Advice for May trip needed

[rosiep]

I have an upcoming trip to Disneyland May 8th-13th. I have my hotel booked and my airline tickets. I'll get my park tickets through ARES shortly.

I am a WDW vet, and by this time in my planning stage I would know park days, have restaurant ressies, airport transfers and a few other things.

I know that DL is approached more loosely, but I still feel like I'm missing something.

What else do I need at this point?

 

[annadette]

Hi there! I've only been to DLR - I know that planning a WDW vacation means making sure reservations are done many months in advance - but that's pretty much how I handle my DLR planning. I always make my meal reservations 60 days in advance. I print out park hours and schedules and plan out what we are doing on each day of our trip and I also subscribe to Ridemax to make ride intineraries to minimize wait-time in line. I have reservations to BBB for my DD7, reservations for Fantasmic Premium Viewing, and then there's the "how to get the best spot at WOC" planning. I wouldn't say that planning for the trip is half the fun, but it is a big part of it, at least for me. You are travelling in May, so it will likely be less crowded in the park- you are likely to be able to get reservations for Character Breakfasts on the same day if it's a weekday - but I would still make reservations anyway- I just like to do that. It makes me feel like I'm that much closer. Good luck with your planning and I hope your trip is Magical!!!

 

[rosiep]

Hi there! I've only been to DLR - I know that planning a WDW vacation means making sure reservations are done many months in advance - but that's pretty much how I handle my DLR planning. I always make my meal reservations 60 days in advance. I print out park hours and schedules and plan out what we are doing on each day of our trip and I also subscribe to Ridemax to make ride intineraries to minimize wait-time in line. I have reservations to BBB for my DD7, reservations for Fantasmic Premium Viewing, and then there's the "how to get the best spot at WOC" planning. I wouldn't say that planning for the trip is half the fun, but it is a big part of it, at least for me. You are travelling in May, so it will likely be less crowded in the park- you are likely to be able to get reservations for Character Breakfasts on the same day if it's a weekday - but I would still make reservations anyway- I just like to do that. It makes me feel like I'm that much closer. Good luck with your planning and I hope your trip is Magical!!!

Oh! I love planning too. It sustains me the long months in between visits!
I will make some dining reservations, only because I am hoping to have dessert at Blue Bayou and dinner at Napa Rose (not on the same day)...I know both these are prime spots.

No Fantasmic while I'm there, and WOC shows everynight...I may get a picnic lunch merely because my daughter and I are not morning people and unlikely to get an early fastpass.

I wish I has a good current map of both parks. I know there are many versions on line but they don't print out well....I'd like to have a game plan...even if don't use it

 

[WDBRDWLK]

I have an upcoming trip to Disneyland May 8th-13th. I have my hotel booked and my airline tickets. I'll get my park tickets through ARES shortly.

I am a WDW vet, and by this time in my planning stage I would know park days, have restaurant ressies, airport transfers and a few other things.

I know that DL is approached more loosely, but I still feel like I'm missing something.

What else do I need at this point?

Hi rosiep, I will be in DL May 1st, our 5th trip to the original Happiest Place on Earth! Do you have your transportation lined up? Are you renting a car or taking the Disneyland Express Bus? Let me just share with you my experiences on transportation...if you are a newcomer to LA then let the professionals do the driving! The first time we flew out to the west coast was through the John Wayne Airport. We used the Disneyland Express Bus, which by the way is not operated by Disney...and it was terrible...took about two hours or more to finally get to the Grand Californian after a dozen or more stops at other hotels along the way...then we had to change busses at the Disneyland Resort to get to the GC.

We have since used a limo service and either gotten a town car or a stretch limo depending on the price and how many people were traveling with us. There is nothing like door to door service! I would rather spend the extra money, which is not a whole lot, and let a limo service pick us up! If you need the name of the company we have used over and over again I will be happy to share it with you.

As for dining, we have made dining reservations for half the time we are there. We base it off of the park hours and lunch is always cheaper than dinner. If you are on a budget order a childs meal.

Hope this helps!

 

[rosiep]

Hi rosiep, I will be in DL May 1st, our 5th trip to the original Happiest Place on Earth! Do you have your transportation lined up? Are you renting a car or taking the Disneyland Express Bus? Let me just share with you my experiences on transportation...if you are a newcomer to LA then let the professionals do the driving! The first time we flew out to the west coast was through the John Wayne Airport. We used the Disneyland Express Bus, which by the way is not operated by Disney...and it was terrible...took about two hours or more to finally get to the Grand Californian after a dozen or more stops at other hotels along the way...then we had to change busses at the Disneyland Resort to get to the GC.

We have since used a limo service and either gotten a town car or a stretch limo depending on the price and how many people were traveling with us. There is nothing like door to door service! I would rather spend the extra money, which is not a whole lot, and let a limo service pick us up! If you need the name of the company we have used over and over again I will be happy to share it with you.

As for dining, we have made dining reservations for half the time we are there. We base it off of the park hours and lunch is always cheaper than dinner. If you are on a budget order a childs meal.

Hope this helps!

I am a Sunday driver...lol...I would never drive in L.A.!!! However my daughter lived there for 6 months and is fearless.
Still, we'll probably use a shuttle service...flying into SNA which is closer than LAX, though I know the routine and hate the frequent stops. Seeing as there is only two of us a private car isn't cost effective.

 

[Hound 109]

Looks like a nice long stay. Are you only getting one MM (or are you staying on site?)

Either way, since you LIKE to plan.....I'd plan out:

- the first 2-3 hours of each day (including when you would use MM, which day you might enter DCA first, what 2-3 FP's you'd be collecting each day.

- When you are going to do Aladdin, Parades, Fireworks, WOC or any other non ride activities.

- Maybe nail down 2-3 sit down meals for your 5 days (but work these around the activities above....meals just aren't as big a deal at DLR).

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[rosiep]

Thanks Hound 109!!

I really would like to see Aladdin since that is unique to DL.

We are staying offsite and don't plan on using MM (gasp!!)

My daughter and I have taken many Disney trips together and we relax as much as we tour the parks. Luckily we are an the same page there.

I really appreciate the insights though. Thank you for taking the time to post.

 

[calidreamz]

We will be there at the same time as you . I haven't seen it yet but I hear that Aladdin is not to be missed, but make sure to note that it is not offered a couple of the days during the week. I also haven't seen WOC, but am undecided if it worth the trouble.

For me since we are visiting DLR with a toddler for the first time we did buy the Unofficial Guide book and are planning on trying some of the touring plans to help us make better use of our time. Even with the shortened hours that we will be there, you have several days to explore, I'm sure that you will have plenty of fun with you daughter even if you just wing it.

We also got a copy of the Hidden Mickey book for my DD10 and she is looking forward to finding as many as possible.

One last thing the drive from John Wayne to DLR is really not bad at all, even in LA. When I took a girls trip with DD10 in December we rented a car because we also drove into the city to go to American Girl Place. I just brought my GPS from home and had no trouble getting from the airport to the hotel. It was MUCH faster than when we have used a shuttle in the past, I want to say it took 20 minuets, but maybe a little more.

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks Hound 109!!

I really would like to see Aladdin since that is unique to DL.

It really is great. Be aware of days it is dark & pencil it in on one of the other ones.

We are staying offsite and don't plan on using MM (gasp!!)

rosiep....cool disers in WDW will sometime avoid EMH. At DLR it's the BEST time to DO fantasyland....& you'll WANT to do FL several times. Plus in off-season it'll get you into DL at 9am instead of 10am.



My daughter and I have taken many Disney trips together and we relax as much as we tour the parks. Luckily we are an the same page there.

I really appreciate the insights though. Thank you for taking the time to post.

You all will have fun. Say hi to Toady for me.