So I'm planning the family trip to DL for the first time for our sons 6th birthday. We live in Florida and know every in and out of WDW but have never been to Disneyland.
- Is October a good time to go? I assume kids are in school and crowds would be minimal and this is around his birthday.
- Disneyland still uses the old paper fastpass system? I've heard Radiator Springs Racers is the main attraction to run too for a paper fastpass, but are there any others that I really need to chase down? Indiana Jones? Not concerned with Star Wars Land rides as we have those here.
- Is there a Disneyland my disney experience app or anything that you can use to see wait times, etc?
- Any other major differences that might surprise a WDW vet when they show up to DL? I'm not thinking of the sizes of the parks or anything, just differences that could hinder the experience if you don't know before you go.
Thanks!!
Yes, Disneyland still uses the paper FastPasses. However, they now also offer MaxPass, which allows you to book FastPasses from your phone, gets you free PhotoPass, shortens the window between getting FPs from 2 hours to 90 minutes, and it allows you to book FPs that others have cancelled. It makes your life much easier. It is available for $15/day/person. You can purchase it day of after you enter the park or when you buy your tickets, BUT if you add MaxPass when you buy the tickets, you must add MaxPass to your entire length of ticket-which I recommend. If you don't want to add it to your entire ticket, you will need to buy it each day after you enter the turnstiles.
RSR is indeed the hot FP at DCA, followed by Guardians. I can't speak for what will happen when the GE attractions are added to FP, but right now at DL Space Mountain, Indy, and the Matterhorn are the first FPs to go.
Yes, Disneyland has their own app. It's very similar to WDW's.
Major differences and/or good things to know:
1. This is the big one: Fireworks, Fantasmic, and night parades (if running) DO NOT run during the week except for Christmas, Spring Break, or Summer. If you want to see any of these shows, you will need to add at least one weekend day to your trip. World of Color typically runs nightly.
2. If you are interested in the Halloween party at DCA, tickets tend to sell out very, VERY early. Like, August.
3. The best place to stay is anywhere within walking distance, preferably on Harbor Blvd across the street from the parks (the pedestrian entrance is across the street from the IHOP). These Harbor Blvd. hotels are basic, but much cheaper than the Disney hotels and often closer to the actual gates. The Disney hotels are nice but expensive and they don't have the same level of perks as the ones at WDW. Driving or taking a shuttle to the parks eats up a lot of time, and parking is not particularly efficient in the way it is at WDW.
4. The resort is often very slow at posting hours and entertainment schedules (although once they are up they rarely change). Things often aren't totally finalized until around two weeks before your trip. The best way to know what to expect is to view the historical park hours, which I believe are linked somewhere on this page.
5. If the parks open early, especially if they open at 8, go! The locals sleep in and/or can't get to the parks at opening, and so the parks typically aren't busy until around 11. You can get tons of things done in those pre-11 hours, far more than at any other time of day.
6. The parks also don't die down at night to nearly the same level that WDW parks do. You can certainly walk on Pirates and Mansion at the end of the day, but other parts of the park stay hopping right up to park closing.
7. Special operating hours: Toontown typically opens an hour after the rest of the park and closes for the night about an hour before the fireworks. The boats stop operating around 4 or so if Fantasmic is running the same night. Many Fantasyland attractions will close around Fireworks time and reopen after inspection once the Fireworks are completed.
8. Get hoppers. Bag check/security are outside the parks and Downtown Disney and you do not have to go through it again to go between parks. Parkhopping often takes around five minutes. With a parkhopper, the entire resort is at your fingertips at all times.
9. DLR isn't nearly as focused on Table Service as WDW; don't feel like you need to do it every day. Reservations open 60 days out; Blue Bayou, dessert parties, and (presumably; no firsthand experience on this one) character meals go fastest; generally speaking, the others don't go particularly fast and you could potentially get same-day availability.
10. Character interactions tend to be more spontaneous and less planned out and organized (although you do have your standard Mickey meet & greet opportunity and some others too). No character M&Gs offer FP.
11. DLR is best enjoyed in at least three days. If you're a big fan, or want a more leisurely approach, 4 or 5 work better.
Finally, the most important thing is to treat Disneyland as its own entity and not as WDW West. In many ways, expecting Disneyland to operate just as WDW does is recipe for vacation failure. And really take the time to explore Disneyland and do all the "little things"; the park has many rewards if you do so.
Gay Days Anaheim this fall is 10/2 - 10/4. We've been to DL during Gay Days and it's fine and doesn't make a huge impact on crowds in my opinion. 
Still hated it. 
