It is a lot easier to wing it at DLR vs WDW. No magic bands and 30 or 60 days windows for fastpasses. They still have the paper system there. At
Disneyland, go straight to Indiana Jones and get fastpasses. That's the ride most likely to run out and since it's not at WDW, it's a must ride. You can't get another fastpass until the time for that one opens up. I'd get FP for space mountain next. It's different than the one at WDW. You can get a FP for fantasmic any time, because it's disconnected from the rest of the FP system. Other rides not to miss are pirates (so much better than WDW!), haunted mansion, matterhorn and roger rabbit. Those rides are either different from WDW or not available there. Disneyland is much smaller than magic kingdom. You can easily run from one land to another and back without wearing out. I usually eat quick service. The French Market in New Orleans square has great food. The table service there, Cafe Orleans also has delicious food and the garlic parmesan fries are to die for! You can probably still get reservations there. The hungry bear cafe is also very good. If your children like character dining, the Minnie breakfast at the Plaza Inn is amazing. You see SO many characters! It's a crazy value compared to WDW character meals. We saw Minnie, Tigger, Pooh, Chip, Dale, Captain Hook, Eeyore, and Rafiki, (you might also see the Fairy Godmother, Max, the white rabbit, I'm sure there are others...) They also came around more than once.
Disneyland fastpasses available:
Autopia
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Indiana Jones Adventure (Also offers Single Rider)
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain (Also offers Single Rider line)
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Star Tours
Matterhorn
Fantasmic! (disconnected)
California Adventure is probably my favorite of any Disney park. Go straight to the Radiator Springs fastpass kiosk (not at the ride, it's near It's Tough to be a Bug). Then get the world of color fastpass since it's disconnected. If you have to choose, I'd focus on the ride not available at WDW, ex. Soarin' and midway mania are the same in CA and FL. I've only ever eaten quick service here. The cozy cone motel has bread cones filled with bacon mac n' cheese, chili or taco fillings. People go nuts for those. I like the Pacific Wharf Cafe, good soups, sandwiches and salads. Flo's V-8 cafe in carsland is also popular. There's tons of quick service. You won't go hungry.
Califonia Adventure Fastpasses:
World of Color (disconnected)
California Screamin’ (Also offers Single Rider line)
Goofy’s Sky School
Grizzly River Run (Also offers Single Rider line)
Radiator Springs Racers (Also offers Single Rider line)
Soarin’ (Also offers Single Rider line)
Toy Story Midway Mania
I apologize that I do not know about the maxpass system. I haven't been there to take advantage of that. I will go in May and will have more information after that. My last note is DO NOT miss the nighttime shows! They are amazing! World of color will blow your mind. The paint the night parade and fantasmic are so good. Fantasmic is better at DLR than WDW.