DL and DCA Touring Plans Worked as Planned

[Barefoot On A Plane]

My Kids (22, 20, 16, 9) and I made our Disneyland trip in honor of my late wife (passed away 10 months ago due to Brain Cancer) on June 9th and 10th. We had never been to DL but we have been to Disneyworld 8 times since 2010. I did much research, asked advice on this board, and spoke to others when planning for our trip. I wanted it to be the BEST trip as to honor my wife the best way possible. Although many people on here and elsewhere told me not to make a too detailed of plan when going to DL due to rides breaking down, I did anyway thats just my nature and it was my wife's nature as well. We followed the touring plans to a T and had the best time at both parks on 2 consecutive days. Yes, rides broke down. Yes, we got hungry before and after scheduled times LOL....BUT we followed the plan and did EVERYTHING we set out to do to honor my wife.

Weather was perfect and rides that were down seemed to magically open back up right on schedule (maybe divine intervention...who knows) and made our 2 days MAGICAL. I know some may say this is overkill but we honestly LOVED the chill attitude of both parks and me and my 4 kids said we would prefer DL over DW (I can't believe I'm actually admitting that) moving forward. Weather had so much to do with the whole chill vibe and we loved that. We followed the plans but STILL toured with no stress and urgency.

I have attached our plans in case anyone would like to follow them or at least try them out. I know time of year/season might make these plans not work the best but maybe someone can use these as a guide.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

As a fellow planner, I love this. I do similar. Im off to Disneyland next week, and may add some of yours to my plan

 

[DizMe]

It makes me so very happy to read about your adventures! Congratulations on what sounds like the perfect way to celebrate your wife's spirit. It gives me all the feels to know that you and your kids experienced such a wonderful time in her memory and made new memories together.

 

[BriannaRuth]

What a great way to honor your wife! So glad you had a good time.

We used to use Touring Plans extensively when we first started going to the parks and still sometimes use it for a general idea of how to plan our day. I’m glad it worked out for you!

I see your Disneyland plan pretty much ended after lunch, other than using G+ in the afternoons. How did your afternoon and evening go? Were most of your G+
waits two hours or were they shorter? Were you able to ride much during your “time fillers”?

 

[Barefoot On A Plane]

What a great way to honor your wife! So glad you had a good time.

We used to use Touring Plans extensively when we first started going to the parks and still sometimes use it for a general idea of how to plan our day. I’m glad it worked out for you!

I see your Disneyland plan pretty much ended after lunch, other than using G+ in the afternoons. How did your afternoon and evening go? Were most of your G+
waits two hours or were they shorter? Were you able to ride much during your “time fillers”?

Thank you!
Actually our DL day was so much fun after lunch. After lunch was our time to ride our must-do’s for the second or 3rd time and for the rides we did standby, we NEVER waited over 25 min. Also our G+ waits were often less than 45 min between selections. Honestly, we were walking straight from G+ ride to G+ ride without a wait at all. It was weird…we were in awe of how little we had to wait between selections. Not sure if this is the standard but we absolutely loved it.

 

[crystal1313]

I’m so happy you reported back and had a fantastic trip!! Sounds like your plan worked perfectly and I’m so glad you got everything done that you wanted to do, but most importantly I’m happy that you and your kids created wonderful memories together.

 

[Barefoot On A Plane]

I’m so happy you reported back and had a fantastic trip!! Sounds like your plan worked perfectly and I’m so glad you got everything done that you wanted to do, but most importantly I’m happy that you and your kids created wonderful memories together.

It was such a beautiful trip.

 

[Porsche4]

Thank you!
Actually our DL day was so much fun after lunch. After lunch was our time to ride our must-do’s for the second or 3rd time and for the rides we did standby, we NEVER waited over 25 min. Also our G+ waits were often less than 45 min between selections. Honestly, we were walking straight from G+ ride to G+ ride without a wait at all. It was weird…we were in awe of how little we had to wait between selections. Not sure if this is the standard but we absolutely loved it.

So glad you had such a great trip and made some wonderful new memories together. We went to DL in April 22 just after Easter when the crowds were suppose to be low but in fact were quite full on. I too am a planner but having 7 days in the park and experiencing the ease of return times for LL's even though busy, we threw the plans out the window after the second day and just went wherever we pleased. I love that the LL return times are usually so close to when you request them. Obviously there are exceptions, but if you know that going in and get those ones early then you are usually pretty good to go. I can't wait for our early December trip this year to experience all the Holiday Decorations and for the first time my adult son will be joining my daughter and I, so I too am looking forward to making wonderful new memories.

 

[Pluto468]

Thank you for reporting back. I'm so happy the trip went so wonderfully and that you and the kids had a magical time honoring your wife. It sounds like you accomplished everything you wanted to and more! Most importantly you made special memories.