Any chance of a quick non-planned trip?

[lorenae]

I haven't been to DL since the 60s, since WDW opened. I have a trip planned to WDW in January, and it's like planning a military operation, way in advance.

I just heard from my son that he may be coming back from deployment at the end of November, but we won't know for sure until maybe a month in advance.

He's active military, and has never been to Disneyland. His base is near Fresno. I would love to fly to him when he gets off the ship (if he can take leave then), and go to DL with him before driving him back to Lemoore.

Can that happen? Can we plan a trip around Thanksgiving/first week of December without much advance notice?

He's 27, single, and will be coming off a very rough deployment in the Middle East, and I'd like to be able to do this if we can.

 

[nutshell]

Absolutely you can. DL doesn’t require the extensive planning that WDW does.

 

[cruisehopeful]

You absolutely can do this at DL. The only thing that will be difficult is if you want to book a dining reservation on short notice at this time. As soon as you know if you can go and when, book dining reservations (if you want any).

I don't know how he will feel. Much of DL is loud and crowded. Will that be too much for him that soon? I'd try to do as much during the day as possible. When the sun goes down, the lights and sounds can be a bit much and the crowds get much worse as people enter the parks after their work day.

 

[Whistlebee]

Yes, it’s very doable! I would book a hotel now, that you are able to cancel, that way you have a room if he is able to go. I’d probably book a dining reservation or two as well, you can always cancel them. If he is active military you should be able to buy discounted tickets. Hopefully someone who knows more than I do about that can tell you how to get them. I hope your trip works out and you are able to go with your son. It sounds like it’d be a very special trip!

 

[Plip]

Yes, it’s very doable! I would book a hotel now, that you are able to cancel, that way you have a room if he is able to go. I’d probably book a dining reservation or two as well, you can always cancel them.

This! I do this often when we first start talking about a trip (anywhere, not just Disney). I book a hotel that can be canceled, so I know we've got a place to stay if we follow through, and I know what the worst-case scenario for the cost is going to be. More often than not, I do end up cancelling that reservation as I either find a more appealing deal along the way or our plans go a different direction.

 

[lalasmama]

Totally easy to do!

For hotel reservations, two ideas for short-notice motels at a discount: Hotels Tonight (an app), and American Forces Travel (this is specifically for military members, and the prices are great).

For tickets, he should be eligible for Military Salute tickets. These are available at ticket windows with current military ID. They are usually approximately 50% off the 3 and 4 day tickets.

 

[DLgal]

Is this something HE wants to do? Make sure first. I assume this isn't his first deployment, but the reintegration can be rough and if he has seen or experienced any combat/violence, you really do need to be mindful about taking him somewhere potentially crowded, loud, with loud noises, etc. I speak as the wife to a 20 year Marine who did 4 middle east deployments. He still has a hard time hearing fireworks (and he is an artillery officer) and gets very anxious/claustrophobic in crowded places due to his deployment experiences. We have annual passes to DL and go all the time since we are locals, but right after deployments, we kept things very low key and didn't venture to the parks right away. Something to consider. Ask him to be very honest with you about his mental state before you plan a trip like this.

 

[lorenae]

I'm overwhelmed with your helpfulness and kindness. I'll respond to the ones individually, and ask more questions!

You absolutely can do this at DL. The only thing that will be difficult is if you want to book a dining reservation on short notice at this time. As soon as you know if you can go and when, book dining reservations (if you want any).

I don't know how he will feel. Much of DL is loud and crowded. Will that be too much for him that soon? I'd try to do as much during the day as possible. When the sun goes down, the lights and sounds can be a bit much and the crowds get much worse as people enter the parks after their work day.

I'm not sure- the loud will be ok, but the crowded may not be. I will have to get specifics from him, but the email right now is very sporadic. That is a great point, and I appreciate it so much.

Yes, it’s very doable! I would book a hotel now, that you are able to cancel, that way you have a room if he is able to go. I’d probably book a dining reservation or two as well, you can always cancel them. If he is active military you should be able to buy discounted tickets. Hopefully someone who knows more than I do about that can tell you how to get them. I hope your trip works out and you are able to go with your son. It sounds like it’d be a very special trip!

The thing is, we don't even have a return date yet. It was "from October to December" initially, and now it is "Could be late November or December". They've already been extended about three weeks for sure, but with the powder keg where they are, it could be a lot more. Or not.

Is this something HE wants to do? Make sure first. I assume this isn't his first deployment, but the reintegration can be rough and if he has seen or experienced any combat/violence, you really do need to be mindful about taking him somewhere potentially crowded, loud, with loud noises, etc. I speak as the wife to a 20 year Marine who did 4 middle east deployments. He still has a hard time hearing fireworks (and he is an artillery officer) and gets very anxious/claustrophobic in crowded places due to his deployment experiences. We have annual passes to DL and go all the time since we are locals, but right after deployments, we kept things very low key and didn't venture to the parks right away. Something to consider. Ask him to be very honest with you about his mental state before you plan a trip like this.

He is good with noises and things (more than I am- I have a little PTSD from my military experiences 37 years ago). I'm thinking the 'crowded' may be an issue though. I have to really discuss this with him as the time gets closer.

 

[DLgal]

He may not even know how much "benign crowds" will bother him until he gets back and experiences them. I would say, if at ALL possible, try to stay at the Grand Californian. It is an oasis of calm right in the middle of the parks and can provide a quick escape if needed. The military rates make it pretty affordable. You can call and make a reservation in his name using the Armed Forces Salute discount for 35-40% off. All he would need to do is show his military ID at check in.

 

[clb79]

They haven't even released all of the dining reservations past Nov 24th in the app (maybe you can call and book out further), but they have been slow to release Entertainment & Park Hours this Fall, so Dining Reservations have only been available around 30 days out too.

 

[Whistlebee]

Even if it is very last minute, it is still VERY doable. Once you have probable dates, I’d book a room (or two) and a couple dining reservations. Since it is only the 2 of you it shouldn’t be a big problem to get day of or night before dining reservations BUT if possible it’s nice to have them ahead of time. I always book any dining reservations in Downtown Disney with the restaurant or through the OpenTable App, this makes it really easy to cancel or change your reservation on the fly.