Best time of day for newbies

[Pamb]

This is my families first trip to DL and one of the things I am anticipating is watching my children's faces as they explore for the first time. We will be driving and hope to arrive Monday night around 4 or 5pm after a 12 hour drive(including food/potty breaks). Since Tuesday will be a MM would it be worth the $60 to add one more day to our parkhopper so we can go Monday night? We will be there in September and last year I understand the park closed at 8pm. Since we have three young children;7,5, and 2 would it be better to play at the hotel, get a good night's sleep and hit the park in the am fresh?

Too many decisions and waaaay to excited about our trip!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I would say no to adding an extra day. You'll want to get to bed early so that you can be up and ready for MM. To get into the vacation mood, you can always go to DTD and maybe make a reservation for Rainforest Cafe.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I agree... hit the pool, go do Goofy's dinner to put you in the mood... and then lights out early! Being there nice and early with short lines the next morning will be the best start to your trip!

--Lisa

 

[disneymom23]

I agree... hit the pool, go do Goofy's dinner to put you in the mood... and then lights out early! Being there nice and early with short lines the next morning will be the best start to your trip!

--Lisa

This is exactly what we did. We did Goofy's kitchen and got to bed at a decent hour to get up for MM. We did all of FL that morning. We ended up doing 23 rides and the EP that day so I was glad we had gotten a good night's sleep. We also took a 2 hour nap in the afternoon.

 

[DLR29]

It's better to get a good nights sleep to hit up MM than to spend a couple hours your first evening. There's tons of stuff in Downtown Disney that can keep you entertained that first night. That's what we usually do.

 

[Pamb]

Thanks for the advice although I was hoping for the opposite answer. I told my husband that you all took his side and he couldn't stop himself from smiling. I think you all just got brownie points!

 

[MaiynaMouse]

Thanks for the advice although I was hoping for the opposite answer. I told my husband that you all took his side and he couldn't stop himself from smiling. I think you all just got brownie points!

I don't know....I'll take your side.

Here's my take....if the extra $60 isn't going to break you, I'd go for it. I probably wouldn't use it for the night you arrive. I'd plan that night for a dinner at Goofy's Kitchen and then go to bed early and get up for MM/EE. It's worth the $60 to me. I loved that first hour in the park without quite as many people. Another option would be to use the third day for your departure day. Even if you only spend a few hours in the morning at the park. That's prime Disney time if you ask me.
~mm

 

[Terrif]

Wow I thought I was brave for thinking of going after a 10hour drive and my kids are almost all teenagers. I doubt you would be able to get up without being too tired if you don't hang back the first night. Pace yourself or it won't be as enjoyable.

 

[Hound 109]

I don't know....I'll take your side.

Here's my take....if the extra $60 isn't going to break you, I'd go for it. I probably wouldn't use it for the night you arrive. I'd plan that night for a dinner at Goofy's Kitchen and then go to bed early and get up for MM/EE. It's worth the $60 to me. I loved that first hour in the park without quite as many people. Another option would be to use the third day for your departure day. Even if you only spend a few hours in the morning at the park. That's prime Disney time if you ask me.
~mm

I big time agree with going to the park(s) the first evening. Here's why:

- A ten hour drive....you'll need the exercise.

- Your first time at DLR....It's good to get your bearings or "lay of the land". (Motel to front gate, where to line up at gate, identify where "the lands" are, eyeball a couple of restaurants, eyeball where DTD is. ).

- Take your time on Main St. that first night. Take pics, chat up a character or two, get a dole whip, ride a couple of rides. (If your next morning is MM, you won't want to dawdle or take your time.....best to get your bearings & dawdle the first night.)

- You can ride 6-8 rides on a Monday night in Sept. & you can practice getting a FP or two...whether you use them or not.

- No way would i be able to NOT go into the park if it was a short walk away...& I just rested for 10 hours GETTING there. (& the time zone is in your favor).

Sixty Bucks for a family for that first magical day/night?? You'd spend more than that on a BIG feed....skip the big feed & munch a corny dog & do DL.

EDIT - I JUST RE-READ....IF YOU DON'T BUY THE 3RD DAY YOU DON'T GET MM. SLAM DUNK GET THE THIRD DAY & GET MM. A LIGHT ATTENDANCE WEEKDAY IN SEPT. & THE PARK MIGHT NOT OPEN TILL 10AM. THAT TUES. MM WILL BE GOLD....WORTH THE $60 BUCKS JUST FOR THAT. (& i'd still go for a couple/few hours on arrival day or departure day )

 

[Terrif]

Those are valid points. I can't decide whether to go the first night (after 10 hour drive from grand canyon) or save my fifth day for day of departure (shuttle will pick us up for lax at 12:30). I have never been to DL but in WDW by the fifth day we are tired-maybe from all the park hopping. Are you less tired in DL due to the proximity of the parks. We are arriving on Sunday 4/20 and leaving friday.

 

[MMSS]

Similiar scenario, except we are flying down (short flight into Seattle before getting to LA) that is still taking about 8 hours - half waiting in airports. Nothing like rushing to wait .. oh well, we've opted to have fun at the pool (assuming it's warm enough and more than that quick jump in to say "I did it!") and then walk around Disney District before geting a good sleep.

I agree it could be hard to see the park right there in full swing and waiting, but then also figuring be doing some shopping too!

 

[ballarinamom]

I would definately go your 1st night. If you get to the parl around 5:00 you could do about 3 hours in the park and get the kids in bed around 9:00. It's not like you guys were running a marathon- you were sitting in a car for 10 HOURS!!. If you decide against doing the park, definately do Goofy's Kitchen for dinner to give them a sneak peak

 

[funatdisney]

When we get to GCH or DH at about 4pm or later, we always stay at the hotel and go swimming. My reasoning isn't so much as spending the extra money as it is we will be able to enjoy the hotel and feel like we are there. We don't have a pool and so we make out time for a swim. It is so relaxing to sit poolside and watch the kids have fun. In addition, the swim will tired them out they will get to bed sooner. It will be hot in Sept. so a swim will be nice. Either way you decide, you will the best time. Enjoy!

 

[twinspluscade]

This is my families first trip to DL and one of the things I am anticipating is watching my children's faces as they explore for the first time. We will be driving and hope to arrive Monday night around 4 or 5pm after a 12 hour drive(including food/potty breaks). Since Tuesday will be a MM would it be worth the $60 to add one more day to our parkhopper so we can go Monday night? We will be there in September and last year I understand the park closed at 8pm. Since we have three young children;7,5, and 2 would it be better to play at the hotel, get a good night's sleep and hit the park in the am fresh?

Too many decisions and waaaay to excited about our trip!

I just realized you guys will be arriving the day after we do!

We're also driving (from Iowa....26 hour drive total, but we'll take 2.5 days to drive it). I'm hoping to get to DLH late afternoon Sunday, and I did buy park-hoppers for that day as well. At first I was going to have it be a hotel-only day, but I knew we'd all be so excited being that close to the parks that I decided to add the day--especially since we're leaving Thursday afternoon already.

 

[twinspluscade]

Wow I thought I was brave for thinking of going after a 10hour drive and my kids are almost all teenagers. I doubt you would be able to get up without being too tired if you don't hang back the first night. Pace yourself or it won't be as enjoyable.

Don't forget though that when the OP is going--September--the park has super short hours during the week. Last year, Disneyland was only open from 10-8 on the weekdays....which would put MM at 9:00. So they could go to DL until 8 and still have the kids in bed by 9, and then all sleep in until 7:30 or 8:00 the next morning. At least that's what our family is planning on doing.

 

[Dobie]

I would go to the park that evening.

Between 5-8 on a weekend day, you can go on several rides. You can get the kids back to bed by 9:30 at the latest, and MM doesn't open until 9.

Once you are there, you will want to be THERE!

 

[Hound 109]

Those are valid points. I can't decide whether to go the first night (after 10 hour drive from grand canyon) or save my fifth day for day of departure (shuttle will pick us up for lax at 12:30). I have never been to DL but in WDW by the fifth day we are tired-maybe from all the park hopping. Are you less tired in DL due to the proximity of the parks. We are arriving on Sunday 4/20 and leaving friday.

Since I'm going to be there on Sunday 4/20 & want fewer crowds, i vote don't go on Sunday.

BOT - Have you priced the difference between a 5 day & 6 day?

(ALSO..AREN'T THE VERY WONDERFUL & UNIQUE to DL FIREWORKS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR YOU ON SUNDAY?? ...assuming good weather)

To me it isn't that you can or can't get everything done in 3,4, or 5 days......it's that THE best times to enjoy DLR is early AND late. The best way to NOT get burned out is to take an afternoon break...but enjoy DLR at rope drop (& for 2-4 hours afterwards until it gets crowded) & in the evening.

It's SO different from WDW. No buses so park hopping is a breeze. Also with no buses, you walk out your motel/hotel door & 6-8 minutes later you're on Main St. DL is normally very UNcrowded early & at DLR you can accumulate FPs in the morning & use them at night. & DLR doesn't grind you down like WDW...imo. (less humidity, less walking, less transporting, less of a big deal for meals)

BUT like WDW, the price difference between a 4 day & a 5 day (or a 5 day & a 6 day) is neglible. It's VERY much worth it to go the first night. BUT it's also "worth it" to go for a couple hours the final morning if only to do a final tour of FL or a final ride on Pirates, HM, SM & Buzz twice...& for final pics.

But whatever you decide, you'll be at Walt's Park.

 

[mystic_path]

Those are valid points. I can't decide whether to go the first night (after 10 hour drive from grand canyon) or save my fifth day for day of departure (shuttle will pick us up for lax at 12:30). I have never been to DL but in WDW by the fifth day we are tired-maybe from all the park hopping. Are you less tired in DL due to the proximity of the parks. We are arriving on Sunday 4/20 and leaving friday.

Unlike WDW, DL is very compact. The park hopping requires no shuttles. They are about 200 feet from each other. To get to different lands they are all joined together so you can easily walk everywhere.

Even DTD is like 200 feet to your right as you leave the Disneyland park. Its all close together but still a whole lot of walking. You dont get tired of park hopping, just get tired of walking. Besides the DCA park opens later then the main DL park, and closes earlier, so if your in a park at opening or closing it will be the main park and there you can take your time while walking around.

I would say on your first night there to just walk around DTD and perhaps go to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner for a character meal and or do some shopping. It still makes you really excited for your next day adventure in the parks.

 

[Terrif]

Wow. That's what I love about this board it gives you lots of ways to look at things. We have not priced an upgrade to 6 days (I am not sure we can if we paid got a 5 day for the price of a 3 day -2 days free.) But there are five of us (all considered adults by disney's standard) so it may add up. The only late night with ep and fireworks is Sunday so now I am leaning towards going that night-Sorry for those of you who don't want more crowds!! But if my kids were little I think I would vote for early to bed (they are 11, 13, 15). Thanks for all the help!!

 

[Mr.Bubbles]

I am going to jump in here quickly to ask about our trip which is quite similar except: We are arriving by plane from the east coast at 10:30 a.m., I am guessing getting to DLH around noon and will be there for only 2 full days at the parks. We are arriving on a Wed. in mid June. We are planning on upgrading our 2 day ticket to a 3 day ticket when we get there and heading to DL after a swim, say around 2 p.m. Is that a good idea?? DL closes at midnight that night, but there is no MM the next day since it is a GradNite (the MM is moved to the next Sun.)