Things You Should Know the First Time to Disneyland

          This article will go into a little more depth about Disneyland. There are only going to be a few main topics, but you should know about them before departing. If you are visiting Disneyland for the first time, I would say to experience everything needed for a complete trip, takes about 4 days. There are 3 night-time shows in the parks, two in Disneyland and one in California Adventure. And on the day you aren't seeing a show, I would highly reccomend going on popular rides, for the line will be shorter. Rides that go high up in the air are perfect for fireworks because it looks beautiful for that view. For Disneyland fireworks, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Splash Mountain are perfect. Tower of Terror is in the other park, but you can still see fine. The two in Disneyland are called Fantasmic! and "Remember...Dreams Come True" Fireworks Spectacular, and the one in California Adventure is called World of Color.

The fireworks awe all ages.

 

Fantasmic! includes fire as well.

 

You walk away from World of Color saying, "Wow".

 

          Also, you obviously won't be able to go to every single restaurant on your first visit, so here are some you might want to try. Before I say anything else, if you have older kids (9 and up), DO NOT EAT LUNCH. Bring snacks, snacks, and more snacks if that is what fills you up. Snacks are allowed to bring into the park so whenever I go, I eat cheez-its, dried fruit, and crackers. The time and price just isn't worth it. But, if you do have little kids and wish to sit down and relax for about 15 minutes, eating is a good thing. Redd Rocket's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland is a great restaurant for the first time. They offer pizzas, pastas, and salads so mainly kid-friendly food. It isn't very expensive either, which is always a plus. Do not go to Carnation Cafe, at least on your first visit. My reasons (and hopefully yours) for eating in a restaurant at lunch would be to rest, and it is right smack on Main Street. It is so loud and it would just not be pleasant. From my sources I believe there is seating indoors, but mainly outdoors, and the doors are always open if indoors. A must-eat-at is the Tiki Juice Bar, right in the entrance to The Enchanted Tiki Room, and features pineapple spears, pineapple ice cream, and pineapple floats (pineapple juice and ice cream). You must get one of these items for I belive they are the tastiest in the park. In California Adventure, Award Weiners is a great place to just stop by and grab a hot dog, but there is nowhere to sit except for the street curb. Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill is where I eat every time I visit California Adventure, and is pretty tasty but I have had bad experiences with this place as well. The Cozy Cone Motel is the perfect place for junk food snacks, and Filmore's Taste-In is perfect for the healthy. Keep in mind that these are only restaurants (snack stands as well) in the parks, and there are many satisfying options in the Downtown Disney District.

          If you want to experience everything with little kids, and you move a little slowly, 4 days is approximately the amount that you will need.

          Fastpasses!!! Crazy things that let you cut in line for free that many people don't know about! At certain attractions, when you walk in, if you look up, there might be a sign that says "Fastpass Return". Signs vary, so here are a few examples. If they do have this sign, the ride has a fastpass.

 

 

You go to a machine looking like this (these also vary depending on the ride):

 



And stick your ticket into the machine and retrieve your fastpass. You may not have another fastpass in the park until the time is done on the fastpass you just recieved. If you don't understand anything I just said or don't know how to work the machines, just ask a cast member, and they'll be happy to help you. When the time comes to use your fastpass, it will say two times. You must use your fastpass between these times. Anywhere in between these times, you go to where the Fastpass Return sign is, and there will be a cast member there. They will either collect your fastpass or tell you to keep going. Soon you will find you are in a different line from everyone else, and you're going faster than everyone else, or "cutting" them. This is the fastpass line, or better yet, the fast line.
          Another great feature in the parks is rider switch. There's that scary ride the kids won't go on so darn, mom and dad can't go. Not anymore! At the entrance to the ride, ask a cast member for a rider switch pass. While one parent waits in line and goes on the ride, the other parent will supervise the kids. When the parent riding is done, they will give the other parents the pass, and they will be able to go through the fastpass line or the exit, not having to wait in line! Another similar feature is single rider. Go to the entrance and ask for a single rider pass. Go to the exit of the ride and you will wait to be called, and you will get to go on the ride, without the wait! Again, both of these features are only available on certain rides.
          This is a true fact. If you do not want to spend too much money on your first Disneyland trip, do not stay in the Disneyland Resort. The hotels are waaay too much money and not worth the price. Almost every time I visit Disneyland, I stay in the Embassy Suites, which includes a kitchenette, one bathroom, a fold out bed, and two double beds. It includes breakfast every morning and is still walking distance from the park. You can buy a bus pass, but if you're leaving the park at closing, the bus is late. Thanks for reading!

Thanks to disneyland.disney.go.com, images.familyvacationcritic.com, photos.kevitivity.com, insidethemagic.net, blog.disneygeek.com, 2.bp.blogspot.com, staticflickir.com, and wdwprepschool.com for some of this iformnation and pictures!