DisneyDaniel's Must Do's at Disneyland

I'm Going to Disneyland!

Hey all you fans of Mickey Mouse! So you've planned a visit to Disneyland! You've made it known to everyone you are going, you've contacted a Disney Specialist travel agent to do all the boring booking part for you, including booking your 'Priority Seating' dinner reservations. Now you are on your way!

You have arrived at the 'Happiest Place on Earth', what should you do first? last? That's what I'm here to help you with. Well at least share DisneyDaniel's Must Do's for any one visiting, and you should take note. I've been to Disneyland more times than I should admit to. We will cover Disney's California Adventure in a later blogpost. Find it here: California Adventure

First things first - Get in front of the floral arrangement in front of the train station and get yourself a picture! Collect your PhotoPass so that you can use it for the rest of your trip. Don't worry the photographer will also take your picture with your personal camera. Do It! You will love having the Photo's available later on to purchase, sometimes making excellent Christmas Cards. Also know that you can pre-order the PhotoPass CD. If you do this and you make sure to take advantage of all the photography opportunities you can score an excellent deal!

Once you've walked under the train trestle, follow my lead and look to your left. Right next to the City Hall is the FireStation. The top floor was Walt Disney's apartment. Give him a quick hello, friendly wave, and perhaps a Thank You. If you are close enough you will notice that there is a oil lamp in the window. This lamp is always on, symbolizing Walt Disney's spirit is always around. Quick note, don't freak out if it's out, that only means that one of the Disney Family is visiting the park and Walt's spirit resides with them.

Down Main Street towards Sleeping Beauty's Castle, I always save the shops for on the way out, however if you want to stop now, feel free. I personally always buy more than I should and would end up having to carry it through the park with me, or stopping to fill out the resort drop off information. I don't want to be held up, there's things to do and see!!!

Now the old rule was always head to the left side of the castle to start your adventure. The reason was that at one time almost everyone went right, so the left was less busy. However, that is not true anymore and either way you go will be just as busy. I now just have a list in my head of the rides I'm doing first. Typically I head towards the left to hit up Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones first. 

What rides are the must do's??

• Jungle Cruise
• Indiana Jones (FastPass)
• Big Thunder Mountain (Fast Pass)
• Splash Mountain (Fast Pass)
• Space Mountain (Fast Pass)
• "NEW" Star Tours (Fast Pass)
• Pirates of the Caribbean (Save this till around dinner time)
• Haunted Mansion
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• It's a Small World (of course - sorry for the song being stuck in your head too)

So you have your rides in mind, and are ready to get those FastPasses. Hint: Soon you'll be able to schedule a time for the rides before even arriving at the Parks!!  We'll talk about My Magic + another time as well. Well I should say I'm hoping Disney will extend it to Disneyland as well. Currently it's on track to be rolled out to Disney World in the next few months. 

Where should we eat?

I am generally satisfied with any meal I have at Disneyland. This park tends to have pretty darn good food when you go looking for it. My favorite restaurant overall is the "Blue Bayou". It sits inside the Pirates of the Caribbean overlooking the ride itself. This is why I suggest saving the ride till dinner time! This is always a MUST DO for me.

So I think I've made it clear that I always go to Blue Bayou when I visit Disneyland, but where else is good? 

• Cafe Orleans - Excellent Gumbo
• Plaza Inn - Great Breakfast buffet with Characters
• Big Thunder Ranch BBQ - Includes Show and you can see some Presidential Pardoned Turkeys
• The Golden Horseshoe - Get yourself a Sundae here!
• Carnation Cafe - Good breakfast spot

As a frequent visitor to Disneyland I never truly feel I've done it all until I see a Parade, Fantasmic!, and the Fireworks. Without these magical pieces of the visit I would be incomplete. I fully encourage, almost demand, that you see at least one parade, the Fantasmic! show and stay for the Fireworks!

After the Fireworks, head back to Main Street and get yourself some souvenirs.

There are of course many many many more things to do at Disneyland, however this list is simply DisneyDaniel's MUST DO's!

I hope you find this information helpful. To find out more about me please visit my profile page here:  DisneyDan 

Daniel Mullarkey

daniel@destinationsinflorida.com

Disney World, Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Disney Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney Specialist 
Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Specialist
Orlando Travel Consultant

Destinations in Florida Travel is your PremEAR Disney World and Orlando Vacation Planners - Top 2009 Disney Destinations Sales Performer and 2010 & 2011 Universal Studios Travel Agency Partner of the Year

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