(Another) Question about time!

[Desiree Y]

I hope this doesn't seem like beating a dead horse to all you vets. I know lots of people ask the same type of question... but I'm second guessing my plans and can't help but ask.

This is what our family vaca looks like...

March 6th: Fly into San Diego from SLC, rent a car and spend the rest of the day at Mission Beach
March 7th: Sea World
March 8th: Check out of San Diego hotel and drive to Legoland, spend the day, then drive into Anaheim and check in at HoJo.
March 9th-12th: Disneyland/California Adventure
March 13th: Fly out of SNA around noon

I'm starting to fear that the 4 days in Anaheim may not be enough. We have 3 kids ages 10, 5 and 4. 10yo had first Disney trip at age 5 and the two younger kids have never been. Since it will likely be several years before we can return we really want to try to do EVERYTHING at DL & CA. We can skip some of the shows, but would like to do the big ones like Fireworks (will it be RDCT?), WOC, etc.

Should we add an extra day in Anaheim? We'll have one Magic Morning to use. I really don't like the thought of scheduling rides.. I'd like to just play it by ear and go along with whatever the family is feeling. Is that going to be impossible to do in 4 days? In 5 days? I don't know which days to plan to see the fireworks and other things since I can't yet view the March schedule. We'd also like to fit in a dinner at Pirate's Dinner Adventure and a little playtime at HoJo's pool.

Thanks so much for all the help from you wonderful, brilliant people!

 

[skiingfast]

I think that looks great!

RDCT will be the fireworks, that's the standard show and the other shows are for Summer, Halloween parties and the Holidays.

With Fri-Sun to see the night shows you should be able to see them all without a problem. Unless weather effects the shows. You are getting into Spring Break and longer days than we are experiencing now. So you could take on the Triple Threat, but I wouldn't make you kids do it, 8:15 WoC, 9:30 RDCT finishing with the 10:30 F!.

If you can stay up late enough it will probably work out that Fireworks will be at 9:30 and after you could catch the second F! at 10:30. If you need it earlier the 8:15 WoC and 9:30 RDCT, with the 9:00 first F! on another night. My rule is to see fireworks on the first night they are available in case they are cancelled due to wind.

For the Pirates Adventure dinner, I would try to see the early showing on the weekend. Spend the later hours at DL. Or see if you can make it from LL Thursday night in time to catch it.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Yes the fireworks will be RDCT. They'll show Friday-Sunday as will Fantasmic! WOC should be nightly. Everything in 4 days? Probably not all shows without a strict schedule. But you should be able to do almost everything.

I've never done Legoland so I don't know if it's a must or not. One thing I did hear about it is that under 48" needs an adult to ride with them on most rides, and most seating is in pairs. As long as your 10 yr old is okay riding by themselves in a seat it shouldn't be an issue, but a good heads up in case they aren't comfortable with that arrangement.

 

[Desiree Y]

Thanks for the info! I don't want to try all three shows in one night, I think that would be too much for my little ones. I love your rule of fireworks ASAP since I would be most disappointed about missing that. Sounds like we could plan for RDCT Friday, 5:30 Pirate's Dinner and 9:00 F! Saturday, then WoC Sunday. I like the thought of not having to squish in a show on our last night so we can spend the whole evening finishing up or (hopefully) re-doing our favorite rides.

 

[skiingfast]

I think you will get a lot of rides in, if you plan FP well. Friday morning and Monday should be quieter and the smaller rides will probably have short waits.

 

[Brady's Mom]

We'll be there at the same time! We're going Mar. 6-10th and leaving Sunday.

You should plan to see the fireworks on Friday night, like a PP stated. That way you can arrange to see them another night if they get cancelled.

I would plan to see each show a different night - Fireworks, WOC and Fantasmic!.

Can you move your pirates dinner to the night you arrive in Anaheim from San Diego? That way it doesn't interrupt park time? Or could you do it Monday night, since DLR will probably close a little early? That way you don't cut into evening park entertainment on the weekend since it's off-season (ish).

On Monday you'll probably have plenty of time to re-ride your favorites or to hit up anything that you've missed.

Good luck!

 

[croppincolburn]

Looks like a busy schedule to me. Hope you take mid day breaks out of the parks when you can.

 

[geekypeach]

I would not do more than 4 days. We did 6 on our last trip, and although we love Disney, it was just. too. much. You get a little less with each passing day due to fatigue. You have to weigh your benefit there.

We've done virtually the same trip (SLC to SAN, and all) and it was fabulous. One of my favorite to date.

 

[VandVsmama]

I have not been to Legoland myself but I have heard from a lot of friends (who themselves have gone) that Legoland is really better for younger kids. Your older children might be totally bored.

It's enough that we haven't ever been to Legoland (our kids are 3.5 and 5.5) and we are in the San Diego area at least once a year visiting family.

This is just me, but if I were in your shoes, I'd pick another day at the beach or another day at Disneyland. Disneyland probably puts Legoland to shame.