Definitely hit up the buzz lightyear ride. You get to shoot targets like a game of laser tag. Layton will eat that up. I'd also hit up Pirates because you haven't seen the updates they've made after the movies. Have you been there since they introduced fast passes? You get a "pass" to go on the ride quicker at a later time. Good in case things are really busy.

If you're getting the pass that lets you go to both disneyland and california adventure, do all your eating at california adventure. The food is a lot better there. There's a mexican place and a bread bowl place. The bread is fresh baked, it's awesome. Otherwise there isn't a ton to see at california adventure. Bugs life and Soarin' over california and you're probably done there. I can't remember if the regular ticket lets you into both though.

1.  Don't forget the sunscreen.

2.  Disneyland has healthy snacks available now, so you don't have to junk food it all day.

3.  Fast Pass for rides that are popular

4.  Take or rent a stroller - it's great for cameras, jackets, video camsand tired kids - and we've never heard of anyone having stuff stolen from strollers as D-land.

5.  Are you going to CA Adventure?  If so, Ariel's Grotto is a must.  Princesses come around to visit all the tables.  Call now to make a reservation.

6.  expect Small World to be closed.  They are refinishing the surface - not to reopen till fall or winter, I think. 

How long are you going to be there?

if you can, go on a weekday. 

the longest line you'll encounter is the new nemo submarine ride.  do that first thing if you don't want to waste the rest of your day in line.  no fast pass for this one since we were there in february.

if it's the kids' first time, they won't know if they missed a ride...so take it easy and enjoy the moments:  their reactions to seeing Mickey for the first time is precious and should be captured.  friday and sat nights at 9pm = firework show. 

if you haven't booked a hotel, go via priceline.  you can get a 3-4 star hotel for around $70 per night in the disneyland area.

have fun!

I look forward to the day I can take my kid(s) to Disneyland and experience the park all over again through child's eyes. Have a wonderful time. Enjoy every moment and don't get caught up in the rush of having to see it all.

We will be there on Tuesday.  We are renting a room at the Best Western across the street the night before and the night after.  That way we can walk out of the park for a short nap in the afternoon and then stay later into the night before the kids crash out.  We are not doing CA Adventure, just good old Dland.  How much are fast passes and where do we get them?  Just at the park entrance?  Thanks for all the input everyone.  I'm looking forward to my kids having a blast.  We have a countdown on the whiteboard in the kitchen and they have been counting down the days for the last month and a half.  They can't wait!

Oh dear I am a disneyland nutcase! :)

• be prepared to have your bags searched before you get in the ticket line.
• you probably haven't experienced the new parking structure and tram to the park excitement. surprisingly pretty organized
• you can actually "plan" your trip on disneyland.com by creating a list of favorites and then printing it out. You can also find out the height requirements for certain rides.
• if you are going to california adventure you should definitely check out the Playhouse Disney show! Super fun :) The bug's land is really fun too and I have to 2nd the food - FYI homemade tortillas and margaritas YUMO
• definitely would suggest doing nemo first if you want to get it out of the way, fast passes are cool if you don't mind coming back when it's your time.
• I think during the summer the fireworkds are actually everynight. plus the fantasmic show is WAY cool :)

Good luck! I hope you guys have lots of fun!!!! I'm SUPER just a tad jealous!

Good plan on the one park for the first visit :) It can be a bit overwhelming to do both in one day!
 

Oh and the fast passes are at the entrances of the rides that offer them. And they are free!

EVEN if you are only visiting one park...take the stroller with you!  We took our single stroller in April for our youngest (4 years) who was not 100% since he had just finished a major asthma issue and was recouping from bronchitis...and we rented a second one for the older son who got tired with the heat....for 10 bucks - it was worth my sanity!!  They have the sports style stroller (don't know about the double, but you can call and ask) and they do have storage underneath and a place for your family name.  We sold our double stroller long ago (the oldest is so tall, he outgrew it quickly...) so, it was a great option for us.  Walk from across the street, it's not that far.  We were there in April, stayed a distance away, but took the trams there and back to the hotel again.  My suggestion for food....take snack type stuff for the kids in a backpack.  Water to keep hydrated in refillable bottles for each of you.  We like to take our own sandwiches made fresh that morning at the hotel.  I like to get places with the refrigerators and have cereal and milk in the a.m.  Crackers, goldfish, juice, fresh fruits or whatever your kids like are good to keep with you for the munchies.  The lines for bag checks move fast if you have your zippers handy and are organized.  In my opinion, the food there is way over priced and not that great.  Take some peanut butter, jelly, a loaf of bread and lunchmeat for adults...chips and drinks.  Save the money for treats for the kids, ice cream, T-shirts or a nice dinner away from Disneyland.  

SUNSCREEN AND HATS are a must!  We took sunscreen and applied it more than usual - I got a little pink, and had to buy a hat the second day to keep from burning my scalp (and nose too).  I paid double for a ball cap at Disneyland, but got a cool souvenier that I love to wear now...If you decide to get a second day, California Adventure has a great area for the kids and is pretty family friendly as well.  They have Playhouse Disney Theater, A Bugs Life land, and an old fashioned carnival area that my sons had a blast playing the Fishing Game - every kid won something!  The Big Ferris Wheel is neat, if you get a car that doesn't spin or swing on the track.  (plus, the line is super short for those cars!!)     

Fast Passes...are awesome!!  They are free at the rides that offer them.  This is how they work:  You take your tickets (one for each person in your party) up to the fastpass station at the rides that offer them, slide them in and you get a return ticket with a time on it.  When you return, enter the Fast Pass line and you get on the ride in about 5 minutes or less....VERY worthwhile with kids!!  Nemo doesn't offer fastpass.  Do that first if your kids want to ride Nemo.  The line was too long for us to wait, since we didn't get there until later in the day.  Also, visit Toon Town early in the day.  It closes early (8 p.m.) I think.  Lots of fun there for the kids!

Have a blast!  Take your camera and enjoy the fun!  Also, I have heard that they will let you in early, if you are there like an hour or so before the park opens.  My SIL did this (they like to get up early and their kids are older).  We sleep in a little more and take our time in the morning...I'm not sure of all the details, so maybe ask those who go a little more frequently....Most of all, enjoy the day! 

When my niece took her two girls recently, security confiscated the snacks/food.  They said they only allowed you to take food in for babies.  Just FYI.  Maybe it's hit and miss with the food thing.

Too bad your niece had her food/snacks confiscated...Must have had a militant security officer checking the bags!!  I have done this twice (last in April this year) and never had issues.  We have a small soft-sided insulated bag that will hold a few sandwiches in ziplocs and blue ice.  As long as you don't have glass or anything breakable, they shouldn't confiscate it.  Besides, they have a picnic area for those who choose to bring their own food....that makes no sense to confiscate food from families.  I also had to have my son's asthma medication, one was an inhaler, one was an oral steroid.  They didn't even bat an eye at that.   

One other issue my SIL and her son ran into with security...make sure if you leave the park, you have your hand stamped AND you keep your ticket in your possession!  They had their hand stamped; met us for dinner in Downtown Disney, and then went back to the park...Security wanted to see their tickets and stamps.  Their tickets were on their way back with her hubby to the hotel (without their knowledge....) Thank goodness for cell phones!  Maybe the same security guard also checked the bags of bushelandapecks' niece?  Hope you have a great time at Disneyland!!