Best time of day for newbies

[Hound 109]

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.)

Where are you staying?

If it was me, I'd run over to DL at noon to:

- ride a couple of rides
- pick up 2-3 FPs for the evening.
- get a lay of the land.

Then head back to the Hotel at 3-3:30pm for your dip in the pool. Then enjoy the parks at night.

 

[DLR29]

Where are you staying?

If it was me, I'd run over to DL at noon to:

- ride a couple of rides
- pick up 2-3 FPs for the evening.
- get a lay of the land.

Then head back to the Hotel at 3-3:30pm for your dip in the pool. Then enjoy the parks at night.

They're staying at the DLH.

I agree with Hound (as usual). Definitely hit up the parks that day because by the time you arrive at the parks you'll still have at least 10-12 hours (if you can last that long, which you probably won't want to) which is a very good amount of time.

 

[Sonya in Boise]

OP: My first trip to DL with my kids were when they were almost 2 years old and 3 1/2 years old. We drove 9 hrs at night from Boise to Las Vegas then took naps at my sisters house and headed the last 3 hrs to Disneyland arriving around 5pm. We headed to the park to get in a few rides and I really wish we wouldn't have. The kids were a bit cranky from the drive, a bit hungry and wanting real food, and really not as spunky as they were the next morning. After reading the suggestions others have posted, that would have been a great time to go to a good dinner (Disney themed of course) and spend some time stretching our legs walking DTD or swiming in the pool. The next morning the girls (and mom and Dad) were well rested and the magic of Disney was upon us.

Nothing beats that first ride on Dumbo or the first time the kids meet a princess. Disney is such a magical place any decision will be great.

 

[AndyLL]

If it was me I"d do Goofys kitchen and save the money. BUT... my kid and I have been to Disneyland before.

Goofys kitchen is great... but for 1st timers... it isn't disneyland.

If you can get 3-4 hours and can afford it I'd go... even if it is just walking around and riding minimal rides.

You only get one "1st time in Disneyland"

 

[Mr.Bubbles]

Thanks for all of the tips! I had not thought of going straight to the park and then back to the hotel for a swim before returning to the parks in the evening. Just trying to see if I could drag the kids out of DL after a few hours OR convince them that we will swim later after they see the pool!

Flying in from the east coast before we have found that our bodies are 3 hours ahead of the local time and so at 9 p.m. it will feel like midnight. We also will be waking around 4 a.m. that morning to catch the flight to LAX. However, the upside is that we are 3 hours ahead the next morning and find ourselves up at 4 a.m. with nothing to do. Add a visit to DL for the first time in the a.m. and I have a feeling we may be the first ones at the gate!

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks for all of the tips! I had not thought of going straight to the park and then back to the hotel for a swim

Mr. Bubbles, the reason i mention it is because you'll only be there 2 1/2 days. Might as well not stand in lines on arrival day. Grabbing a couple of FPs for later (possibly Indy, & Splash or SM) & riding a couple of rides mid day (maybe JungleCruise, Pirates & HM) that don't have long waits....would be a good way to start. & you'll have the 2 FPs for later when you need them.

before returning to the parks in the evening. Just trying to see if I could drag the kids out of DL after a few hours OR convince them that we will swim later after they see the pool!

Flying in from the east coast before we have found that our bodies are 3 hours ahead of the local time and so at 9 p.m. it will feel like midnight. We also will be waking around 4 a.m. that morning to catch the flight to LAX. However, the upside is that we are 3 hours ahead the next morning and find ourselves up at 4 a.m. with nothing to do. Add a visit to DL for the first time in the a.m. and I have a feeling we may be the first ones at the gate!

If you have MM for Thursday, you should use it...since you'll be up anyway. (will it be at 7am or 8am?) You'll get so much done the first morning & i recommend the FantasyLand (over Nemo) itinerary during MM with only 2 FULL days.

 

[Mr.Bubbles]

If you have MM for Thursday, you should use it...since you'll be up anyway. (will it be at 7am or 8am?) You'll get so much done the first morning & i recommend the FantasyLand (over Nemo) itinerary during MM with only 2 FULL days.

I believe that we will not be able to experience MM at all during our Wed.-Sat. stay since Grad Nite is on Thursday and I heard that the MM is cancelled on the morning of a day that has a GradNite. Can't figure out that one. I could see the next morning being cancelled. So, looks like we will have a regular park opening which I think is 8 a.m. We also plan to by-pass the Nemo ride since I heard that it could take up to an hour to do that one ride unless you are at the very front of the line.

 

[Terrif]

I hadn't even thought about the time change! It will be so much easier to get my teenagers up in the morning. Is it a 3 hour time change from Boston to LA?
How many days does it usually take to adjust? We will be at grandcanyon for 3 days first so we may already be adjusted by then. Two more weeks to go

 

[Mr.Bubbles]

I hadn't even thought about the time change! It will be so much easier to get my teenagers up in the morning. Is it a 3 hour time change from Boston to LA?
How many days does it usually take to adjust? We will be at grandcanyon for 3 days first so we may already be adjusted by then. Two more weeks to go

It is a 3 hour difference from East to West coast. When we do a straight shot from the east coast to California it takes about 3-4 days for our bodies to adjust to the time change. Afterall, it takes us almost a week just to get used to Daylight Savings! When headed to the West coast we are tired in the early evening and wired by 4 or 5 a.m. If you stop on the way over for 3 days then you will start to get adjusted. Will you have to go back one more hour from the Grand Canyon to CA?

 

[Hound 109]

I believe that we will not be able to experience MM at all during our Wed.-Sat. stay since Grad Nite is on Thursday and I heard that the MM is cancelled on the morning of a day that has a GradNite. Can't figure out that one. I could see the next morning being cancelled. So, looks like we will have a regular park opening which I think is 8 a.m. We also plan to by-pass the Nemo ride since I heard that it could take up to an hour to do that one ride unless you are at the very front of the line.

That's a drag that they won't have Thu. MM for you. (Won't they have it on Sat?)

& I agree with you on Nemo. (my post up above doesn't make sense). IMO, i wouldn't waste MM (or the first 2 hours of a non MM) morning on Nemo.

During the 45 min. - 90 min in the AM (that you would spend for Nemo) you can ride 5-8 rides (preferably FL) & have 2 FPs collected. If i do Nemo again (which won't be unless i stay for 3+ days), I'll try to do it during a parade/fireworks or at park closing.

 

[Mr.Bubbles]

That's a drag that they won't have Thu. MM for you. (Won't they have it on Sat?)

I understand that they move it to Sunday.

Do you think that Nemo is a possibility during a parade or fireworks?? What kind of wait are you talking about?

 

[Hound 109]

I understand that they move it to Sunday.

Do you think that Nemo is a possibility during a parade or fireworks?? What kind of wait are you talking about?

MM is Sunday/Tue/Thur & SAT. (unless of course grad night mucks it up).

(They dropped monday in favor of sunday).

A 7am MM on Sat. would be gold on a last day. (you can sleep on the plane )

Maybe do Nemo on that "grad night"? (Get in line 5 min. before closing.) If that doesn't work, I'd do it during one of the fireworks.