First day plan

[disneymom23]

We arrive on Saturday, March 22. We will probably get there mid-afternoon. Staying at the PPH. We plan on swimming for a couple of hours. We have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen for dinner at 6:30. That will be an early night. Although, I think you can see the fireworks from the PPH pool deck. I may have to sneak out to watch them. Maybe with DD10.

Sunday, up and out early to take advantage of MM. What time should we arrive at the gate- 6:30 or before? We'll eat some cereal bars, bananas in line. The plan is to do FL- PP, Dumbo, Matterhorn, Alice, Mr. Toad. Is this the best order? After that, we'll see how much time we have left and do whatever the kids want- teacups, Pinocchio, Snow White. Maybe do SM and Buzz. Leave DL and head to DCA to do Soarin' before opening. What time do you suggest leaving DL?

In DCA, do Soarin', get FP for Grizzly and CA Screamin', do the rides at Paradise Pier. By this time, I'm sure we'll need lunch. Any recommendations?
After lunch, do Grizzly, pick up ToT FP, check out Bug's Land.

Head back to hotel for a rest, pick up Soarin' FP.

We have 5:30 reservations at Tratorria. After that, we can use FP's we collected. We also want to see Aladdin at some point and Turtle Talk, Monster's.

Also, the Electrical Parade. Is it possible to do all this? It seems like too much to do in a day.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

 

[homeboycartel]

We arrive on Saturday, March 22. We will probably get there mid-afternoon. Staying at the PPH. We plan on swimming for a couple of hours. We have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen for dinner at 6:30. That will be an early night. Although, I think you can see the fireworks from the PPH pool deck. I may have to sneak out to watch them. Maybe with DD10.

Sunday, up and out early to take advantage of MM. What time should we arrive at the gate- 6:30 or before?

I'd recommend arriving 30 min before opening. If MM is at 7, then 630, but if at 8, you should be fine at 730, or 715 to be RIGHT THERE at open

We'll eat some cereal bars, bananas in line. The plan is to do FL- PP, Dumbo, Matterhorn, Alice, Mr. Toad. Is this the best order? After that, we'll see how much time we have left and do whatever the kids want- teacups, Pinocchio, Snow White. Maybe do SM and Buzz. Leave DL and head to DCA to do Soarin' before opening. What time do you suggest leaving DL?

Well DCA opens at 10, but they allow you inside the gate at 930. If you are leaving Tommorowland around 930, you should be able to be at Soarin at drop and then walk onto Grizzly or grab FP. Ca Screamin sometimes does not open until later, check the board in Sunshine Square

In DCA, do Soarin', get FP for Grizzly and CA Screamin', do the rides at Paradise Pier. By this time, I'm sure we'll need lunch. Any recommendations?
After lunch, do Grizzly, pick up ToT FP, check out Bug's Land.

Any of the Wharf eateries are good and some of the best food values in the DLR

Head back to hotel for a rest, pick up Soarin' FP.

We have 5:30 reservations at Tratorria. After that, we can use FP's we collected. We also want to see Aladdin at some point and Turtle Talk, Monster's.

Also, the Electrical Parade. Is it possible to do all this? It seems like too much to do in a day.

The walking/traveling back and forth to the hotel can take upwards of 30 min each way given the pedestrian speeds, traffic flow, and distance. Longer if you use your car, so it may be enough depending on FL. DCA should not be that busy, so all your plans there should work out just fine

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

A very good plan. DLR, overall, necessitates much less planning than does WDW as the area is so much smaller

 

[disneymom23]

A very good plan. DLR, overall, necessitates much less planning than does WDW as the area is so much smaller[/QUOTE]

I think that's where I'm having a hard time. I've only been to WDW once and it was an ordeal to get from hotel to park. Once we were in a park, we stayed. We were at the Polynesian so it was a bit more convenient.

I can't picture the proximity at DLR. In my mind, I know we can walk from PPH, and easily park hop. But I'm having a hard time believing it can happen. I think I need to just get there and see it first hand.

Off topic, since we'll be there for Easter, I ordered baskets for my kids to be delivered to the room. CA Dreamin Minnie for DD10, Tinkerbell for DD8 and Marvelous Mickey for DS6. They were sure that the Bunny would know we'd be in Disney and I didn't want to disappoint them.

 

[Hound 109]

Are you only at the parks that one day?

Looks like a well thought out plan.

A couple of thoughts:

- be prepared for changes in plans as the day goes on.

- be prepared for a needed break after lunch (but luckily the PP is VERY close to DCA (exit thru the GCH hotel) 5 minutes tops.

- Consider riding Griz rapids before your break (in case you get soaked).

Have fun.

 

[disneymom23]

Are you only at the parks that one day?

Looks like a well thought out plan.

A couple of thoughts:

- be prepared for changes in plans as the day goes on.

- be prepared for a needed break after lunch (but luckily the PP is VERY close to DCA (exit thru the GCH hotel) 5 minutes tops.

- Consider riding Griz rapids before your break (in case you get soaked).

Have fun.

I want to have the early part of the day planned out. After that, I'll go with the flow. DH doesn't want me to plan too much, but I want to be prepared So, I figure I'll plan the start of the day in my head and then relax a bit. Good compromise, don't you think?

I was planning on riding Grizzly before the break. Thanks for the suggestion. This is the first of our 3 days in the park. I need to think out the next 2 days. I will post them and get your suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Hound 109]

Have fun.

We arrive on Saturday, March 22. We will probably get there mid-afternoon. Staying at the PPH. We plan on swimming for a couple of hours. We have reservations at Goofy's Kitchen for dinner at 6:30. That will be an early night. Although, I think you can see the fireworks from the PPH pool deck.

I THINK THAT THE POOL IS ON THE "WRONG" SIDE OF THE HOTEL BUILDING FOR VIEWING. HOPEFULLY SOMEONE ELSE CAN CONFIRM.

I may have to sneak out to watch them. Maybe with DD10.

Sunday, up and out early to take advantage of MM. What time should we arrive at the gate- 6:30 or before? We'll eat some cereal bars, bananas in line. The plan is to do FL- PP, Dumbo, Matterhorn, Alice, Mr. Toad. Is this the best order?

i THINK IT IS. TRY TO BE ON PP BEFORE THE DELUGE (AVOID DAWDLING & PIC TAKING TILL LATER. THERE'S A BATHROOM NEXT TO ALICE, FYI.

After that, we'll see how much time we have left and do whatever the kids want- teacups, Pinocchio, Snow White. Maybe do SM and Buzz.


I'D CONSIDER BUZZ & SM (INSTEAD OF) PINOCCHIO & SNOWWHITE IF THEY'RE IMPORTANT FOR THAT DAY. ALSO, PICK UP A FP AT SM OR INDY (ON THE HOUR) IN THE EVENT YOU RETURN TO DL LATER THAT DAY.

Leave DL and head to DCA to do Soarin' before opening. What time do you suggest leaving DL?

In DCA, do Soarin', get FP for Grizzly and CA Screamin', do the rides at Paradise Pier. By this time, I'm sure we'll need lunch. Any recommendations?
After lunch, do Grizzly, pick up ToT FP, check out Bug's Land.

Head back to hotel for a rest, pick up Soarin' FP.

We have 5:30 reservations at Tratorria. After that, we can use FP's we collected. We also want to see Aladdin at some point and Turtle Talk, Monster's.

IMO, CRUSH, ALADDIN & MONSTERS ARE BEST ENJOYED EARLY. (THIS IS A SUNDAY, RIGHT)....MAYBE GET THE FP AT TOT (WHICH IS NEXT TO ALADDIN) EARLY & THEN ON TO SCREAMIN & PARADISE PIER A BIT LATER.

Also, the Electrical Parade. Is it possible to do all this? It seems like too much to do in a day.

DOABLE, BUT YOU'LL HAVE OTHER DAYS SO IF YOU DON'T GET IT ALL DONE THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW. (& TAKE THAT REST).

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

 

[disneymom23]

Hound, Thanks for all your tips. Can I ask why you think Monsters, Aladdin, Crush are better earlier? Is it because there are longer lines later?