a bit of planning help?

[hsmamato2]

Ok I'm finally gonna ask.... since I'm (as noted elsewhere) traveling with extended fam group of 8-9,and we'll probably travel in a 'hey that looks interesting,let's stop here' kind of way..... I don't want to play bad guy and herd people everywhere, but I do want to accomplish a few things. Again-Dec Thurs.15-17 Sat.- That first day we drive from LAX ,plane arrives about 9:30 am. I figure we might get to hotel area by 11:30-12(?) that is if I can convince the crew to wait till we get to DL to really stop and eat.( we will have our car already,just picking up the fam after their flight then so hopefully on the road by 10 or so)
ANyway.... to maximize our 2.5 days in park, we are probably gonna eat mostly cs (I know,I know) and we might do dessert party on saturday for WOC, and aladdin for PTN on Friday. I am thinking the first day it makes sense to try to get FP for WOC that night *** what are the odds we can still get them by that time of day? (say noon or so) just for fun, to see that show our first night?
Make sense to try RSR single rider that same day too?
AFter that, I was thinking we can try for DL itself the next morning first thing, same on Saturday,and tour DCA in the afternoons,as I keep reading here that DL gets more crowded feeling as the day goes on.(except for our Alddin/PTN pckg time at 6:30) does this sound reasonable?

 

[Nevada Jen]

That traveling style is probably going to drive you nuts in a crowded Disneyland with that many people. I suspect you are going to have a lot of trouble getting things done. If no one but you really cares, they will probably be happy to follow along with a detailed plan you develop I like your first half day at DCA plan but why not do WOC dessert party that night? You should be able to get a FP for WOC at that time but definitely don't do WOC twice. You might be able to get RSR, TOT (doubtful) or Soarin fastpasses at that time. I'm not sure that single rider with that many people is going to save you much time. If the RSR line is less than 60 minutes, I think you are probably better off just getting in line. You plan to generally do DL in the mornings is solid but definitely start one morning at DCA where you can do TSMM, Cali Screamin and by then hopefully they will be into the evening RSR fastpasses (and then on that day move over to DL after you pull the fastpasses).

 

[chickapin parterre]

The advantage of single rider is that you have views of the horizon of the park, waiting in standby is that cattle corral feeling. The decision should probably be made by the overall emotions of the group. Strike out the word ACCOMPLISH and you will have a great time, but I do feel for you, I am always of the mind set, that if I am in charge of the trip and put all the work into the trip, then THE GROUP WILL BE HERDED. Your free flow experience will be great for the other folks in the future who visit here for advice and who always battle FREE FLOW VS HERDED planning

 

[SMD]

Why not do PTN Aladdin meal your first night and WOC FP the second?

When you say stop for food, are you landing at 9:30am without breakfast? If so, stop. Making someone drive an hour, drop off at hotel and go through security just to rush into the parks to eat is going to be miserable. Stop at a Starbucks or bagel place and get everyone something they can eat in the car. You'll find the entry experience much better without hangry people.

 

[hsmamato2]

ok thank you for all the great advice so far..... Yes, indeed I am usually guilty of pushing too far without adequate food intake first (it's as if you knew lol) are there any Wendy's type places with a drive thru near the airport that would work out? 9I can't bear to waste an hour+ sitting and eating on my first day)
@nevadajen that plan makes some sense..... I will at least have that basic sketch outline to work with.
When I say 'freeflow' I am just semi planning to avoid personal frustrations. I know my group,and I know how it is herding cats (ahem,family) So I figure if I can sketch out basic times for certain rides/shows,and maybe a couple of meals, we can all get along ok. Honestly, the only things I'm really set on (other than obviously experiencing atmosphere) is WOC and PTN.... those plus a few rides like Indy,RSR, make a big difference to me. (I know it sounds weird, but as at WDW I like to absorb the general atmosphere vs. actually riding rides,etc.)
There is no PTN our first night,so that is why I though trying for WOC FP that first night,using 'beginning of trip energy' might be a good bet- the Dessert party is me thinking 'after 3 days or running we are going to be TIRED'.......

 

[sohryu]

are there any Wendy's type places with a drive thru near the airport that would work out? 9I can't bear to waste an hour+ sitting and eating on my first day)

If you take Sepulveda just north of LAX there's an In n Out. Or you can stay on Century Boulevard out of the airport and you've got Carl's Jr., Taco Bell, and McDonalds all before you hit the 405 freeway. There's also a Burger King but that's not directly on Century Blvd though it is just a few blocks "out" out of the way.

 

[hsmamato2]

If you take Sepulveda just north of LAX there's an In n Out. Or you can stay on Century Boulevard out of the airport and you've got Carl's Jr., Taco Bell, and McDonalds all before you hit the 405 freeway. There's also a Burger King but that's not directly on Century Blvd though it is just a few blocks "out" out of the way.

thanks! My DH has been talking about in 'n' out burger for a while now lol (he loves fast food) so he will be SO happy