Afternoon Arrival at Disneyland Plan?

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disneymum58

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 30, 2009

• Nov 30, 2015

• #1

The week we leave for Disneyland is finally here and I'm trying to figure out a "game plan" for Thursday December 3. It will just be me and my 8 year old daughter. We leave Monday December 7.
Our plane arrives at LAX at 12:36 and we plan to use Lansky to get to BWPPI. We're not stopping for groceries. I think we will probably be able to be checked in and ready to go by 2:30pm
Originally we weren't planning on going to the park that day as my daughter only has a 3 day PH (I have a 5 day PH). I think it will cost $21 to upgrade her ticket to 4 days.
Should I do this? FP will be gone by then I imagine. We have a "reservation" at Goofy's Kitchen for 6:30pm which I would consider cancelling.
This is my daughter's first trip to Disneyland, although I come around twice a year. If I decide to go to the parks, what do you think we should plan on doing and still not get to bed too late cause we want to be there for rope drop Friday morning?

 

mom2rtk

Invented the term "Characterpalooza"

Joined

Aug 23, 2008

• Nov 30, 2015

• #2

Thursday will likely be the lowest crowd day of your visit. I would maximize your time in the park Thursday and take time away from crowds one day over the weekend to do Goofy's Kitchen.

 

kitntrip

Mouseketeer

Joined

Dec 20, 2009

• Nov 30, 2015

• #3

We get in roughly the same time and staying at the same hotel for my trip. Because it will be so early when we leave and will be a long day in general, we're going to do downtown Disney rather than go to a park.

 

figment_jii

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 22, 2006

• Nov 30, 2015

• #4

I generally agree that Thursday is likely to be the least crowded of the days you'll be there (although, given the popularity of the holidays and the 60th Anniversary Celebration, it doesn't seem like there are really any low-crowd days at this point). DL will be open until 9:00 pm and DCA is open until 8:00 pm that day, so even if you don't get to the parks until around 3:00 pm, that will still give you about 6 or so hours in the parks. If nothing else, it'll give you one more day to try an see the entertainment (e.g., WoC, Disneyland Forever, PtN, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, etc.). In terms of FPs, that's tough to say...I think HyperSpace Mtn, Star Tours (maybe), and RSR are likely to be gone by then, but the others might still be available (it's hard to predict crowds).

 

JadeDarkstar

Dis Veteran Pirate dragon mom

Joined

Jun 2, 2007

• Nov 30, 2015

• #5

Yeahhh hi we will be there too same hotel and we have GK reservation that night too how funny. We are not doing the park this day but if you wanted to I would. I have 5 day ph but if could get 6th or 7th day I would.

 

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corinne76

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 24, 2014

• Nov 30, 2015

• #6

For me, $21 is worth the few extra hours.
Since it's her first visit, you could also use that first day to hit DTD. DD will be 8 when we go and she's looking forward to Build a Bear and Rainforest Cafe and looking through World of Disney. Our last trip, we didnt' make it to DTD til our last day in CA, and only had a couple hours to get souvies before having to leave for the airport.
This time we're getting in early, grocery shopping, and doing DTD our first day so we can still turn in early. We fly the red eye and the kids will only sleep about 5 hrs or less.

 

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theluckyrabbit

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 23, 2012

• Dec 1, 2015

• #7

$21 would be worth it to me. You could help her get a feel for the park, the lands, the ride locations. She could get photos with the Fab 5 in Towne Square, and maybe a photo with Santa in Critter Country. It would give you one more chance to see DF, in case the fireworks get cancelled later during your visit. If they don't, you'll have a chance to see them more than once! You could try to ride RSR at night (using single rider, if she's comfortable with that). And you might be able to see the Frozen show and Aladdin, thus freeing up more day time for rides and other attractions. Just some thoughts. Hope you enjoy your visit!