Arrival Day?

[jenny-pooh]

We arrive early on Wednesday, July 11. I figure we will be settled in to our room at BWPPI by 1:00. Would you go to the parks that day?

Or would you recommend going a full day on Saturday instead? We have four day park hoppers. There will be 5 of us. If we go Wednesday, Saturday would be a non park day.

 

[nikkislaght]

we rarely go into the parks on our travel day,, we get settled into hotel.. go to DTD and window , souvenir shop, get a meal somewhere and head back to hotel for an early night .. saying that Wed tend to be low crowd days,, so you could in theory get more rides etc on a late half Wed, than an full day Sat. saying that you will be at the start of summer. Some school districts will not be out yet.. I know up here where I am in WA we dont get out till the following week.. the calendar is not up yet for park hours. but you could find out what time the park closes.. I guess if you ask the rest of the group what they wont to do?

from my prospective, its cost me a lot of money to get into Disneyland. do I want to pay for a full day ticket but only use half of it ??

 

[DLgal]

Don't go Wednesday. Definitely go Saturday. I guarantee you that Saturday in mid July will be the slowest day you experience. AP blackouts will be in your favor on Saturday, not so much Wednesday.

 

[limace]

July 11? I think pretty much all kids will be out of school. I think PP was thinking June 11.

I would personally just get a five day hopper, since it’s not much more money . If that doesn’t work, I think I’d go for the full day Saturday-I’d be too sad not to go into the park my last day.

 

[DLgal]

we rarely go into the parks on our travel day,, we get settled into hotel.. go to DTD and window , souvenir shop, get a meal somewhere and head back to hotel for an early night .. saying that Wed tend to be low crowd days,, so you could in theory get more rides etc on a late half Wed, than an full day Sat. saying that you will be at the start of summer. Some school districts will not be out yet.. I know up here where I am in WA we dont get out till the following week.. the calendar is not up yet for park hours. but you could find out what time the park closes.. I guess if you ask the rest of the group what they wont to do?

from my prospective, its cost me a lot of money to get into Disneyland. do I want to pay for a full day ticket but only use half of it ??

OP said JULY 11. All schools will be out by then.

In July, Wednesdays are busier than Saturdays due to AP blackouts. Deluxe AP can come on Wednesdays, but not Saturdays. Makes a HUGE difference in crowds.

 

[twoolle]

I think I read somewhere (and I may be wrong) that BWPPI is very strict on parking and does not allow cars until check in time at 3pm. So sounds like they are strict on check in too. Just something you may want to look into.

 

[Cal-Pie]

I agree with the previous poster, rarely have I ever been allowed to check into a Harbor Blvd motel early. They typically run at full capacity every night. Just a thought to factor into your plans...

 

[Indiana Scott]

I absolutely would go to the parks the first day even if that means adding a 5th day to your PH (which is pretty cheap). Even arriving at 1:00 PM you will have many hours of park time left.
Keep in mind that even if your room isn't available, all the hotels will allow you to drop off your bags so you can go play.

 

[DLgal]

I absolutely would go to the parks the first day even if that means adding a 5th day to your PH (which is pretty cheap). Even arriving at 1:00 PM you will have many hours of park time left.
Keep in mind that even if your room isn't available, all the hotels will allow you to drop off your bags so you can go play.

They may not allow them to park the car though.

If this happens, OP, simply park at Downtown Disney and make a $20 purchase somewhere to get three free hours of validation. You can just buy a Disney GC if you don't have anything particular to buy.

 

[figment_jii]

I've stayed at the BWPPI and dealt with a similar issue. If there are spaces available, they'll allow early check-in guests to park before check-in time. However, they won't guarantee a spot will be available; I suppose you could call on your way over and see if they think it'll be okay. In terms of checking in, they'll let you do that, but the room might not be ready. If that happens, they will store your luggage for you (or you could leave it in the car). Otherwise, as PPs have said, you could just park at DTD and do some shopping/eating and get three hours of parking with validation.

By July, the parks are usually running extended hours and full entertainment, so you'd still have a lot of time in the parks if you went in at 1:00 pm. However, if you don't want to upgrade the tickets, then I would would opt to go in for the full day on Saturday (starting as early as possible because the first few hours after the park opens is usually the best). By July, the SoCal and SoCal Select APs are blocked on all days and the Deluxe APs are blocked on Saturdays, so you'll only be contending with Signature, Signature Plus, and Premier AP holders.

 

[tarheelalum]

Worst case they park in Mickey and Friends or Toy Story and pay 20 bucks. For a half day its worth it. On the morning of your first full day in the park you don't want to have to deal with getting every bodies picture taken. That slows you down big time. I'd even buy an extra day just for the half day if you are not exhausted from your trip to get to Disneyland.

 

[avalovesminnie]

My kids are always so crazy excited on our first day they can't go to bed at their normal time. I'd go to the parks! There is the buy 4 days get the fifth free through a few of the ticket sellers like last minute travel club. Unless you are staying at a hotel with an amazing fun pool area, then I'd do that.

 

[Butterfly123]

We have done both, going in on arrival day and not going in until the next day. We prefer to wait and go in the next day. Otherwise we feel rushed to get to our hotel, drop off our bags, get the parks as soon as possible. We really enjoy the time in DTD just hanging out and getting excited for going into the parks the next day. Plus a Saturday in the summer won’t be any busier than a weekday. And those early morning hours are the best for getting a lot done!

 

[Sue M]

We have 5 day hoppers, arriving on a Sunday around noon and leaving on Saturday. So M-F are park days. Since there is no such thing as a 6 day ticket we plan on getting settled in our room, then dinner and evening in DTD.
If I had a 4 day ticket I’d upgrade to 5 day.

 

[JohnR5101]

difference between a 4 day ticket and a 5 day ticket is $15. And you can add that 5th day to a 4 day ticket any time before the end of the 4th day. So is it worth it to go to Disneyland a half day for $15 - you bet!

 

[jenny-pooh]

I think I read somewhere (and I may be wrong) that BWPPI is very strict on parking and does not allow cars until check in time at 3pm. So sounds like they are strict on check in too. Just something you may want to look into.

You are right, check in is not until 3. Thanks for pointing that out. Fortunately, I will not need parking.

 

[jenny-pooh]

difference between a 4 day ticket and a 5 day ticket is $15. And you can add that 5th day to a 4 day ticket any time before the end of the 4th day. So is it worth it to go to Disneyland a half day for $15 - you bet!

Definitely the best option! Thanks!

 

[jenny-pooh]

I agree with the previous poster, rarely have I ever been allowed to check into a Harbor Blvd motel early. They typically run at full capacity every night. Just a thought to factor into your plans...

Thanks for pointing this out. You were right. I think we will drop our stuff off, add a day to our tickets and head to the park! Thanks!