DL Help, please

[Kae]

First I am going to DL!! I really never thought I would get the chance but because of work I get to go.

Here is what I need help on. DH & I will be at DL April 20-thru 23. We are leaving Pomona around 1 on Thrusday we got the 3 day hoppers. I was thinking that maybe it would be a good Idea to go to DL that afternoon(DL is open until 12) do DCA on Friday, & DL again on Sunday. Skip the parks on Saturday due to the crowds, Does that sound like a good idea?

As of right now we are staying at the Anaheim Plaza Hotel, maybe the Fairfield. We will have a car.

thanks

Kae

 

[LindaR]

Gosh, I hate to see you use a whole day's admission when you won't be getting into the park until later in the afternoon. Are you planning on going to Downtown Disney? Perhaps you could just do some shopping/window shopping at DTD and eat dinner there on your first day and then use your park tickets starting the following day. You could still go to the park on Saturday (go early). Just an idea!

DD17 and I arrive this Saturday into Ontario about 2. We are just going to DTD (nephew and his partner are coming to see us) and we will all have dinner at Ralph Brennans and then just walk around. That way, we aren't using/wasting any days on our park hopper.

 

[Kae]

I have always heard that DL is nuts on Saturdays. And April is consisdered peak so I thought maybe thursday would not be so crowded. We got a great on our passes.

kae

 

[CACruisin']

I agree with LindaR. Don't waste a day of your parkhopper not getting a full day. You can get checked in/settled at your hotel and then wander around the hotel grounds at Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian and also DTD to get a feel for things. Have a nice dinner someplace. Then hit the parks early Friday.

Yes, it is crowded, but it is crowded everyday. Especially that week since it will be the week after easter and also the last week of the southern california resident promotion. The best way to handle the crowds is go early and use Fast passes. We were at DL last weekend. It was crazy crowded, but we stil got to do pretty much everything we wanted to do. One thing to consider: DL opens earlier than DCA. We spent all day (8 am to 11 pm) at DL on Saturday. On Sunday we went back to DL at 8 am and walked onto almost every ride for the first hour. At 9:30 we headed over to DCA (opened at 10). Spent most of the rest of the day there. At 7:30 we headed back to DL for dinner and to see the fireworks (they had been cancelled Saturday night due to weather.) After the fireworks, DH and the kids went and rode space mountain again with their fast passes.

Also, we stayed at the Fairfield. It was fantastic! Easy walking distance to the park and great room.

 

[Janomi]

I have to chime in and agree with others on this topic. Use that first afternoon to get situated to the area. With a car, you probably can find a few other things on SoCal that you may want to do that is local, or just get used to the resort area, have a nice dinner, and relax.

The key to busy days is getting there early (rope drop early). You can take advantage of the mild climate in the AM and hit most of your 'wanted' rides. When it gets busy/hot, just disappear from the park and enjoy the resort. As it cools again, or you're ready to brave the crowds, head back in for evening lights, parades, Fantasmic, and the fireworks.

 

[iceskatejen]

Plus, Saturday will be a blockout day for all but Premium AP holders, so that's a lot of AP holders not in the park. I find Saturdays are often more doable than Sundays for this very reason. You could always use it as a show day after doing rides for the first few hours if the lines get to be too much. DL's entertainment is amazing and I highly recommend taking the time to check out some of the perfromances.

 

[Kae]

thanks Jen. there is alot of things I do not know about DL. I also need to rest at some point because the training I have to do before will be very intense.

Kae