Advice for solo visit & other ?'s

[shannon006]

First I want to thank you all for all of the great info I have read I have learned so much! I arrive in just 8 days So any last minute advice for a solo traveler? Dates, 9/28-10-4

Day 1, arrive LAX 11am, hope to be at DLP 1-2, they close at 6. Staying at Hilton Anaheim.I may park hop ro DCA, depends on jet lag.
Day 2, rope drop DCA, may park hop
Day 3, rope drop DLP, close at 6, May park hop, or MHP? Not sure if I want to do MHP solo. Recommendations?
Day 4, check out of hotel and check into DGC very early, EMH DP, DH will join me 2ish for rest of trip, late lunch early dinner Rainforest (should I make a reservation)?
Day 5, EMH DCA,lunch at BB, WOC
Day 6, EMH DP, Fantasmic dinner RB
Day 7, check out, departure flight 1pm LAX, what time should we leave DGC on a Sunday AM to get to LAX?

I am wondering if I/we should make reservations at Carnation Cafe?

 

[iKristin]

If you're wanting to do MHP I would get tix fast because over half of them have already sold out and they've been selling out faster

 

[MommyJKM]

If you're doing MHP you may want to treat yourself to this:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/blue-bayou-halloween-dinner-package/

That way instead of BB on Day 5 you could do Carthay Circle for WOC dining package and not waste time waiting for the show.

(Day 5 you could do Fantasmic dining at BB if your husband really wanted to eat there)

LA traffic is unpredictable - if you're driving yourself and dropping off a car I would leave GCH 9:300am to hopefully arrive LAX, turn in car and be at gates by 11:45. The car rental lots are off property and you have to take a bus to the terminals.

 

[iKristin]

I actually disagree with the Blue Bayou Halloween party dinner. By the time the dinner and fireworks are done, you will have paid over $200 to eat dinner and watch fireworks and if you're lucky you will get 1 to 1 and a half hours of party time for rides and trick or treating. It takes up most of the night and I feel is overpriced. If you want to experience both the BB and MHP I recommend doing them seperate

 

[shannon006]

LA traffic is unpredictable - if you're driving yourself and dropping off a car I would leave GCH 9:300am to hopefully arrive LAX, turn in car and be at gates by 11:45. The car rental lots are off property and you have to take a bus to the terminals.[/QUOTE]

We will be using the supper shuttle. Is 9:30 still a recommendation?

 

[MommyJKM]

I actually disagree with the Blue Bayou Halloween party dinner. By the time the dinner and fireworks are done, you will have paid over $200 to eat dinner and watch fireworks and if you're lucky you will get 1 to 1 and a half hours of party time for rides and trick or treating. It takes up most of the night and I feel is overpriced. If you want to experience both the BB and MHP I recommend doing them seperate

She's solo, I would assume she doesn't care about Trick or Treating for candy she can just buy at home. It's a nice treat and BB is the same whether it's an exclusive event or on it's own. The VIP seating for the Fireworks is worth the price. I also don't budget my trips so maybe my perspective is different.

="shannon006, post: 54451938, member: 266598"
We will be using the supper shuttle. Is 9:30 still a recommendation?

I've never taken Super Shuttle. I know they make many stops but if you aren't having to drop off a car off-site and then take a shuttle I would take at least 30 minutes off my estimated time. They can probably give you a guesstimate if you call them. We take the Disneyland Express to and from GCH because they only stop at Disneyland Hotel after GCH then to airport

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'm sure you've already come across this in your research but just in case- Single Rider Lines are your new best friend. If you're interested in the menu at Carnation Cafe I'd go ahead and make a reservation. We waited over an hour last time (admittedly it was during summer) without ressies. I've never been to a MHP but if I were in your shoes I'd totally go for it. Check out the Haloween Time thread here on the DIS and inquire over there for experiences and recommendations on doing MHP solo.

 

[jina]

If you know you are going to Rainforest Cafe and do not have a reservation, join Landy's Select (online). The cost is credited to your first visit and you get to the front of the line for tables. I really like Storyteller's at GCH for late lunches/early dinners but we've done Rainforest as well - more interesting ambiance.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I would make a reservation for Rainforest Cafe, especially since you know you want to eat there. Even with a reservation you might have to wait a bit and it can be up to an hour during peak times without a reservation.

 

[bumbershoot]

We will be using the supper shuttle. Is 9:30 still a recommendation?

Use Super Shuttle's recommended time. Don't overthink it. They have those times for a reason. Last time I used SS they picked me up at HoJo then drove to what felt like Every single hotel on Harbor and Katella for an hour, picking people up. Last stop? HoJo. Then we got on the road to LAX. If I had overthought it, if I had changed it, at best I would have been last on the shuttle which would have been unpleasant in different ways than being first-on in a filling-up shuttle, and at worst I would have missed the flight or had to run (both are disliked just about equally).

Go with their suggested times.

 

[GenGen22]

Use Super Shuttle's recommended time. Don't overthink it. They have those times for a reason. Last time I used SS they picked me up at HoJo then drove to what felt like Every single hotel on Harbor and Katella for an hour, picking people up. Last stop? HoJo. Then we got on the road to LAX. If I had overthought it, if I had changed it, at best I would have been last on the shuttle which would have been unpleasant in different ways than being first-on in a filling-up shuttle, and at worst I would have missed the flight or had to run (both are disliked just about equally).

Go with their suggested times.

I agree with this. I've taken supershuttle to LAX and they plan so, your not late to your flight. The pick up others along the way. Also I agree with making reservations for RFC they are always busy & even with a reservation you will have to wait.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I am going to be there during some of the same time, overlap with a conference. I am doing MHP on the 30th solo, DL is very friendly to the solo traveler. You will have fun, go for it.

 

[taniahappy]

I would, no question, do MHP solo

 

[MommyJKM]

Use Super Shuttle's recommended time. Don't overthink it. They have those times for a reason. Last time I used SS they picked me up at HoJo then drove to what felt like Every single hotel on Harbor and Katella for an hour, picking people up. Last stop? HoJo. Then we got on the road to LAX. If I had overthought it, if I had changed it, at best I would have been last on the shuttle which would have been unpleasant in different ways than being first-on in a filling-up shuttle, and at worst I would have missed the flight or had to run (both are disliked just about equally).
Go with their suggested times.

This is another reason to maybe change to the Disneyland Express. They are skewed to be Disneyland Resort friendly so there is only ONE STOP after GCH. My husband refers to it as the "VIP GCH Bus" And it's also only like $40 RoundTrip if you ask for the unadvertised AAA discount. They should have the schedule on their website.