Can you look at my plan?

[BijouBabe]

Just found out there is a shuttle to Citadel for $14.00 each return think we will use this.

I did this when we went and it was great! Just make sure to ask for you VIP shopping card. The driver "forgot" to hand them out but we had followed her to the office and we asked there and got it.

 

[Aussie Princess]

That is an amazing value!!! One thing that is actually cheaper in Australia.

I used this last year for our trip and we only used 9 days of it but it was totally worth it provided freedom of when to go as the park hours were only til 8 on weekdays

Also the CM on the gate always commented and asked what number day it was

Have got them again for our trip this year and only at DL for 9 days incl thanksgiving and Black Friday so the only day we won't use it will be out shopping at Black Friday

 

[Aussie Princess]

I'm glad you aren't going to the parks on that first day. It is suchhhhhhhhhhh a long trip and if you go that first day you end up being so tired that you feel drunk. Be prepared to have a nap that day. Character warehouse was a waste of time, honestly, we hired a car to go there and it was rubbish so you aren't missing out on much. I did hear that there was a disney factory outlet at the citadel. We liked the citadel, bought heaps of stuff. Better off going there than the old warehouse anyway. 11/24 Mon - Westfield Main Plaza, DL/CA in Evening This day. If you get to this day and you don't feel like shopping you aren't missing out on much either. It wasn't nearly as nice as the westfield shopping centre 15 minutes from my home. Everything here, you will see at the discount centres anyway and they are pretty nice. You could always go visit a beach instead.

Citadels disney store is quite large and worth it also has park merchandise there too

We like Westfield main place for macys JC Penney and of course disney store there as well

We will be there 11/20 a 11/29 shopping on Black Friday braving citadel and macys

 

[Aussie Princess]

We were planning on having a early dinner at DTD and going to bed early on our first night. The shuttle companies we are looking into for our day in LA were recommended by some other helpful disers. They are Sav-on Shuttles and DK Livery. I have not got prices yet. As to our transport to and from LAX I am still trying to work out the best way to do this as we will have a lot of luggage especially going back to the airport (12 large suitcases and 6 carry ons. Not sure if the shuttle vans can fit all this luggage so may have to look at the Disneyland Express bus even though we would prefer a shuttle. Any suggestions on this would be great. Will definately look at going to Citadel outlets, maybe Greyline tour.

DK livery was good on our way home we had 9 suitcases and 5 carry ons they fitted it no drama

We paid 185 for them well worth it

Citadel has a shuttle from Anaheim resorts look it up on their website citadeloutlets.com

 

[waydownunder]

Thanks for all the great advise, I'm sure I will have more questions as the year progresses. At least the biggest hurdle is over paying for the trip

 

[sherilaine]

Congratulations on such an exciting trip.

We have Deluxe APs and were just in the parks for 9 days - but varying from 2 hours one day to almost a full day one day. We loved the fact you could go for a bit here and there and not have to do rope drop till close to get everything in.

This was our 3rd trip though so we sort of knew what we wanted to do and how to spend our time.

My suggestion is to take the 1st few days slow - rest up, relax and get into vacation mode then do a full day, then not so full day and keep that pace as then you get a lot done without wearing yourself out.

Tips:

With not staying on site I'd start any park day at the opposite park with EMH - so you can actually touch the rope if you wish.

Find out which FPs are not connected and maximize having as many as you can at any one time.

If park hours are slow when there then make sure you book in time for Fantasmic, Fireworks etc on the weekends. Do this on an evening prior to a day you can relax and sleep in.

As others have said, shopping is best done when the parks are full so early such as mid afternoon, evening.

Make a list - have everyone and I mean EVERYONE look up all the attractions on their website and do up a top 5 - then try to tick as many of those puppies off as early as you can so no one is leaving after 10 days and wondering why on earth you have not done all you wanted to do.

Buy the Photopass Plus - for that many days you will get great photos and make sure you take time to get the magic shots during the day.

Not renting a car is not a bad idea considering the rode sides etc. I lived in a large city for many years and driving in LA can be challenging.

Whatever you do or don't do - make sure to find time to just sit, just relax and take it all in - you have so much time with a 10 day pass. I found the best feeling I had during our last trip was getting a bunch done and then just relaxing and watching everyone else panic to get so much done while knowing you can just enjoy the park.

Take a tour!

Plan, plan and then plan some more - google maps, this site, other sites that offer advice - there can not be too much information - but seems you are off to a good start!!

Have fun!

 

[jacs1234]

Totally agree about getting a photopass plus. So worth it. You buy it online and you probably need to buy it about 6 - 8 weeks before your trip. Sometimes they deliver fast, but sometimes not so fast.

I wish I was going with you.

 

[kitayama]

only at DL for 9 days incl thanksgiving and Black Friday so the only day we won't use it will be out shopping at Black Friday

Just finished cowering in the corner... Rocking as I rubbed an earlobe with one hand and sucked the thumb of my other hand while singing "It's a Small World" in my head.
Have fun with Black Friday, I haven't had good experiences...
I would suggest taking a taser, but you are going to be in Orange County so all should be fine.
Stay away from Walmart! People there are crazy and the quality of merchandise is questionable! Oh no, the flashbacks are starting again!!! (Halfway kidding, have fun!)

 

[Aussie Princess]

Just finished cowering in the corner... Rocking as I rubbed an earlobe with one hand and sucked the thumb of my other hand while singing "It's a Small World" in my head. Have fun with Black Friday, I haven't had good experiences... I would suggest taking a taser, but you are going to be in Orange County so all should be fine. Stay away from Walmart! People there are crazy and the quality of merchandise is questionable! Oh no, the flashbacks are starting again!!! (Halfway kidding, have fun!)

We are seasoned sales shoppers here in Australia but we have nothing to the level of Black Friday but that's what the stroller is for to use as a battering ram and I am also one not to take a backward step on anything or anyone

 

[waydownunder]

I have got Photopass + as I thought it was well worth the $69.95 as we are planning 3 character meals. Also love that we can add our ride photos. Plan to make the most of this so I can get lots of photos of the whole family

 

[VicMom]

The only thing that I would wonder about if it was me, was after the day in Knott's, is going out elsewhere afterwards. If you hadn't planned it, I would stay and have dinner there (the chicken dinner is so good) and make sure to get some of the boysenberry jam to bring home with you. I always find that after a full day in a park that I don't want to go out and walk more for shopping.

 

[waydownunder]

Going to Anaheim Garden Walk mostly for Bubba Gumps and then we may go for a wander round afterwards if we are feeling up to it.

 

[Sherry E]

waydownunder --

I'm glad to see you were/are looking into Sav-On Shuttle (I'm the one who recommended them to you a while back!)! I just used their service again last month (that was the 6th time) and, as always, they were punctual, friendly and professional. I'll be using them again at least two more times before this year is over. John, the owner, says they do a lot of business taking people to and from Disneyland all the time, so it has become a regular thing for them.