Advice, tips, etc. for WDW vets visiting DL

[eeyoresmom]

I am looking for any advice on all topics for WDW veterans (DVC owners, have been at least 60 times) .I have visited both California Disney parks but it was over 10 years ago. Please don't judge me too harshly but I did not love DL compared to WDW I am going back again September 16-23 with DD 22. She is a huge Disney fan, has just completed the Disney College Program and wants to see the park that has Walt's fingerprints all over it We are Disney geeks and enjoy the history of Walt and his vision. We ride EVERYTHING, eat everything, see every show. We have a week but I would like to possibly visit San Diego for a day and a half and LA for a day. My tentative plan is: fly into LAX Sat afternoon, drive to San Diego and spend the evening and whole next day there (will get a hotel there for 1 night).Drive up to Anaheim Sunday night, check into hotel for 6 nights, spend Mon-Thurs at DL parks, reserve Friday for LA. Is 4 full days enough for DL? We haven't booked a hotel yet but want to be within a 15 minute walk to the parks. Do you see any potential pitfalls in this tentative plan? Any advice as to what to skip and what is a do not miss for us? I really do have a feeling this trip may change my mind...... thanks for any advice.

 

[figment_jii]

When you say is "four full days enough for DL" do you mean to see and do everything in just DL or do you mean in both DL and DCA? I ask because I think you can probably see most everything in DL in four days, but you can't see most everything in both DL and DCA in four days.

There is a chance that the first of the Mickey's Halloween Parties may start on September 22 (Friday). They haven't announced the dates for the parties yet (historically, that's happened in mid-summer/mid-July), so that's something to keep in mind. DL's MHP has the same basic elements as MK's MNSSHP, but the two parties are pretty different. We don't know much about this year's MHP, but if it's similar to the 2016 parties, then I wrote up a comparison of the two parties in this thread.

By the time you go in September, DLR should be celebrating HalloweenTime, so be sure to check out the attractions with holiday overlays (e.g., Haunted Mansion Holiday) and any decorations and activities they have. Weekday operating hours and entertainment may be reduced in September and there is a chance that you won't see any fireworks (often only on weekends) or F! (possibly, although the schedule is not yet known). If there is a MHP on Friday, then there won't be fireworks or F!; if there isn't a MHP, then I would consider adding Friday to your DLR days so you can check out the nighttime entertainment.

Another show to look into is Mickey and the Magical Map. It is not presented daily during the non-peak season. I think it's usually dark in the middle of the week, but check the schedule to be sure. The operating calendar is usually posted about 45-days in advance, with entertainment (and refurbishment) being added after that time. Dining reservations open up 60-days in advance, but it's not as critical to be online right when a new day opens. If you find something is unavailable at the 60-day mark, it probably means they haven't yet loaded it into the system (this happens not uncommonly, especially at the start of a new month or a new "season").

If you haven't been in 10-years, then DCA has undergone a fairly major refurbishment since you've last been there and it would be worth considering a visit to that park. Carsland and the redesign of Buena Vista Street happened within the last 10 years (Carsland is one of my favorite lands within DLR; I think they did a really good job of capturing the look of Radiator Springs). They've also just opened GotG Mission: Breakout, and last summer debuted a new Frozen show (live at the Hyperion). They've also redone the area around Soarin' (cosmetic changes mostly, but fits in nicely with the attractions). DCA also has WoC and the Pixar Play Parade, which are unique to DCA.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thank you so much. Is there a chance WOC will not be presented Mo-Thurs?? That is a must do so we will have to adjust our plans to see it. Our 4 days are for both parks. When I went 10 years ago, 3 was plenty for both parks but I was traveling with non Disney fans. What are the park hours like in late Sept.?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread will give you lots of helpful information (most of which is up to date): A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.
Unless it is undergoing a refurb, WOC shows every night. The difference will be whether it shows once or twice per night during your visit.

 

[YukonMommy]

So looking at the calendar from last year September hours M-Th ate 10-9 at DL and 10-8 at DCA. WOC did show once a night during those times last year, but the fireworks did not. My thought is 4 days is not enough if you really want to see every show, ride every ride and take the time to enjoy the moments.

Have a Magical Time!

 

[figment_jii]

Things can change, but the WDWinfo calendar of historical hours can give you a sense of the hours to expect in September. In general, expect DL to close around 9:00 pm on weekdays and DCA to close around 8:00 pm on weekdays (weekends will have longer hours).

I think you can get a lot done with four days, but I'm still skeptical that you can do "everything" that both parks have to offer in that amount of time. I would decide in advance what are the highest priority items, start with those, and then fill in things as time permits.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks everyone. I didn't mean to imply that we planned on doing EVERY attraction at DLR, more that we are open to doing anything. We don't skip things because they are thrill rides or "kiddie" rides. Does anyone have any advice as to my schedule for visits to LA and San Diego? I'm thinking we could also do LA on the Wednesday and break up the 4 Disney days.

 

[figment_jii]

What do you plan/want to do in San Diego and LA?

One of my favorite places in San Diego is the San Diego Zoo. It's huge and can easily take a full day (or more) to fully see it. It doesn't have super long operating hours (9:00 am to 6:00 pm for the most part when you're there). There is also the Wild Animal Park, Legoland, and Sea World. I like your idea of starting in San Diego, then heading back up to Anaheim.

 

[eeyoresmom]

My brother lives in San Diego so a dinner with him. Then most likely the San Diego Zoo. We do visit Disney's Animal Kingdom a few times per year so maybe we should skip the zoo and see Balboa Park and Old Town? My brother in law lives in L.A. so really maybe just a few of the touristy Hollywood things ( no parks) and dinner with him.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I'm thinking we could also do LA on the Wednesday and break up the 4 Disney days.

Having just finished a 4-day trip with an 11 year old whose mission was to start at rope drop, leave at park closing, and ride every single ride at least once, my just-now-recovering feet recommend breaking up your four days with your trip to LA on Wednesday. That will give you the added bonus of longer park hours and more entertainment on Friday, as well.

During our four days of hitting all the rides, we also managed to watch the MSEL parade, WoC, and the Tiki Room, but those were the only non-ride attractions we made it to. Frozen wasn't playing at the time (and my DD had no interest anyways) and Fantasmic!! hasn't returned yet, but we also missed Mickey and the Magical Map, Soundsational, Animation Studio and Turtle Talk, the Flag Retreat, Laughing Stock Co., Neon Lighting at Carsland, and all the awesome musical acts around both DL and DCA. So plan your four days carefully! Especially since you will have significantly shorter hours than we did.

I always like staying on-site when possible, but that's more for the EMH and pools than because of the "Disney Bubble." I like Park Vue Inn when I'm staying off-site because of their customer service, nice rooms, and the incredibly short walk to the parks (significantly closer than both the PPH and DLH and closer than some rooms in the GCH). One of these days I'll also try Best Western Park Place Inn which is right next door to PVI and the 2nd closest non-Disney motel to the parks and also gets good reviews.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thank you so much. I will check out your hotel recommendations. Wow! I'm starting to think we may skip L.A.!!

 

[HydroGuy]

My brother lives in San Diego so a dinner with him. Then most likely the San Diego Zoo. We do visit Disney's Animal Kingdom a few times per year so maybe we should skip the zoo and see Balboa Park and Old Town? My brother in law lives in L.A. so really maybe just a few of the touristy Hollywood things ( no parks) and dinner with him.

That is what I would do. The San Diego zoo is of course a good one (I used to live there and had a season pass to the zoo), but you can see animals at other zoos. Not sure how much the WAP has changed, but it never did a lot for me and AK is much better IMO.

Do things in SoCal you can't in other places.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Yes, I'm definitely leaning towards Balboa Park and Old Town. DD has never been to the west coast so I would prefer we see those.

 

[Nevada Jen]

For San Diego, I would get a hotel in the gas lamp district or on the bay and enjoy that area. Balboa park is not something you "do" in my mind. You drive through there to get to the zoo or another museum. The Gas Lamp and the seaport area (the bay) will keep you plenty busy and be entertaining to a 22 year old. You can even grab a water taxi to Coronado. I am a huge fan of the marriot in Sea Port Villiage. I think it is called Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina. There is nothing wrong with Old Town, but the Seaport always draws me in. I think 4 days will be good for Disney. Assuming you have hoppers. There are lots of hotel options within walking distance. Staying onsite is awesome but expensive. The huge benefit of staying onsite is that you get EMH everyday at one park or the other and it is the only way to get EMH at DCA. Especially at DCA, this will allow you to knock off a bunch of rides that take a lot of time waiting in line in one morning. Also, it sounds like staying onsite will include max pass which gets you your photos for free and allows you to get fastpasses from your phone rather than walking up to a machine. The motels across the street are generally fine and closer to the gates than the onsite hotels. Although a really good way to save some money is to stay further off site and uber to and from the parks.

And you may end up really liking DLR. I thought it was super lame compared to WDW the first couple of times but, oddly, once I was super familiar with WDW, it made me really appreciate the great things about DLR (namely, ease of assess in all respects). Enjoy your trip!

 

[GaryDis]

After the Zoo, the other really popular attraction in San Diego is the USS Midway museum.

Personally, I like going to various zoos. There are always different animals, and I'm looking forward to seeing the bonobos in San Diego. Even when they're the same, they're different. The cheetah at the National Zoo was sleeping much closer to the fence than the cheetah in Toronto, and forget about the ones in St. Louis, which are blessed with a huge enclosure. I wasn't able to spot the cheetah at the AK at all.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Double post

 

[eeyoresmom]

For San Diego, I would get a hotel in the gas lamp district or on the bay and enjoy that area. Balboa park is not something you "do" in my mind. You drive through there to get to the zoo or another museum. The Gas Lamp and the seaport area (the bay) will keep you plenty busy and be entertaining to a 22 year old. You can even grab a water taxi to Coronado. I am a huge fan of the marriot in Sea Port Villiage. I think it is called Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina. There is nothing wrong with Old Town, but the Seaport always draws me in. I think 4 days will be good for Disney. Assuming you have hoppers. There are lots of hotel options within walking distance. Staying onsite is awesome but expensive. The huge benefit of staying onsite is that you get EMH everyday at one park or the other and it is the only way to get EMH at DCA. Especially at DCA, this will allow you to knock off a bunch of rides that take a lot of time waiting in line in one morning. Also, it sounds like staying onsite will include max pass which gets you your photos for free and allows you to get fastpasses from your phone rather than walking up to a machine. The motels across the street are generally fine and closer to the gates than the onsite hotels. Although a really good way to save some money is to stay further off site and uber to and from the parks.

And you may end up really liking DLR. I thought it was super lame compared to WDW the first couple of times but, oddly, once I was super familiar with WDW, it made me really appreciate the great things about DLR (namely, ease of assess in all respects). Enjoy your trip!

Thanks, I'll look into your suggestions. I'm looking for places that are quintessentially California in San Diego and L.A.. Will the seaport and gas lamp district give us that experience? I should mention that we live in Massachusetts with a second home on Cape Cod so the ocean itself is not a draw although if there is time I'd love to get to La Jolla again and maybe Venice Beach. I'm pretty sure I visited Old Town last time I was there. I have to research that and guess if she'd be interested.The zoo is not out of the question yet though.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I think the gas lamp quarter is very "san Diego." Seaport village is a bit contrived but I find it relaxing. It actually reminds me of a way less crowded fanueil hall. Same concept different setting. Its a good jumping off point for the zoo and the zoo is in balboa park. La jolla is also very doable there. I just personally find old town crowded and stressful with the traffic.

 

[BritneyBelle]

What do you plan/want to do in San Diego and LA?

One of my favorite places in San Diego is the San Diego Zoo. It's huge and can easily take a full day (or more) to fully see it. It doesn't have super long operating hours (9:00 am to 6:00 pm for the most part when you're there). There is also the Wild Animal Park, Legoland, and Sea World. I like your idea of starting in San Diego, then heading back up to Anaheim.

Seconded on the San Diego Zoo, it's my favorite Zoo and when you're going it shouldn't be too too hot.