Backstage Magic pre-stay

[Glorila03]

All,
We are booked on this ABD in January 2015 and are currently debating on pre-stay options.
Is it a good idea to do the parks on our own for a few days before, taking into consideration that it will be our first time in Disneyland and would like to see them as such before going behind the scenes ?
Furthermore, will we have enough time to enjoy all the parks have to offer during the tour?
We are DVC members so not worried about accommodation costs but we want to make sure that we get the most of it for our first time in DL.
Many thanks for your help !

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd suggest doing a day before the Adventure at the Hollywood hotel and then a couple of days after the Adventure at one of the DL hotels.

Use the day before to do some exploring around the Hollywood area and getting acclimated to the time change. Also be sure to get a good night's sleep before your Adventure starts. You'll find that once it does start your days are pretty full.

When you hit DL/DCA during the Adventure you'll have some free time, but now where near enough to do everything you want to do in those parks so add a couple of days afterwards.

 

[Glorila03]

Hi great advise thanks.

 

[BasilofBakerstreet]

We did Backstage Magic a few years ago and are going again next year

A day or two ahead at the Hollywood hotel would allow you to see the Hollywood sites Universal Studios is a very easy subway ride away from the hotel.

You get park passes for Day 6 so if you add a day at the end you can make use of this day on your own at the parks

 

[Glorila03]

Ok? So you would not recommend going before? I have never done DL but been to Wdw and Disneyland Paris .I have most books written about imagineering and Disneyland and am aware there is lot more packed in this small park than any other one disney parks. We also are thinking:as we are already half way to continue to Hawaii and Aulani after that . As this is our first year as DVC members and our DCL/WDW holiday in 2014 was already paid for so we have more points that we expect to have the coming years. I really like the idea of adding Universal or an other studio but expect if we want to keep the holiday around 2 weeks some hard choices are going to be made.

 

[sayhello]

Ok? So you would not recommend going before? I have never done DL but been to Wdw and Disneyland Paris .I have most books written about imagineering and Disneyland and am aware there is lot more packed in this small park than any other one disney parks. We also are thinking:as we are already half way to continue to Hawaii and Aulani after that . As this is our first year as DVC members and our DCL/WDW holiday in 2014 was already paid for so we have more points that we expect to have the coming years. I really like the idea of adding Universal or an other studio but expect if we want to keep the holiday around 2 weeks some hard choices are going to be made.

If the choice is between adding Universal/another park or going to Hawaii and Aulani, I'd do Aulani in a second. There's nothing at Universal that's going to compare to Hawaii!

Sayhello

 

[Glorila03]

Indeed Hawaii before universal I will try to make my question more clear . Knowing we will do the backstage magic 5 day trip which include 2 days Disneyland DCA a lot of fastpasses and reserved seating for the parade , fantastic an world of colour how much more time we would need to feel we have dine most of the rest?

 

[julmops]

I'm Glorila03's partner. Any more advice on what is the best approach ?
Many thanks in advance !

 

[BasilofBakerstreet]

I think a day or two should be sufficient to see everything. You have park passes included for Day 6.

I would go a day or two early (to see other stuff in Hollywood) and stay a day or two late (more time on your own at DLand and other places) depending on how much time you have and how much money you want to spend

 

[nunzia]

We went to DL a couple days prior, had a great time, and ABD sent a car to pick us up there (at the Grand) and take us to Hollywood to start the Adventure. Worked great.

 

[abdgeek]

Ok? So you would not recommend going before? I have never done DL but been to Wdw and Disneyland Paris .I have most books written about imagineering and Disneyland and am aware there is lot more packed in this small park than any other one disney parks. We also are thinking:as we are already half way to continue to Hawaii and Aulani after that . As this is our first year as DVC members and our DCL/WDW holiday in 2014 was already paid for so we have more points that we expect to have the coming years. I really like the idea of adding Universal or an other studio but expect if we want to keep the holiday around 2 weeks some hard choices are going to be made.

Welcome to DVC! As others have outlined, below are your options. I think the key thing to remember is that you only need 2-3 days to see DL(that's if you ride every ride and see every show--one day for each park). DL only has two parks, MK and CA. If you concentrate on the rides that DL has that WDW doesn't(or that are different variations--space mountain, matterhorn, Cars Land, etc.), that will allow you to see the park without spending too many extra days.

1) Go one day before ABD starts and spend it at DL or at the pre-ABD hotel.
2) Go to DL the day the ABD ends and fly out to Hawaii the next day. Depending on what times flights go from LAX to HNL, you may be able to fly out late on the final day after visiting DL.

While I haven't done Backstage Magic yet(it's on my list), I have been to DL several times. With the backstage things the ABD will do and spending either a day before or after or both in the park, you should be fine. I second everyone's take that you should definitely go to Aulani since you're halfway there. I'm going back this summer and can't wait!