1st Trip to DL is a few weeks away - & I'm completely freaking out... HELP!

[celiacla]

i think if you can't make EMH the next best thing is to make rope drop at the opposing park (the one without EMH).

Both parks have EMH this year, so for those of us not staying at Disney property It will be hard.

 

[sheetz]

Both parks have EMH this year, so for those of us not staying at Disney property It will be hard.

Did I miss something? It's my understanding that DL has EMH on Tue, Thu, Sat and DCA on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/extra-magic-hour-early-admission/

 

[celiacla]

Did I miss something? It's my understanding that DL has EMH on Tue, Thu, Sat and DCA on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/extra-magic-hour-early-admission/

Thanksgiving is unusual this year. If you look at the calendar they are planning early entry for both parks all days of that week. DCA is EE only for onsite guests. DL EE is allowed one time for 3 day or more tickets. Usually I go to DCA on the days that don't have early entry, but this time that won't be a possibility.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/five-day/2015-11-22/

 

[sheetz]

Thanksgiving is unusual this year. If you look at the calendar they are planning early entry for both parks all days of that week. DCA is EE only for onsite guests. DL EE is allowed one time for 3 day or more tickets. Usually I go to DCA on the days that don't have early entry, but this time that won't be a possibility.

OK, thanks!

In that case, OP should try to make it to DL for EMH. If they are running late and can't make it they can hit DCA and try DL again the next day.

 

[ArchOwl]

Archowl: we figured we would not do parks on arrival (21st) or departure (28th) day since they would really only be half-days.
Also, planning to drive down to San Diego Monday, b/c I know the traffic will be worse later in the week. So we will be in the parks on Sunday and then Tues-Friday. Hoping this plan works out!

I think that is a good plan. Monday traffic should be tolerable. Not sure when Sea World opens, but you should be ok.

How are you feeling about things? Better? Anything else you need help with?

I hope you have a great time and I always think it is fun to be at the Resort during a holiday. Everything seems a touch more magical.

 

[mich311e]

Thanksgiving is unusual this year. If you look at the calendar they are planning early entry for both parks all days of that week. DCA is EE only for onsite guests. DL EE is allowed one time for 3 day or more tickets. Usually I go to DCA on the days that don't have early entry, but this time that won't be a possibility.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/five-day/2015-11-22/

Oh wow. I was just saying to my husband & son we should do DCA on a day that doesn't have EMH but they all do! Disney must be predicting big crowds.

 

[ArchOwl]

Oh wow. I was just saying to my husband & son we should do DCA on a day that doesn't have EMH but they all do! Disney must be predicting big crowds.

Yep, it is going to be busy. People staying off site are definitely at a disadvantage. All you can do is be there for rope drop. DCA isn't too bad usually, since a lot of attractions are open for early entry. It kind of spreads people around.

DL is a little different since only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are open. Those lands can be really busy while Adventureland and Frontierland are better.

At any rate, it is what it is. At least this way the parks get going early and it will ease congestion for bag check and such.

 

[calilou]

Archowl: we figured we would not do parks on arrival (21st) or departure (28th) day since they would really only be half-days.
Also, planning to drive down to San Diego Monday, b/c I know the traffic will be worse later in the week. So we will be in the parks on Sunday and then Tues-Friday. Hoping this plan works out!

I suggest switching your SD day to Tuesday because there will most likely be a lot less traffic that day. I bet it will save you an hour or more in the car. Plus getting to be in both parks Sun and Mon will help you plan what you would like to hit on your other park days, I think. I don't know for sure, but I think you will get some decent park time on Thanksgiving day.

It will be very crowded all week, but the good thing is that DL is planning for it -- they have increased EMH and all entertainment offerings. I suggest taking advantage of late showings of parades, fireworks, WOC and F! since your kiddos are older. In my experience, they are significantly less crowded than the earlier showings. I agree to plan for fireworks first just in case weather cancels. A great way to see PTN and fireworks (especially because you don't have little little kids) is to make a Carnation Café dinner reservation about 1 hour before the PTN parade. Request to sit on the patio. You'll be able to dine while watching the parade (you can see it quite well, not as good as sitting on the curb, but good enough IMO) and then exit the patio directly onto Main Street as soon as the Mickey float goes by to watch the fireworks (PS I ask for the check once the parade starts to go ahead and take care of it in plenty of time). It really works great! Consider making a lunch reservation for Carthay Circle WOC dining package (they tend to be more available than dinner if you're finding things are already booked). Be sure to request fast passes for the later WOC though. And when you arrive to the VIP viewing area, get there about 20 minutes early and request to be up close, not in the rear viewing area they often put CC diners in. Definitely try to make a Blue Bayou F! dining package reservation if you haven't already. Totally worth it! Other than having a few table service reservations tied to watching entertainment, you'll be able to be super flexible and easily navigate between the parks.

Start early like everyone else has said, then take a break mid-day (my girls and I will nap!) and get back out at night. Don't forget to spend time hanging out at not only DLH, but GCH too. It's so beautiful this time of year. I bet the weather will be warm enough to enjoy the pools still.

Have fun!

 

[mad hatter fan]

Where are you coming from? You mentioned your daughter is used to navigating NYC? Are you from the east coast? If so, the 3 hour time change will be in your favor for getting your teens up for EE.

 

[nu2dvc]

Hi guys, OP here... I am having trouble with the "quote" feature today, wanted to answer some questions that way but....

Archowl: Thank you for asking ~ I am starting to feel a bit better, I think the biggest problem is just the uncertainty of a new destination. After 20+ trips to WDW, this unchartered territory feels so vague and that the crowd factor is messing up our normal touring plans, I just don't know what to expect.

Calilou: Interesting take on the monday vs. tuesday traffic. I was hoping to return the car by Tuesday.... it gets expensive for the rental as Thanksgiving approaches and I don't really need it whilst we are doing DL. Do you think Monday traffic will be heightened b/c that is the day most people would start traveling to their Thanksgiving destination or is there another reason?

Mad Hatter Fan: Yes, we are from NY so I am definitely hoping that the time-zone difference will work in our favor!! We were all sorts of discombobulated when we went to Hawaii a few years ago. Everybody was up at like 3:00 am looking to party, lol!

To All who have taken the time to respond, I am so grateful. I am really floored at the friendliness of this DL board and how wiling you all were to spend time with such thoughtful ideas and responses. You have definitely all given me great tips and I'm going to re-visit the idea of booking a Fantasmic and WOC dinner pkg. I had let those ideas fall by the wayside b/c of the cost (having two girls who pay as adults but eat like birds makes me question the value) but I guess I need to suck it up. I'm going to check availability now and see what I can tweak. Thanks again guys.

 

[nu2dvc]

So I do have a question for you guys. RE: WOC and F! dinner packages vs. just doing FP's.

Are the viewing sections for the dinner package guests better than the FP guests? I did go ahead and book a WCT WOC pkg lunch on one day but since they will be showing both the Christmas version and the Celebrate! version that week I was thinking of just booking a second package on our last day. I already have a Carthay Circle dinner res that night but the latest time available with the dinner pkg. is 2:40. I would not normally wish to eat a large meal at that time of the day, and am thinking of just trying to Fastpass WOC instead. But I don't know if that will be a mistake? Also, if the Celebrate version of WOC is the second show, how do I know when to go to the FP distribution kiosk to ensure that I get the second show and not the first one?

 

[ArchOwl]

Hey OP, glad you are feeling a bit better! There is probably going to be some nervousness until you walk through the gates. I know if I ever make it out to WDW, it will be a weird feeling to have to consult maps and not just know how everything works. But hopefully once the strangeness kinda wears off you will find lots to love!

I am glad to hear the DL side of things has been helpful to you. I think the West Coast attitude kinda rubs off on this board. And DL is much easier to plan.

In answer to your question about the WOC and F! dinner packages, the viewing areas are some of the best. Not to say there aren't other regular FP areas that are good, just that I think it is generally easier to get a good view in a package area. And the package areas seem less crowded to me. And for F!, you get to sit down (in the BB area at least).

However, i wouldn't change my plans or eat at a time I didn't want just for the WOC FP. I would keep the WCT lunch and get a feel for the WOC area. It should give you a good idea of where you want to stand, etc. Then for the second time you want to watch WOC, you will know where to go.

This is the first time Disney has offered two different WOC shows on the same night. So right now what we have heard is that FP distribution will occur concurrently for both shows. Guests will be asked to choose which show they want. So it should be fairly easy to grab a FP. Someone should update with their experience once this rolls out.

 

[SMD]

With the addition of the projected images behind the water screens for the new Celebrate WOC I don't think that the regular FP viewing areas are at the much of a disadvantage. I couldn't really say for Winter Dreams since I saw it at an after hours event and I'm not really sure what section I was in, it might have been one of the reserved sections. If they add additional images on Screamin and/or the fun wheel, I think you'll be OK with a regular FP there too. For Fantasmic, if you value the front/center ground seating section, then yes, it's worth it.

 

[nu2dvc]

ohhh OK so what is this business about a Fantasmic seating area? Are seats only to be had with the Blue Bayou package? I tried for one of those on every night of my trip and got nothing. Seats would be oh-so-nice.

 

[tlovesdis]

ohhh OK so what is this business about a Fantasmic seating area? Are seats only to be had with the Blue Bayou package? I tried for one of those on every night of my trip and got nothing. Seats would be oh-so-nice.

There are no seats for F!. When you do the BB dining package you receive a cushion (like a stadium seat thingy) that you can use to sit on the ground.

 

[nu2dvc]

Ohhh that's right, I did read about that!

Cushion is sounding good right now, although BB does not have any ressies available for dinner pkg. for the whole week we are there

 

[Astylla]

Ohhh that's right, I did read about that!

Cushion is sounding good right now, although BB does not have any ressies available for dinner pkg. for the whole week we are there

Keep checking daily if not several times as things pop up all the time. People do cancel here and there so don't give up. Just check online as able.

 

[calilou]

Hi guys, OP here... I am having trouble with the "quote" feature today, wanted to answer some questions that way but....

Archowl: Thank you for asking ~ I am starting to feel a bit better, I think the biggest problem is just the uncertainty of a new destination. After 20+ trips to WDW, this unchartered territory feels so vague and that the crowd factor is messing up our normal touring plans, I just don't know what to expect.

Calilou: Interesting take on the monday vs. tuesday traffic. I was hoping to return the car by Tuesday.... it gets expensive for the rental as Thanksgiving approaches and I don't really need it whilst we are doing DL. Do you think Monday traffic will be heightened b/c that is the day most people would start traveling to their Thanksgiving destination or is there another reason?

Mad Hatter Fan: Yes, we are from NY so I am definitely hoping that the time-zone difference will work in our favor!! We were all sorts of discombobulated when we went to Hawaii a few years ago. Everybody was up at like 3:00 am looking to party, lol!

To All who have taken the time to respond, I am so grateful. I am really floored at the friendliness of this DL board and how wiling you all were to spend time with such thoughtful ideas and responses. You have definitely all given me great tips and I'm going to re-visit the idea of booking a Fantasmic and WOC dinner pkg. I had let those ideas fall by the wayside b/c of the cost (having two girls who pay as adults but eat like birds makes me question the value) but I guess I need to suck it up. I'm going to check availability now and see what I can tweak. Thanks again guys.

I feel in general Mondays and Fridays are heavier traffic days in So Cal than mid week. Thanksgiving week will be worse as people start traveling for the holiday. Also many in LA/OC commute to SD on Mondays. It won't make or break your trip but Tuesday will be an easier day to migrate the headache that is So Cal traffic.

 

[mom2rtk]

I feel in general Mondays and Fridays are heavier traffic days in So Cal than mid week. Thanksgiving week will be worse as people start traveling for the holiday. Also many in LA/OC commute to SD on Mondays. It won't make or break your trip but Tuesday will be an easier day to migrate the headache that is So Cal traffic.

There was a very marked difference between Mon/Fri and Tues/Wed/Thurs when we were there week before last. I would do everything I could to be in the parks the middle of the week. I was shocked by how busy Monday was. We were only there a few hours in the morning that Friday, but it certainly felt quite busy as well.

 

[calilou]

There was a very marked difference between Mon/Fri and Tues/Wed/Thurs when we were there week before last. I would do everything I could to be in the parks the middle of the week. I was shocked by how busy Monday was. We were only there a few hours in the morning that Friday, but it certainly felt quite busy as well.

I would agree completely were it a typical week, but Thanksgiving week will be different IMO.