Went to Disneyland and CA Adventure last week, stayed at Grand Californian. Some notes for those going soon:
(But first an observation: holy shit, the number of morbidly obese people in this country, including children. I weep for our future.)
No early entrance for on site hotel guests. Everyone in at the same time, though we did notice they tended to open the gates early, say 8:30, 8:45.
Everyone goes straight to Indiana Jones open entering; don't be that person. Bounce around and go to Pirates of Caribbean, circle back to Jones toward the end of the day (it breaks down all the time, keep an eye on it and you might get in quick upon a reopening).
Longest wait was for Cars at CA Adventure, 45 minutes. Everything else averaged about 20 and moved pretty quick.
The virtual queue - don't fuck around with it. You've got 2 or 3 seconds max to get a spot or you're toast. On the app hit 'virtual queues' and you'll be on the "Join Boarding Group" page - STAY ON THAT. Do not go to the next page where the actual queues are shown, they do not refresh automatically when the clock strikes 7 or 12. When the clock on you phone hits 7 IMMEDIATELY hit Join Boarding Group. Next page is "Join Queue" I think, and it shows either Star Wars or Web Slingers, then another page with "Confirm Guests" (it reads the tickets that are attached to your Disney account). Sit in a comfortable place, block out any distractions (especially avoid eye contact with your kids, as they will appear to be ready to cry or scream with joy depending on how slow or fast you are). There may be a website that helps you with finger poking speed and agility; if so, do that. Again, once it hits 7 or 12, MOVE. Like a 14 year old fap, it's over in nanoseconds. The crowd around you will either scream and clap like insane people, or scream FUCK! You think I'm joking? Just wait.
Rise of the Resistance is probably the best ride/experience I've ever been on. Good on you Imagineering. Avengers Web Slingers, however, is lame as shit. I award you no points. If you can get a slot on the virtual queue go for it, but honestly it was not even close to being worth waiting until 6;30 at night (our time slot) and then another 45 once you actually get in line.
All the sit down restaurants were booked so all we had was quick serve, which was fine. You do have to order your food an hour or two in advance in the popular areas like Avengers or Star Wars. Beer and drinks have to be preordered too, but I found that if I had an order to be ready at say, 2, and showed up at 1:30, they just poured it and sent me on my way.
Over my life I've been to Disney about half a dozen times, and I never knew you could actually go into Snow White's castle. Well, you can. It's pedestrian, but a first for me.