Advice on when to do dining packages/ tours

[Pamela M]

I'm heading to Disneyland for a 5 day solo trip in May. I've been to Disneyland many many times but they are usually 3 day trips that are just a rush to get everything done & seen. My idea for the 5 day is to go at a slower pace and take everything( parades, shows, rides) as well as things I wouldn't normally spend $$ on like dining packages & tours.

Based on dining reservations it looks like Paint the night will be going every night(Friday - Tuesday) I'm there but Fantasmic & Fireworks will only be during the weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday (schedule hasn't been posted)

My current plan is to do the following extras:
Arrival Day Friday (also a gradnight) - Fantasmic Dining package ( hungry Bear) - the 2nd show.
Saturday (also a Grad night) - Walk in Walts Footsteps (not signed up yet but should I do the earlier tour or the 2nd tour)
Sunday My Birthday: Paint the night reception

I'm wondering if.... I should move the Fantasmic Dinner to Sunday and the Paint the night reception to Monday as it looks like that will be going every night. How difficult is it normally to see the fireworks then run to Fantasmic or vice versa.

Seems like there is so much cool stuff going on in the evening that I want to make sure I can see all the night time shows 2 times.

Also as I'm trying to take is slower this trip and really soak it in - do you have any hidden gems you would recommend? I just read about asking to ride the monorail in the nose or tail.

Anything else special or hidden gems I should do take in?

Thank you

 

[smartlabelprint]

If the dessert party is available for woc (or is it in refurbishment?) I hear its great so I’ve reserved it for next week.

I don’t know that you need a paid package for the ptn parade. DCA is large compared to dL where it was before.

At hungry bear you can get a regular meal instead of their package meal.

 

[Pamela M]

If the dessert party is available for woc (or is it in refurbishment?) I hear its great so I’ve reserved it for next week.

I don’t know that you need a paid package for the ptn parade. DCA is large compared to dL where it was before.

At hungry bear you can get a regular meal instead of their package meal.

World of Color Dessert party was on my to-do list but... sadly WOC is on refurbishment.

I agree put since I can't do the WOC party I'm going to splurge on this. I'll report back if I feel it was worth the $$

That's good to know about hungry bear.

I also decided to treat myself to the High Tea at Disneyland Hotel.
So now my schedule is
Friday - 2nd showing -Fantasmic Hungry Bear 2 go meal
Saturday - Tour - not booked yet
Sunday - High Tea at Disneyland
Monday - Paint the night reception (moved from Sunday - Monday)

 

[smartlabelprint]

World of Color Dessert party was on my to-do list but... sadly WOC is on refurbishment.

I agree put since I can't do the WOC party I'm going to splurge on this. I'll report back if I feel it was worth the $$

That's good to know about hungry bear.

I also decided to treat myself to the High Tea at Disneyland Hotel.
So now my schedule is
Friday - 2nd showing -Fantasmic Hungry Bear 2 go meal
Saturday - Tour - not booked yet
Sunday - High Tea at Disneyland
Monday - Paint the night reception (moved from Sunday - Monday)

The tea sounds fun!

 

[isabellea]

I am going end of April and while DH will be with me on Wednesday and Thursday, I will be by myself during the day on Friday. I called to book Walk in Walt's Footsteps for April 27th but I was told I can only book the tour 30 days prior. I decided to do the first tour at 9:30am so that I get earlier. I don't want to eat lunch at 2pm since I have booked BB F! for dinner. As for PtN, I booked a dining pkg but there's a really good chance I will cancel if reports come back that it's easy to find a good spot to see it at DCA.