Easter Trip after a few years away

[Beck & the Beast]

We’re heading back to Disneyland after a bit of a hiatus, our last trip was in December 2016. I will be travelling with my eight-year-old DD and my mom. I know a few things have changed since we were last there so looking for a few quick highlights and tips. Max pass is new since our last trip and thinking we’ll splurge since we’ll be there Easter weekend April 17-23 (park days 18-22).

We fly into LAX about 4:40pm on the 17th. We’ve used both SuperShuttle and Lansky in the past but thinking about Uber/Lyft this time - is one better than the other? Is it likely the commute will be long during rush hour? May splurge on a towncar if we’ll be more comfortable waiting in traffic and not worrying about peak pricing. Staying at HoJo and planning on dinner somewhere on Harbour or Downtown Disney.

Should we use our magic morning on Thursday or Saturday?

Have booked Blue Bayou Fantasmic package reserved for Sunday, Apr 21@ 6:10 for 1st showing. Do they still give a seat cushion? What time should we line up for seats?

We’ve done Plaza Inn Minnie’s Breakfast before. Is character interaction still good there? Can we still make a reservation during EMH if we don’t use our MM on the Sat? Otherwise we may try Storyteller’s on Tues, Apr 23 before our departure.

Other goals are the rides my daughter wasn’t tall enough for our last trip (Indiana Jones & Incredicoaster)! And since we all love rides, all the other coasters and RSR a few times. Also, we love the parades too and hoping to check out some Food & Wine festivities since we’ve never been this time of year.

Are there any other things that will be happening over Easter?

Thanks!

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

I would MM on Saturday, it will be the most busy. Might be good to take a break around noon.

We did the BB Fantasmic package last year, they were still handing out the seat cushions. We did not line up early, did not really care about front row seating. We only line up if front row is absolutely necessary for us, all the seat in that section are good.

Plaza Inn Minis Breakfast is and absolute must for us each trip. No better place for character interactions and number of characters. Last trip it was Peter, Hook, Fairygodmother, Chip, Dale, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Mini, Rafiki, Max and a couple others I forget. We always like the 10am reservations. Get there for MM rope drop, ride like crazy for a few hours, then take a break for breakfast.

Make sure to do the in-park Easter egg hunt!

 

[VandVsmama]

You're going to have such a great time! We did 5 days at DL a couple of years ago. It's one of my favorite trips so far! In terms of transportation from the airport, I'd be inclined to use Lansky or Lyft. With Lansky, you can make a short stop at a grocery store on the way to your hotel from the airport, so that's handy if you want to grab a few snacks for your hotel room.

We stayed at Hojo 2 yr ago on our 1-week DL trip. We really enjoyed staying there. The customer service there is really great!

I think that you should use your Magic Morning on your 1st park day, which would be Thursday. You'll have the most energy that day, so it will be easiest to be up early for MM on that day.

 

[Beck & the Beast]

I would MM on Saturday, it will be the most busy. Might be good to take a break around noon.

We did the BB Fantasmic package last year, they were still handing out the seat cushions. We did not line up early, did not really care about front row seating. We only line up if front row is absolutely necessary for us, all the seat in that section are good.

Plaza Inn Minis Breakfast is and absolute must for us each trip. No better place for character interactions and number of characters. Last trip it was Peter, Hook, Fairygodmother, Chip, Dale, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Mini, Rafiki, Max and a couple others I forget. We always like the 10am reservations. Get there for MM rope drop, ride like crazy for a few hours, then take a break for breakfast.

Make sure to do the in-park Easter egg hunt!

Thanks for the tips! We have done Minnie's a few times in the past and always loved the amount of characters and seeing some obscure ones! I haven't done Goofy's Kitchen since 2009 I think and never tried Storyteller's, but it sounds like there's still not as many characters there. I wasn't sure if there was more variety of food/better quality at GCH though.

The Easter Egg hunt sounds like fun! Is it a map or through the app?

 

[Beck & the Beast]

You're going to have such a great time! We did 5 days at DL a couple of years ago. It's one of my favorite trips so far! In terms of transportation from the airport, I'd be inclined to use Lansky or Lyft. With Lansky, you can make a short stop at a grocery store on the way to your hotel from the airport, so that's handy if you want to grab a few snacks for your hotel room.

We stayed at Hojo 2 yr ago on our 1-week DL trip. We really enjoyed staying there. The customer service there is really great!

I think that you should use your Magic Morning on your 1st park day, which would be Thursday. You'll have the most energy that day, so it will be easiest to be up early for MM on that day.

Lansky is definitely convenient and such good service. I forgot they offered a grocery stop, that might be a good idea to get some breakfast items and snacks without having to Uber to Target later on.

 

[chickapin parterre]

you will be more fresh from jet lag on Saturday for the MM after the plane flight....but if you have Disneyland in you DNA, I don't see how you can wake-up Thursday morning at 5:00 am and deep inside know that Disneyland is outside your door.....if that happens, then follow your DNA and go Thursday morning MM, because after two full days and air travel, the knock Saturday morning at your lodging door may not be as loud as it was Thursday morning.

 

[Beck & the Beast]

Luckily, we're only an hour time difference and 3-hour flight from California, so jet lag for us will not be too bad. I know the excitement-level will be high, so I'm leaning toward MM on Thursday. Does anyone know, can you still book a Plaza Inn reservation during EMH without being a hotel guest and they'll escort you to the restaurant?