Can I cram everything into 2.5 days?

[zuzupetals]

Planning on reading the superthread but just wondering real quick how much I can cram into 2.5 days. We added a quick trip to DL onto the beginning of out trip to Aulani. DH hates commando touring but he'll have to put up with it since I doubt we will make it back to DL (too expensive for 3 people from the east coast). We will get into LAX on 7/27 at 10:15am and then head straight to GCV using a shuttle service. We are planning on heading straight to the park. We are staying from 7/27-7/29. We will have pretty much all day in the parks on 7/29 since we are heading to an airport hotel that night. I want to do everything. DS9 hates certain types of rides but can be bribed by pins for the rides to go on them.

 

[vettegirl]

I think 2.5 days is enough to pretty much see everything as unlike WDW you walk from park to park. It will be busy due to summer and I am sure Carsland is going to be packed, but I think it's doable.

 

[HydroGuy]

Planning on reading the superthread but just wondering real quick how much I can cram into 2.5 days. We added a quick trip to DL onto the beginning of out trip to Aulani. DH hates commando touring but he'll have to put up with it since I doubt we will make it back to DL (too expensive for 3 people from the east coast). We will get into LAX on 7/27 at 10:15am and then head straight to GCV using a shuttle service. We are planning on heading straight to the park. We are staying from 7/27-7/29. We will have pretty much all day in the parks on 7/29 since we are heading to an airport hotel that night. I want to do everything. DS9 hates certain types of rides but can be bribed by pins for the rides to go on them.

It really depends on what you mean by "everything". If you want to see World of Color, Fantasmic and summer fireworks, that will take up two evenings and maybe three. Aladdin show and SoundSational parade are others you would need to see. There will be the Mad T Party at DCA. And Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at DL. Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island at DL. Disney Animation at DCA. And of course the new Cars Land at DCA which will be really busy this summer and have three new rides.

I would say if you wanted to see most everything you could do it four days if you went commando. Otherwise five days. 2 1/2 days will let you ride most or all of the major rides, see most or all of the major shows and parades, and allow you to see some of the secondary rides and shows. But no way everything.

 

[zuzupetals]

I guess what I mean is I want to do all of the major rides. Also want to see WOC, Fantasmic and fireworks. Most likely a parade. The shows and music aren't usually something we seek out. We are staying at Grand Californian Villas. Can I see WOC from our balcony?

 

[elaw]

Yes ... If you take advange of the extra magic morning(s) .... we did all of the fantasyland rides, SM, ST and buzz lightyear in that one hour last month. DCA doesnt really have extra magic mornings but it can easily be done in one day (right now anyway)

 

[zuzupetals]

Do they have MM everyday?

 

[elaw]

...We are staying at Grand Californian Villas. Can I see WOC from our balcony?

That depends entirely on the room you get

 

[elaw]

Do they have MM everyday?

No ... not every day

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

Yes, I think you can do it, maybe not all of the shows, but with FP and getting there early, you will have plenty of time! Make a plan and try to stick to it!

 

[zuzupetals]

We will be there Sat and Sun mornings. I'm guessing there is no MM since it is a weekend. If we can see WOC from our balcony would you recommend that or actually seeing it in the park? Thanks so much for all of the help.

 

[elaw]

We will be there Sat and Sun mornings. I'm guessing there is no MM since it is a weekend. If we can see WOC from our balcony would you recommend that or actually seeing it in the park? Thanks so much for all of the help.

I believe they have it on Sunday mornings .... here's some more detailed info http://allears.net/dlr/tp/early.htm

 

[skiingfast]

Do they have MM everyday?

Saturday and Sunday on your visit.

DCA doesnt really have extra magic mornings but it can easily be done in one day (right now anyway)

It quite possibly may change for this Summer, we do have to wait and see on this.

We are staying at Grand Californian Villas. Can I see WOC from our balcony?

Take the time to watch from inside DCA, it is much better and how it was designed to be viewed.


I'd focus on what WDW doesn't have first, and what is different second.

 

[ArchOwl]

We will be there Sat and Sun mornings. I'm guessing there is no MM since it is a weekend. If we can see WOC from our balcony would you recommend that or actually seeing it in the park? Thanks so much for all of the help.

There are normally Magic Mornings on both Saturdays and Sundays, so you will get both. Definitely take advantage and use this time to hit slow loaders in Fantasyland. You can fit a lot into 2 and 1/2 days, but you won't see everything. Definitely prioritize and have a plan and you should be able to see the headliners.

World of Color from the balcony will be pretty to look at, but you won't be able to see most of the projections. It is meant to be viewed from Paradise Park, so I would really make an attempt to see it from that area. Read the World of Color Superthread for more information: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

So one night I would do WOC and the other I would try to see Fantasmic and fireworks. If you are up for staying late, I would suggest seeing the fireworks and then the later Fantasmic.

Have fun!

 

[zuzupetals]

Generally what are the park hours during the summer? Can't stand that I can't find the hours 6 months in advance. When is Cars Land expected to be opened? Hopefully by the end of July.

 

[ArchOwl]

Generally what are the park hours during the summer? Can't stand that I can't find the hours 6 months in advance. When is Cars Land expected to be opened? Hopefully by the end of July.

Disneyland is a lot more laid back than WDW, so enjoy it! You won't have to make ADRs 6 months in advance or anything crazy like that.

I would expect your park hours to be 8am-midnight for DL. It will be harder to guess the DCA hours because when Carsland opens they will probably expand their hours as well. Normally they would be open 10am-10pm, but we expect longer hours this summer.

There is no official opening date for Carsland yet. However rumors have it opening sometime in early June. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[zuzupetals]

Thanks so much Arch! With those hours we should be able to see alot of stuff. We can always rest when we get to Hawaii.

 

[helenb]

It's pricey, but if you want to see both Fantasmic and the fireworks, book the Fantasmic dessert package for the early show. After Fantasmic, they'll let you stay in your reserved seats to watch the fireworks over the castle. 2 for 1!

 

[zuzupetals]

It's pricey, but if you want to see both Fantasmic and the fireworks, book the Fantasmic dessert package for the early show. After Fantasmic, they'll let you stay in your reserved seats to watch the fireworks over the castle. 2 for 1!

Fantasmic! and the fireworks are in the same park? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I can just walk back and forth between the 2 parks. Does that scenario work if it is summer? I'm going to have to hold off on suggesting this to DH because he tells me every day to stop spending money.

 

[skiingfast]

Fantasmic! and the fireworks are in the same park? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I can just walk back and forth between the 2 parks. Does that scenario work if it is summer? I'm going to have to hold off on suggesting this to DH because he tells me every day to stop spending money.

Yes. Fireworks over the Castle, Fantasmic on Rivers of America. Though while many people suggest watching F! first, I don't because the view is good to ok from there. It's much better to view the fireworks from the hub area.

DL and DCA are built facing each other so it just take a minute to walk out one gate and into the other.

 

[HydroGuy]

Fantasmic! and the fireworks are in the same park? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I can just walk back and forth between the 2 parks. Does that scenario work if it is summer? I'm going to have to hold off on suggesting this to DH because he tells me every day to stop spending money.

Do yourself a favor and read this thread...

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599