August Trip planning--best day to go?

[soupy1012]

Hi Everyone --Please Help!
Im planning my first trip to California to visit disneyland and California Adventure the 3rd weekend of August 2009. Out of the days---- Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday...which would be the best day to visit each park as far as less crowded. Thanks so much!

 

[ballarinamom]

Will you be staying at one of the Disney Hotels in order to get the Early entry? Or will it be included in your ticket?

 

[soupy1012]

no, Im staying off property.

 

[ballarinamom]

The reason I ask is because if you are staying at one of the 3 Disney Hotels you get unlimited early entry mornings. If you have an EE, I would say that is the day to hit DL becasue you can get more rides in at Fantasyland plus Space Mountain. Are you only there one day or two? I'm sure with alittle extra info, you will get better answers than what I can give you

 

[HydroGuy]

If staying offsite you will get one day of Magic Morning (MM) and possibly two if you order tix through GetAway (see "Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403)

If I were you I would try to get the Getaway tix but, assuming you do not, here is what I would do with one day of MM:

Friday - go to DL, arrive early and visit the Fantasyland rides first thing. Stay all day at DL and see some shows that night - especially fireworks show.

Saturday - First chance to do MM. Do MM. Use it on Finding Nemo ride if you did Fantasyland on Friday. Otherwise think about doing Fantasyland during MM. Collect some FPs and hop to DCA when you are ready.

Sunday - If you are really energetic hit DL first and collect some FPs and then hop to DCA when it opens. Otherwise do what I would do and sleep in and start the day at DCA. Either stay all day at DCA or hop back to DL later in the day based on how things are going.

Monday - Good day to start at DL. Either stay at DL or hop to DCA later based on what you want to finish up or experience again.

Here is some more info that may help:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with Hydroguy that park hopping each day (especially during the busy summer months) is the way to go. DLR is nothing like WDW & an effective touring plan (each day) would consist of:

- DL at opening (or MM)....tour & collect FPs for 2-4 hours.
- Hop to DCA (or take a mid day rest) for 2-4 hours.
- Take a mid day rest (or enjoy DCA) for 2-4 hours.
- Return to DL in the evening with the FPs you collected in the morning.

Rinse & repeat each day.

Here's a thread with opinions on the benefits of Park Hopping at DLR:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's park.

 

[Queenbillabong]

The reason I ask is because if you are staying at one of the 3 Disney Hotels you get unlimited early entry mornings.

You actually do not get unlimited early entry mornings if you stay at one of the 3 DLR hotels. You can get early entry on each day it is offered, but unlimited - usually on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday - but that can change if there is something else going on at the resort (then it may change to a different day).

 

[jerseygal]

Tues, Thurs, Sat, or Sunday even if you are staying on site?

Thanks! Just checking!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Queenbillabong]

Tues, Thurs, Sat, or Sunday even if you are staying on site?

Thanks! Just checking!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, those are the regular MM days. They can change though - ie. not on Sunday but on Monday. There are the four days, even when staying on-site.