arrival/entrance strategy

[hnthomps]

Hi all - hope you can help a newbie!

We are driving up from San Diego (where we will have been vacationing for a few days - we're not from CA) on a Thursday morning with our children (3&5). We have Ariel's Grotto lunch at 11:45am and aren't planning to do anything before that, necessarily (not that we wouldn't, just that we don't have to). We are staying at the Grand Californian.

We can leave San Diego basically as early as we need, but would prefer not to be rushed. It's about a 2 hour drive.

I assume we should check into the hotel and drop off our luggage and then head straight to PP -- how long will it take us to do all this? That is, do we need to arrive at the hotel at 10am in order to make our lunch reservation, or would we be fine if we were pulling up at 11:30? (I'm assuming not!) Do we park at the hotel and then just use that entrance to get into the park and walk over toward Ariel?

Thanks!

 

[Leopardstars]

What hotel are you staying at? That will make a difference in how long it may take.

 

[hnthomps]

What hotel are you staying at? That will make a difference in how long it may take.

We are staying at the grand californian

 

[Disn3yVision]

If you park at 11:30 am I think you will be at PP by 12:45. We did practically the same thing this Feb

 

[bumbershoot]

You don't want to be rushed, but imo the time you're going to have to leave is going to feel rushed.

At latest you'll want to arrive at 11 to rush to make the 11:45 Ariel, and leaving around 9 from downtown SD is hitting (from memory of my brother living in chula vista) the end of commute time. I personally would leave earlier unless you're north of downtown.

I personally would, actually, rather get to the grand at 10. But that means you're in commute time.

Either way in my opinion and experience you'll want to leave earlier than you think and you still might feel rushed.

But then you can be relaxed at the resort instead of rushing through your first hour there and that will be good.

 

[hnthomps]

You don't want to be rushed, but imo the time you're going to have to leave is going to feel rushed.

At latest you'll want to arrive at 11 to rush to make the 11:45 Ariel, and leaving around 9 from downtown SD is hitting (from memory of my brother living in chula vista) the end of commute time. I personally would leave earlier unless you're north of downtown.

I personally would, actually, rather get to the grand at 10. But that means you're in commute time.

Either way in my opinion and experience you'll want to leave earlier than you think and you still might feel rushed.

But then you can be relaxed at the resort instead of rushing through your first hour there and that will be good.

Thanks. Do you mean that we'll feel rushed because we are trying to leave at 8am? I don't actually think that's a big problem, our kids are usually up by 6. But depends on jet lag, etc, I guess.

 

[Malcon10t]

Your lunch is at 1145a. You will need to plan time to unload the car to the bell services, are you using valet or self park? If self park, you will need to be at the Grand at the absolute latest of 11am. If you are valet, you could get there at 1115. That allows 15 mins to pull in, have your bags placed with bell services, collect the valet card and bags card, then 15 mins to walk thru, enter the park, and head to Ariels. You may need a couple extra mins to handle the tickets at the gate for the family. If you are self parking, you will need an extra 15-20 mins for moving to the parking area and walking back.

 

[hnthomps]

Your lunch is at 1145a. You will need to plan time to unload the car to the bell services, are you using valet or self park? If self park, you will need to be at the Grand at the absolute latest of 11am. If you are valet, you could get there at 1115. That allows 15 mins to pull in, have your bags placed with bell services, collect the valet card and bags card, then 15 mins to walk thru, enter the park, and head to Ariels. You may need a couple extra mins to handle the tickets at the gate for the family. If you are self parking, you will need an extra 15-20 mins for moving to the parking area and walking back.

Perfect. This is very helpful. We were hoping that arriving at 10:30 would be about right, and knowing we could do it if we get delayed a little on the way helps - that way we can plan to leave SD between 8 and 830. Get to the Grand, drop bags and kids and me at the door to check in, send my husband to park the car. Rest stop and enter the park together -- sounds like we could accomplish that by 11:15, and then be able to walk very slowly, looking at things and taking pictures, on the way to Ariel.

 

[Winnowill]

In my experience, it ALWAYS takes longer than you think it should to get into the parks. Give yourself as much time as you possibly can.

 

[pharmama]

Regarding which entrance to use, yes, I would definitely use the GCH park entrance in this scenario. This will be much more convenient and any park opening/am crowding will have long since thinned out. Then you can walk down by Grizzly River Run basically right to Ariel's Grotto. The Ariel ride is also on the way and often has a very short line so if you're good on time you might even be able to sneak in a pre-lunch ride.

 

[Malcon10t]

Perfect. This is very helpful. We were hoping that arriving at 10:30 would be about right, and knowing we could do it if we get delayed a little on the way helps - that way we can plan to leave SD between 8 and 830. Get to the Grand, drop bags and kids and me at the door to check in, send my husband to park the car. Rest stop and enter the park together -- sounds like we could accomplish that by 11:15, and then be able to walk very slowly, looking at things and taking pictures, on the way to Ariel.

One thing, since your husband won't be with you for check in.... Ask someone at valet how your husband can get back from the parking area as he won't have a key. Currently, there is security checking room keys to enter the Grand at the lights. Not sure how they handle someone who is self parking crossing back before they have a room key.

 

[hnthomps]

Thanks all! We arrived around 10:30 and were able to see Mickey and the newsies parade (by accident) on the trolley as we walked into CA, and then we did the monsters inc ride, two bugs life rides, and made our ADR no problem! It was magical. Thanks for the advice!