Christmas week at DL

[chwtom]

Hoping i could get some quick advice. Planning a trip where we’d hit DL and CA for a day or two between Dec 28 and 31. Mostly we want to see Galaxys edge and spend time at California adventure.

We weren’t planning to book at a Disney hotel, as we can rent a house for way cheaper and get more. But i don’t understand the DL system well enough to know if there’s a huge advantage to staying on property.

We’ve been to both parks before, so if we miss a ride it’s not a huge deal, but my son and I really want to ride the two new Star Wars rides.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I see no reason you can’t do the rides in SWGE and the big ones in CA Adventure without staying on-site even during the absolute insanity from Xmas-NYE. I would go to SWGE first thing and get MP. While enjoying the morning/afternoon at SWGE you can be lining up FP for late afternoon/night at DCA.

Now, if Rise Of The Resistance is demanding lines of 3-6 hours this plan won’t work out so well and you’ll need that second day to do DCA. If mass crowds show up to do SWGE and you aren’t in the first rope-drop group into the land you’ll have to snag a boarding pass which could result in a late morning entry to the land so be ready for that eventuality.

The main benefit to staying on-site is convenience to walk back to your room and Extra Magic Hours (of which SWGE isn’t participating in currently).

 

[chwtom]

I see no reason you can’t do the rides in SWGE and the big ones in CA Adventure without staying on-site even during the absolute insanity from Xmas-NYE. I would go to SWGE first thing and get MP. While enjoying the morning/afternoon at SWGE you can be lining up FP for late afternoon/night at DCA.

Now, if Rise Of The Resistance is demanding lines of 3-6 hours this plan won’t work out so well and you’ll need that second day to do DCA. If mass crowds show up to do SWGE and you aren’t in the first rope-drop group into the land you’ll have to snag a boarding pass which could result in a late morning entry to the land so be ready for that eventuality.

The main benefit to staying on-site is convenience to walk back to your room and Extra Magic Hours (of which SWGE isn’t participating in currently).

Thanks so much!—so there are no fast pass advantages like they have in Orlando for staying on site? That is the only reason I’d consider it.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks so much!—so there are no fast pass advantages like they have in Orlando for staying on site? That is the only reason I’d consider it.

Nope. We basically have the old FP system where anyone can pull FP day of after entering the park using FP machines. Disneyland added MaxPass to that a couple years ago and now for $15/day/person you can book FP on your smartphone day of after entering either of the parks for both parks. It’s sooo much nicer than WDW system!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The main advantages to staying on site are EMH/EE -- one hour early entry to each park on alternating days (DL: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday/DCA: all other days) and proximity. But some of the off site hotels are even closer to the gates than the on site hotels, and most 3+ day tickets come with one MM (one hour early entry to FL and TL in DL on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). The main advantage you want, whether on site or off, is proximity, i.e. walking distance! These two threads from the stickies at the top of the first page have lots of good information for you:
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/
Be aware that Christmas Week is one of the busiest times of the year at DLR -- expect DL to hit capacity at least 2 days that week. If you can do 2 days in the parks, that would give you more time to manage the crowds and to see what you want to see. With good planning and organization, good FP/MP skills, and a positive attitude, you should have a very fun time, even with the expected crowds.