9 Day Solo Trip...

[kristabelle13]

Long time reader/listener of the pod, first time poster!

I am heading to DL for a semi-solo (friends will be there for some of the days) birthday/grad school graduation trip for probably 9 days in the parks - many will be partial - only 3 full days in the parks. I'll be there Thanksgiving weekend and the week after. I will be a Deluxe AP holder on day 3 of my trip.

I have a number of questions and things I'd like advice on, if possible:

1. Can I book the Holiday Time tour with the AP discount before I have the AP in hand? If not, should I risk waiting until 4 days before the tour when I have AP in hand? I think maybe as a single I could have a shot - there'd likely be cancellations, right?

2. Do you think with the Holiday Time tour, they will have a Paint the Night viewing? And if so, will it be timed so that you could stay to watch the fireworks at IASW? I'm not sure I have the nighttime shows timings figured out...and I realize none of this info is out and they may not even have the tour this year- so just asking for an opinion from you experts!

3. Is it still true that I can upgrade to an AP on a blacked-out Saturday and still be in the parks that day? I'd like to use the MM (I'll have a 5 day PH) and I know I can upgrade at the ticket booths but can I do it in the parks too? Is there an AP office in DL or at City Hall? Or in DCA? I'm thinking it's best to get in first thing and do MM, and then upgrade on my way out for an afternoon nap? That way I could use the AP discount for the F! dinner?

Speaking of which....

4. What's dining at BB alone like? Are they going to shove me in some horrid corner? I'm planning to do BB F! pkg because I. Love. Fantasmic! Or should I just do RBT? How's that view for the FP? I'll have only one night to see F! and it's the Saturday of Thanksgiving so I would like best possible experience

5. Is WoC dining pkg worth it? Or just FP - I'm a rope drop kind of gal, so don't mind swinging by to snag a FP. Does the dining pkg allow you to arrive closer to WoC start and is the view better?

6. I have a touring plans subscription, but it doesn't seem to take into account solo travellers being able to utilize single rider lines (or maybe I'm just missing it)? Any advice on that? Like skip the FP for rides that have single rider or are there rides where it's still advantageous to get a FP even if you're a single rider (i.e. I'm thinking RSR might still be good to get a FP)?

7. I'm wondering if Walk in Walt's Footsteps is worth it or if I should do Napa Rose Chef's counter? Would NRCC be fun alone? Maybe I'll approach that question this way - if you could do one or the other, what would you choose?

8. Since I'll have 9 (at least partial) days in the parks, is there anything that maybe is often overlooked due to not enough time that might be fun to do? (Feel free to give me your opinion on things!)

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my questions!

 

[iKristin]

You can't book an AP discount without a valid AP. So that would not work.

I've never dined at BB alone before, but they do have tables with just two chairs, so don't worry about being shoved somewhere random.

I recommend eating at Big a Thunder Ranch BBQ because it's getting torn out in January, so nows your chance for delicious all you can eat BBQ

 

[kristabelle13]

I recommend eating at Big a Thunder Ranch BBQ because it's getting torn out in January, so nows your chance for delicious all you can eat BBQ

Ooo, good call Thanks for the advice!

 

[chickapin parterre]

hang around main street flag hub for an afternoon. There is a variety of entertainment that happens to include a varitey of music styles, street performances and the removal of the horse from the trolley

Light fixtures, pay attention to all the themed lights.

ride snow white five times in a row for those few seconds in the Kitchen, you will be amazed at all the detail never seen!! Maybe you will come back and say " Hey Party guy here is a trivia contest about that kitchen. snap a photo of the Mona Lisa, one of the few places in the world where you have to pay admission to see the Mona Lisa

wait in standy line at night for RSR and entertain the folks with you cell phone.

tree lighting, visit the variety of on site lobby and DTD holidays. Radiator springs lighting up

Leave or enter GRR on the different path offerings.

listen to the brass fountain in toontown

do the photographing of the "do you see it.... do you see....." with fish off the TMR exit and the clipper sailing ship docked at NOS, the evil queen, the music box at MS train station

 

[Sherry E]

Welcome!


I'm sure there will be a Holiday Time tour this year. I have no doubt -- especially since there is going to be a Happiest Haunts Tour during Halloween Time. As we've been talking about in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread, A Christmas Fantasy Parade is coming back this year -- and it is a selling point of the tour, because of the seats. I don't know if ACFP is only going to run in the daytime, and, if so, if it will run once daily or twice daily, but I am positive that the tour would include seats for that parade. It is possible that tours held late in the day might include seats for PTN too or instead of, but we won't know that for a while.

I love my solo trips and partial solo trips -- and they tend to fall during the holiday season -- as they allow me to see things that I might ordinarily overlook when I am with friends! You will have a lot of fun things to see on your trip, both during your solo time and your non-solo time.

If you can, be sure to join us in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread (which includes Thanksgiving/New Year's/Three Kings Day) - http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...week-countdown-2015-has-begun.3358217/page-62. We discuss any holiday season breaking news, rumors, speculation, leaked tidbits, etc. We've been doing our annual Theme Week Countdown for the last few weeks, and each week we focus on a different area of Disneyland Resort's holiday season. We started out with Christmas Trees/Wreaths/Holiday Horticulture; then we moved on to Holiday Characters/PhotoPass/Santa Claus; then we covered Holiday Treats & Treasures (Food & Merchandise); and we are currently focusing on Paradise Pier/Pacific Wharf (including Viva Navidad and Winter Dreams). We will have a new theme each week through November 2nd. Following along with the Countdown is a good way to get a sense of certain details or lesser known highlights of the holidays that you might otherwise miss.

 

[Charlie_Y]

I'm going solo next week (three full days and two partial), and have BB Fantasmic package booked, so I'll update when I get back. I booked it as I won't get to the parks until mid-afternoon on my arrival day (Labor Day), and it is the only showing of Fantasmic while I am there. I was planning on asking (and waiting for) a waterside table, so we will see how that goes.

Have also booked Walk in Walt's Footsteps - this would be my choice over Napa Rose, but my focus is the parks and history rather than food. Apart from BB, I haven't booked any other TS meals.

 

[MommyJKM]

4. What's dining at BB alone like? Are they going to shove me in some horrid corner? I'm planning to do BB F! pkg because I. Love. Fantasmic! Or should I just do RBT? How's that view for the FP? I'll have only one night to see F! and it's the Saturday of Thanksgiving so I would like best possible experience

5. Is WoC dining pkg worth it? Or just FP - I'm a rope drop kind of gal, so don't mind swinging by to snag a FP. Does the dining pkg allow you to arrive closer to WoC start and is the view better?

7. I'm wondering if Walk in Walt's Footsteps is worth it or if I should do Napa Rose Chef's counter? Would NRCC be fun alone? Maybe I'll approach that question this way - if you could do one or the other, what would you choose?

8. Since I'll have 9 (at least partial) days in the parks, is there anything that maybe is often overlooked due to not enough time that might be fun to do? (Feel free to give me your opinion on things!)

4. I think you'll like BB just for the experience. I know people think the food is overpriced, but it seems normal to me...Goofy's Kitchen and that horrible stale pizza is overpriced! BB is just a great, relaxing place to eat. You should be treated just as nicely as a family of 4.

5. We ALWAYS do WOC dining package. I really really really dislike waiting for 90+ minutes for a show and with the dining you just show up 10-15mins before in your area and will have an area to see. Also, Carthay Circle has great, fresh food and the environment is wonderful. If you can, add on the cheddar biscuits, you can always save them or have them wrapped to go and snack on them as you watch WOC! There's a great fun Disneyland app where you can play a game and if you win you get to control Mickey's Fun Wheel for 30 seconds.

7. Napa Rose Chef's Counter is wonderful! I've seen people doing it alone and they seemed perfectly happy. It's a great dining experience not to be missed. WIW you get to see the Dream Suite, so decide if you'd rather have a wonderful meal or see a piece of DL history. There is a AAA/AP discount for WIW so maybe that savings will allow you to do both?

8. Make sure you see the Aladdin show in DCA, visit Oscar at Carnation Cafe, if staying on-site get a cabana at the pool one day, GCH should have a gingerbread display being built while you're there in the lobby and it's fun to watch, get a pic with Santa at Elias & Co in DCA, get a sillhouette done on Main Street, try the Disneyland Hotel Thanksgiving meal held in the hotel ballroom, visit Trader Sam's at Disneyland Hotel, visit the Big Thunder Ranch area that is going away in January (including the petting zoo), relax at Paradise Pier and listen to the sounds.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[bellazachmom]

We booked a tour 30 days prior to our trip last year but didn't purchase our APs until we got there. When we checked in for the tour we mentioned that we were now AP holders and showed them to the CM and the discount was refunded to us. Might have been pixie dust, but it's worth asking about.

 

[ricardol]

Long time reader/listener of the pod, first time poster!


3. Is it still true that I can upgrade to an AP on a blacked-out Saturday and still be in the parks that day? I'd like to use the MM (I'll have a 5 day PH) and I know I can upgrade at the ticket booths but can I do it in the parks too? Is there an AP office in DL or at City Hall? Or in DCA? I'm thinking it's best to get in first thing and do MM, and then upgrade on my way out for an afternoon nap? That way I could use the AP discount for the F! dinner?

Not anymore. I found the answer in the disneyland FAQ https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/annual-passes/blockout-day-ticket/

5. Is WoC dining pkg worth it? Or just FP - I'm a rope drop kind of gal, so don't mind swinging by to snag a FP. Does the dining pkg allow you to arrive closer to WoC start and is the view better?

I've never done a WOC dining package, because its expensive for a family, maybe for you going solo it might be affordable. But you don't necessarily need it. I would say its Convenient and just that. Please go check the World of Color SuperThread made by HidroGuy in this forum and you will see in it a map of the colored sections and where you can get a good viewing spot without doing the dining package. The thing is you will need to be there 90 minutes before the Show, because that is when they start to lineup ppl. Is not a matter of being at rope drop to pull the FP, they dont run out for hours, so do your thing at DCA then when you get a chance in the first two hours or so grab your FP.

With 9 days at your disposal, my recommendation would be to also plan for some treat quiet time. What I mean is everybody tipically plans their meals, the rides they will go , the characters they will try to meet, etc... but I would recommend scheduling some relax time, like buying a Ghirardeli at DCA and find the perfect spot to enjoy it while you relax. Also grab the entertainment guide for both parks for that week and try to watch all the mini shows.

 

[Geemo]

When you call at the 30day mark to book, let the CM know you'll be an AP holder when you take the tour.

I called and asked the exact question and was told I could book at AP price. If I didn't go with an AP then I'd pay the difference when I checked in.
I'll be do the same thing on our next trip.

Geemo

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

to the DIS

Long time reader/listener of the pod, first time poster!

I am heading to DL for a semi-solo (friends will be there for some of the days) birthday/grad school graduation trip for probably 9 days in the parks - many will be partial - only 3 full days in the parks. I'll be there Thanksgiving weekend and the week after. I will be a Deluxe AP holder on day 3 of my trip.

I have a number of questions and things I'd like advice on, if possible:

1. Can I book the Holiday Time tour with the AP discount before I have the AP in hand? If not, should I risk waiting until 4 days before the tour when I have AP in hand? I think maybe as a single I could have a shot - there'd likely be cancellations, right?

What she said.

2. Do you think with the Holiday Time tour, they will have a Paint the Night viewing? And if so, will it be timed so that you could stay to watch the fireworks at IASW? I'm not sure I have the nighttime shows timings figured out...and I realize none of this info is out and they may not even have the tour this year- so just asking for an opinion from you experts!

I agree with Sherry E.

3. Is it still true that I can upgrade to an AP on a blacked-out Saturday and still be in the parks that day? I'd like to use the MM (I'll have a 5 day PH) and I know I can upgrade at the ticket booths but can I do it in the parks too? Is there an AP office in DL or at City Hall? Or in DCA? I'm thinking it's best to get in first thing and do MM, and then upgrade on my way out for an afternoon nap? That way I could use the AP discount for the F! dinner?

Yes, you can do that on Saturday, but you have to do it at one of the ticket booths or guest services outside of the parks.

4. What's dining at BB alone like? Are they going to shove me in some horrid corner? I'm planning to do BB F! pkg because I. Love. Fantasmic! Or should I just do RBT? How's that view for the FP? I'll have only one night to see F! and it's the Saturday of Thanksgiving so I would like best possible experience

I eat alone at the Disneyland Resort, and they are great with solo diners. Unless you're also looking for the Blue Bayou experience, I would recommend Riverbelle Terrace. I did that, and really enjoyed the meal and my view of Fantasmic.

5. Is WoC dining pkg worth it? Or just FP - I'm a rope drop kind of gal, so don't mind swinging by to snag a FP. Does the dining pkg allow you to arrive closer to WoC start and is the view better?

I've only watched World of Color with the dining package, and enjoyed the experience, but unless you eat at Carthay Circle, you'd be okay with a regular fastpass. The earlier in line, the better viewing location.

6. I have a touring plans subscription, but it doesn't seem to take into account solo travelers being able to utilize single rider lines (or maybe I'm just missing it)? Any advice on that? Like skip the FP for rides that have single rider or are there rides where it's still advantageous to get a FP even if you're a single rider (i.e. I'm thinking RSR might still be good to get a FP)?

Personally, I don't think you need Touring Plans. For Radiator Spring Racers, I think getting a fastpass and doing single rider when the line is low is a good option. Sometimes the single rider line is longer than fastpass. For California Screamin' you can just go on single rider. Soarin' is the same as Radiator Spring Racers.

7. I'm wondering if Walk in Walt's Footsteps is worth it or if I should do Napa Rose Chef's counter? Would NRCC be fun alone? Maybe I'll approach that question this way - if you could do one or the other, what would you choose?

Between the two, I would choose Walk in Walt's Footsteps, then on my next visit would do Napa Rose Chef's Counter.

8. Since I'll have 9 (at least partial) days in the parks, is there anything that maybe is often overlooked due to not enough time that might be fun to do? (Feel free to give me your opinion on things!)

Make sure you see Mickey's Magical Map, enjoy the Al Fresco terrace up by the Trattoria in California Adventure, relax one afternoon in the Grand Californian Hotel lobby listening to the piano player, and listen to the piano player at coke corner - get there around 2pm and hang out. They should play musical chairs with the Mad Hatter around 2:30 or so. They are fun to watch. Don't miss Flag Retreat. Also, don't miss Aladdin the Musical, or the Newsies that perform in front of Carthay Circle. Ride the red trolley, the canoes, the upper level of the Omnibus, and the horse carriage. Go through Sleeping Beauty's Castle and look through all the interior windows, and check out Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer's Island - go through the caves and find the hidden treasure.

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my questions!

Have a blast!

 

[sheetz]

Not anymore. I found the answer in the disneyland FAQ https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/annual-passes/blockout-day-ticket/

This is actually different than what the OP was asking. Blockout tickets were tickets which allowed AP holders in on blockout days. The OP is asking about upgrading a 5-day ticket to an AP after gaining entry on a blockout day, which by all reports is still allowed.

 

[kristabelle13]

I'm so completely overwhelmed by you all taking the time to respond! So very helpful!! I just can't believe it! I'm so impressed. Thank you so much! I'm just pulling short excerpts, but believe me, I'm taking in ALL of what each of you are saying!

chickapin - thank you so much for these! SO many are things I'm not sure about... I'll have to do some further research - which I love to do!

If you can, be sure to join us in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread

Thank you Sherry! I have totally lurked that thread - this is my (I think) 11th trip - but 8 have been during the Christmas season - including last year - so I have used your thread extensively - well done! That's a lot of work!

I..have BB Fantasmic package booked, so I'll update when I get back.

Oh please do! I'd love to hear how it goes!

We ALWAYS do WOC dining package. I really really really dislike waiting for 90+ minutes for a show and with the dining you just show up 10-15mins before in your area and will have an area to see.

Oh that's good to know! Carthay was on my hit list but I wasn't really sure.

WoC for you going solo it might be affordable

Yes, my thoughts exactly as a solo diner, I have to eat anyways so for a few more bucks, it might be worth it. I also do know it's not about rope drop (I was thinking more like it wouldn't be a problem to get a fastpass) but more that I wanted to compare the viewing - I appreciate the link to Hydro Guy's thread - that's a good suggestion I had forgot about!

Make sure you see Mickey's Magical Map, enjoy the Al Fresco terrace up by the Trattoria in California Adventure, relax one afternoon in the Grand Californian Hotel lobby listening to the piano player, and listen to the piano player at coke corner - get there around 2pm and hang out. They should play musical chairs with the Mad Hatter around 2:30 or so. They are fun to watch. Don't miss Flag Retreat. Also, don't miss Aladdin the Musical, or the Newsies that perform in front of Carthay Circle. Ride the red trolley, the canoes, the upper level of the Omnibus, and the horse carriage. Go through Sleeping Beauty's Castle and look through all the interior windows, and check out Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer's Island - go through the caves and find the hidden treasure.

Oh my goodness, Mary Jo, thank you so much for your detailed response to my questions. [side note: your pod episode on Yosemite has me daily daydreaming of visiting (my MacBook wallpaper helps too! lol) - hopefully soon!] I love these suggestions - that's all very fun. I love Newsies so that's an excellent suggestion. I'm looking forward to relaxing and not rushing around to get on rides.

The OP is asking about upgrading a 5-day ticket to an AP after gaining entry on a blockout day, which by all reports is still allowed.

Yes, exactly! I figure I'll be upgrading after I had already been in the parks that day, so technically I already had admission? They wouldn't deny after that, I'd imagine - but I can double check too before taking the plunge! Thanks for clarifying!

When you call at the 30day mark to book, let the CM know you'll be an AP holder when you take the tour.

I called and asked the exact question and was told I could book at AP price. If I didn't go with an AP then I'd pay the difference when I checked in.
I'll be do the same thing on our next trip.

We booked a tour 30 days prior to our trip last year but didn't purchase our APs until we got there. When we checked in for the tour we mentioned that we were now AP holders and showed them to the CM and the discount was refunded to us. Might have been pixie dust, but it's worth asking about.

Excellent! Thank you both I think I had heard on a non-dis podcast that when she called to book, they didn't ask for the pass number or even confirm it over the phone (unless they looked her up in the database- which doesn't seem likely) so I figured I would say that I would have one by the time of the tour. I won't stress about it. Thanks for sharing your experiences, that's definitely helpful.

 

[kristabelle13]

A Christmas Fantasy Parade is coming back this year -- and it is a selling point of the tour, because of the seats. I don't know if ACFP is only going to run in the daytime, and, if so, if it will run once daily or twice daily, but I am positive that the tour would include seats for that parade. It is possible that tours held late in the day might include seats for PTN too or instead of, but we won't know that for a while.

Whoops - forgot to respond to this, Sherry! When I wrote this, and during planning I never even considered that there would be PTN AND ACFP! Whoops! That's ok, I'll keep an eye on your thread and see what news comes out! Thanks again - so glad you responded! Eeeeek, would have thrown a total wrench in my plans! lol

 

[Sherry E]

Whoops - forgot to respond to this, Sherry! When I wrote this, and during planning I never even considered that there would be PTN AND ACFP! Whoops! That's ok, I'll keep an eye on your thread and see what news comes out! Thanks again - so glad you responded! Eeeeek, would have thrown a total wrench in my plans! lol

Yes, indeed! When the year began -- specifically, after the Diamond Anniversary events were announced back in January -- it was looking like there would be no Christmas Fantasy Parade, as well as no holiday fireworks and no World of Color-Winter Dreams, this year. In fact, one other website even confirmed that there would be no Christmas Fantasy Parade this year. We all thought it would be Paint the Night in the evening and Soundsational in the daytime for the rest of the year.

But then, all of a sudden, in the last month or two, I noticed that Disney was auditioning performers for ACFP. So it is definitely happening in some capacity. Someone on MiceChat later mentioned that ACFP is supposed to run once every day on weekdays, and twice during the day on weekends (I don't know if that is set in stone, or if it might change). Paint the Night will run every night. Even if ACFP is reduced to just once every day, it is still happening... and so is Paint the Night. So I think that the Holiday Time Tour will continue to include ACFP seats -- at least for the earlier tours. I don't know if they will then offer PTN seats for later tours, or if they will only offer tours that can include ACFP. It will be interesting to see how it is handled!

 

[ricardol]

This is actually different than what the OP was asking. Blockout tickets were tickets which allowed AP holders in on blockout days. The OP is asking about upgrading a 5-day ticket to an AP after gaining entry on a blockout day, which by all reports is still allowed.

Oh my God, yes you are correct, I read the question wrong...... I'm also not sure but my gut feeling says that yes if you upgrade that day and have entered the park you can still enter the park after upgrading.

 

[kristabelle13]

So I think that the Holiday Time Tour will continue to include ACFP seats -- at least for the earlier tours. I don't know if they will then offer PTN seats for later tours, or if they will only offer tours that can include ACFP. It will be interesting to see how it is handled!

Great, thank you, Sherry! I'll keep my eye on the Superthread for updates. TBH, this just makes me more excited - either way, it should be phenomenal!

Oh my God, yes you are correct, I read the question wrong...... I'm also not sure but my gut feeling says that yes if you upgrade that day and have entered the park you can still enter the park after upgrading.

lol no problem - that's my thinking too (and based on reports). I mean, it's not the end of the world if I wait until the Sunday to upgrade, was just thinking I could take advantage of the AP discount then starting that day. Thanks again!

 

[Geemo]

When you call at the 30day mark to book, let the CM know you'll be an AP holder when you take the tour.

I called and asked the exact question and was told I could book at AP price. If I didn't go with an AP then I'd pay the difference when I checked in.
I'll be do the same thing on our next trip.

Geemo

Well it's just like Disney.... Answers are different depending on which CM you get on the phone.

I called on Sept 4th (30day out) for a Walk in Walt's Footsteps on Oct 4th for two people. I told the CM I would have an AP when we arrived for the trip.
Bingo No Problem... I was charged the AP rate for the tour. With the understanding if I didn't have an AP, I'd pay the difference. Perfect!!

Okay, now today two days later...
I called to book a Happy Haunts Tour on Oct. 6th for two people. I told the CM I would have an AP when we arrive for the trip.
NO GO with the AP rate! The CM checked with a supervisor, without a valid AP, Disney can't book at the AP rate.

It's worth asking. Just depends on which CM you get. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Maybe when we check in for the tour we'll get pixie dust like bellazachmom did and receive a refund for the difference.

Good luck with your bookings

Geemo

 

[bellazachmom]

Gotta love the Disney consistency!

 

[kristabelle13]

Gotta love the Disney consistency!

Ha! Took the words right out of my mouth