Disney days - thoughts on my plan

[Kiwigirls]

Hi all, We are off to Disneyland at the end of the month, and I need some help checking that my plan for what to do, on what day, is reasonable! It's a pretty loose plan - mostly just what park/activity on what day. We have time so we should be able to get to all the rides over the trip. It is me and my early-teens daughter.

Arrive on Thurs 28th Apr - early in the morning but after a long flight. Staying at DLH so will head there first to 'check-in' knowing that we likely won't be able to get into our rooms yet.
Plan is to spend a little bit of time in Disneyland that morning - just because we are so close and I will have too! Then pool time in the afternoon, maybe Goofy's Kitchen for dinner.

Fri 29th - Take advantage of EMH at DCA, hit up RSR, TSMM and whatever else we feel like. Also want to try out the Food & Wine Festival on it's last weekend. Hoping to go to a private event at DLH that night.

Sat 30th - Take advantage of EMH at DLH (7am) - heading for Fantasyland rides first, and then possibly Tomorrowland. Dapper Day expo is on, so later in the day, will head back to the hotel to check that out. Will probably try and see PTN and Fireworks tonight.

Sun 1st May - Dapper Day! Dressing up, and hanging out in Disneyland to mingle with all the stylish people! May also head to DCA for some photos on Buena Vista.

Mon 2nd May- Parks, not sure which one, maybe do EMH at DCA again. I want to do the early morning power walk through DCA, but not sure if it is on everyday or just some. If it's available might do it this morning. We are also interested in the Build-a-bear 'hour' for Disney hotel guests one morning as well, again, not sure what days or how that will fit in. Maybe try for WOC tonight.

Tues 3rd May - Check out of DLH and move to Tropicana Looking at hiring a car for today and tomorrow. Thinking of heading to Warner Bros movie tour today. Would also like to check out Hollywood/Highland area - Madame Tussads, Walk of Fame, El Capitan, etc. And possibly go to The Grove and Farmers Market, and maybe visit a beach quickly too! Worried that this might all be too much for one day - but also want to see a lot too! If we weren't wanting to spend a lot of time at the shops, and were looking at the beach as an early evening thing, would this be doable? We also want to go to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner - as we're hoping to see some Big Bang Theory stuff (and Gilmore Girls!) at Warner Bros so it ties in.

Wed 4th May - Second day with car - looking to head to Universal Studios, early in the morning. Main focus will be Harry Potter, although Minions and Simpsons stuff will be fun to see too. Any hints or tips for getting there early, or what to do once there? I know it will be really busy having only been open for just under a month so keen for any tips!

Thurs 5th May - back to Disney days. Tinkerbell Expo opens today so will most likely check that out. Not sure which park

Fri 6th - Neverland 5k run in the morning. Try to get on Jungle Cruise today as it should be reopened (if it is on time)

Sat 7th - Disney Fairies 10k in the morning, running team lunch, and a meet-up planned in the afternoon. Probably taking it reasonably easy so that the legs are not too tired for tomorrow. Matterhorn is supposed to have re-opened so may try and ride that.

Sun 8th - Tinkerbell Half marathon! and Mothers Day. Will want to go into DL afterwards to take photos. Have tentatively booked Plaza Inn for a late breakfast. How much walking will depend on how my legs are holding up! May end up back in the hotel pool. Think it would be fun to grab a bench early afternoon, and just sit and wait for parade and fireworks - I may very well not want to move far so that could be a relaxing last night in Disneyland!

Mon 9th - last day. Flight out is around 10pm, so we will be able to spend most of the day in the parks again, doing any last minute rides.

Phew! For anyone still reading this far - Thanks! Just wanting thoughts on whether the Warner Bros/Hollywood, and Universal Studios days are on the right days, and best use of the perks of DLH while I have them (e.g. EMH, special activities,etc). Any other thoughts welcome too. We will most likely have 10 day tickets (coming from NZ) - although I am considering a Signature AP for myself to get the Photopass perk and discounts.

 

[courtneybeth]

Keep in mind that Southern California has terrible rush hour traffic and if you don't leave at the right time, you could be sitting in HOURS of traffic. I may be in your best interest to book a hotel for Tuesday to Wednesday so you can stay in Los Angeles and skip the driving back and forth.

 

[pa. dad]

just a few thoughts
-There are a lot more attractions at the dL park than the dca park. If you plan to hit most of the attractions, the DL park will take you longer to do that
-Finding nemo subs do not have fastpass so try to do that on one of your early mornings
- Universal- be sure to do the studio tour on the tram cars.

Hopefully matterhorn will reopen on schedule for you.

 

[SMD]

Universal could be a lot more walking than you think. You might want to do that first to have your recovery day between than and doing all the races. Also, if you go there early, you can probably hit up Farmer's Market and The Grove for dinner. I second the suggestion to consider getting a hotel near Universal for that part of the trip. Look at Sportsmens Lodge and Beverly Garland. I don't know if you had a specific Cheesecake Factory in mind, but there is one in Anaheim, so you could do that on a Disney day during the trip.