Welcome to Theme Park Insider! Join the community or log in
Theme Park Insider
Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube

solo @Disneyland in November...

Disneyland: A few questions

From KJ Simpson
Posted June 14, 2010 at 8:57 AM
Just when I thought I'd have to wait years before returning to Disney, I found out about a business trip to Anaheim in November! I will have one full day available, and of course I want to visit Disneyland- I've never been before. I will be solo, and if feasible, I'd like to visit both parks. A few questions:
-I'll be at the Anaheim Convention Center- it looks like walking distance to the parks on my map, but it's hard to tell. Is it really that close?
-I'll be there November 5, and I can't find any park hours for November. Do they close early at this time of year, or can I count on night as well as day?
-With proper planning, can I do both parks? (This will likely be my only time here ever, if that matters :)
Thanks for the input!


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From KJ Simpson
Posted June 14, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Oh, one other question...Disneyland's not an alcohol-free zone, like Magic Kingdom, is it? Thanks!

From Anthony Murphy
Posted June 14, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Hey!

I just got back from there!

Probably the biggest question is, yes, Disneyland Resort is technicaly across the street from the convention center. It is within walking distance no doubt.

If you go early enough, you can do both parks, or a majority of them. If you have ever been to WDW, there are some rides that exactly the same (like Soarin and Toy Story Mania). The nice thing is both parks' gates face each other so you can go back and forth as much as you would like!

And, sadly, Disneyland has no drinks! However, DCA has made up for that with large margaritas ad choice beers.

As for the hours, I have no clue either, but usually Disneyland is the first to open and the last to close!

From M. Ryan Traylor
Posted June 14, 2010 at 5:35 PM
As Anthony said, yes it's within walking distance. You will probably walk about a mile to get to the turnstiles since the park entrances face each other. But, it's not that bad of a walk.

Alcohol is located at DCA. Beers and margarita in the wharf area. Wine at wine country trattoria.

As for the hours, Disneyland seems to release their schedule about two months in advance. I would think that DCA is going to open 10am and close around 7/8pm. DL will probably open between 8/9am and close around 11pm/midnight.

You should be able to do everything. The weather at that time will keep you off of Splash and Grizzly. Especially going solo, you will be on your own time and not have to worry about a "schedule". And again as Anthony mentioned you can skip the similar attractions that you have been on at WDW.

From Nick Markham
Posted June 14, 2010 at 8:36 PM
^I have to say, solo or in a group, you do need a schedule or basically the entire day planned out at Disneyland, especially if you expect to do both parks in one day. I would suggest using the four hour tour plans for both parks on this site, but I could give you one that works specifically for you if you would like.

Also, I know many of you will hate me after I say this, but while alcohol is adult friendly it is not kid friendly, and while Disney is family friendly, I honestly think having alcohol around kids in a place that is supposed to be kid friendly is a BAD idea. Sure some adults can hold their liquor, but what happens about the ones who can't and roam the park frightening little kids.

Either way, Disneyland+alcohol=bad idea. If you want alcohol, go to a bar.

From KJ Simpson
Posted June 15, 2010 at 5:55 AM
Thanks for all this great info. I was really just more curious about the alcohol- when I was at WDW earlier this year, I found it interesting that there was no alcohol at MK, and then a few beer stands at Epcot (though I saw practically nobody drinking beer), but then as soon as we hit the world showcase- the alcohol seemed to be flowing everywhere! I did not see anyone overimbibing, though I can see how it could happen- especially with people not used to walking around in the hot sun.

Rather than avoiding attractions that I’ve been to at WDW, I’m looking forward to comparing and contrasting a few of them. I’ve read with interest some of the comparisons on the discussion boards here! I’m going to do my homework and try to have a good plan. (And maybe if I can come up with a list of must-dos, as well as things I’m not interested in, I can get one of you experts to help me with a touring plan…)

From Anthony Murphy
Posted June 15, 2010 at 6:14 AM
If I am not mistaken, every country in EPCOT has a bar of some sorts!

Anyway, I should have been more specific: There are some rides at both parks that are EXACTLY the same such as Toy Story Mania and Soarin, but others are different a bit such as the Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and the Pirates of the Carribean. Make sure to check those classics out!

From Nick Markham
Posted June 15, 2010 at 7:09 AM
Oh, the alcohol is not important here, I shouldn't have brought it up.

Anyway, here are the most important attractions to hit in each park. Try to hit as many as possible if you are not going by a schedule:

Disneyland
-Space Mountain
-Indiana Jones Adventure
-Matterhorn Bobsleds
-Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
-Haunted Mansion
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
-Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
-Nemo's Submarine Voyage

Disney's California Adventure
-Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
-Monster's Inc.: Ride & Go Seek
-Grizzly River Run
-Soarin' Over California
-California Screamin'
-Mulholland Madness
-Maliboomer
-Toy Story Midway Mania
-Silly Symphony Swings
-World of Color

This list is basically of the rides not found in Disney World, rides that are far different versions of ones in Disney World, or rides like Malliboomer that will be gone soon.

From Elizabeth Gray
Posted June 15, 2010 at 4:32 PM
If you are a solo person...hit Fantasyland first thing. The Lines get insane later in the day and not worth waiting for like the E tickets. You can do the whole land in about a hour. Then cross over to Frontierland and Do Big Thunder, then Pirates, Haunted mansion, then Splash Mountain and then double back to Adventureland. Do Indy, Tiki room(don't miss!!!)and Jungle cruise (better at night) and on to Space Mountain, The you have hit all the big rides.

Make sure to reserve Dinner at the Blue Bayou in advance. May not have alcohol but drink a mint julip and enjoy the nighttime dining no matter the time of day.

There are plenty of places to get a drink right outside the park.

From M. Ryan Traylor
Posted June 16, 2010 at 11:18 PM
And make sure you get a Dole Whip at the Tiki Room!!!

From KJ Simpson
Posted October 18, 2010 at 1:55 PM
I'm resurrecting this thread because my trip is right around the corner! Any other advice for a solo visitor? I'm definitely going to try to do both parks, since I likely will not be back again. World of Color- worth it for someone who's not the biggest fan of shows?

From M. Ryan Traylor
Posted October 18, 2010 at 5:22 PM
Well the hours are posted now:

DL 9a-midnight
CADV 10a-10p (with WOC shows @ 9pm, 1015pm)

I recommend hopping over and getting showpasses as soon as you can if that is an important viewing for you.

Also, can you get some pics of CARS construction?

From Nick Markham
Posted October 18, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Just take advantage of the single rider lines. The last time I visited with my family, I went and rode everything before without them as they were not big on rides and zoomed through both parks in just one day just because I was a single rider! You should have a fun time, as while going to a theme park with friends is fun, sometimes going solo gets you special advantages others do not get.

From M. Ryan Traylor
Posted October 19, 2010 at 12:18 AM
Also, bring a book that fits in your pocket or something. I've done quite a few solo days and when I needed some down time to relax, I just grabbed a nice plush seat in the GCH lobby. It's also fun when characters come by and see you reading and try to interact with you.

From KJ Simpson
Posted November 8, 2010 at 12:13 PM
I had the GREATEST time! Thank you all for the tips- they helped so much in my planning and in my decision-making while I was there. The greatest thing of my visit: the single rider line for Indiana Jones! While I realize I missed most of a very interesting queue, this ride- my new favorite on any Disney property- was a virtual walk-on, even during peak traffic points of the day! I rode it four times. LOVED it! Pirates was so much more fun here- those two drops at the beginning were great! I loved being able to hop back and forth between parks so easily.

This discussion has been archived, and is not accepting additional responses.