

[chezp]

I second the suggestion of getting a Disneyland PassPorter - I found ours invaluable in planning our first trip to Disneyland.

[All Ears]

Just soak it all in. There is so much magic, theming, & attention to detail in the Cali parks that it is just fabulous to witness.

The overall feel of the parks is so dft. from WDW. The pace is relaxed, the atmosphere is casual, and there does not appear to be 1 million frenzied tourists everywhere you turn. So, go with the flow. Take it all in, and just enjoy it. These are parks where you *really* can just go with it, and that is a beautiful thing. No crazy over-planning necessary. Just come with an open mind & an attitude of FUN!

I would plan a special meal somewhere (Goofy's Brunch at DL Hotel is good, La Brea Bakery has a nice b'fast, the Storyteller's Cafe at GC is good (b'fast or dinner, or anywhere that appeals to you). Also, the Segway tour at DCA is super fun, and I would recommend it.

I am going back in January for my 2nd West Coast Mouse visit, and I CANNOT wait!

[PRColey]

We went for our first trip in August to Disneyland (Sunday through Wednesday) and we really enjoyed it. The whole experience was great because you can walk everywhere and don't have to worry about transportation. It was much more laid back and we didn't have to over plan anything. Once we learned the layout of the parks then we could decide what we wanted to do a 2nd or even 3rd time on our trip. My advice is to check the calendar of times carefully. Not all the shows go every day. We missed Aladdin because it was only playing Thursday through Sunday and I didn't read the calendar correctly. The weekends are much busier so be prepared for the difference in weekends and weekday crowds. I would also suggest planning one special meal, we did Goofy's Kitchen for our meal and it was really cute. Enjoy your trip. We really had a great time and are looking forward to going back after the construction is finished in CA Adventure.

[kerri borg]

Originally Posted by Bee

HI! Does anyone have any tips or must see rides for a 1st timer to DL.. or must do things?
has anyone done the walk in walts footsteps? is it worth it?

thanks ANY tips or advice are appreciated.

hi my sister and i are going to DL on the 16th oct my 3rd time , my sisters 2nd time. we are doing walk in walts footsteps tour this time and we are really looking forward to it. i would be interested to hear comments from anyone who have done this tour also! kerri

[Tink8726]

My biggest advice is take the time to really ENJOY the parks themselves. Our trips this past spring, we spent a lot of time just wandering around and really taking things in. I also agree, get a DL Passporter, I've used mine a couple times now and don't think I could live without it. Definitely give DCA a chance, my mom enjoys it more than DL itself, it just has a more laid back atmosphere and is great for those with an eye for detail and an enjoyment of streetmosphere and less intense rides. Get a fastpass for Toy Story Mania first thing, or if your group is ok splitting up, use the single rider line, it is wicked fun for all ages! If you enjoy wine, get a glass and enjoy it around the vineyard area, we love lunch at the Wine Country Trattoria.
At DL, my fave thing is to get a Dolewhip inside the queue area for the Tiki room and enjoy it along with the preshow, then in for the original Tiki Room (not under new management, thank goodness). At the beginning and end of the day or whenever you need a bit of a break and caffeine its nice to grab coffee at the Market House on Mainstreet and sit an people watch (if you hold on to your receipt you can get refills there all day on regular coffee) I think those are my big must do things while we're there!

Though I have never done a tour, we thought about it, and I found DyanKJ130's trip report from earlier this year full of great information. I'm not quite sure where it is, but somewhere in there she has some great info and pics about the tour.
Jeffrey made me do it, but it’s almost free for our three!! **Updated 5/19**

Have fun! and Happy Planning!

[Papa Mouse]

After your tour of the Mission Tortilla Factory in DCA step directly across the street and get your free samples of different warm breads.

[Tink8726]

Originally Posted by Papa Mouse

After your tour of the Mission Tortilla Factory in DCA step directly across the street and get your free samples of different warm breads.

ooh, I totally forgot about the tortillas. And big perk, if there is anyone in your group with a birthday, you can typically get a little bag of tortillas, they make a great snack back at your hotel

[AGentlRose]

Agree with all of the above, particularly make sure you visit the attractions that are unique to Disneyland, like the Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, and even the ones who share attractions, like Pirates and Space Mountain because they are different at Disneyland. Take time to stop at the River Belle Terrace where Walt used to like to enjoy Sunday breakfasts. Fantasyland, in my humble opinion, is prettier in Disneyland too and also has rides that aren't found in WDW -- Alice in Wonderland, Storybook Canal Books, Casey Jr train, and those no longer in WDW, like Mr. Toad and the Submarines, now called Finding Nemo.

[sbJasmine]

I don't think I saw it mentioned in this post but the Disneyland RR is different (and I think preferable) to the WDW version. You get the Grand Canyon/Dinosaur part. Its somewhat cheesy but I really enjoy it ;-) It is also a nice way to enjoy the park while getting to sit and take a break.