Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [193]
You can also purchase a Southern California CityPass for $235/189, which permits three-day admission to Disneyland and DCA, as well as one-day admission to other local attractions.
FASTPASS & SINGLE RIDERS
With a bit of pre-planning, you can significantly cut your wait time for popular attractions. Walk up to a Fastpass ticket machine – located near the entrance to the ride – and insert your ticket. You’ll receive a slip of paper showing a window of time for boarding. Show up within the window of time printed on the ticket and join the Fastpass line. There’s still a wait, but it’s shorter. You can only get one Fastpass at a time. If you’re alone, ask the greeter at the entrance to each attraction if there’s a single-rider line; you can often head to the front of the queue. Availability may depend on crowd size.
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DOING DISNEY RIGHT
Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit:
Plan on at least one day for each park, more if you want to go on all the rides. Lines are longest during summer and around major holidays. Generally, midweek is better than Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and arriving early is best. If you really want to avoid crowds, come in spring or fall or right after Labor Day. Nobody’s here in February. However, crowds reappear for the holiday decorations in December and the first week of January.
In summer bring a hat, suntan lotion, patience and – if cutting costs is important – bottled water.
Many rides have minimum age and height requirements; avoid tantrums by prepping the kids.
When you arrive at the park, expect to have your bags searched before passing through the turnstiles (looking for bombs, knives, etc). You’re allowed to bring in food.
Plan your time carefully. As you enter, pick up a park map and a show schedule to help you prioritize.
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Tourist Information
Anaheim Visitor & Postal Center ( 714-991-4636; 640 W Katella Ave; 8am-7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat, 4-8pm Sun; ) This family-owned visitor center, located in front of the Jolly Roger Hotel across from DCA, sells tickets for tours and local attractions. Lots of brochures, maps, and tips for travel in Anaheim and surrounding areas. Internet access costs $0.25 per minute.
Anaheim Visitors Center ( 714-765-8888; www.anaheimvisitorscenter.com; 800 W Katella Ave; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm Sun; ) Just south of DCA at the Anaheim Convention Center, offers information on countywide lodging, dining and transportation. The staff will help you book lodging and will answer questions via telephone. For a primer on OC’s car culture, pick up the Orange County Area Driving Guide; it has simple directions and maps to nearby attractions. No public internet access. Parking costs $9.
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DISNEYLAND FASTPASS ATTRACTIONS
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Frontierland, Click here)
Splash Mountain (Critter Country, Click here)
Autopia (Tomorrowland, Click here)
Space Mountain (Tomorrowland, Click here)
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (Tomorrowland, Click here)
Indiana Jones Adventure (Adventureland, Click here)
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (Mickey’s Toontown, Click here)
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Travel Agencies
Walt Disney Travel Company ( 714-520-5060, 800-828-0228; www.disneytravel.com) You can save substantially by booking your trip to Disneyland through this agent, which sells packages that include air, hotel and park tickets.
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
Disneyland Park
While the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ designation is debatable, it’s hard to deny the perceptible change in atmosphere as you’re whisked by tram from the outside world into the heart of the resort. Wide-eyed children lean forward with anticipation