A "no plan" plan

[Dad_of_4_girls]

Ok I gotta confess -- I am goin through some kinda panic attack / lack of plan withdrawl thing here.

We are WDW vets - and I can whip out a plan faster than I can post this thread - I understand the size difference - and because of that DLR doesnt "need" a plan as much as WDW to see what you want

This is our first trip to California and DLR -- my self imposed idea was to not schedule at all and do most things on the fly. -- Cast of Characters - Me, Wife, 4 girls - 10, 7, 7, and 2 - (yes twins, yes identical, and yes sometimes they trick me)

I know this much

Sat Dec 5th - travel day - land at Burbank at 3pm - get the rental - head to Holiday Inn Beverly Garland until Wed the 9th them move to the Desert Palms till Sat the 12th

Heres the "no plan" plan

Sun - cruise Hollywood / Beverly Hills - maybe as far as Santa Monica Beach
Mon - Universal Studios
Tues - Cruise the beach / Rodeo Drive / Sunset Strip etc.. eat at Hot -n- Now and/or Pinks
Wed - Move to Anaheim and DLR
Thurs - DLR
Fri - DLR
Sat - 10am flight out of Burbank

I have no PS seatings - or even a clue of what we are going to do - in what order - other than show up - and take some time to enjoy the park that Walt built.

I do know that Fri night must end with Fireworks and I saw F! is now showing twice -- coming from Chicago your 10pm is our Mid - so the early F! then fireworks most likely - depends on how the kids adjust to the jet lag.

What (other than eat as many dole whips as I can) MUST I not miss --we know the obvious - different rides, etc... I mean to really experience Walts park...

anyone...

 

[BC Disney Lover]

My suggestion is that if your girls are into Princesses, hit the Princess Fantasy Faire early. I usually pick one morning and go get in line right away, it gets it out of the way.
Another thing that we did for the first time in October is the Aladdin Show, it was great and I can't believe we missed on all the other trips.

I haven't been to WDW so can't help you much more,
Have a great trip!

 

[ballarinamom]

Well, obviously you want to make rope drop. The weekend mornings are really important because DL has so many more anual passholders and they will be there in full force for the Holiday spirit.
As always, on a early entry morning, Peter Pan first then Dumbo. You can play the rest by ear. But those two things are a must. FP is also important. So get a Space Mountain FP right away and collect them through out the day as your windows open. Remember that DL has the holiday overlays on IASW and HM so they will get crowded.
As this is your first trip to DL, I would make Priority seating for Blue Bayou. You can alwats cancel. But it is a very popular place and really cool to sit in the POTC ride.
Enjoy the ride!

 

[PinkBudgie]

If you pick out a few places you want to be sure to eat, get PS for those. Blue Bayou would be the most important to have a PS for if you want to eat there. However, we usually don't make any and just eat at CS places. Last trip we made PS for Steakhouse 55 and Cafe Orleans.

So only 2 days at DLR?

Here is a plan- get there before opening. That should be your plan.
Oh, if you have Magic Morning tickets use them to see FL. If not, go to FL first thing on the non MM.



I would also say the Aladdin show is a must see except that I think it isn't playing the days you will be there. Not sure though, you'll have to check.

I have twin too- 16 year old boys. Don't know if they are identical or not, they haven't been tested. They look a lot alike but MOST of the time, they look different to me.

 

[DangerMouse]

Try not to "save" fireworks for your last night. DL will cancel their fireworks shows if there are winds at higher elevations and it happens more often than you would guess. So it is never a good idea to wait until your last night to try to catch them and then be disappointed if they are canceled.

See "Hydroguy's Fireworks Rule" under his sticky at the top of this forum. Also, read the rest of his stickies there as well. They are awesome for first time DLR visitors.

 

[Dad_of_4_girls]

3 days at DLR - plan on moving down early to be at the park for rope drop or right after - then check into the motel after lunch for a break

whats the best way to get from Burbank area - Universal - to DLR on a Wed morning -- I deal with Chicago traffic every day so I'm not scared - just would rather not sit and sit and sit and I have heard stories about LA....

 

[Sherry E]

I think I am having the same thought as Pink Budgie - only 2 full days at DLR? Or 2-1/2? Honestly - and I say this because I live in the Beverly Hills adjacent area and I know how close together everything is, more or less, I would combine your Sunday and Tuesday activities into one day and then add another day at DLR. To me, that would make more sense. You can eat at Pink's, cruise Sunset Blvd., cruise Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, Hollywood or wherever else and head on down to the beach/Santa Monica Pier all in one full day.

 

[Dad_of_4_girls]

Try not to "save" fireworks for your last night. DL will cancel their fireworks shows if there are winds at higher elevations and it happens more often than you would guess. So it is never a good idea to wait until your last night to try to catch them and then be disappointed if they are canceled.

See "Hydroguy's Fireworks Rule" under his sticky at the top of this forum. Also, read the rest of his stickies there as well. They are awesome for first time DLR visitors.

yup I have been reading Hydroguy's links -- good stuff - never thought about em getting cancelled though

I'll try to watch em every night -- the last night at Disney always must be fireworks - to go out with a bang - (Wishes at MK will make my eyes leak all over)

 

[Eeee-va]

Sounds like a fun trip!

I agree with DangerMouse. In mid-November 2005 we were there for 3 or 4 nights and fireworks only ran ONCE! (In fairness that was a more ambitious show than the Christmas show, but still, I wouldn't leave it to chance.)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199851

Technicallly, the best view of the fireworks would be from the castle or possibly the It's a Small World area. So ideal viewing for fireworks and also seeing Fantasmic basically can't happen in the same day. (If you were to go to the LATE Fantasmic it is POSSIBLE to do fireworks, then Fantasmic, but that's a bit of a challenge for adults and I don't think I'd try it with any kids under 10!)

But there is fireworks viewing in the Fantasmic area, and you'll get snow, too, I believe. So you CAN see Fantasmic and then watch the fireworks from there...provided fireworks run, of course. (And if not, there's lots of fireworks in Fantasmic too. )

Like everyone always says, get there early for sure and if you have Magic Morning, use it! If you get in at opening for Magic Morning, you will probably get more rides done in the first 3 hours, than the rest of the day put together. Even if you're more into ambiance than the rides, it's so much fun when the park is less crowded, at least for me.

Have a great time!

 

[Dad_of_4_girls]

I think I am having the same thought as Pink Budgie - only 2 full days at DLR? Or 2-1/2? Honestly - and I say this because I live in the Beverly Hills adjacent area and I know how close together everything is, more or less, I would combine your Sunday and Tuesday activities into one day and then add another day at DLR.

so your saying maybe move down to DLR on Tues?

Sun - cruise the Hollywood area
Mon - Universal
Tues - take time to move to DLR
Wed - DLR
Thurs - DLR
Fri - DLR

Whats better -
Universal Sun then Hollywood on Mon
or
Hollywood Sun then Universal on Mon

 

[aristocat65]

I agree with what others have said that 2 days at DLR is probably not enough. 3 days is probably better and you can take it at a more relaxed (kid friendly pace).

One thing I would say, is SKIP Universal! If you're used to WDW, I assume you've also visited Universal Orlando. Universal Hollywood is interesting because it is a real working studio, but you really don't see all that much on the tour and I don't think your kids would enjoy it very much. Aside from that, It has few rides, some shows and that's it. If you've been to Universal Orlando, you'll be REALLY disappointed. I've told quite a few friends not to go, they did anyway, and all said it was a waste of time. It was actually better years ago as a "behind the scenes" kind of thing, but now with CGI, there are really no "movie secrets" left.

Think about going to Legoland in Carlsbad (about 1 hour south of Anaheim in good traffic). Its a great park and your kids would really enjoy it at their ages.
Happy planning and have a great trip

 

[Dad_of_4_girls]

skip Universal? hmmm wow

never been to Universal Orlando - not so much looking for the rides as much as the studio part.

 

[Sherry E]

so your saying maybe move down to DLR on Tues?

Sun - cruise the Hollywood area
Mon - Universal
Tues - take time to move to DLR
Wed - DLR
Thurs - DLR
Fri - DLR

Whats better -
Universal Sun then Hollywood on Mon
or
Hollywood Sun then Universal on Mon

Yes, I think that would be a great plan. Tuesday you all can move down to DLR, get settled, maybe explore Downtown Disney and the 3 DLR hotels - really soak in the holiday atmosphere. Of course, go in the the parks that day too if there is lots of time. And then, after that, you will have 2 full days to really explore DL and one full day to explore DCA, or however you want to break it up.

I tend to think do Universal on Sunday and then do your Hollywood-Pink's-Beverly Hills-Beach thing on Monday, only because Universal may be a little more tiring and involve more walking and trying to make sure you see everything, and you may want to have a day with less of that right before Disneyland, so that is why I think I would do Universal on Sunday. But it would work either way!

And when you are doing your day of Hollywood-Pink's-Sunset-Beverly Hills, etc., the main thing is to know the big connecting streets that get you from one of those areas to another, and that will speed things up. Like if you are up in Hollywood, you could jet down LaBrea to Sunset or keep going onto Pink's. If you are already down in Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, you could take LaCienega up to Sunset. You can also take Wilshire from Beverly Hills all the way down to Santa Monica. That is the good thing about this general area - a lot of the main 'artery' streets tie in all the best sightseeing spots to make them easy to get to.

 

[aristocat65]

skip Universal? hmmm wow

never been to Universal Orlando - not so much looking for the rides as much as the studio part.

I guess it all depends what you're expecting. I had been to Universal as a kid and liked it, but after going to Universal Orlando (and yes, we are into rides bigtime) I found it underwhelming when we went a couple of years ago. If you are looking for the studio part you may enjoy it. Your idea of going on a Monday is a good one if you are hoping to see any actual production filming. We went on a Sunday and of course filming was shut down.

 

[Disney Dider]

I think you need to do a character meal. We waited to many years to start. They add SO much to your trip.

OH, and for sure you need 3 days at DL. Universal isn't worth it.

 

[rmom]

If you want to eat at the Blue Bayou or a character meal, I would make a PS. We like Goofy's because there is some entertainment when Goofy has the children cook or clean with him. It is much better for us then just having the character come to the table.

Other then that I think you are fine. While WDW takes some planning, DL is easily done on the fly - especially if you do 3 1/2 days. The tikkis room and Tarzans tree house are two thing that are different from WDW. Just make sure to have a list of must dos so you don't miss something that was important.

Oh, I would try to get on the LillyBell (train car) while you are there - if you are into it. We are big Walt fans so will try when we go in 2 1/2 weeks.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[FlameGirl]

This is probably not going to be the popular opinion...

...but here goes anyway.

My first adult trip to DL was back in 2004, way back before I knew these boards existed, and we just went for it. No plan, nothing. I didn't know what Fantasmic was until years later when I read about it, I realized that was what I saw. I was there with my (then) 4 year-old, and we totally winged it. And we had a blast.

I would like to say that, for the record, when I walked into Blue Bayou and asked if we could get a table, they looked at me as if I had 3 heads. But interestingly enough, a few days later, we walked into BB that morning and were able to get reservations for lunch that day.

Anyway...we've been back a few times since and I have to say, ignorance is kind of bliss. Before I knew there was a perfect place to sit and wait for the fireworks and Fantasmic and that people had the fastpass system down to a fine art, it was sort of less stressful. We just floated around and rode what we wanted to ride and oh hey, there are fireworks let's stop here and watch.

And we had a marvelous time.