Critique My Itinerary, Please

[bouncy54]

Following are the shows and entertainment that we want to take in during our vacation, with the days that I believe that they will be shown during the week we are going. (Nov. 10 -17) I think Wishes will be shown every night...at least it was last year.

We are also going to Knott's, Medievil Dinner Show and Universal. My husband is not going to like all the days at DL in a row (he likes to break things up in the middle of the week)...neither will the rest of the family, but we have never gone during a holiday and they're just not getting how really bad the crowds are going to be that first weekend. (Veteran's Day) I'm hoping the days of Park Hopping will mix things up enough for them.

We do have Ridemax, but we also have a 5yo going and I don't think he's going to be able to take a full 16 hours at the park with such big crowds... and I'd be afraid to leave for a break once we get in if we go over the holiday weekend. DH says it can't be any worse then when we've gone in August...I don't know...maybe he's right?

Anyway...this is what we want to experience:

Electric Light Parade
Saturday, Nov. 10th OR Sunday, Nov. 11th OR Friday, Nov. 16th.

Fantasmic - Saturday, Nov. 10th - after Electric Light Parade) OR Sunday, Nov. 11th, OR Monday Nov. 12th (if there is a show) OR Friday, Nov. 16th (this is our last day of vacation - we're flying home Saturday morning)

Christmas Parade
Friday, Nov. 16th

Aladdin Show @ DCA (I'm not sure of the schedule of this show)


Here is what I'm thinking of doing, but I'm sure I'll change my mind at least a 100 times before we leave.


Saturday - DCA - Aladdin & ELP - (will probably not get into the park until 3:00PM - DCA closes at 9:00 or 10:00 and we'll be dogged tired, so that's a good thing!)

Sunday - Universal with head of the line passes (I also like this idea because there will be no commute traffic)

Monday - Knott's & Medievil - (most of the locals have already gone over the weekend, so maybe the lines won't be long?)

Tuesday - Disneyland & DCA

Wednesday - DCA & DL

Thursday - EE @ Disneyland & DCA

Friday - Disneyland - Christmas Parade & Fantasmic

So...whatcha all think? Anyone want to suggest some tweaking?

 

[HydroGuy]

FWIW, see Nov. 2006 hours and entertainment here: www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200611.asp

Vets Day weekend can be worse than August and probably will be. Good idea to take it easy on DLR that weekend. After Vet's Day things should settle down.

Otherwise it looks fine to me. Using EE early in the week is usually preferred because everyone has more energy, but it depends on how early you get in on the previous evening.

Aladdin usually shows Wed-Sun, so you may want to save that for Wed-Fri and not try to hit it on Day 1.

I would be cautious of doing Fantasmic (or any outside show) on the last night because of the risk of bad weather and cancellation. But that only leaves you with the first Sat or Sun, which will be hard to fit. Your call.

 

[bouncy54]

FWIW, see Nov. 2006 hours and entertainment here: www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200611.asp

Vets Day weekend can be worse than August and probably will be. Good idea to take it easy on DLR that weekend. After Vet's Day things should settle down.

Otherwise it looks fine to me. Using EE early in the week is usually preferred because everyone has more energy, but it depends on how early you get in on the previous evening.

Aladdin usually shows Wed-Sun, so you may want to save that for Wed-Fri and not try to hit it on Day 1.

I would be cautious of doing Fantasmic (or any outside show) on the last night because of the risk of bad weather and cancellation. But that only leaves you with the first Sat or Sun, which will be hard to fit. Your call.

What do you think Monday will be like at DL? I know it's the official holiday, but with so many having to go back to work and school the next day, maybe it won't be so crowded? But then...if DL doesn't expect the crowds, then they'll probably close early.

Fantasmic is the one show that has me scratching my head. Most of us have already seen it a few times, but there are 2 in our group who haven't. In fact, these 2 have never been to DL at all and it would be a shame if they didn't get to see Fantasmic. That's why I've really been torn about what days to do what.

Maybe the better option is to brave the crowds and try to get into DL that first Saturday afternoon so we can do Fantasmic. But then we'd miss the ELP at DCA. Oh...bother! This is difficult!

Re: EE...I think we'll be ok using it later in the week since the park doesn't open until 10:00. We won't have to be at the gate until 8:15, so we'll get to sleep in until 6:30 or 7:00 that morning!

It's good to know that Aladdin runs Wed - Sun. That gives me more options...thank you for the link to last year's schedule.

I wish we could have gone at a better time, but with everyone's work schedule, it just wasn't possible.

 

[bouncy54]

I just noticed that the Electric Light Parade did not run last November! Was it out of commission or do they just not run it during the winter months?

If it isn't running, then that just opened up a whole new set of options. I've seen it a dozen times, so it isn't necessarily a must do, but I thought our 5yo grandson would really enjoy it.

Oh...I notice that I keep calling the fireworks show Wishes when it's actually called Believe. Call me embarrased!

 

[HydroGuy]

The Disney Electrical Parade is a wild card. It is not even seasonal at this point, and depends on budget, etc. The reason they brought it back this Spring (in March) was because Fantasmic was down Feb-June and they wanted to have another entertainment option. One of these days soon it will be gone altogether. But it does appear the DEP did not run at all last year during the holiday season.

So that solves one problem for you. It does sound like Fantasmic should be on Sat night, as that is the only show during that week that is "weekend only" aside from Block Party Bash which you have not mentioned as being a priority. From last year it looks like the Christmas Fantasy Parade will begin on your final Friday, so you may want to catch that. You can watch the fireworks during midweek so that one is easy, as is Aladdin.

Yes, with park hours so late you are right that using EE later in the week works fine.

 

[DangerMouse]

One of these days soon it will be gone altogether.

Blasphemy!!!

Bouncy, I agree with Trey, though. The EP won't be running during your visit.
It will go on hiatus after Labor Day and not return until around December 15, in time for peak Christmas season.

 

[Chocolate lover]

We were in DL last year from Nov 16-24 and wow, great weather and the crowds were there but they weren't an issue. I think mid November is the best time to go to DL. We did Medieval two years ago and loved it, last Nov we just did all of our time at the parks and wow. Have a great time!

 

[bouncy54]

We were in DL last year from Nov 16-24 and wow, great weather and the crowds were there but they weren't an issue. I think mid November is the best time to go to DL. We did Medieval two years ago and loved it, last Nov we just did all of our time at the parks and wow. Have a great time!

We went to DL from Nov. 4-12 in 2000. That was the first, and only, time we have been there during the holidays and we just loved it. What a great surprise when it snowed on Main Street after the fireworks!

WDW was good at Christmas, but we just didn't get the same cozy feeling that we did at DL...maybe we're DL snobs or something.

My daughter is the one who insisted we go to Medievil Dinner Show this time, and after browsing their website, I think it will be a lot of fun...especially for the guys in our group.