Allocating Days in SoCal?

[mjmcnns]

Sorry, this is a bit broader of a DL/DCA question but it hinges primarily on the two parks so I figure it is the most appropriate place for it.

We have about 5.5 days in SoCal and are planning on taking full advantage of our SoCal City Pass. We're in the region (first first day) December 1-6 (we need to be at LAX around 4pm).

We have 3 days at DL/DCA (one MM), Universal, Seaworld and San Diego Zoo.

We're going to do DL on the Thursday (with MM) and catch the Fireworks most likely that night. My main question is what is the best time to use our other DL/DCA days? Initially I thought we'd do Thursday, Saturday, Sunday but I can't help but second guessing venturing in on the weekends. At least the Saturday may be a better time to do another park perhaps. But at the same time I want to ensure we have a solid day to do UNiversal. We're doing San Diego Zoo on the Tuesday when we leave, so really the question comes down to where to slot Universal and Sea World around DL/DCA for best planning.

Suggestions?

 

[ArchOwl]

I am not sure there is a clear benefit to doing MM on Thursday. Since DL opens later, MM is at 8 and probably will be more crowded than a weekend MM which starts at 7am (not as many people go to the 7am MM in my experience).

I would do Thursday at Universal and save DL for last, just because I think Disneyland is so much better than Universal and I wouldn't want to go from a high to a low. Also on the weekends you get much more time in the parks, unlike during the week when DL closes at 8pm. On Friday, Saturday, Sunday DL is open until midnight!

I am just wondering about the driving. Since you are doing the Zoo on Tuesday, and you want to do Seaworld as well, I hate to have you drive back and forth twice. It is about two hours each way with no traffic. That is not a drive I would want to do twice while on vacation. I would be tempted to do Universal on Thursday, DL Friday-Sunday, then head down to SD on Monday and get a hotel there for Monday night. Do Seaworld on Monday, zoo on Tuesday. Then drive back to LAX and fly out.

Whew! That is whirlwind trip! Personally, I would skip San Diego and substitute some beach days in LA/Orange County. But maybe you really have your heart set on seeing San Diego. Have fun!

 

[skiingfast]

I would do Thursday at Universal and save DL for last, just because I think Disneyland is so much better than Universal and I wouldn't want to go from a high to a low. Also on the weekends you get much more time in the parks, unlike during the week when DL closes at 8pm. On Friday, Saturday, Sunday DL is open until midnight!

I agree with the above.


But I am curious about San Diego too. OP are you flying in and out of it? If not I would either start or finish there since the Zoo is best for a half day. Doing that spend the night down there, not driving back and forth.

 

[mjmcnns]

Unfortunately we're based out of Anaheim for the duration. It's a weird blip but it's not a big deal to do the driving.

The Zoo is set for the Tuesday so that part is in stone. However, we do have flexibility on Thursday-Monday for 3 days of DL, SeaWorld and Universal.

I've been to all three before and while I agree DL/DCA is best, I also really, really enjoyed Universal.

That said, in many ways the question I am asking is how to get the most value out of my time in the Disney parks, I think. I realize the parks are open much longer on Friday-Sunday, but I also assume they're much busier? I'd like to avoid the massive lines as much as possible given that it is Disneyland.

The Saturday MM advice is interesting. Basically because it is earlier there are fewer folks willing to wake up that early?

I think my thinking is much the same as most re: Thursday. Because it has shorter hours, I'm more inclined to stretch out Thursday and maximize those hours because I already have something like hr available on a Saturday.

 

[skiingfast]

That said, in many ways the question I am asking is how to get the most value out of my time in the Disney parks, I think. I realize the parks are open much longer on Friday-Sunday, but I also assume they're much busier? I'd like to avoid the massive lines as much as possible given that it is Disneyland.

The Saturday MM advice is interesting. Basically because it is earlier there are fewer folks willing to wake up that early?

While the DL is busier on the weekends so I should see it on other days is common, there is a big but to it. While it's true DLR is busier on weekends days so is everything else. You can give up crowds at DLR to go to US or the beach or Hollywood BLVD on thier busiest day of the week. Nothing gained.

The best thing about switching days is gaining hours at any of the parks. However you might want to give up a weekend day or both to get in the still thick but not jambed up traffic to US and SD. Do consider what time of day you will be driving, because if you go open to close at SW and US you may be driving before or after it anyway.



I like to do MM right away because I'm the most fresh then. On that note if you want to go on Sat or Sun, Sun may be better because all of the Resort Hotel people who got up extra early on Saturday, may not be able to do it again on Saturday.

 

[mjmcnns]

A big part of our early thinking around MM on the first day is because we'll be excited, energetic, etc.

Is there typically a big difference in crowds from Friday to Saturday at DL/DCA?

I would be perfectly happy to do SeaWorld on a Saturday. I'm not too concerned about larger crowds diminishing our experience there. The rides are not a priority there, and the exhibit crowds all move relatively decently I would think.

I'm leaning towards DL/DCA on Thursday/Friday/Sunday and doing Seaworld on the Saturday maybe and Universal on Monday.

 

[skiingfast]

Except for not finishing at DL it should be fine.

Fridays are much nicer than Saturday crowd wise when the hours are the same. Friday is a calm weekday in the morning, slightly busier afternoon. A busy evening and night. This may dampen thing because you are ending with the busiest part.

 

[mjmcnns]

Haha. We're visiting the region for a range of experience so we'll be okay not ending with DL.

From the sounds of it, doing DL/DCA on Thurs/Fri/Sun might make the most sense for our itinerary. It hopefully gives us a good amount of slightly less insanely crowded time in the parks while still providing a high number of potential hours if we so choose.

It does push a fair bit of travel to the latter days of our trip but it'll be okay.