Considering going to DL on the day we arrive after driving down from SF area...

[katyblue04]

...And, is it worth it to arrive at World Of Color late?

We (me, DW, DD2, and my mom) leave in 3 weeks, and had planned to drive down on Sunday and take our time then check into Paradise Pier and explore the hotel and Downtown Disney. DD isn't an easy car rider, and she's in the midst of learning to use the potty so who knows how many stops we'll need to make! We have 3 day PH tickets, and will spend Monday and Tuesday all day in the parks, then head back home Wednesday late afternoon. At first I thought we'd spend our last day in the parks doing whatever we enjoyed the most for those few hours, then hit the road.

But I just realized that WOC is only on Sunday night, and It's A Small World will be closed starting on Monday. So now I'm wondering if it's better to drive down, check in, and hit the parks. If it wasn't for DD I'd totally do it this way, but I'm wondering if it's a good idea since she'll be bouncing off the walls from sitting in the car for over 6 hours. Also, I'm worried it will be dark as we arrive, and she'll be up late and won't be happy to wake up early in the morning. Wait, I just checked and they open at 10 am. She'll be fine! lol. Is it silly that I want her first time to be during the day time and not evening though? I feel like it's less special, does that make sense?

Do you think it will be possible to get an okay spot to see WOC that evening, if we arrive at, let's be on the safe side and say, 5 pm? I think we'd go to Disneyland, ride IASW, and then pop over to CA.

That would leave us with exploring Downtown Disney on Wednesday, taking it easy before we head home. I'm considering doing a character breakfast that morning, maybe PCH Grill before we check out. Hopefully DD will be warmed up to the characters by then?!?!

Thanks for any input!

 

[kimkatmom]

We drove to Disneyland on December 14th with my grandson, 2,[his 4th time] and my granddaughter 6 weeks [her first time]. We left Napa t 7:08 a.m., stopped in American Canyon for gas and Starbucks, so we really didn't get on the road until about 8.
Of course, we stopped several times on the way and arrived at the Disneyland Hotel at 4:00. We were in the park having dinner at 5.

I don't think you will have any trouble getting out of the city as it's a Sunday, but you will still have the traffic when you hit the LA basin, no matter what time you get there.

Having been in the crowd at WOC with a two year old, my suggestion is skip it. Disney needs to do some serious tweaking with crowd management there. You must get there early and then you need to keep your little one entertained and contained. No one sits down [especially in the winter]. It's miserable. The show is amazing if you can contain your little one and manage to see over the guy in front of you. Wait until she's a little older and Disney get's it together with this one.

Personally, I would head over to Small World and ride it over and over, 'cause that's what she's going to want to do. You really have to be relaxed with little people at the parks. You probably won't ride as many rides as you would like, but the experience you will have with her will be priceless. Take your time -- see the parks through her eyes. It's amazing what a two year old can teach you.

You are gonna love it!

 

[skiingfast]

I think if you get down to DLR and either check for Show Pass to the second WoC with your 5pm arrival or get the WoC picnics you will be fine.

Since you will not get many hours that day and using a good part for just WoC and IASW, I would suggest seeing the later show as it requires less time.

If you are unfamiliar with WoC please read the first post of the WoC Superthread and then ask question at the end of it, were more current viewer experience is posted.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We have done it many times. We live in the East Bay (lived in S.F. for many years) and drive down then go into the parks.

We try to leave around 5:45 in the morning, and that way we are at Disneyland by about 1 or 2:00. We like to stop by Tejon Pass, because all of the restaurants are new and bathrooms clean.

I think your plan sounds great--but I would imagine you would get into Disneyland even earlier than you are picturing. It will probably still be light. The Paradise Pier has very fast check in, too! I love that about that hotel. We have had very long check in waits at GC and DH, but not the PP.

Have fun and be sure to update us when you are back!

 

[Master Mason]

Our standard trip involves leaving at 2 to 3 am, driving down and being in the parks for rope drop. We then go check in early and take a nap. I've found I have a lot more energy that way because you are pumped up for the start of the trip, by the last day everyone is tired dorm the walking etc.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Is it silly that I want her first time to be during the day time and not evening though? I feel like it's less special, does that make sense?

Thanks for any input!

It makes sense, but I completely disagree with you. I think Disneyland becomes THAT MUCH MORE special when all the twinkle lights come on and nighttime settles in. So magical!

- Dreams

 

[ter-moo]

I'd leave as early as possible to GET there and spend that afternoon/evening in the parks. If you leave mid-day/early afternoon on Wednesday, you will hit traffic getting out of L.A. Better to have a nicer drive home when you're tired and all.

As far as it possibly being dark when you get there, your DD won't mind. She's only 2 and it will be a magic experience for her no matter what you do!

Remember to go to WOC, you have to have the special Fastpasses, so you'd need to reserve the picnic dinners or hope to get the FP's as soon as you arrive. You can't just "go" to WOC. It is a bit of a hassle with the waiting and all. Not sure I'd risk it with a 2-year-old. Do you have view rooms at PP? If so, you can see the show from your room. Not quite the same--but cool, nonetheless. You could spend a little time in DL, ride IASW and then go back to your room to watch the late WOC. You don't see any of the movie projections, but the angle of the water effects is really beautiful from the hotel.

Have fun!!!

 

[smiles33]

We are also from the Bay Area and got in by 3 pm and had a good 4 hours of fun before heading back to the hotel to crash. My 2.5 year old passed out in her stroller before the 9 pm WOC show so be prepared for that, too. If you can get a view from PPH that is probably ideal, as I've read that you can tune in to a channel to hear the music and watch from your room!

Have fun!

 

[katyblue04]

Hmm, I'm wondering then if it's worth it to see WOC. I know us adults would love it, but all the waiting around will definitely be tough for the little one. We don't have a view room, maybe we'll get lucky with an upgrade!?

Hopefully we make great time with the drive and can ride IASW 10 times in a row. Yay? Lol.

These were all great responses, thanks again!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Leave early! We like to be on the road around 6-7am. We pack the car the night before and toss the kids in with some breakfast in the morning. I'd suggest putting your daughter in pull ups for the drive and bringing a potty chair inthe car. There isn't always a quick place to stop for a potty break with clean bathrooms. Also pull ups come in handy in ride lines when you can't get out to a bathroom in time. We did this with our youngst DD right after she was PT and though she never had an accident, it was peace of mind knowing if she did it wouldn't be a major clean up.