Feeling so unprepared. What do I do next?

[Nanners74]

Leaving for CA on Aug. 3rd. Heading to Disney early on Aug. 7th from Oxnard. (How early will I have to leave to get to Disney when the park opens?)

Hotel is booked (DLH), airline flights are booked, car rental booked.

What should I do next?

1) I do have a DVC but don't know if it will benefit us any? I've never used it. Just activated it the other day.

2) Staying at DLH 2 nights. Are there any perks or benefits to staying here other that the disney themes carry over. So looking forward to staying there. But any other perks?

Am I missing anything? What about maps? Should I print anything out? Where is City Hall from DLH? That is going to be our first stop.

Totally lost here. Any help and input is appreciated. So, glad I was told about this site. Y'all are great!

 

[rhpaw]

Breathe deeply and relax!!

It's a vacation, you'll do more than just fine. Everything is very close and the castmembers are nicer than nice. Also anything you happen to forget you can buy onsite, with a mickey logo.

underpants to toothpaste, I'm sure.

 

[mt mommy]

Take it all in and have fun preparing and BEING there!!! You'll LOVE IT!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

dvc would save you cash. dvc will let you spend points there and it would help youd save cah in less your going to wdw and saving it for there

 

[Nanners74]

I guess I should just relax. Thanks I needed that. lol

I just want this to be the best time ever for my kids and I don't want them to miss out on anything.

How does the Meet and Greet for DVC members work?

Is it true you can get into the park early if your are at a Disney Hotel?

 

[Hound 109]

The 7th is a Thursday. Since you'll be staying at the DLH (Thur & Fri night), you'll be entitled to MM (formerly known as EE) on BOTH Thursday & Sat.

So....in order to get to DL opening (for MM opening at 7am) from Oxnard, I would leave by 4am. scared1: )

Question: Do you have 3 day parkhoppers? (Thurs/Fri/Sat)

Have you thought about NOT staying in Oxnard Wed. night & driving down & staying at a motel next to DLR wednesday night?

If you left Oxnard at 6:30pmish....you'd enjoy the beautiful PCH & Ocean for the first hour (until you get to Santa Monica) then hop on I 10 (heading east AGAINST traffic) to I 5 (heading south after traffic has died down) & arrive at the cheap motel at 9:30-10:30pm ish.

Then up for the 7am MM.

& why are you wanting to go to the CityHall first. Peter Pan & Dumbo first (always first ).

Have fun planning a visit to Walt's park.

 

[rhpaw]

Is it true you can get into the park early if your are at a Disney Hotel?

I believe that the park opens an hour earlier for onsite visitors. -and open a few hours later-
?
In truth, I've never tested becaus I've always run everyone into the ground with the time we have... I've never been wanting MORE in a day.

The best tip I can give you is to wear shoes that you don't mind walking for MILES in.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

Leaving for CA on Aug. 3rd. Heading to Disney early on Aug. 7th from Oxnard. (How early will I have to leave to get to Disney when the park opens?)

Hotel is booked (DLH), airline flights are booked, car rental booked.

What should I do next?

1) I do have a DVC but don't know if it will benefit us any? I've never used it. Just activated it the other day.

2) Staying at DLH 2 nights. Are there any perks or benefits to staying here other that the disney themes carry over. So looking forward to staying there. But any other perks?

Am I missing anything? What about maps? Should I print anything out? Where is City Hall from DLH? That is going to be our first stop.

Totally lost here. Any help and input is appreciated. So, glad I was told about this site. Y'all are great!

According to google maps, it will take you roughly 1hr and 36min to get to Anaheim from Oxnard, but I'm gonna say atleast 2hrs for traffic sake. So I think you should be leaving your house around 6. Maybe earlier like 5:20 ish so you can factor in parking and walking to the park. If you are leaving for MM you should leave an hr before that.

When staying at the DLH, you should definitely go swim in the pool. Its amazing. I recommend having a meal at Goofy's Kitchen ! I'm always over prepared so I make a reservation at (714) 781-DINE. Also I hear that the koi fish pond is beautiful so you might wanna walk by there on the DLH property to check it out.

The City Hall is located on the left side after you enter from the turnstiles. You'll see it ! I recommend making a list of things you ABSOLUTELY want to see so you can organize how you're going to attack DLR because it would be a waste of time walking in circles in certain spots when you can make the most of your time by hitting attractions in certain areas.

I hope this helps and I hope you have an AWESOME time !!

 

[Nanners74]

Actually we'll be at DLH Thurs coming in from Oxnard & Fri night leaving Sat. morning.

Schedule:

Aug 3, 4, 5 SF for son's medical tests leave @ 11 a.m.(after dr. visit) on 6th (Wed), drive to Oxnard stay night (stay w/family, saves me one night's hotel) Thurs visit disney stay at DLH, Fri visit disney stay at DLH, Sat. leave early for LAX and trip home.

 

[grizbuzz]

Then up for the 7am MM.

& why are you wanting to go to the CityHall first. Peter Pan & Dumbo first (always first ).

I think Magic Mornings (early entry) are the BEST times at the park. So if there's anyway you can get there for Thursday am, I'd do it!

I would put Nemo down as a must do for one of the early mornings! Other morning, I'd do Peter Pan and Dumbo. And I'd try to figure out how to do Toy Story Mania at DCA for the third morning!

But most of all, have fun! And if you don't get in all the rides and attractions you want, then that's just an excuse for a follow up trip!

 

[Hound 109]

According to google maps, it will take you roughly 1hr and 36min to get to Anaheim from Oxnard, but I'm gonna say atleast 2hrs for traffic sake. So I think you should be leaving your house around 6. Maybe earlier like 5:20 ish so you can factor in parking and walking to the park. If you are leaving for MM you should leave an hr before that.

I would think that the traffic (from the San Fernando Valley into Downtown & then down to Anaheim.....or from Santa Monica into Downtown & into Anaheim) at 6:30 - 7:30am on a Thurs. would be brutal. Plus, you would need to drive to the DLH, check in & get your hotel slip, drop off your luggage, park your car, then walk to the DL gate (unless you arrive late & take the monorail).

When staying at the DLH, you should definitely go swim in the pool. Its amazing. I recommend having a meal at Goofy's Kitchen ! I'm always over prepared so I make a reservation at (714) 781-DINE. Also I hear that the koi fish pond is beautiful so you might wanna walk by there on the DLH property to check it out.

The City Hall is located on the left side after you enter from the turnstiles. You'll see it ! I recommend making a list of things you ABSOLUTELY want to see so you can organize how you're going to attack DLR because it would be a waste of time walking in circles in certain spots when you can make the most of your time by hitting attractions in certain areas.

All great info above.

I hope this helps and I hope you have an AWESOME time !!

If it was my family, I'd avoid work day traffic...by leaving crazy early (before 4am).......or better still driving the previous evening (doesn't get dark till 8:30pm).....other wise that Thursday could be a real gut out it you're planning on enjoying the parks that day.

& the DLH is a wonderful hotel to take a mid day break.....plan on one each day (after touring & collecting FPs early. )

hound

 

[Hound 109]

Actually we'll be at DLH Thurs coming in from Oxnard & Fri night leaving Sat. morning.

Schedule:

Aug 3, 4, 5 SF for son's medical tests leave @ 11 a.m.(after dr. visit) on 6th (Wed), drive to Oxnard stay night (stay w/family, saves me one night's hotel) Thurs visit disney stay at DLH, Fri visit disney stay at DLH, Sat. leave early for LAX and trip home.

Got it.

Thursday might be more of a 2/3rds day for you if you stay in Oxnard Wed. night.

When are you leaving for LAX on Sat? Have you priced 3 day hoppers vrs. 2 day hoppers. You'll be entitled to MM on Sat......even if only for 2-3 hours it might be worth exploring.

Good luck on the tests & on this special visit to DL.

 

[Nanners74]

collecting FPs early. )

hound

What are FPs? Sorry I don't understand all the abbreviations yet.

 

[Hound 109]

What are FPs? Sorry I don't understand all the abbreviations yet.

Fast Passes. You'll want to understand how they work if only at DLR for 2 days.

Print HGs abbreviation page (& any other threads that are helpful) in the link below.

Read all the threads in the link (preferably with the abreviation page & DLR maps in front of you) & some you'll possibly want to read twice or even print.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's park.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

If it was my family, I'd avoid work day traffic...by leaving crazy early (before 4am).......or better still driving the previous evening (doesn't get dark till 8:30pm).....other wise that Thursday could be a real gut out it you're planning on enjoying the parks that day.

& the DLH is a wonderful hotel to take a mid day break.....plan on one each day (after touring & collecting FPs early. )

hound

Thanks Hound 109 !

 

[Nanners74]

Thanks for all the info. I'll have to figure out how to make the most of this trip may have to do some quick rearranging. If I can that is. lol

Thanks for that link Hound109

 

[CindyH]

I would also put a list of the days/times of the parades and shows that you want to see. There are 2 parades in DCA, as well as Aladdin, HSM, Playhouse Disney, and 1 parade (2 times) in DL, as well as fireworks, Fantasmic, Indy Jones, Jedi Academy, just to name a few.

 

[Nanners74]

I would also put a list of the days/times of the parades and shows that you want to see. There are 2 parades in DCA, as well as Aladdin, HSM, Playhouse Disney, and 1 parade (2 times) in DL, as well as fireworks, Fantasmic, Indy Jones, Jedi Academy, just to name a few.

Where can I get a list of the parades and show times?

 

[Sy-]

I hope you already made your priority seating (PS) reservations at the restaurants you want to eat!

 

[Daisybelle]

If you go to the Disneyland website, you can put in the dates you are visiting and it will give you list of when all the parades and shows will be. Plus they have great interactive maps you can use to learn where everything is located. Your kids might enjoy playing around with it and reading about all of the rides.

I picked up a book at the bookstore, the Unofficial Guide To Disneyland, and has many great tips. Including visiting this website! My daughter has been studying it all week and making many lists of what she wants to do.