Advice on # days and plans for pre-July 4th???

[WDWLinda]

Hi!
My family and I (husband, 2 young sons and m-in-law) will be traveling from San Francisco to San Diego in late June/early July. I had planned 2 days for DL and CA - Mon. July 2 and Tues. July 3rd. Now I'm afraid this won't be enough time to see most everything since the crowds will probably be heavy.

We'll be driving down from Santa Barbara early Sun. Should we leave really early and try for a few hours in the parks on Sun. too, or do you think the crowds on a Sun. will be impossible? The original plan was to check into the hotel, GC, on Sun. and hit the pool and DTD....any advice?

Thanks,
Linda

 

[hlbtimes2]

If you are going to be in the area, then yes, I would go ahead and get ticket that would allow you to have at least a couple hours in the park on Sunday. More then likely with it being a Sunday that close to the holiday they'll be open until 11 or midnight. So, even if you got into town mid afternoon, it would still give you a good chunk of time in the park.

 

[lulubelle]

Wow, I'll be Linda #3 to post on this thread+

I would definitely give myself the extra day if possible. It will be VERY crowded those days and you may not get to see everything you would like. Just my opinion.

Have a wonderful trip!

Linda

 

[teacherkaren]

If it was me with my family, I would get to the hotel, swim in the great pool and enjoy Downtown Disney. The Grand Californian is too wonderful to not take the time to enjoy. Check out the story time at the fireplace in the lobby - ask when you check in.

Then you get up early and be at the gates when they open the next morning (that actually means at least 15 min. before it opens) so you can do the rides in Fantasyland first before the lines get long. Maybe even send your husband to get a fast pass while you do the first rides. Fantasyland doesn't have any fastpasses and is the most popular,esp. with families with young children so get those out of the way right off the bat. Then you can take your time and really enjoy the rest of the park.

How old are your children? What kind of rides do they enjoy? Do you know where or what you want to eat? I would be glad to give you some suggestions on any of these things.

 

[WDWLinda]

Thanks to the Linda's (isn't that funny? 3 Linda's on one post!) and Karen too...

You all make a lot of sense, so now I'm still confused. What if we get to the hotel early and our room isn't ready? I guess we could change and still head to the pool, but I know we'll be pulled to the parks...I'll see what the cost is to add an extra day to the tkts, just in case. Or maybe my m-in-law will want to stay in and offer to watch the kids so my husband and I can hit the parks late - provided we get connecting rooms.

Karen - I would LOVE some advice on where to go first, where to eat, etc. That was going to be my next post! My kids are 2 and 5 yr.s, open to all kinds of rides. One of the restaurants I want to hit is the Blue Bayou place, other than that maybe one other sit down place and some fast food suggestions would be great. Plus a recommendation for DTD restaurants. I know we should hit Fantasyland first, but any other advice on what order?

Thanks again to you all!

~Linda