1st trip booked!!! Help me plan :)

[NicholeB630]

Yay so finally after going back and forth for a year our trip is finally booked!!!! Were staying at the DLH (which I went back and forth on) but I think my kids will enjoy it the best and the Disney feeling it has. Our dates are June 3rd - June 8th. Only 5 nights which I could totally do more but I'll take what I can get So I have lots of time to plan but were in the dead middle of boring winter here in VA and I have nothing else to do haha. Except for when Im at the barn

So advice on what days we should do what parks etc. We have a few variables and Im gonna list each with each day and whats going on, assuming these EMH stay the same. From what I understand staying at DLH we can get in at 7am all the days that offer it correct? I love the idea of hopping back and forth. We will do a couple ADR but not a lot. Maybe 1 a day.

3 day park hopper with max pass. Which days would you do what parks. We are good with 7am each park day. Were early risers and the time difference will be in our favor in the mornings since we'll be used to being up already.

Wednesday June 3rd - Fly in - Arrive probably before noon. Spend time at hotel and Downtown Disney.
Thursday June 4th - 7a/8a - 12am - DL. (AP block outs - SL, SC) 8a - 9p - DCA (AP - SL)
Friday June 5th - 8a - 12am - DL (AP - SL, SC, DX) 7a/8a - 9pm - DCA (AP - SL, SC) Grad nite.
Saturday 6th - 7a/8a - 12am - DL (AP - SL, SC, DX) 8a - 9pm - DCA ( AP - SL, SC) Grad nite.
Sunday 7th - 8a - 12am DL ( AP - SL, SC, DX) 7a/8a - 10pm (AP - SL, SC)
Monday 8th - Go home.

Hope that made sense. I did the times for each park, what AP blackouts each park and day and then added grad nites. My thoughts are Thursday do DL all day RD to however long we wanna be there. Friday RD at DCA and then end our day at DL. Then Saturday RD DL, have bunch at the latest time we can get at the Plaza, hop to DCA for however long it takes us to finish and do everything else we want and then end the night back at DL if we wanna go back. Thoughts?

Thanks for all the help. You guys are seriously awesome!

 

[sechelt]

You've mentioned a 3 day hopper but have 4 days listed for the parks. Was that a typo? Consider a 5 day hopper so you can go in on arrival day. It's really tough to be so close yet unable to visit the parks when everyone is so excited on the first day.

 

[NicholeB630]

You've mentioned a 3 day hopper but have 4 days listed for the parks. Was that a typo? Consider a 5 day hopper so you can go in on arrival day. It's really tough to be so close yet unable to visit the parks when everyone is so excited on the first day.

We are only doing three days! But I listed all 4 days that we could potentially go to the park. The day we don't do a park we'll do something else in CA

 

[BadPinkTink]

I usually do 3 days, 1 park tickets.

In previous years I have done

1. Disneyland Main Park
2. California Adventures
3. Disneyland Main Park

You should read my June 2019 Trip report https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...any-firsts-mixed-with-old-favourites.3758518/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you are planning to see WOC (and you should! Go for the Dessert Party! -- study post one of the World of Color Superthread and ask all questions in there), you'll need a night at DCA that isn't a Grad Nite. I agree with the suggestion to add a day so you can go into the parks on your arrival day. You really have no idea how close you'll be to all the action and not able to go inside! DTD is literally a walk on the way to the parks from your hotel -- you will be hard pressed to spend a whole afternoon and evening there. You could use that arrival day just to get to know the layout of the parks (it is definitely different from MK! Don't assume your knowledge of MK will suffice!) and let you test out FP/MP. It really doesn't cost much to add a day to your tickets. For DL, look into the dining packages for F! Those will give you the best viewing with the least wait time. DL has the better F! (originated at DL) and it is worth seeing.

 

[NicholeB630]

If you are planning to see WOC (and you should! Go for the Dessert Party! -- study post one of the World of Color Superthread and ask all questions in there), you'll need a night at DCA that isn't a Grad Nite. I agree with the suggestion to add a day so you can go into the parks on your arrival day. You really have no idea how close you'll be to all the action and not able to go inside! DTD is literally a walk on the way to the parks from your hotel -- you will be hard pressed to spend a whole afternoon and evening there. You could use that arrival day just to get to know the layout of the parks (it is definitely different from MK! Don't assume your knowledge of MK will suffice!) and let you test out FP/MP. It really doesn't cost much to add a day to your tickets. For DL, look into the dining packages for F! Those will give you the best viewing with the least wait time. DL has the better F! (originated at DL) and it is worth seeing.

Ok maybe we will add a day and go that afterenoon/night we get there. I thought the kids could swim but we'll have times other days. Maybe I'll do a ADR that night at DL. Like you said just walk around and maybe go on some things that don't have long lines. Only problem is there is only 2 nights the whole trip that aren't grad nites. Thursday which I was planning do spend all day at DL and then Sunday which I wasn't gonna do as a park day bc I wanted two 7am mornings at DL. I suppose Thursday isnt a big deal to pop to DCA and end our night there. Its not like we won't have time for other things other nights at DL. We've never seen Fantastic at DW so I def wanna see it. Bu looks like that is only on certain nights? Maybe in the summer its more. Hopefully it lines up with one of the evenings were in DL.

Do you think its fine to not have full days dedicated to each park? Grad nites is making it difficult to do that. I think we'll get plenty of time in each park, they just will be broken up each day basically.

 

[NicholeB630]

If you are planning to see WOC (and you should! Go for the Dessert Party! -- study post one of the World of Color Superthread and ask all questions in there), you'll need a night at DCA that isn't a Grad Nite. I agree with the suggestion to add a day so you can go into the parks on your arrival day. You really have no idea how close you'll be to all the action and not able to go inside! DTD is literally a walk on the way to the parks from your hotel -- you will be hard pressed to spend a whole afternoon and evening there. You could use that arrival day just to get to know the layout of the parks (it is definitely different from MK! Don't assume your knowledge of MK will suffice!) and let you test out FP/MP. It really doesn't cost much to add a day to your tickets. For DL, look into the dining packages for F! Those will give you the best viewing with the least wait time. DL has the better F! (originated at DL) and it is worth seeing.

ok I responded once already but I just added another ticket day y’all twisted my arm! We will go and spend some time at the parks on Wednesday when we get in probably just Disneyland since it’s grad night on Wednesday as well. Now assuming we do the parks Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday and then Sunday we could just takeoff and do something else and relax before we go back home how would you do the parks would you just bounce back-and-forth each day? Based on rope drop times, EMH and grad nites.

 

[rkstocke5609]

Do not miss Frozen Live at the Hyperion (DCA). Even if you aren’t a Frozen fan, this production is of the highest quality and shouldn’t be missed. I would also get a hopper so you can bounce between the parks because they are so close it is very practical, we hopped every day. Oh, EMH at DCA we rode California Screamin’ (now Incredicoaster) like 4 times in a row with no wait. This is the best coaster Disney has and IMHO the best way to spend EMH.

 

[NicholeB630]

Do not miss Frozen Live at the Hyperion (DCA). Even if you aren’t a Frozen fan, this production is of the highest quality and shouldn’t be missed. I would also get a hopper so you can bounce between the parks because they are so close it is very practical, we hopped every day. Oh, EMH at DCA we rode California Screamin’ (now Incredicoaster) like 4 times in a row with no wait. This is the best coaster Disney has and IMHO the best way to spend EMH.

we are def getting hoppers!!

 

[midnight star]

Do you plan on eating at any restaurants? Check on menus so you know where you want to eat and can book at 60 days

 

[Geemo]

Only problem is there is only 2 nights the whole trip that aren't grad nites.

Grad night seniors have three ticket options.
On Grad nights DCA will close at 9PM.
" Once the clock strikes 9 p.m., Disney California Adventure park transforms into an exclusive private party experience just for Grads! "

On Grad Nights plan to finish the day in DL.

I agree on going with 4day hoppers for your trip

 

[NicholeB630]

Do you plan on eating at any restaurants? Check on menus so you know where you want to eat and can book at 60 days

Yes I’m still looking!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... how would you do the parks would you just bounce back-and-forth each day? Based on rope drop times, EMH and grad nites.

We just did that yesterday -- hopped back and forth between the parks based on whatever rides we wanted to do, on whichever FPs were available on MP (grab those cancellations!), and on whatever we wanted to eat! And it took just minutes every time. Hopping is so easy at DLR -- don't overthink this and make it more complicated than it is!
And don't be surprised if you wind up upgrading your Sunday to a fifth day in the parks. At least leave the option open. We've had people who had intricate schedules planned for site seeing all over L.A. and doing DLR, and after a few days in the parks, they ended up adding on days to their tickets because everyone loved being in the parks and didn't want to go anywhere else. So they did a mix of park time, pool time, rest time, TS meals, shows, DTD -- wash, rinse, repeat -- and everyone had a great time and no one got tired out.

 

[NicholeB630]

We just did that yesterday -- hopped back and forth between the parks based on whatever rides we wanted to do, on whichever FPs were available on MP (grab those cancellations!), and on whatever we wanted to eat! And it took just minutes every time. Hopping is so easy at DLR -- don't overthink this and make it more complicated than it is!
And don't be surprised if you wind up upgrading your Sunday to a fifth day in the parks. At least leave the option open. We've had people who had intricate schedules planned for site seeing all over L.A. and doing DLR, and after a few days in the parks, they ended up adding on days to their tickets because everyone loved being in the parks and didn't want to go anywhere else. So they did a mix of park time, pool time, rest time, TS meals, shows, DTD -- wash, rinse, repeat -- and everyone had a great time and no one got tired out.

You are right! I think we'll just plan to be flexible, but in the mornings during EMH focus on the rides that we want to do the most and grabbing Max passes, then grab some at the other park if we plan on hopping over. I think we'll have plenty of time. I am excited about how close everything is. We will probably take breaks after lunch at the pool for an hour or so as well.

 

[Pamela M]

If you’ve never been to DL I would make a reservation at Blue Bayou. It’s the restaurant inside Pirates and should be experienced at least once. If you want to see Fantsmic I would make it a package.
Also don’t worry too much about grad nights. Just plan on being out of DCA by 4-5pm and you’ll barely notice the kids. I went in May a few days back and really wasn't affected by the 3 grad nights that happened during my visit.

 

[NicholeB630]

If you’ve never been to DL I would make a reservation at Blue Bayou. It’s the restaurant inside Pirates and should be experienced at least once. If you want to see Fantsmic I would make it a package.
Also don’t worry too much about grad nights. Just plan on being out of DCA by 4-5pm and you’ll barely notice the kids. I went in May a few days back and really wasn't affected by the 3 grad nights that happened during my visit.

I was looking into doing Blue Bayou with the Fantastmic package. Would you say that restaurant is good for kids too? 11 and 8.

 

[NicholeB630]

So I am thinking we'll do a dinner package for Fantasmic one evening and then we'll do the world of color dessert party. I know I want to eat at Lamplight, maybe for lunch one day. I want to do Brunch at The Plaza. Any other suggestions? Ive seen so many good food choices. I do want some days to not have sit downs and we can just try random stuff. Any must haves?

 

[Pamela M]

I was looking into doing Blue Bayou with the Fantastmic package. Would you say that restaurant is good for kids too? 11 and 8.

I can't really speak to how kid friendly it is but... I would ask for the waterside table(you may have to wait a little longer but it's worth it) and the kids will have fun watching the people in the boats go by. There is also a fancy lemonade that you get a glow cube which is fun as the restaurant is dark.

Maybe somone else who has taken kids and speak to it. I do recall seeing all ages of kids in there so I think it will be fine for your kids. I think it's cool cause you get to EAT inside of the ride.

 

[montreid]

Kids menu there. The issue with the package is I don't think you have that option and the menu items are $$$ at BB. Frankly, we like Cafe Orleans better for the food.

Would echo checking to see the cost difference between 3 and 5 days -- usually nominal compared to the huge flexibility that it brings and forgo one Disney sitdown meal instead of eating at our fav -- Bengal BBQ!

 

[NicholeB630]

Kids menu there. The issue with the package is I don't think you have that option and the menu items are $$$ at BB. Frankly, we like Cafe Orleans better for the food.

Would echo checking to see the cost difference between 3 and 5 days -- usually nominal compared to the huge flexibility that it brings and forgo one Disney sitdown meal instead of eating at our fav -- Bengal BBQ!

I'll have to look at that menu. Im a pescatarian so no land animals for me. Typically BBQ has no options ha. But I'll take a look So if you do the package for BB its not the same menu? You get a different menu for Fantastmic?