Do we add Disneyland to our vacation?

[KCmike]

the grand canyon would be to far off the path of getting home.

Today is the day we decide. I know the driving is going to be a bear but it would be great to say that we saw:

San Fran (golden gate bridge, pier)
Monterey (aquarium, 17 mile drive)
Yosemite
Sequioua Natl Forest
Disneyland...again

All in the span of 12 days.

Wish me luck....I've ordered our disney rewards card yesterday in hopes of talking the wife into it. My ace in the sleeve so to speak.

 

[ibesue]

Good luck with your decision! If you really want to come back to Disneyland, I would suggest just drive down the I5 and spend more time at Disneyland!

Sue

 

[4Ollies]

Good luck with your decision Mike. I'm in SW Missouri and used a trip to San Jose this June as a reason to go to DL. It didn't take much talking in my house since we all really enjoy Disney. We are flying though instead of driving so have a little more time to play with. Doing Disney Sunday-Thursday then driving to San Jose and staying with a friend from Friday-Monday. It's hard to be that close to Disney and not go visit.

I would take into account that two of your three kids aren't really wanting to go this year. Nothing like kids, no matter what their ages, who don't want to do something. I know my sisters and I could make any trip a nightmare! It sounds like you all are going to be pretty busy without the extra drive time and there is plenty to do in Northern California if you can live without a Disney fix.

 

[KCmike]

We are finishing our cali vacation in disneyland. Northern calif with the main stay in yosemite and finishing with three days at disneyland resort. We are staying at HOJO and am really excited about that. Previously only stayed at Fairfield Inn. I know the pool will be down but I am excited about all the good reviews.

We are doing Thurs/Fri/Sat at the parks....really wanted to see all the shows and fireworks etc this time around.

We saw Electrical Light parade at Disneyworld several years ago and we can't believe we get to see it again. It was our first parade we ever saw...way before Spectromagic.

Will the 10:30 time of fantasmic be okay on a sat night?

Any advice for my first weekend at disneyland?

 

[shelemm]

Northern California is filled with so many wonderful things to see and do, it seems crazy to add all that driving to DL.

I wouldn't miss Point Lobos State Park, considered to be the most beautiful of the California State parks (and that's saying something!). Also, do you plan on visiting anywhere to walk among the Redwoods? It would be a shame to miss them. Really, there are great things around every corner up there.

 

[Hound 109]

We are finishing our cali vacation in disneyland. Northern calif with the main stay in yosemite and finishing with three days at disneyland resort. We are staying at HOJO and am really excited about that. Previously only stayed at Fairfield Inn. I know the pool will be down but I am excited about all the good reviews.

We are doing Thurs/Fri/Sat at the parks....really wanted to see all the shows and fireworks etc this time around.

We saw Electrical Light parade at Disneyworld several years ago and we can't believe we get to see it again. It was our first parade we ever saw...way before Spectromagic.

Will the 10:30 time of fantasmic be okay on a sat night?

Any advice for my first weekend at disneyland?

Good for you, Mike.

You probably already know this but for Fri & Sat, get to the parks early & collect 3-5 FPs in DL for the evening. (& will Sat. be your MM day?)

I'd see the Aladdin show mid day when it starts getting crowded at DL & when it's hot. (You'll have hoppers, right?)

Will a pool be available at Hojo's? A mid day break is a good idea....especially if you're considering a 10:30 viewing on Sat.

Have a great time & report back.

 

[BillyFan]

Woo-hoo!
I think you might have been bummed if you had passed on DLR when you are so close.
As Hound said, be sure to get to the park early and collect FPs like crazy!
We love Hojos! They will have a pool open for your use. When we were there a couple of weeks ago, the quiet pool was just about ready to open.
We also love the ELP, and it is pretty easy to get a good spot toward the beginning of the parade route right before it starts.
We olny see F! during the 10:30 show. It's much easier to find a spot.
Have a great time!

 

[NostalgicDad]

Glad you got it nailed down. It sounds like a great trip. We have been discussing our plans for this year's vacation and both DL and Yosemite are again coming up quite often with the kids. After doing that last July/August, I'm trying to push back on the Yosemite portion though so that we can do it at a better time of the year to enjoy the full-flowing waterfalls vs. the trickle late in the summer. I think now would be a good time for us to plan for a late spring visit to Yosemite in '09.

Any advice for my first weekend at disneyland?

Pace yourself and just take it all in. Can't wait to see some pictures of your trip!

 

[KCmike]

Thanks Hound and Nostalgic.

So it is true that you can go after your fast pass expires at DL?
Is is also like DW that you have to wait till your other fast pass expires before you can get more?

I know the weekend will probably be crazy with the crowds (I have been in June at Disneyworld when it was high 90's and the crowds were horrible so I have some experience there).

This will probably be our last visit for quite sometime to both California and DL sad I know. My wife and I's anniversary is in 2010 (20 year!) and we have decided for the first time we will leave the kids at home and celebrate at Disneyworld. We were listening to wishes the other day and it made us long for that firework show. It will be great.

Till then...bring on California and all its glory.

Oh yeah. How do fastpasses work with DL and California Adventure. If I get one for Haunted Mansion at DL how long before I can get one for Soarin at CA?

 

[Rescue Pooh]

The answer to this question is always YES!!!

I would have to agree with the above, but it all depends on your budget. You can never go wrong with Disneyland. Have fun in Yosemite it's a very Beautiful place.

 

[avalon451]

Oh yeah. How do fastpasses work with DL and California Adventure. If I get one for Haunted Mansion at DL how long before I can get one for Soarin at CA?

KC, read Hydroguy's "tips and tricks" sticky thread at the top of the page. It's got all your answers for how to use FP and how to get the most out of your time, with the least standing in line.

 

[Hound 109]

KC, read Hydroguy's "tips and tricks" sticky thread at the top of the page. It's got all your answers for how to use FP and how to get the most out of your time, with the least standing in line.

Yes definitely read HG's sticky of threads. (& regarding your FP & touring questions, read his "How to tour DLR & use FP on a Crowded Summer Day" thread..or something like that...& his FP threads).

Here's a link to our visit last month which kind of shows how much one can do if one:

- Gets to DL 30 min. before rope drop.
- Tour DL for 2-4 hours & pick up 3-5 FPs.
- Hop to DCA for 2-4 hours (& pick up FPs if you want to).
- Rest in the afternoon.
- Go back to DL in the early evening with the FPs in your pocket. (that you picked up in the morning) Use the FPs during the crowded early evening hours.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1800918


Have fun!