Hello and welcome to the first rough draft of The Ultimate DLR Guide for beginners! for those of you who are new to DLR this is a basic guide with some nice info you might find helpful through your journey. If you have any questions feel free to ask! also if anyone has something they'd like to add please post or pm me and i'll add the info 
DLR
Hours for DLR: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/park-hours/
Staying On Property
Staying Off Property
Fast-Passes
Extra Magic Hours
Downtown Disney
Dining
Special Events
As always the DisneyLand Walts App will be helpful to tell you wait times for both DLR parks! you can get it on the app store for android or apple devices.
DLR
Hours for DLR: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/park-hours/
Staying On Property
Disneyland Hotel: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/disneyland-hotel/ I have heard good things about this hotel. Since i am a California resident i have never personally stayed at the hotel. I have been in it before though XD
Paradise Pier Hotel: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/paradise-pier-hotel/ Again i have never stayed there but been in the hotel and a friend of mine said it was very nice.
Paradise Pier Hotel: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/paradise-pier-hotel/ Again i have never stayed there but been in the hotel and a friend of mine said it was very nice.
Staying Off Property
If you will be staying off property be sure to go on Tripadviser: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ As this is California and not all hotels are uhh a good place to stay. There are many hotels in a very close proximity to DLR and are nice places to stay. Also heres a list from Disney of "good hotels" https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/good-neighbor/
Fast-Passes
Fantasyland has NO Fast-Passes. DLR also has NO Fast-Pass+
MK (magic kingdom)
List of attractions: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/disneyland/
Space Mountain (must ride better then WDW)
Indiana Jones (must ride)
Roger Rabbits Cartoon Spin (often has an hour+ wait during the daylight hours)
Matterhorn (its a must ride though Fantasyland has NO fast-passes)
California Adventure
List of attractions: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disney-california-adventure/
Radiator Springs Racers (must ride you need a fast-pass you must get there at opening or just go in single rider)
Tower of Terror (sometimes you need a pass not always)
California Screamin (sometimes you need a pass not always)
World of Color (pass places are fine you have better seats if you have a reservation at Ariel's)
MK (magic kingdom)
List of attractions: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/disneyland/
Space Mountain (must ride better then WDW)
Indiana Jones (must ride)
Roger Rabbits Cartoon Spin (often has an hour+ wait during the daylight hours)
Matterhorn (its a must ride though Fantasyland has NO fast-passes)
California Adventure
List of attractions: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disney-california-adventure/
Radiator Springs Racers (must ride you need a fast-pass you must get there at opening or just go in single rider)
Tower of Terror (sometimes you need a pass not always)
California Screamin (sometimes you need a pass not always)
World of Color (pass places are fine you have better seats if you have a reservation at Ariel's)
Extra Magic Hours
EMH can be a good thing in ANY park!! i would recommend using them if you have them.
Downtown Disney
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney-district/
Downtown Disney in DLR is MUCH smaller then WDW's as this is California and there is no room for anything here lol but that doesn't mean its not fun!!!! You still have Earl of Sammich and you have a Build-A-Bear here. So there is still fun stuff its just not as big.
Downtown Disney in DLR is MUCH smaller then WDW's as this is California and there is no room for anything here lol but that doesn't mean its not fun!!!! You still have Earl of Sammich and you have a Build-A-Bear here. So there is still fun stuff its just not as big.
Fireworks and ParadesIn MK:
Mickeys Soundsational Parade: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disneyland/mickeys-soundsational-parade/ Its a cute parade. Its not a must see but its cute and worth the 30 min to watch. If you will be watching this parade be sure to get a good seat 45 min prior to the show to be sure you have a nice spot.
CA (california adventure)
Pixar Play Parade: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disney-california-adventure/pixar-play-parade/ Its a cute parade tbh i enjoyed it. I actually found myself on a ride in the parade area when it started (jumping jellyfish) and i was lucky enough to be facing the parade and got to see it from above everyone lol. Its a cute parade if you wanna see it find a seat 45 min prior to the parade.
World of Color: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disney-california-adventure/world-of-color/ Now this is my favorite night time show in ANY disney park. I love it more then illuminations!!! its so pretty it made me cry because of how beautiful it is. I recommend seeing this as its the best thing EVER if you don't have Fast-Passes (or seating from a meal) then find a seat an hour in advanced.
Mickeys Soundsational Parade: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disneyland/mickeys-soundsational-parade/ Its a cute parade. Its not a must see but its cute and worth the 30 min to watch. If you will be watching this parade be sure to get a good seat 45 min prior to the show to be sure you have a nice spot.
CA (california adventure)
Pixar Play Parade: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disney-california-adventure/pixar-play-parade/ Its a cute parade tbh i enjoyed it. I actually found myself on a ride in the parade area when it started (jumping jellyfish) and i was lucky enough to be facing the parade and got to see it from above everyone lol. Its a cute parade if you wanna see it find a seat 45 min prior to the parade.
World of Color: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/disney-california-adventure/world-of-color/ Now this is my favorite night time show in ANY disney park. I love it more then illuminations!!! its so pretty it made me cry because of how beautiful it is. I recommend seeing this as its the best thing EVER if you don't have Fast-Passes (or seating from a meal) then find a seat an hour in advanced.
Dining
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/
Dining in MK
I'd recommend Blue Bayou. Its a good place to eat i just don't happen to like Monte Cristo's lol. They also have a Starbucks which is good.
Dining in California Adventure
Eat at Flo's V 8 Cafe for lunch as its good food and rather cheap. Ariel's Grotto is a nice place to eat if you want a nice sit down dinner though it can be pricey. The bread factory is also pretty good.
Dining in MK
I'd recommend Blue Bayou. Its a good place to eat i just don't happen to like Monte Cristo's lol. They also have a Starbucks which is good.
Dining in California Adventure
Eat at Flo's V 8 Cafe for lunch as its good food and rather cheap. Ariel's Grotto is a nice place to eat if you want a nice sit down dinner though it can be pricey. The bread factory is also pretty good.
Special Events
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/
Special events for MK and California Adventure.
Halloween Time: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/halloween-time-at-the-disneyland-resort/ Halloween at any DLR park is fun.
Lunar New Year: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/lunar-new-year/ This is a cute time to go i have a friend who went this year and she had a blast!
Mardi Gras: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/new-orleans-square-mardi-gras/ I hear its fun but i have never been so i can't give very good cnc on it.
Holiday time: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/holidays-at-the-disneyland-resort/ Christmas time is perfect for ANY WDW park! but its even cooler for DLR the Haunted Mansion is decked out in Nightmare Before Christmas Style! and Its a Small World has lights and christmas decor.
Special events for MK and California Adventure.
Halloween Time: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/halloween-time-at-the-disneyland-resort/ Halloween at any DLR park is fun.
Lunar New Year: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/lunar-new-year/ This is a cute time to go i have a friend who went this year and she had a blast!
Mardi Gras: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/new-orleans-square-mardi-gras/ I hear its fun but i have never been so i can't give very good cnc on it.
Holiday time: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/holidays-at-the-disneyland-resort/ Christmas time is perfect for ANY WDW park! but its even cooler for DLR the Haunted Mansion is decked out in Nightmare Before Christmas Style! and Its a Small World has lights and christmas decor.
As always the DisneyLand Walts App will be helpful to tell you wait times for both DLR parks! you can get it on the app store for android or apple devices.
Last edited: