Critique my July 1-4 Itinerary (LONG)

[makunc1]

Hi everyone ... wanted some advice on my July trip (yes, I know the park will be crazed, but with RIDEMAX's help, I think we will be OK).

Background - I am taking my fiancee to Disneyland as a surprise trip to celebrate our two year dating anniversary, which is July 3. She knows we are going away, but does not know where, and I only plan on showing her the itinerary on the morning we board the plane from Newark to John Wayne.

I have already paid for everything, and the only expenses on this trip will be food, parking and souveniers. I have booked the Embassy Suites, Garden Grove after hearing wonderful reviews about it on this and other sites. I have, in hand, our 3-day parkhopper passes and front of the line passes to Universal. Also, I have a lunch PS made for Blue Bayou and, for our anniversary dinner, reservations at the Chart House in Newport Beach for July 3 evening (I took her to the CHart House in NJ last July 3, so I thought it would be a nice symmetric idea).

On July 1, we should get in at around noon CA time, and check into the hotel at hopefully 1:30ish. I plan on getting to the main gate at 2:30 or earlier via ART (I have gone back and forth over this vs. taking the rental car, but have settled on ART -- feel free to change my mind, if you think the car would be better). We have a 3:20 PS for Blue Bayou, and I plan on just going straight there upon entering the park to try and get waterfront seating. After that, using RIDEMAX, I plan on doing all of the relevant Frontierland, New Orleans, and Tomorrowland rides, departing the park at around closing (midnight).

Only July 2, I currently have us entering DCA at opening (arriving beforehand) and riding all of the rides before 5:30 via RIDEMAX before seeing Aladdin at 6:05 and then eating dinner at Downtown Disney. Then, we plan on relaxing and going over to Disney for the fireworks and the late Fantasmic (for some reason, I am more crazed about the rides than getting great seats for this).

On July 3, we are spending the day at Universal (my fiancee's favorite) with FOTL passes. Then, we will go back and relax at the pool before leaving for Newport Beach for 8:00 dinner reservations.

On July 4, a Monday (will disney still do EE on a holiday??), I plan on going into Disney and riding the Fantasyland rides at 7:00 a.m. and then going straight to Spalsh mountain and seeing anything else we will have missed on the first day. We have to leave at about 1:00 p.m. for our 3:30 flight back home.

My only real question is, am I better off dong EE on Saturday July 2 before crossing into DCA, or do you think that will be too much for one day?

PLEASE critique my itinerary -- this will be my first trip to Disneyland, and I need to make it memorable. Thanks. All of the posters here have made a newbie feel very welcome, and all of your posts are very appreciated.

 

[RonnieJo66]

First, let me say that whatever you do , she'll love it

It sounds as though you've put alot of thought into making it memorable.

The only thing I would suggest is that if something does not go as planned, don't let it throw you off and ruin your valuable time together. Sharing special moments together is what life is all about.

Have a wonderful time

Hugs,

RonnieJo

 

[JonetteA]

I went to DL on July 4th 2 years ago. The morning was fine, but the afternoon into evening became a nightmare. Be prepared! The crowds in the evening were so intense that people were body to body and people were pushing. It was quite honestly the worst experience of my life. There was no room to move, and we were going to go from seeing the parade to see Fantasmic where we had special dessert reception tickets. It took us over an hour to get that little bit. All I can say is be prepared for this headache. If you don't feel like you have to be there the afternoon/ evening of July 4th then don't. The Disney fanatic that I am, I never wanted to go back EVER!!! That being said, we are going back for the 50th, but I will never do July 4th again.

 

[geffric]

Just wanted to say hi we will be there in that weekend too..


This is only the 2nd time to DL/DCA so can't help you at all.. but it will be fun.

 

[CalGal]

makunc1:

Your fiancee is very lucky! I look my then fiancee to DL for his birthday on the 4th of July many many years ago and it was great.

A couple of suggestions:
Be sure that ART is operating at the time you want to go to DL. I understand they shut down for an hour during the early afternoon.

I would imagine that EE is operating on Monday July 4th, but you should be able to confirm that when you arrive so you would know before July 2nd. Monday may be a good time for EE since many people will be planning on closing down the park on the 4th. Both the 2nd and 4th are likely to be very crowded. I would recommend that you go to DL and be there before opening (8AM) on the 2nd. You will be able to ride lots of rides in the two hours before DCA officially opens. Hop on over to DCA at 10ish, grab a FP for Soaring, and follow your RideMax plan then. You may find that you've had enough of DCA by early/mid afternoon and may be able to take a break before returning for your Alladin show; or do Alladin earlier, and then take a break. The parks are hot and crowded in the afternoon.

Don't expect to ride too many rides your first day; the lines will be long until shortly before closing. Make sure to use FastPass as much as you can.

HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[amyup]

I agree with the previous poster. On your second day head over to DL at 8:00 or opening and do that first. Then at 10 go to DCA. DL is so much more enjoyable in the early hours without the crowds.

 

[Vanvmom]

We've done DL July 5-7th and had no crowds at all. I'm with the earlier post regarding trying to do EE on the 4th. Rental car might be better choice in regards to the other excursions you have planned, JMO though.

You'll have a blast any way you do it! BTW, mention how special your event is at Blue Bayou and they will get you waterside seating. A friend of mine proposed to his girlfriend (now wife) in front of the castle, then they went over to Blue Bayou (with no reservations). They told the CM at the door that they had just gotten engaged and wanted to see if there was any table available for them to dine at. CM had them seated within minutes at the water's edge (very romantic). Also, I recommend the Monte Cristo (very good, but large enough to share).

 

[newfamilyman]

If you want a really wonderful romantic dinner, skip Downtown Disney on your DCA day and eat at the Vineyard Room, by far the best of any of the park restaurants.