Hi Alison, and welcome back to planDisney!
Oh boy, do I love helping guests who are just about to visit the Disneyland Resort! I'm really excited that your visit is only one short week away! Do you have an itinerary of must-see attractions and food items that you cannot miss? It's the
spooky season at the Happiest Place on Earth, so make a checklist off the Disney Parks Blog
Foodie Guide for Halloween and let's use the phenomenal cosmic power of Genie+ to get you on some attractions!
I'm glad that you've used Genie+ at the Walt Disney World Resort in the past, but there will be some differences. The first is that you won't be able to book your first
Lightning Lane until you actually scan your ticket and enter Disney California Adventure on the morning of your visit. This is in contrast to how it works at Walt Disney World. Also, you will be able to begin park hopping at 11 a.m., which gives you more freedom to choose attractions from either Park. It's really easy to hop back and forth because the Park entrances are only about 300 feet apart. Otherwise, Genie+ works similarly to what you've experienced at the Florida Parks. You'll be able to book a new Lightning Lane either after you've redeemed the one you're currently holding or two hours have passed. I recommend setting a two hour timer on your smartphone to remind you to book another Lightning Lane as soon as you are able. The limitation of one Lightning Lane per attraction still holds true. Also, keep in mind that three attractions are a separate Individual Lightning Lane purchase: Radiator Springs Racers, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Now that the details are out of the way, here are some recommendations I have for you! I would definitely encourage making Rope Drop if possible. One of the most popular Rope Drop attractions is Radiator Springs Racers and the standby wait times will grow quickly after Park opening, so head over there if you're towards the front and make that first Lightning Lane for something else while you're en route. If you like drop-type thrill rides, book Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! and realize that it becomes a different ride with a Halloween overlay after 3 p.m.:
Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark and you'll actually be able to book another Lightning Lane for it even if you've redeemed one for its non overlay version (warning: the Halloween version might be frightening for young ones).
Haunted Mansion Holiday over in Disneyland Park is also an extremely popular Lightning Lane, so be aware that it might get booked out early. The
Indiana Jones Adventure is another popular Disneyland Park attraction which is unique to this Resort, and it was recently updated this year!
Alison, as you can tell, I'm super excited for you and I hope that you have the most magical time at the Disneyland Resort! If you need any more advice or have more questions, please write back anytime! You're always welcome at planDisney. Until next time!
Wishing You a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow!
-Al