any obsessive planners out there?

[princess lovers mom]

are you bored? wanna help
I am an obsessive planner, but for WDW- have never been to DL !!!

planning a surprise trip for the family for week after Christmas...I am fully aware that it will be very very very busy, but it is what it is....we are going regardless...

who has been during this time and would like to help me plan what to do on what days...not sure how much time to alot for lines and waiting for things - so I am having difficulty..

who we are....me DH (50th bday present trip); DD's ages 14 and 11 (surprise Christmas gift)...we usually commando WDW - we are staying at Grand Californian 12/26 (arrival around noon) and leaving 30th to drive to Pasadena for Rose Parade so can stay most of the day/ early evening before we leave...have park hoppers for 5 days....

would like to see all Christmas decorations- fireworks- parades and big shows (like Aldadin) are there others?

we are very familiar with fast pass and how to work them...

we usually will get a counter service breakfast on the go and eat one other big meal a day- other is snack while waiting for a parade or show etc...

do not mind getting up early and going late

anyone want to take on making us a plan???

 

[HydroGuy]

Sorry, we tend to go summer and sometimes Thanksgiving and cannot be as specific as you want. But a few things to throw out there...

...not sure how much time to alot for lines and waiting for things - so I am having difficulty..

Consider getting a RideMax subscription. It helped me so much on my first WDW trip. If nothing else it helped me "test drive" a day at the parks and get a feel for how lines build at the parks. www.ridemax.com.

would like to see all Christmas decorations- fireworks- parades and big shows (like Aldadin) are there others?

World of Color just opened last month at DCA and you will want to see it. But, it is so popular right right now your planning skills will really be needed. Read up on it before you go. You will probably want to get a "preferred standing" packages (yes, I said that right) with a dining reservation. Also, Fantasmic at DL is cool and in most people's opinion better than at WDW. You may want to see that. And Aladdin... well, you are in for a treat.

we are very familiar with fast pass and how to work them...

Your WDW FP knowledge will come in handy. But DLR has some idiosyncrasies you will want to understand. See "Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

Have a magical holiday!

 

[stitch4336]

OCD Disney Planners Unite!!
We've never been that particular week, but we have gone during the Christmas season a few times. While I do make a spreadsheet for our trips, I'm not a planner down to the ride stage. We usually plan out our days/parks, meals, shows and parades. As mentioned if you want to do the really detailed ride plans - RideMax is very cool for that! They have it down to the minute.

I can offer a little advice though in general... My DH and I grew up on the East Coast and were diehard WDW fans. Our first trip to DLR we were surprised at the size! Two parks in walking distance, and Downtown Disney right there! No busses, no taking an hour to get from one place to another. We love WDW, but there is something very different and intimate about DLR that makes it special too. So, the need to plan like we did for WDW isn't all that pressing. If DL gets packed, we stroll across the esplande to DCA. You can hop back and forth with NO trouble at all - AND even go back and swim for an hour before dinner without it being a major time eater. It is not unusual for us to hop parks 3-4 times in a day with no time lost at all.

So we plan differently for a 5 day DLR trip. We plan in some resort time! Naps, swimming and relaxing in the middle of the day when the crowds are high has become a norm on our trips now - and even gets put on the spreadhseet. (We didn't do that much at WDW!)

There are some great dining experiences at DLR - but not as many as WDW - make ressies for the table service places. If character dining is in your plans - they are almost all breakfast now. Ariel's Grotto is still doing a princess lunch, and Goofy's Kitchen does all three meals.

World of Color - IF they are showing it in December (no schedule announced past Labor Day as of yet) as a GCH guest you can get in line earlier to get a FP for the show (best seating done this way). GCH has it's own entrance to DCA which you'll want to use There is also a dining package to get access to the best viewing areas for WOC. We did that and it was nice.

Fantasmic! is done in DL at the Rivers of America - no dedicated arena like at WDW. Seating is all on the ground or standing. It is the same storyline -but has some different elements than it's WDW counterpart. There is a preferred seating Desert event that you can do - and get a chair to sit it. It's a little pricey for just dessert, but is something special if you're looking for that We've done it once.

Christmas decor, Christmas parade - all awesome, especially the castle decor! Hopefully they will do the ice-cycle decor again this year on the castle - it is amazing! They usually offer a Christmas themed tour that we have done once. They show you lots of decor, offer backstory and tidbits about the park and you get preferred SEATS and viewing for the Christmas parade. Our tour guide was awesome and had us marching thru Fantasyland singing Christmas Carols! We also got hot cocoa and gingerbread Mickey's! The tour also inlcuded a ride on the Haunted Mansion-Nightmare Before Christmas version without waiting in line. Not sure if you are a "tour kind of family" but we enjoyed this particular one a great deal.

Wow - see when I get going I can just go on and on and on
Hope some of that helps!! I LOVE planning trips, so anything else I can help with or answer just ask!

 

[Funball]

you need park maps to help plan..and i am the park map person.. soo just pm me and i get you a set of maps!


now i would also read about the different places to eat in the DLR forum,but if you want to skip ahead of all that i can give my 2 cents.

i like to eat at these places

DL: rancho del zocalo-located next to BTM, very good mexican food! and u get all the free hot sauce you want!! ( i love that)

DL: BB(blue bayou) i had the monte cristo once--i thought i never eatn there but i have..its awesome i totally suggest it

DCA: taste pilots grill-the best veggie burgers EVER! and the blue cheese burger is good also! hey have a toppings bar that is fresh and always update with new stuff every hour!


DCA: Wine country trattoria- well for xmas it might be kinda cold out but the menu is yummy, the service is good, and for a sit down table service you can't beat it!(and yes there is wine for the parents)


as far as disneyland at xmas, well last year was FREEZING so bring somethng that is fur lined, you can awlays put it in a locker if you need to ($7) scarfs would be good and gloves also.



oher then that, just pm me for maps! i will be happy to send you a set! a nice clean set! they do help in planning, as you can see what the park looks like, the layout etc!

 

[amym2]

We just returned from our first DLR trip earlier this month, so I can't help with the Christmas part. But... I agree that you do not need to plan for DLR like you do for WDW. We were there for 3 days and got to see and do just about everything we wanted to. We didn't specify days for the parks, we just went back and forth. On our MM day, we started in DL for a few hours then headed over to DCA when it opened at 9:30 and spent a few hours there. Later that day we went to DCA for the Pixar Play Parade (wonderful!) at 5:15 then back to DLR for 6:30 dining reservations. It wasn't a problem at all. A couple of times when we wanted a FP in the park we weren't in, one of us would just run over to that park, get the FP, then back to the park with everyone else. It really is easy to go back and forth (although once or twice we did have to wait 10 min or so in an entry line). I wouldn't worry so much about planning your days in terms of parks.

That being said, of course there are a few timelines to follow. One of the days (we did it on our MM day) hit Fantasyland first thing when the park opens. Hit the popular rides at park opening. Follow the tips for DCA- Soarin at 9:30 or get FP, TSMM, California Screamin or get FP. If you know which rides have FP and how to obtain multiple ones in the AM to use in the PM and which rides don't have FP and are popular (TSMM), you won't have a problem. We found that riding Pirates and Haunted Mansion during F! worked well. With 5 days, I wouldn't worry so much about which rides to do on which days, just make sure you hit a few at park opening each day and use FP.

In terms of dining, obviously you'll want reservations. But it's not like WDW where you need to be in a certain park at dinnertime. If you have reservations at Cafe Orleans but find yourselves in DLR, just leave about 30 minutes to walk over.

The nighttime shows might be one thing to plan. We did WOC dining pkg at WCT and enjoyed it. Our 5:50 reservations were good timing to be lined up to get into the seating area by 7:30pm. I wouldn't plan WOC for your last night since it has been canceled a few times (we really lucked out... all 3 shows were canceled our 1st night there but we had it planned for the 2nd night). F! will require some staking out a spot a couple hours early (we didn't do it, couldn't believe there's not seating like at WDW).

I'm a major planner for WDW but enjoyed following some guidelines for DLR then just "going with the flow."

 

[princess lovers mom]

great info - thanks everyone !!!!

I was given another link to actual park maps so I am good there- thanks !!!

I guess i will try a modified plan indicating the parades/fireworks/ show times etc- park opening and closing and get a few meals set and try to plan the rest by ear...

I assume there is a list of rides somewhere that tell me what ones give fast passes (think it was on the map too- will check that)-

man what will I do without my commando planning....

so Aladin is still going to be showing? thought it was supposed to stop at summer?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I highly recommend the holiday tour. You get to ride the holiday versions of HM and IASW without waiting in line, plus as PP said seated premium viewing for the Xmas parade with hot chocolate and gingerbread cookie in hand. You also get a pin.

 

[whimsy87]

I believe Aladdin will be closing at the end of the summer and Toy Story will be opening in its place sometime in the future. Which I am really, really, really unhappy about. Aladdin was spectacular!

Anyways, while DLR is not as big as WDW, the Christmas crowds can be absolutely insane, so I definitely suggest having an itinerary for what to hit and when to hit it. RideMax can be a pretty beneficial tool, though it isn't perfect. Mornings are the most important thing to have a schedule for, though, if you want a little bit of wiggle room. We managed to get in every major attraction plus we saw Aladdin and Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (see it! see it! I know it doesn't sound super awesome, but it is absolutely hysterical and they are all fantastic performers and legitimate musicians. Plus, it's a good place to have a seat for a while and recharge) all in one day. When the park was full to capacity.

I definitely recommend doing all of Fantasyland first thing in the morning. Get to the park at 8 AM and head straight to Peter Pan. This has become something of a ritual for us. We love it! And then we usually send one member of our party off to get fastpasses for Space Mountain (or any other ride that is our highest priority. This may be Haunted Mansion during the holiday season, but Space Mountain does usually run out of fastpasses first) while we continue making the rounds through Fantasyland. The line for Peter Pan, especially, can get pretty crazy in the afternoons. We then, usually, head into Adventureland to hop on Indiana Jones if the line is short, or the Jungle Cruise. We usually get fastpesses to go on Indy later. Then, if we're lucky, we can grab a 3rd fastpass on our way out, around 10.

We like to park hop over to DCA at its opening and get fastpasses for Soarin' before heading over to TSMM (which can also get pretty crazy in the wait time department later in the day). We try to get as many fastpasses as early in the day as possible so we have them to use later. Then, we head over for the first or second showing of Aladdin (usually the first), use the fastpasses we collected at DCA earlier, then head back over to DLR. At that point, we start collecting more fastpasses, using some of the ones we collected earlier, and hopping on anything that doesn't have a big line. Then go see Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (usually one of their last shows). After that, we have lots of fastpasses to use after we've caught our second wind. D

During peak seasons, they usually have 2 showings of Fantasmic! We like to walk on to PoTC during the first showing, then move into the front spots as the viewers of the first showing are leaving. The wait time is a lot shorter, and you can usually get a great spot during that transition.

So, to sum it up, the 3 most important tips are:

1) Do Fantasyland (or whichever rides are the most important to you that don't have fastpasses) first thing in the morning. Be at the park early!

2) Stack your fastpasses. Get as many as you can for the rides you want.

3) Go see Billy Hill and the Hillbillies.

EDIT: I lied. Aladdin has been held over indefinitely due to popular demand. They haven't announced showtimes yet for anytime after August, but they aren't changing anything just yet! Yay! Aladdin is the best DLR show, IMHO.

 

[Sherry E]

And definitely subscribe to our very popular "Disney at Christmas" super thread, if you haven't already done so. There's lots of great info, questions, answers, planning, breaking news, photos and discussion about everything related to DLR during the holidays, including attractions, the holiday tour, holiday munchies and goodies, decorations, merchandise, crowds, and everything that makes the holiday season at DLR special. Even if you don't have time to read through the thread (it's long!), try to scroll through and look at the wonderful photos - you might see something you want to check out when you're at DLR in December that you might not have otherwise seen. Every time someone posts photos, I spot something that I have previously overlooked in all of my holiday trips!

 

[kim3339]

DL: rancho del zocalo-located next to BTM, very good mexican food! and u get all the free hot sauce you want!! ( i love that)
DL: BB(blue bayou) i had the monte cristo once--i thought i never eatn there but i have..its awesome i totally suggest it
DCA: taste pilots grill-the best veggie burgers EVER! and the blue cheese burger is good also! hey have a toppings bar that is fresh and always update with new stuff every hour!
DCA: Wine country trattoria- well for xmas it might be kinda cold out but the menu is yummy, the service is good, and for a sit down table service you can't beat it!(and yes there is wine for the parents)

Ditto with all that!!. I would definitely make reservations before hand, that way you don't have to worry day of. Especially if you go to Blue Bayou, and that is a fun experience. The reservation number is (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463. Any type of reservation, I think including Character Dining they can do it.
The trip sounds awesome, parade should be fun!!

 

[Belle Ella]

so Aladin is still going to be showing? thought it was supposed to stop at summer?

Originally Aladdin was scheduled to close on August 15, but it was given a reprieve and extended although they never said until when. As of right now it's not on the calendar past Labor Day, but that could change. A lot of information about the Fall/Winter has not been released yet.

 

[HydroGuy]

Originally Aladdin was scheduled to close on August 15, but it was given a reprieve and extended although they never said until when. As of right now it's not on the calendar past Labor Day, but that could change. A lot of information about the Fall/Winter has not been released yet.

From MiceChat Disney California Adventure Project Tracker X

New show for Hyperion Theatre - "Toy Story – The Musical"

Project Status: Cancelled. The DisneyParks Blog announced on December 3, 2009 that the "Toy Story" musical would replace "Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular" in 2011. "Aladdin" closes forever August 15, 2010. Then, on May 12 Disney announced Aladdin had been extended and Toy Story was essentially cancelled.
​

Open Date: N/A.
​

I think Aladdin will be around at least another year.

 

[Funball]

great info - thanks everyone !!!!

I was given another link to actual park maps so I am good there- thanks !!!

I guess i will try a modified plan indicating the parades/fireworks/ show times etc- park opening and closing and get a few meals set and try to plan the rest by ear...

I assume there is a list of rides somewhere that tell me what ones give fast passes (think it was on the map too- will check that)-

man what will I do without my commando planning....

so Aladin is still going to be showing? thought it was supposed to stop at summer?

those maps don't do justice..but it's cool! i have just heard from various other dismembers that they prefer the park maps then the ones online...

aladdin has been extended to stay, but untill when i do not know. also along with my food suggestions-- downtown disney has alot of awesome shops and restaraunts. my favorite is Naples. and the dis favorite is tortilla jo's.

 

[jlmarr]

The two Rose Bowl teams usually visit DLR on December 26th, if seeing the teams members up close interests you.

 

[Flitterific]

Ditto to what everyone else said about hitting the parks at opening, stacking the FPs and park hopping when you feel that one side is getting too crowded. The Christmas decorations are amazing so you won't run out of things to look at. I do want to add that you might will want to catch the fireworks as early on during your trip as possible if they are a priority for you and your family as they could be canceled due to bad weather. Other than that, I also suggest making a list of must-dos and try to get those crossed off early on so you guys don't miss them. Have fun planning

 

[stitch4336]

One other thing I thought of - even though DLR and WDW have some of the same rides, don't automatically skip any just because you've done them at WDW. There are some fun differences between the rides at the different parks. For example, we like the Buzz Lightyear ride better at DL because the guns detach from your ride vehicle. (They don't detach at WDW.) There are some other fun differences - seating on Space Mountain and Splash Mountain are different in the two parks - not a big deal, just different. Our first DLR trip, we were tempted to skip rides we had done a lot at WDW - but we didn't and discovered some very fun differences

 

[amym2]

One other thing I thought of - even though DLR and WDW have some of the same rides, don't automatically skip any just because you've done them at WDW. There are some fun differences between the rides at the different parks. For example, we like the Buzz Lightyear ride better at DL because the guns detach from your ride vehicle. (They don't detach at WDW.) There are some other fun differences - seating on Space Mountain and Splash Mountain are different in the two parks - not a big deal, just different. Our first DLR trip, we were tempted to skip rides we had done a lot at WDW - but we didn't and discovered some very fun differences

We found this to be true as well. We thought many of the DLR rides were far better than their WDW counterparts- Space Mtn, Pirates, IASW. We were so glad we rode them!

 

[Funball]

um i just want to clarify that the fireworks show we have here at DLR, there is only one show and it's at 9:25pm approx. fantasmic has two shows... also being that DLR is smaller then WDW, your going to find that park hopping is a breeze!!

 

[MulanFan]

Go thru Hydroguy's guides - they are great!